Mission Possible in 2023!
BWMS Families,
It was a great first week at BWMS. I was impressed with our students and their willingness to help and support each other as everyone was learning new schedules, new routines, and for some a new building. Each classroom had a goal to get to know each other as learners and establish common norms and expectations so our school year will go well. We look to build upon this positive environment next week as we choose daily to S.O.A.R daily in the areas of Scholarship, Ownership, Awareness and Respect. We will also strive to grow in all areas of the Eagle Profile - (Adaptable Learner, Collaborator, Communicator, Problem Solver and Responsible Citizen). This is our Mission Possible!
Have a great weekend and Go Eagles,
Mr. Josh Frame
Important Updates
- STAR assessments will be given in Reading and Math during the week of 8/21/23. All students participate in the STAR universal screener to help our staff personalize instruction and supports. Language Arts and Math Teachers will give the assessment during the normal class schedule and teachers will review results next week.
- BWMS Open House Parent Curriculum Night is Thursday August 24th with a 6:00 PM start time. Parents will have an opportunity to meet with each team, meet with related arts teachers as well as hear from the building administration. The evening will finish by 7:30 PM. More details below.
- There is no school on Monday 9/4/23 due to Labor Day.
- STAR reports will be sent home on Friday 9/8/23.
Other Opening of School Details
- Although most students at the MS have traditionally selected not to use a locker, we do have some lockers that are available upon request. Please CLICK HERE to request a locker for your student. Please complete the form to request a locker and someone from the office will connect with your student to assign a locker and provide the passcode.
- BWMS cannot provide supervision of students until 7:15 AM each morning so we ask that parents arrange drop off schedules accordingly. At that time, all students report to the auditorium until released to go to their 1st period class. Breakfast is available in our cafeteria beginning at 7:15 AM
- If your child will be absent, please call the school by 8:30 AM on the day of the absence.
- Parent Drop Off and Pick Up should use S Old 3C entrance and the loop in front of the school to exit using the same road. Only buses should enter and leave using the old BWI / Letts Ave path for safety reasons. We ask that you pull all the way down to the Orange Cone so we can drop off and pick up as many students as possible. Student pick up will be different this year and we appreciate your patience.
Advisory Individual Reading Program
Today was the first of our grade-level meetings where the office team had the opportunity to talk with our 7th grade students about our school goals and expectations for the year. We will have a grade-level meeting for 8th grade on Tuesday. We shared that one of our goals for the school year is for each student to grow a full grade level or more in reading. Specifically, we highlighted that first we learn to read, then and for the remainder of our lives, we read to learn. Therefore, BWMS will be encouraging all students and adults to drop everything and read for 15 minutes each Monday after our 15 minute CharacterStrong PBIS lesson in Advisory.
Families, we need your help to reach this goal by sending your child to school with a reading material of their choice (book, magazine, etc.), especially on Mondays. Thank you!
BWMS Open House Parent Curriculum Night
BWMS is excited to meet our parents/guardians at the Open House Parent Curriculum Night on Thursday 8/24/23. We ask families to attend the following sessions with your student's TEAM of teachers according to the following schedule:
- 6:00-6:25 Team Presentation Last Names A-G
- 6:30-6:55 Team Presentation Last Names H-P
- 7:00-7:25 Team Presentation Last Name Q-Z
Related arts (elective) teachers will be presenting during the same time periods listed above in the Library (6:00, 6:30 and 7:00). We encourage parents to join one of these sessions as well for the opportunity to meet our related arts teachers and hear about their classes.
Finally, there will be optional Principal meeting in the Auditorium at 6:30 or 7:00 for parents to hear from the building administration. Parents, it you are not available that night, BWMS staff will place important class information in Schoology.
Locations for the Team presentations will be posted around the school for your convenience. Parents/Guardians are the intended audience of our Parent Night so your students do not need to attend.
Reminder for 7th Grade Families
All 7th grade students are required to have an updated Tdap and meningitis vaccine. We would ask that parents provide written proof of immunization or a letter of objection to the school within the first two weeks of school. Please contact our School Nurse at MeganTruax@bwls.net or the office with any questions.
August
18 1st Day with All Students
21 W STAR Assessments (7 & 8 Reading & Math)
24 Open House Parent Curriculum Night 6:00-7:30
September
4 Labor Day (no school)
5-8 Student Council/SOAR Elections
8 STAR reports sent Home
15 Grade Update Day
18 Teacher PD Day / Fair Day
19-22 Spirit Week
22 Homecoming
26 Picture Day 7:45-2:20
26 Conferences, 3:30-7:30
29 SOAR cart
Month View Calendar Link
iCalendar Link
PowerSchool is the main system of communication for the middle school about Attendance, Grades and Assignments. Teachers use PowerTeacher to communicate upcoming and missing assignments about each course.
As a general overview, BWMS holds the perspective that we care more about the Learning and less about the Grade in that we want to focus on developing student knowledge and skills without an overburdensome focus on maintaining marks. The learning in and of itself should be the primary motivation based on relevant and engaging activities rather than an extrinsic grade. Overall, we believe in multiple opportunities for success and will provide reteaching strategies to help your student reach mastery. Thank you for your patience as our students learn about the value of hard work and perseverance.
Parents also have view access into each Schoology Page as before. The primary use of PowerSchool is a learning management system which supports communication from the teacher to each student about learning and assignments.
More details will be shared during out BWMS Parent Information Night at August 24th.
BWMS Athletic Information
Reminder that all athletes should have their final forms complete and hard copy of the physical submitted prior to participation.
All information for BWMS athletics can be found at bigwalnutathletics.net and on Schoology.
Military-Connected Families
We are committed to seeking out our military connected families and assisting those families as needed. Should an immediate family member currently be serving in the military, please complete this form.
BWMS SOARing Staff Member Award
The SOARing Staff Award and used to recognize a Big Walnut Middle School Staff Member who goes above and beyond to support the mission of BWLS to inspire and guide each student to his or her maximum potential. If you would love to recognize a staff member, please submit their name and reason on the following form... HERE.
Mr. Josh Frame
Email: JoshFrame@bwls.net
Website: bwls.net
Location: 555 S Old 3C Road, Sunbury, OH, United States
Phone: (740)965-3006
Twitter: @Josh_Frame
