BMS STAR - Week 13
November 7, 2025
Good Afternoon BMS Teachers and Staff,
Welcome to Week 13 — the final week of Trimester 1. This newsletter has important information, upcoming dates, and two fundraisers happening this week!
Check out pictures from the events at BMS this year!
Thank you for your continued commitment and for finishing Trimester 1 strong!
We are ALL IN for our students and for each other.
V
- Thank you to all those who made me feel so special on my birthday this week! You are so kind and thoughtful! I love working with such great people! - JM
- The 6th grade uno card creators!! I missed the mark last week but have to still acknowledge it! This was such a good, inspiring way to encourage kids to show positive behaviors. I had so many kids show off their cards to me and explain the meaning behind it. There were a lot of struggling students who got to feel extra loved and recognized for even the simple things that day. Thank you!!
- Thanks to V, Jacqui, Kim, and Mary for your purposeful presence in the hallways throughout the day on Halloween! It helped with keeping student misbehaviors to a minimum. - JM
- Hannah Minucci & Jane Denenberg: Thank you for all that you do at BMS!! We all appreciate your hard work and dedication to our students!! HAPPY SCHOOL PSYCH WEEK! <3
- Katie - all your support and feedback with 5/7!
- Thank you to Pam for being so helpful with STAR and grade-level incentives:)
- Hawk Hooray to Jack for his active and entertaining timekeeping!
- Mrs. Baker — That was the best cup of coffee I’ve ever had — not just because it tasted soooo good, but because it came from your amazing and kind heart. You truly brighten my day with your compassion. You are living proof that we can change the world, one random act of kindness at a time.
- Tina Olakowski for compiling all the important Panorama data and presenting to teams! Thank you for all you do!
- Domenica Ottolino for bringing your sense of humor and wisdom to our meetings! Thanks for being there for our students, parents, and staff!
- Katie Lange and Nancy Barca for giving up your half time time to the Raiders Elite and Junior Cheer Teams so they could perform their half time routines!
- Mrs. Aviles for being such a positive energy in the classroom. I am amazed how you connect with students and you are just truly brilliant!
- Ms. Aviles — you are absolutely my silly soulmate! You’re such an amazing addition to our ALS classroom. You make every student feel welcomed and appreciated, and your knowledge about patterns is truly OUTSTANDING! 😊 I’m always looking forward to teaching with you — it’s never a dull moment with you around!
- To Hannah Minucci and Jane Denenberg: Happy School Psychologist Week! A huge thank you to our incredible school psychologist and intern. You are truly amazing and the best in the business! Your dedication, compassion, and expertise make a world of difference every single day. We are so lucky to have you as part of our team. Thank you for all that you do! ... Honestly, you are the team. Girl, we need you! clock it! tea! from Miss Ponce, Ms. Ottolino and Bella :)Shout out to Miss Ponce. You are hard working and a beautiful soul. The seventh Grade is so lucky to have you. There is not another social worker like you. You are very professional and caring. Bella/Ms. Ottolino
- Domenica for empowering me during hard conversations with parents and feeding me with knowledge and delicious food ❤️
- Hannah Minucci for all that you do for staff and students. You take the time to not only understand, but to listen to what others have to contribute. You are such an asset to BMS and I am so happy that we are able to work so closely together. I appreciate your insight and your willingness to always do what is best for the students. You are truly appreciated and I hope that you not only know that, but feel it. Thanks for being so FABULOUS! Your hard work does not go unnoticed.
- Jane Denenberg thank you for being such a great addition this year to the BMS staff. You are such a valuable part of our team and we appreciate your willingness to help in any way that you can. You are going to be an AWESOME school psychologist!
Our November Instructional Coaching Newsletter is here!
Here are a few highlights you won’t want to miss:
Strategy Spotlight: Triangle–Square–Circle — a simple way to help students summarize learning, make connections, and reflect. (Includes links to a how-to guide, a student handout, and a sample video!)
Tool Tip: Wheel of Names — a digital spinner that brings excitement to random responses, vocab review, and discussion starters.
Gab & Gobble Returns! Join us on Thursday, November 20, during lunch or any prep in Room 116 for snacks and strategies. We’ll chat about reasoning and writing in all content areas and explore ways to support multilingual learners with both written and verbal reasoning.
Don’t forget to scan the QR code to sign up for coaching support or shoot us an email to book collaboration time.
With appreciation,
Carly, Elyssa & Katie
As we welcome November, we also welcome a season of gratitude. This makes it the perfect time to launch our Those That Excel Award.
As part of our strategic plan, we are committed to hiring, retaining, and supporting exemplary staff. Recognizing those who serve as outstanding ambassadors of our district is an important part of that commitment. An ambassador of D2 is someone who represents excellence in their school and across the district. Nominees for the Those That Excel Award should truly embody the D2 Indicators of Excellence and must be nominated by their colleagues.
If you have someone in mind who reflects these qualities and would like information on how to nominate them, please click here. Nominations are due by February 13, 2026.
Additionally, if you are interested in serving on the Those That Excel Selection Committee, please click here to complete the interest form. The committee meets once to review nominations and select this year’s honorees.
And finally — mark your calendars! Award recipients will be announced at our End of the Year Recognition Event for all staff at White Pines on May 12th at 3:45 PM. It is always a wonderful celebration, and we hope to see you there!
Interested in joining our PTO? We meet in the cafeteria once a month and start promptly at 6:30 PM.
- President: Diana Medina
- Vice President: Marissa Jimenez
- Secretary: Mojca Anaya
- Treasurer: Michelle Juran
Our next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 13.
Student Athlete Contract
Girls Basketball Schedule
Boys Basketball Schedule
SY25-26 Coaching Positions
BMS Dance Team Calendar 2025-2026
📣Blackhawk Cheer Team Calendar📣
- November 10 - 4:00: GBB V Jackson - 7th: home - 8th: away
- November 11 - Early Release - Wellness Day
- November 12 - YWCA 6th Grade
- November 12 - GBB: Quarter Finals - #7-#9 Seed Round Robin
- November 13 - YWCA 6th Grade
- November 13 - GBB: Semi Finals - #7-#9 Seed Round Robin
- November 13 - PTO Meeting @6:30 PM
- November 14 - End Trimester 1
- November 14 - GBB: Conference Championships - #7-#9 Seed Round Robin
- November 19 - Instructional Staff Meeting - 7:00 - District Led
- November 21 - Grades, IEP Goal Updates, and ELD Reports Due
- November 22 - ILMEA Concert Festival @ Unity Junior High School in Cicero
- November 24 - Teacher Institute Day
- November 25 - Professional Development Data Day
- November 26 - 28 - Thanksgiving Break
Diana Vergara - Principal
Jacquelyn LeMon-Williamson, Assistant Principal
Kim Shaffer, Interim Assistant Principal
Mary Hamilton, Students Services Coordinator