Banks Middle School

Dear Families,

Apologies for a late newsletter this week! It was a very busy week last week with the start of semester 2. Our students did a fantastic job with learning their new schedules and starting the semester off strong. Wrapping up semester 1, report cards went home last week and they should be arriving in your mailboxes this week, if they haven't already. Included in with the report cards are your students math and reading iReady diagnostic results from the winter. It includes whether or not your student grew and by how much compared to the fall. I encourage you to review these results with your student, as well as their report card. It's a great chance to celebrate any improvements and achievements your student has made this year, as well as a chance to reflect on goals that they have not yet met and how we can set them up for success this semester. If you are in need of extra support or ideas for how to help your child, please do not hesitate to reach out to their teachers, or our counselor Ms. del Villar.

We have some snow in the forecast this week, please make sure you are signed up for Flash Alert to get the latest information on school delays and closures, and you can refer to this document for bus snow route information.

Additionally, I wanted to give 6th grade families a heads up that we are now very much in the thick of planning for Outdoor School this coming April 22-25. We highly encourage 6th grade parents to come to the Outdoor School family night on 2/20 from 6:15-7:15 (also the same night as the science fair!). We will be sending home an important packet with 6th graders soon, which includes forms we need returned to us with Medical information as well as emergency contacts. We will also include a packing list and other information for families in that packet. I will email 6th grade families the day we send that packet home so you know to expect it.

Read on for information on the following topics:

• Save the date - Science Fair and Outdoor School Family Night February 20th
• Vaccine exclusion day
• Portland Trailblazers - Rip City Achievers program for students with 3.0 or above GPA
• Teen spring newsletter from the Banks Library
• Got tissues? We need them!
• Flash Alert information for School Closures
• Inclement weather bus route information
• And more!

Best wishes,

Caitlin Everett

BMS Principal

February 6- PTO meeting in BMS Library 5:00

February 17 - No school, President's day

February 19- Vaccine Exclusion Day

February 20th - Science Fair 4-6 pm

February 20th - Outdoor School Family Information Night 6:15-7:15 pm (after the Science Fair)

April 22nd - 25th - Outdoor School for 6th graders

Every Tuesday and Thursday after school from 3:15-4:00 - Homework Club

Feb. 19 is School Exclusion Day, and the Oregon Immunization Program is reminding parents that children will not be able to attend school or child care starting that day if their records on file show missing immunizations. Please visit the OHA website for information on immunizations, exclusion and exemptions.

All BMS students who earned a 3.0 GPA or higher can get a FREE ticket to an upcoming Portland Trail Blazers game! Please click the link above for details. What a great way to celebrate the end of the semester!

As we move through cold season, we find ourselves running low on tissues for our classrooms! We would appreciate any donations to get us through the year! Please drop off donations to the main office.

With winter weather approaching, please make sure you are registered with FlashAlert. This is how we communicate school closures, bus route changes, and any other important information regarding our school! You can register for FlashAlert here. You register online or by downloading the app to your smart device.

We have some field trips coming up this spring, parents wishing to chaperone must have an up to date background check on file with the school district. You can access the background check form here!

With the presence of inclement weather brings the possibility of changes to our school district operations. The potential changes are:

• Transportation - Individual Routes may be placed on Snow Routes or Limited Routes (More Severe). The exact modifications for each route (Snow or Limited) are listed here. Please note, if the route is adjusted for the AM trip, the PM trip will follow the same adjustment.

• Delayed Opening - School buildings may be delayed in opening for two hours from their original time.

• Full District Closure - If conditions are such that staff and students can not safely travel to school.

• Early Release - In the event of the onset of inclement and worsening conditions during the school day. This is rare, however families should discuss the potential need of unexpected childcare.

Our process is to continuously monitor weather forecasts throughout winter. When forecasts indicate a chance of inclement weather we begin monitoring conditions the evening prior. Then, transportation and district officials monitor actual conditions in the early morning. A decision on transportation or other operating conditions will be made by 5:30 AM. All information will be communicated through Flash Alert. Please make sure to subscribe to this service.

Washington County has informed us that over 80% of our students reside below 200 feet in elevation. As a result, the majority of the winter our weather response will be adjusted by bus routes. However, some families will experience significantly different conditions based on their elevation. Families will always be supported in making their own decisions for their students and there will be no academic penalties for students who are unable to attend due to transportation concerns.

Leadership is kicking off our first fundraiser of the year! We are now a BottleDrop Give organization and participating using “blue bags”.

Once you fill the bag, you can:

1) Have your student pick up a blue bag with QR code sticker from Ms. King

2) Return it to Mrs. King full of cans/bottles and she will take it to a BottleDrop

3) You can also return it to a BottleDrop location and make sure they scan the BMS Leadership QR code.

Yearbooks are now on sale!

We want to feature many amazing students and staff, so we are increasing the size of the book!

The cost is $25 and money can be turned in to Mrs. Turner in the office or online at Jostens. Books are on sale until February 28, 2025

Homework club is an after school activity where students can work on school work in a supervised setting. Homework club is from 3:15-4:00 on Tuesday and Thursday in the library. Permission slips are required, students can get a permission slip in the office. Please note, a student needs to have work to do during homework club. It is not a place to "hang out" or pass time after school. Also note that attendance is not taken, please be aware of your child's homework club attendance plans ahead of time and ensure they have a way home, as transportation is not provided.

If you shop at Fred Meyer you are now able to support our PTO by enrolling in the Community Rewards program with Fred Meyer. Once enrolled, they will contribute $ to the PTO for all eligible purchases.

Signing up is easy. Visit https://www.fredmeyer.com. Once logged into your Fred Meyer account, you can search for Banks Middle School PTO either by name or "VI069" and then click "Enroll". New users will need to create an account, which requires some basic information, a valid email address and a rewards card.

Please see below for our full updated student handbook.