Mrs. Gonzalez's Weekly Update

Hello Raider Families,

Welcome Back! We’re Excited to See Our Students!

We are so excited to welcome our students back to campus for the first day of school on Thursday, August 13! We hope everyone has had a wonderful summer, and we are looking forward to seeing familiar faces and welcoming our new students to the school community.

📅 First Two Days of School

On Thursday, August 13, and Friday, August 14, students will attend all seven periods. We will be following our Monday/Tuesday bell schedule on both days.

If your student did not pick up their schedule, there will be an opportunity to stop by the school on Monday, August 10, between 1:00–3:00 p.m. to pick it up.

📸 Picture Day

We will also have picture opportunities for students who were not able to have their photo taken during registration. All 8th graders will have their pictures taken, and 6th and 7th graders who did not attend registration will also have an opportunity to take their school picture.

⭐ Tips for a Successful First Day

A little preparation can make the first day go much more smoothly:

• Help your student get a good night's sleep and eat breakfast before school.
• Have them pack everything they need the night before.
• Make sure they know where they need to go when they arrive and have their schedule handy.
• Encourage them to arrive with enough time to get settled without feeling rushed.
• If you are picking your student up after school, please make a specific plan ahead of time for where you will meet. Having a clear meeting location will help make dismissal easier and less stressful for everyone.
• Remind students to be patient and flexible. The first few days can be busy as everyone gets used to schedules, routines, and procedures.

🚗 A Few Important Arrival & Dismissal Reminders

Please plan for extra time during drop-off and pick-up, especially during the first few days. Be patient, drive carefully, and watch closely for our students in and around the school zones. Their safety is our top priority.

Parents and guardians are welcome to drop students off at the designated areas, but once your student has been dropped off, please do not remain on campus or enter through the gates. This helps us maintain a safe, organized environment for our students and staff.

Thank you in advance for your patience, cooperation, and partnership as we get the school year off to a great start.

We can't wait to see everyone on Thursday, August 13! Welcome back!

Your proud principal,

Bonnie Gonzalez

The PTSA is a membership-based, volunteer organization dedicated to making each school year a rewarding and enriching experience for our students and their families. We provide financial support and volunteers to many of the programs offered at BMMS including providing the Raider Reminders, running the Reflections art program, providing a back-to-school breakfast for our teachers, organizing Teacher Appreciation Week, supporting grade level activities, and more! If you haven't yet become a member, please click the link below. Membership is just $15. For more information email Julie at bmmsptsapresident@gmail.com. Thank you!

Join Here

• Mental Health Resources
• Military Family Resources
• PUSD Parent Education/Workshops
• Student Resources
• Technology
• Transportation

• Volunteer Information - Stay tuned, changes for the 26-27 school year.

As part of our ongoing commitment to campus safety, when visiting, please ring the bell and wait for the door to be unlocked to allow entry. For all visits and volunteer activities, please bring a valid photo ID to sign in at the front desk kiosk. Once your information is cleared, you may proceed to your destination.

We kindly ask that you do not hold the door open for others, as each visitor must be screened individually for everyone’s safety. Please also remember to sign in and out each time you are on campus.

If you are picking up your child early, call the attendance hotline a minimum of 2 hours in advance. You will still be required to sign their check-out/off-campus pass. Students arriving late should check in through the system, but families should also call the attendance hotline to clear tardies.

Ms. Gonzalez is hosting a Virtual Principal Coffee on Friday, September 11, at 8:15 a.m.

This is a wonderful opportunity to grab a cup of coffee, connect with Ms. Gonzalez, ask questions, and engage in meaningful conversation about our school community.

Additionally, our counselors and Assistant Principals will join the meeting from time to time, as their schedules permit, providing another opportunity to connect with members of our leadership team.

To help us prepare for the discussion, please submit any questions for Ms. Gonzalez by 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9.

• Submit Your RSVP here
• Submit Your Questions here

The meeting link will be emailed on Thursday afternoon, September 10, to everyone who has RSVP'd.

We look forward to seeing you there!

8th Grade - Picture Day

and 6th/7th Grade students that didn't have their picture during registration.

The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to the BMMS Library! August 31-September 4

Students will have the opportunity to shop the book fair before school, at lunch and after school. This is a fundraiser for the library; in person and online purchases support the library’s efforts to select new books and materials for our students.

Visit BMMS’ Book Fair page to:

• Set-up your student’s e-wallet (recommended)

• Preview books featured this year

• Shop the online book fair starting August 31

https://www.scholastic.com/bf/blackmountainmiddleschool

Volunteer for the Book Fair

We are always looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help make the book fair run smoothly so that students and educators have an enjoyable experience. Click the link below to sign-up!

Thank you.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0445ABA72FA1F9CE9-64491066-bmms#/

August

08/13/26 - First day of School, Regular, 8am start time

08/19/26 - 8th Grade and Make-Up Picture Day (during school day)

08/26/26 - Back to School Night, 5:30-7:30pm

08/31/26 - 09/04/26 - Scholastic Book Fair, Fundraiser

September

09/15/26-10/15/26 - Hispanic Heritage Month

09/01/26 - 09/04/26 - Scholastic Book Fair, Fundraiser

09/07/26 - Labor Day, No School

09/09/26 - AVID Induction Day, 6pm

09/10/26 - PUSD Board Meeting, 6pm

09/11/26 - Coffee with the Principal, 8:15am (MS Teams)

09/11/26 - Picture Make Up

09/12/26 - 6th Grade Open House @ Camp Cuyamaca, 10am -2pm

09/16/26 - School Site Council Meeting, 2:45-3:45pm

09/18/26 - Breakfast of Champions - PE (by invitation only)

09/25/26 - End of 6-week grading period - progress reports

*Subject to Change