BMS Parents/Guardians,

The start of school is fast approaching and we couldn't be more excited! The first day of school for Beckwith students is Wednesday, September 6th.

Our hardworking custodians are putting the finishing touches on cleaning the school. We appreciate their diligence!!!

Please read on for important back to school information. As always, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email or call us.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Stephen Donovan, Ed.D.

BMS Principal

sdonovan@drregional.org

Amy Abrams

BMS Assistant Principal

aabrams@drregional.org

Main Office Phone: 508-252-5080

We Are DR!!!

CLICK HERE for the DRRSD Student Handbook. The Student Handbook is now a unified handbook. In other words, there is now one Student Handbook for all schools in the Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District. This Student Handbook was approved by the School Committee at their most recent meeting.

Please see below for the diagram that shows where parents and guardians should drop off and pick up their students if they take private transportation. This is the same procedure as last year.

In the morning, students who take private transportation are to remain in their cars until 7:50 a.m. The school doors open at 7:50 a.m.

At 7:50 a.m., students taking private transportation may enter the building and proceed to the Cafeteria. These students will be released from the Cafeteria to their homerooms at 8:05 a.m. (the same time busses unload).

As a reminder, breakfast is available in the Cafeteria prior to the start of homeroom at 8:15 a.m.

In the afternoon, private transportation students will be dismissed at 2:30 p.m., followed by the busses.

We are excited to announce that the Aspen Family Portal will open its virtual doors on August 29. This will allow families to access:

• Student schedules for the upcoming academic year (middle and high school only)
• Updated student Google/Aspen passwords
• Digital back to school paperwork (new this year!)

To access the Aspen Family Portal, please visit this link and log in using your credentials. For technical support, please submit a technology helpdesk ticket.

Also, CLICK HERE for more information on how to use the Aspen Family Portal.

In addition, if you have questions about your child's schedule, please email our Guidance Counselor Melissa DiFilippo at mdifilippo@drregional.org or call her at 508-252-5080 ext. 4013.

As a reminder, starting this year, report cards will only be provided to parents online via the Family Portal.

In an effort to further enhance the security and privacy of our student accounts, we will be changing the passwords for student Gmail and Aspen accounts.

Effective August 15, 2023, all student Gmail and Aspen passwords will be reset, and new passwords will be generated by the district. Students will use this updated password to access both Aspen and the district Gmail account. These new passwords will be made available to you through the Aspen Family Portal on August 29. It is essential that students log in using the new passwords to continue accessing their accounts without any interruptions.

Why are we changing passwords?

The security and privacy of our students' accounts are of paramount importance to us. The current format of student passwords includes personally identifying information, which is not in accordance with best practices. By implementing this password change, we aim to provide a more secure environment for our students and their data.

When will the new passwords be available?

Starting August 29, you will be able to access the new passwords for your child's Gmail and Aspen accounts through the Aspen Family Portal. The Aspen Family Portal is a secure online platform that allows you to access important information about your child's education and progress. Detailed instructions on how to retrieve the new passwords will follow.

What is the Aspen Family Portal?

The Aspen Family Portal allows parents and guardians to see information on all their children using a single login. If you have not yet set up your Aspen Family Portal account, please follow these steps.

If you encounter any difficulties or have questions regarding the password change process, please do not hesitate to submit a technology helpdesk ticket. Our dedicated IT staff will be ready to provide you with the necessary support and assistance.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. We appreciate your understanding and support as we work towards providing a safe and secure digital environment for our students. If you have any further questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Jennifer Ashley, Director of Instructional Technology & Infrastructure, jashley@drregional.org.

The following forms need to be accessed and filled out by parents via the ASPEN Family Portal: Photo Release, Student Technology Take-Home Permission Form, Student Acceptable Use Policy, and Student Handbook Sign Off.

The following forms will be disseminated by teachers to students on the first day: Free/Reduced Lunch Application, the Nurse Medication Administration Sheet (Backside Cumulative Student Information created from Aspen), and Back to School Lunch Information. The Nurse Medication Administration Sheet / Cumulative Student Information needs to be filled out and returned to the student's homeroom teacher no later than September 22nd. Please see below for more information regarding the Free/Reduced Lunch Application.

School meals will once again be free for the upcoming school year! There will be no cost to families for students to receive breakfast and lunch at Beckwith. There is a charge for snacks. Although meals will be available to all students at no cost, we continue to ask all families to complete free and reduced eligibility paperwork which can be found below. School funding and competitive grants at the state and national level are dependent on accurately capturing our student population, and the completion of this confidential paperwork is important for our school and our district. Please complete the form below and return it to BMS. If you need additional assistance, contact the main office at 508-252-5080.

CLICK HERE for the September Lunch Menu

Please CLICK HERE for more information on MySchoolBucks.

Account payments can be made through MySchoolBucks.com using a debit/credit card or electronic check. We will also be accepting cash and check payments (CHECK ONLY at Beckwith Middle) at all cafeteria registers. Please make checks payable to “Dighton Rehoboth Regional School District” and include your student’s full name in the memo line.

School meals are once again free (see above); however, all students must use the point of sale system to obtain a free lunch. Please encourage your child to remember their lunch pin number because it helps to move along the lunch lines. If a student forgets their pin, then the cafeteria workers need to look it up and this stalls the lunch line.

Students will need to pay for snacks not included with the free meal and this is the reason why a parent would want to put money on their child's account.

CLICK HERE for the 2023-2024 Bus Routes

Parents/guardians - If you have any issue with your student's bus stop or a complaint or concern about anything to do with the bus, please contact the school at 508-252-5080. We will gather the information from you and contact the bus company.

Vaccinations/state-mandated requirements needed for 7th grade students AND 6th grade students entering 7th grade in the fall: Tdap booster, 2nd Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine, Meningitis vaccine

A current physical is also required for entrance to 7th grade. As always, if your student is involved in inter-scholastic sports a physical is needed EVERY year. Physical forms and proof of immunization can be emailed to cmondor@drregional.org

Click below for the 2023-2024 School Year Supply Lists

Grade 5 Supply List

Grade 6 Supply List

Grade 7 Supply List

Grade 8 Supply List

Summer reading lists were created by the District this year. CLICK HERE for the summer reading lists. For questions, please contact the Middle School ELA Curriculum Coordinator Mrs. Rose (hrose@drregional.org).

Incoming 8th Grade Algebra students have a summer math packet that is due on the first day of school. Students can access this packet on the 2023-2024 Google Classroom or click below.

CLICK HERE for the September 2023 Calendar

CLICK HERE for more information regarding the Massasoit Middle School Soccer League.

Soccer Tryouts will be September 6th and 7th until 4:00 p.m. Students will need to bring cleats, shin guards, a soccer ball and a water bottle. Pick up will be at 4 pm.

School attendance and punctuality are closely correlated with success at school. Time in class cannot be replicated by simply giving the absent student the work that was missed. Frequent absences can leave gaps in a student’s education that can affect them for years to come. For more information on Attendances and Absences, please review the Student Handbook.

Please call into the 24/7 Absence Line by the start of the school day (8:15 a.m.) to report your student's absence. Leave a message that states the name of your child and why they will be absent. To reach the absence line call 508-252-5080 and press 1. Alternatively, you may also email the Main Office at bmsattendance@drregional.org by 8:15 a.m. This email address can be used to report your student's absence as well as to report a tardy or dismissal.

Families of students who are marked as having an unexcused absence and who do not call the Absence Line or email the aforementioned email address by 8:15 a.m. will receive a phone call, text message, and email notification from the District to inform them of the student absence. The message will prompt families to call the Main Office to confirm the absence as soon as possible. The timing of the notification will be 9:15 a.m.

All absences are considered unexcused with the exception of the following: student medical appointment/illness/quarantine (with a doctor’s note), bereavement, family emergencies, observance of major religious holidays, weather so inclement as to endanger the health of the child, court appearance, out of school suspension, disability-related absences, and unique circumstances approved at the Principal’s discretion. In instances of chronic or irregular absence reportedly due to illness, the school administration may request a physician's statement certifying such absences to be justifiable.

Please arrange for doctor's notes to be sent to the Main Office via Fax Number at 508-252-5082 or via email at svincelette@drregional.org

Click below for the latest Beckwith News Stories in the The Reporter Today

Beckwith Middle School News - July 6, 2023

Beckwith Middle School Term 4 High Honor Roll - June 22, 2023

Beckwith Middle School Term 4 Honor Roll - June 22, 2023

2023 Lions Club Peace Post Winner - June 20, 2023

PTSA Enhanced Grant Program - June 7, 2023

Beckwith Middle School News - June 2, 2023

*August 31 - Grade 5 Orientation (6:00)

*September 6 - First Day of School for Students in Grades 1-12

*September 6 - Safety and Rules Presentations for Grades 5 & 6

*September 8 - Safety and Rules Presentations for Grades 7 & 8

*September 8 - New England Patriots Spirit Day (Students and Staff are encouraged to wear New England Patriots clothing or red, white,and blue)

*September 13 - PTSA Meeting 6:30 BMS Cafeteria

CLICK HERE for the 2023-2024 School Calendar.

Click the #WeAreDR photo above to access the school district's Facebook page

The mission of the Dighton-Rehoboth middle schools, in collaboration with parents and the community, is to develop the whole child and to provide students with the knowledge, skills, global education, technology, and social responsibility to become contributing citizens and life-long learners in our ever-changing world.

Dighton Rehoboth Regional School District does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected group.

CLICK HERE for the Student Handbook

Email: bmsattendance@drregional.org
Website: bms.drregional.org
Location: 330r Winthrop Street, Rehoboth, MA, USA
Phone: 508-252-5080