Weekly Update -- September 9-13, 2019
Important Dates
Events and Activities:
Monday, September 9: How Wolves Rise Up--during Flex
Wednesday, September 11: Picture Day Make-Ups
Thursday, September 12: FCA @ 7am in the auditorium
Friday, September 20: Homecoming / Early Release and Parade
Tests/Projects:
Wednesday, September 11: Math Test
Thursday, September 12: Social Studies Test
Friday, September 13: Science Test; Wordly Wise Quiz #2
Thursday, September 19: Grammar Test--Verb Usage and Subject/Verb Agreement
Monday, September 23: Literature Test
Wednesday, September 25: Math Test
Friday, September 27: Social Studies Test
Monday, September 9: How Wolves Rise Up--during Flex
Wednesday, September 11: Picture Day Make-Ups
Thursday, September 12: FCA @ 7am in the auditorium
Friday, September 20: Homecoming / Early Release and Parade
Tests/Projects:
Wednesday, September 11: Math Test
Thursday, September 12: Social Studies Test
Friday, September 13: Science Test; Wordly Wise Quiz #2
Thursday, September 19: Grammar Test--Verb Usage and Subject/Verb Agreement
Monday, September 23: Literature Test
Wednesday, September 25: Math Test
Friday, September 27: Social Studies Test
College Football Hall Of Fame / World Of Coke
One day extension--For any students who did NOT turn in the down payments for the field trip to the College Football Hall of Fame and World of Coke, we are granting a one day extension. Students may bring in the payments on Monday, September 9. The total cost is $90, but students must only pay $45 for the down payment to secure a spot on the trip. Please contact your student's first period teacher with any questions. See the Field Trip tab for more information about this exciting opportunity.
Announcements
1. Homecoming is quickly approaching! On Friday, September 20, we will have a pep rally at BMS and then have early release so that everyone can attend the parade. It's a great day to show your Buford spirit and support the community.
2. Color Run money can still be turned in. Please continue to send in any donations. Remember, a $25 donation earns one raffle ticket and a dress-down day!!
2. Color Run money can still be turned in. Please continue to send in any donations. Remember, a $25 donation earns one raffle ticket and a dress-down day!!
Curriculum OVerview
Language Arts
Students will continue the first literature unit on the theme--Life Lessons--and focus on fiction selections. In grammar, students will begin working on subject/verb agreement in sentences.
Students also have activities assigned in IXL each week. Check your child's agenda for specific activities and due dates.
All students are completing Wordly Wise vocabulary lessons during flex each day. The Lesson 2 quiz is on Friday, September 13.
All language arts students have been assigned an independent reading book. Please check the individual teacher websites for more specific details.
For Mrs. Duncan's advanced content language arts, please visit her website--bmskduncan.weebly.com/calendar-and-lesson-plans.html
Students also have activities assigned in IXL each week. Check your child's agenda for specific activities and due dates.
All students are completing Wordly Wise vocabulary lessons during flex each day. The Lesson 2 quiz is on Friday, September 13.
All language arts students have been assigned an independent reading book. Please check the individual teacher websites for more specific details.
For Mrs. Duncan's advanced content language arts, please visit her website--bmskduncan.weebly.com/calendar-and-lesson-plans.html
Math
8th grade Math will finish our unit on Transformations. The Transformation Test is currently scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 11.
Several math classes work at the pace of the students who are in that class; therefore, these plans may not be accurate for all students. Please check the individual teacher's website for your student's class period for the best reflection of the weekly plans.
For Mrs. Shirley's and Mrs. McGee's accelerated/high school math class, please visit her website--bmsshirley.weebly.com/acc-coord-alg--analytic-geo-class.html
Several math classes work at the pace of the students who are in that class; therefore, these plans may not be accurate for all students. Please check the individual teacher's website for your student's class period for the best reflection of the weekly plans.
For Mrs. Shirley's and Mrs. McGee's accelerated/high school math class, please visit her website--bmsshirley.weebly.com/acc-coord-alg--analytic-geo-class.html
Social Studies
In Georgia Studies we are finishing Unit 2: Prehistoric People, Early Exploration and Colonization. Our next test will be on Thursday, September 12, 2019.
Science
As a part of our states of matter unit, students will work in groups to construct bottle rockets. Each rocket requires one 2L soda bottle (empty and clean), 1 full-size poster board, and duct tape. This project reinforces that gases are compressible and is referred to when we study Newton's Laws of Motion later in the year. The unit test is on Friday, September 13th.
For information on Physical Science, please check the website: https://bmsphysicalscience.weebly.com/
For information on Physical Science, please check the website: https://bmsphysicalscience.weebly.com/
BMS Counseling Information
Parents, please see the following link to our Counseling Department website for relevant resources, articles, and tips for parenting in this digital age.
https://bufordmiddleguidance.weebly.com/index.html
https://bufordmiddleguidance.weebly.com/index.html
Say Something--A Program to Prevent Youth Violence
The BMS Counseling Department is presenting Say Something, a program to prevent youth violence from the Sandy Hook Promise, to all grade levels over the next two weeks. Please see the attached flyer for more information.
shp_say_something_parent_brochure_2016.pdf | |
File Size: | 1587 kb |
File Type: |
Parent Involvement Opportunities--VIP Program
Are you looking for a way to help at school but don't have a lot of time? Have you considered the PTO's VIP Program. This is a great way for our PTO and parents to help our teachers focus more on the classroom and students and less on making copies, etc. We have opportunities twice a week for parents to stop by for an hour, make some quick copies, and be out and on with the rest of their day. It's a great way to make a huge impact in a short amount of time. If you have further questions, please feel free to email our PTO at [email protected].
If you are interested in participating in our Very Important Parent (VIP) program, here are the Sign Up Genius options.
Duty-free Lunch Coverage:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080845AAAC2DA6FD0-duty1
VIP Fall Volunteers:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080845AAAC2DA6FD0-fall
If you are interested in participating in our Very Important Parent (VIP) program, here are the Sign Up Genius options.
Duty-free Lunch Coverage:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080845AAAC2DA6FD0-duty1
VIP Fall Volunteers:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080845AAAC2DA6FD0-fall
General Reminders for Eighth Grade students and Parents
Discipline--
Students receive new discipline and organizational mark cards each semester. The discipline cards are blue and should be stapled in the BACK of the student agenda. The organizational mark cards are yellow and should be stapled in the FRONT of the agenda.
Please Note:
1. The discipline card has more rigorous consequences for 8th graders. Students will receive a written warning for the first behavior infraction. Students will get one silent lunch for the second behavior violation. Subsequent violations will result in a detention and finally office referrals for any further infractions, which will start with a minimum of a half-day of ISS.
2. The organizational mark cards monitor behaviors that do not interfere with classroom instruction. ANY infraction with organization will result in a mark on the card. Students should come to class prepared each day and not need to return to their lockers for supplies.
Late Work--
In the student agenda on page 4, the policy for 8th grade is that assignments may be accepted for ONE day with the highest grade of a seventy (70). Assignments will not be accepted on or after the second day.
Students receive new discipline and organizational mark cards each semester. The discipline cards are blue and should be stapled in the BACK of the student agenda. The organizational mark cards are yellow and should be stapled in the FRONT of the agenda.
Please Note:
1. The discipline card has more rigorous consequences for 8th graders. Students will receive a written warning for the first behavior infraction. Students will get one silent lunch for the second behavior violation. Subsequent violations will result in a detention and finally office referrals for any further infractions, which will start with a minimum of a half-day of ISS.
2. The organizational mark cards monitor behaviors that do not interfere with classroom instruction. ANY infraction with organization will result in a mark on the card. Students should come to class prepared each day and not need to return to their lockers for supplies.
Late Work--
In the student agenda on page 4, the policy for 8th grade is that assignments may be accepted for ONE day with the highest grade of a seventy (70). Assignments will not be accepted on or after the second day.
BMS Field Trip Guidelines
Students must be in good standing with discipline and attendance for the school year. The following guidelines--as posted in the BMS agenda--will be enforced for this field trip.
Students who are unable to attend due to these guidelines will remain at school that day with an alternative assignment. Attending field trips is a privilege, not a right, and at BMS, we hold our students to the highest expectations.
- Any student who has been in ISS or Isolation for three days or more will not be permitted to attend the field trip.
- Any student who has been suspended from school will not participate.
- Any student with 15 or more absences (excused or unexcused) will not participate.
Students who are unable to attend due to these guidelines will remain at school that day with an alternative assignment. Attending field trips is a privilege, not a right, and at BMS, we hold our students to the highest expectations.
Digital Citizenship
Throughout the school year, the BMS faculty and staff work diligently to educate our students about the importance of digital citizenship. Students often do not realize the risks or dangers associated with the Internet and social media or the impact of the information they post. Parents should also be diligent in monitoring their student's access to the Internet and to social media sites. Please do not assume that your student would never access any sites that were inappropriate or post anything inappropriate to social media. All parents want to think the best of their children; however, it is important to also be realistic and help teach our children what they should and should not do regarding the Internet.
Below are two links to EXCELLENT articles/videos for parents about helpful apps that allow parents to monitor their student's activity. Please take a look. There are apps that your student can download that appear completely innocent (looks like a calculator app), but students use these to hide their activity from their parents. As parents, it's essential that you are informed.
Below are two links to EXCELLENT articles/videos for parents about helpful apps that allow parents to monitor their student's activity. Please take a look. There are apps that your student can download that appear completely innocent (looks like a calculator app), but students use these to hide their activity from their parents. As parents, it's essential that you are informed.
Cell Phones at BMS
The BMS policy requires students to leave their cell phones in their lockers unless a teacher specifically requests that the students have them to use in the classroom. With the amount of technology we now have in each classroom, that would be very rare for a teacher to make this request. That being said, students are repeatedly reminded about this policy, and strict consequences will be enforced for students who continue to defy this policy.
PLEASE discuss this policy with your student to ensure that he/she understands that cell phones should not be in the classrooms OR in their lunchboxes.
PLEASE discuss this policy with your student to ensure that he/she understands that cell phones should not be in the classrooms OR in their lunchboxes.
Additional Information
Using teacher Websites to Study
Each year in middle school, the curriculum gets more rigorous, and students may need to spend more time studying and reviewing the content outside of school. Each classroom teacher and sometimes the subject areas have websites available for students and parents to use to assist with additional study. Students are expected to complete their work by the posted deadlines, and these websites are beneficial for students as they work.
OverTime/Afterschool
Each year, BMS hosts OverTime sessions after school for students who need additional time and assistance with their coursework. Students who qualify for OverTime will receive invitations before the sessions begin. For Buford City residents, bus transportation is available. Students who attend must have a permission slip on file at BMS. Please contact your student’s first period teacher if you have any questions.
Flex & Independent reading
For most eighth graders, flex is used to complete independent or group reading assignments as well as the Wordly Wise vocabulary study. However, students are expected to read and study outside of class as well. All language arts teachers assign independent reading, and students often have questions or review packets to complete for these texts. Please check with your student or check the language arts teacher's website for more information about outside reading.
Absences & Excuse Notes
If your student is absent from school for any amount of time--even if it's just to check out for a doctor or dentist appointment, please don't forget to send in the excuse note. Parents can email Bhruk Patel directly with their parent notes for absences at [email protected]
Contacting Your student's teachers
We encourage you to contact your student's teachers if/when you have any questions or concerns. Our planning period (the best time to reach us by phone) is from 7:35-8:45am.
BMS Phone: 770-904-3690
Email Contacts: www.bufordms.org/8th-grade-team.html
BMS Phone: 770-904-3690
Email Contacts: www.bufordms.org/8th-grade-team.html
KRoger community Rewards
Register your Kroger Plus Card with Buford Middle School to help us receive community rewards.
Buford Middle School #17240
Buford Middle School #17240
Publix Partnership--$$$ for BMS
Over the years, the Publix Partners program has contributed more than $30 million to over 4,500 schools giving back to support education. Since the campaign started, BMS has received $4,512.60. It's easy to join the program and every little bit helps. Please click the link below to register.
http://corporate.publix.com/community/corporate-campaigns/publix-partners
http://corporate.publix.com/community/corporate-campaigns/publix-partners