B. C. BERG MIDDLE SCHOOL

NEWSLETTER

APRIL-MAY-JUNE

2012

Issue #5 of 5

TRACK

We are now in the spring track season.  Meetings have been held with all interested students.  Most of the squads started practicing March 12.  Any students still wishing   to go out for track should see the appropriate coach as soon as possible. The coaches are:

Girls' Track – David Hook, Kayla Long & Eric Vander Veldon

Boys' Track – Trent Powers,

Todd Hucka & Wayne Prime

Practices should be over by 5 pm with students expected to be out of the showers by 5:15 pm and on their way home. Kellogg sports bus will leave at 5:20 pm starting March 26.

Coaches would like to remind students and parents that track is a team sport and that all members are encouraged to stay through the entire track meets.  Arrangements can be made with   coaches for track participants to leave a meet early for special circumstances. 

On Wednesday when school is out at 2:10 all track participants are encouraged to take advantage of our supervised study after school from 2:10 - 3:30.  Students going home are asked not to return prior to 3:30.

Parents who would be willing to help out at the home track meets should contact Todd Schuster, telephone 792-7741.  Coaches will   hold parent meetings during the first two weeks of practice.

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

The last student day is currently scheduled for Wednesday, May 30.  School will be dismissed  2 hours early that day.  (1:10)

FINAL REPORT CARD

End of the year report cards will be mailed to students about a week after the end of school.

RETENTION

Most years a couple of students are retained at grade level at BMS.  This is only done after a careful review of grades and effort.  Sometime in April we will notify the parents of students that we are concerned about and discuss ways to insure passing.  Towards the end of May we will have conferences with parents of those students who are in critical situations to do educational planning for 2012-2013.

PARENTING  CLASS

On April 9 and 16 there will be a Parenting Wisely class (parents of preteens and teens) at the Newton Y  from 6:00-7:30 PM for those parents who wish to attend.

It is the policy of the Newton Community Schools not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, marital status, religion, national origin, sex, age, or disability in its educational programs, activities, or employment practices.

PBIS UPDATE!  Positive Behavior Intervention Supports

The PBIS Committee has been hard at work trying to create a “Culture of Consistency.”  Research shows that the more consistent adolescents are treated, the better their behaviors became because they know what is expected of them.  The classroom and common area expectations will be reviewed with the students and the Student Behavior Management System will be implemented after teaching it to the students for the first time after spring break.  The staff is excited about this new plan because it gives the students ample opportunities to change their behavior before getting sent to the office.  This behavior plan starts with just giving the student a warning.  If the student fixes their behavior nothing more is done.  If the student’s behavior doesn’t show improvement, a student will be given their first minor and will be kept after class to talk with the teacher.  If the student’s unacceptable behavior still continues, the student will be kept after class to talk with the teacher, and the parents will be called.  We’re asking for their help in making things better at school.  If the student’s inappropriate behavior still continues, the student will do the steps previous, but will also have either a before or after school detention.  And if after three minor infractions the behavior still continues, the student will do the previous steps and then be sent to the office.  Of course with every set-up of rules there are always exceptions.  With severe type behaviors a student could be sent straight to the office without needing to follow the steps mentioned previously.  The staff is hoping that with giving the students chances to correct their behavior before being sent to the office that office referrals will decrease, classroom expectations will be met, and more positive behavior will be exhibited.  The goal is to create the best learning environment possible for all students.