March 2015 Bookcliff Middle School| (970) 254-6220 | 540 29 1/4 Rd, Grand Junction, CO 81504 | bms.mesa.k12.co.us| Page 1 Jim Butterfield, Principal | JB Phillips, Asst. Principal | Tami Moore, Secretary | Becky Childress, Attendance | Lolis Leon, Secretary, DIA Office Hours: 7:00-3:30 | 540 29 1/4 Rd, GJ, CO 81504 Main Office: (970) 254-6220 | bms.mesa.k12.co.us March 2 School of Choice Begins 10:00 a.m. 3 School Board Meeting at 6:00 p.m. at BTK Building 3 8th Grade Jazz band at CHS 7:15 p.m. 4 Family night for Incoming Freshmen at GJHS from 6pm-7pm 5 Wrestling Tournament at BMS (vs. MGMS) 5 END OF 3rd QUARTER 6 NO SCHOOL – TEACHER WORK DAY 7 Wrestling Tournament in Montrose 8 Daylight Savings Time (Spring Forward) 11 Wrestling District Tournament Rounds I and II at CHS at 4:30 p.m. 12 Wrestling District Tournament Rounds III and IV at CHS at 4:00 p.m. 16 Track and Field Practice Begins 17 Alpine Bank Student of the Month Luncheon 20 School of Choice ends 4:00 p.m. 23 - 31 NO SCHOOL – SPRING BREAK APRIL 1-3 NO SCHOOL – SPRING BREAK 6 BACK TO SCHOOL Attention Future GJHS Students! 2 Bookcliff Student of the Month 3 Alpine Bank Student of the Month 3 Breakfast The Most Important Meal? 4 Opportunity for 7th Graders 4 Music 4 Clubs 5 Washington D.C. 5 A Note From The Counselors 5 Daylight Savings Time 5 PIT Crew 6 Wrestling 6 Track and Field 6 Calendar 6 New Flyer System 6 Contests 7 School of Choice 8 Testing The testing windows for District 51 are: PARCC/CMAS: Feb 23 – Mar 20 & Apr 27 – May 20 Reading, writing, and math grades three through eight and high school: February 23 through March 20. Then again April 27 through May 20 for end-of-year testing. CMAS Science and Social Studies: Apr 13 – May 1 Grades four and seven are tested in social studies Grades five and eight are tested in science These are all computer-based tests. As the dates indicate, we are primarily engaged with testing from now until the end of the school year. Please ensure your child(ren) receive plenty of sleep and protein-packed breakfasts during the testing periods. Encourage them to relax, but try hard to make their best efforts. If your child gets test anxiety, remind them to: • Approach the test with confidence • Visualize having success with the exam • Practice positive self talk like, “when I relax I remember better and will know the answers” • Have a strategy for tough questions to not get discouraged • Go to bed early and eat breakfast on test days • Read directions carefully • Don’t rush, there’s no benefit to finishing early or first • If you go blank, skip the question and move on Parents can help by acknowledging what your child has achieved, how much they are learning, and that their best effort will be successful. (continued on next page)
Transcript
BookcliffMiddle School March 2015
Bookcliff Middle School| (970) 254-6220 | 540 29 1/4 Rd, Grand Junction, CO 81504 | bms.mesa.k12.co.us| Page 1
Jim Butterfield, Principal | JB Phillips, Asst. Principal | Tami Moore, Secretary | Becky Childress, Attendance | Lolis Leon, Secretary, DIA
Important DatesMarch2 School of Choice Begins 10:00 a.m.3 School Board Meeting at 6:00 p.m. at BTK Building3 8th Grade Jazz band at CHS 7:15 p.m.4 Family night for Incoming Freshmen at GJHS from 6pm-7pm5 Wrestling Tournament at BMS (vs. MGMS)5 END OF 3rd QUARTER 6 NO SCHOOL – TEACHER WORK DAY7 Wrestling Tournament in Montrose8 Daylight Savings Time (Spring Forward)11 Wrestling District Tournament Rounds I and II at CHS at 4:30 p.m.12 Wrestling District Tournament Rounds III and IV at CHS at 4:00 p.m.16 Track and Field Practice Begins17 Alpine Bank Student of the Month Luncheon20 School of Choice ends 4:00 p.m.23 - 31 NO SCHOOL – SPRING BREAK
APRIL1-3 NO SCHOOL – SPRING BREAK6 BACK TO SCHOOL
Attention Future GJHS Students! 2Bookcliff Student of the Month 3Alpine Bank Student of the Month 3Breakfast The Most Important Meal? 4Opportunity for 7th Graders 4Music 4Clubs 5Washington D.C. 5A Note From The Counselors 5Daylight Savings Time 5PIT Crew 6Wrestling 6Track and Field 6Calendar 6New Flyer System 6Contests 7School of Choice 8
TestingThe testing windows for District 51 are:
PARCC/CMAS: Feb 23 – Mar 20 & Apr 27 – May 20Reading, writing, and math grades three through eight and high school: February 23 through March 20. Then again April 27 through May 20 for end-of-year testing.
CMAS Science and Social Studies: Apr 13 – May 1Grades four and seven are tested in social studiesGrades five and eight are tested in science These are all computer-based tests. As the dates indicate, we are primarily engaged with testing from now until the end of the school year.Please ensure your child(ren) receive plenty of sleep and protein-packed breakfasts during the testing periods. Encourage them to relax, but try hard to make their best efforts. If your child gets test anxiety, remind them to:• Approach the test with confidence• Visualize having success with the exam• Practice positive self talk like, “when I relax I remember better and will know the answers”• Have a strategy for tough questions to not get discouraged• Go to bed early and eat breakfast on test days• Read directions carefully• Don’t rush, there’s no benefit to finishing early or first• If you go blank, skip the question and move on Parents can help by acknowledging what your child has achieved, how much they are learning, and that their best effort will be successful.
Bookcliff Middle School| (970) 254-6220 | 540 29 1/4 Rd, Grand Junction, CO 81504 | bms.mesa.k12.co.us| Page 2Revenues from ads in this newsletter help fund programs in our school. Please support these businesses by clicking on their ads.
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Several studies about performance disparities between students reveal that positive support and encouragement in the home makes a significant difference. Parents of successful students provide positive affirmations at a rate of ten times more than parents of students who struggle. The interest and encouragement is thought to also convey that learning is important and necessary. District 51 is fortunate to have really smart students and supportive parents. This is not always reflected in test scores, but wouldn’t it be great if we collectively knocked it out of the park this year! And, testing relief is possible next year, with legislators considering several reforms during this legislative session. Sincerely,District 51 Communications Department
Information for 8th grade students who will attend Grand Junction High School next year. Wednesday, March 4, 2014 - Family Night for incoming Freshmen in the GJHS Auditorium from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. GJHS Counselors visited BMS during the month of February. All students will receive a copy of our Educational Planning Guide and course selection paperwork. During these presentations the following topics will be covered: Class selection, Flex-eight schedule, Graduation and college entrance requirements, and Navigating our Educational Planning Guide.
Thursday, April 23, 2015 is the Tiger Tour Night at GJHS from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Bookcliff Middle School| (970) 254-6220 | 540 29 1/4 Rd, Grand Junction, CO 81504 | bms.mesa.k12.co.us| Page 3Revenues from ads in this newsletter help fund programs in our school. Please support these businesses by clicking on their ads.
Bookcliff Student of the MonthStudent of the Month is an award given to students based on the school’s HEART acronym. HEART stands for Honor, Excellence, Attitude, Respect, and Trust.
A breakfast is held at 6:45 a.m. each month to celebrate this award with the families. The teacher (or one from a group of teachers) who selects the student will speak on his/her behalf, citing aspects of HEART that earned the student the reward.
Congratulations to the following students for being awarded the February Student of the Month Award. These students were recognized at a breakfast in February. Congratulations Kassidy Abeyta, Grace Black, Madesen Cobb, Abbigale Creech, Gizelle Dearcos, Alicea Diderrich, Faith Fraley, Rebeca Gonzalez, Destiny Hubbard, Josh Knutson, Railin Manchester, Jacqueline Mendoza, and Nathan Ramos.
Alpine Bank Student of the MonthThe Student of the Month program is a partnership between Alpine Bank, Colorado Mesa University and Mesa County Valley School District 51. Each month, teachers nominate students and the school administration makes a selection. Our process at Bookcliff Middle School is that all Staff members are asked to read the students’ essays and vote for their top candidate.
Each winner is treated to an awards luncheon at Colorado Mesa University to be recognized and receives a personalized engraved plaque, an Alpine Bank bumper sticker and a certificate to Colorado Mesa University or Western Colorado Community College for a $500 per year renewable scholarship.
Winning students are chosen seven times a year with one boy and one girl selected from each District 51 middle school and high school. Congratulations to Marco Bravo and Kassie Earich – our Bookcliff Middle School Alpine Bank Students of the Month for February.
Bookcliff Middle School| (970) 254-6220 | 540 29 1/4 Rd, Grand Junction, CO 81504 | bms.mesa.k12.co.us| Page 4Revenues from ads in this newsletter help fund programs in our school. Please support these businesses by clicking on their ads.
Opportunity for 7th GradersDo you know a high-performing 7th grader? Does he or she have financial need? If so, please encourage him or her to apply for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Young Scholars Program, which provides personalized advising and financial support. Young Scholars have access to challenging academic opportunities, summer enrichment programs, study-abroad and community service opportunities, and college and career counseling.
The application period is now open and will close in April. For more information, visit: http://hubs.ly/y0rVJp0
MusicThe 8th grade jazz band has a joint appearance with Grand Mesa Middle School, Orchard Mesa Middle School and Central High School on Tuesday, March 3rd in the CHS Auditorium at 7:15
Breakfast The Most Important Meal?Studies show that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, especially for children.
Eating school breakfast improves children’s educational performance, behavior, and health. WHY INCREASE SCHOOL BREAKFAST PARTICIPATION• Children who eat a complete breakfast make fewer mistakes and work faster on math tests than children who eat a partial breakfast.• Children who eat breakfast at school, closer to class and test-taking time, perform better on standardized tests than those who skip breakfast or eat breakfast at home. BREAKFAST IMPROVES CHILDRENS’ OVERALL HEALTH• Children who eat breakfast tend to have more adequate nutrient intake than children who do not.• Children and adolescents who eat breakfast are more likely to maintain a healthy body weight.
Bookcliff Middle School| (970) 254-6220 | 540 29 1/4 Rd, Grand Junction, CO 81504 | bms.mesa.k12.co.us| Page 5Revenues from ads in this newsletter help fund programs in our school. Please support these businesses by clicking on their ads.
ClubsYEARBOOK CLUBThe Yearbook club meets on Thursday afternoons from 2:45 p.m. to 3:10 p.m. in the Library with Mrs. WIltse.
MESA CLUBMr. Harrison, an 8th grade Science Teacher, runs the MESA club. MESA stands for Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement. The MESA club meets on Wednesday after school in Mr. Harrison’s classroom.
SCHOLASTICA CLUBScholastica Club is a club for all students interested in playing table games competitively. The games engage different types of thinking skills. We will be building a schedule for different competitions to also take place during club meetings once a week. Scholastica club meets on Wednesdays after school in Mrs. Schuman’s room, room 137. Mrs. Schuman is the Gifted and Talented Teacher.
Washington D.C.There is still limited space available for 8th graders to travel to Washington, D.C. with Mrs. Johnson. The trip will be May 30 through June 2, 2015. Visit www.worldstridesdiscovernow.org to see all that this trip has to offer for our students. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students and provides an educational experience witnessing first-hand the rich history of our country. Bookcliff’s Trip ID is 104435.
Registration requires a $99 deposit and can take place online by calling 1-800-468-5899. Contact Mrs. Johnson by email at [email protected] or by phone at 254-6220.
A Note From The CounselorsSixth and Seventh grade students will have the opportunity to choose their exploratory classes this spring. They will need the signature of a parent or guardian on the form which will need to be returned to the school in a timely manner. The form will have information about each class which is offered.
Daylight Savings TimeDaylight Savings Time begins on Sunday, March 8, 2015. We will “spring forward.”
Bookcliff Middle School| (970) 254-6220 | 540 29 1/4 Rd, Grand Junction, CO 81504 | bms.mesa.k12.co.us| Page 6Revenues from ads in this newsletter help fund programs in our school. Please support these businesses by clicking on their ads.
PIT CrewThe PIT Crew (Parent Involvement Team) is currently in a state of transition. If you are interested in knowing more about the PIT Crew and their meetings, please contact Mr. Phillips, the school vice-principal at (970) 254-6220.
WrestlingWrestling has begun. The schedule can be found in the Calendar section of the Newsletter. Athletes will need a ride home from matches. Transportation is provided to our away matches, but not home from our matches. Your athlete will need a ride home from each away match.
Track and FieldTrack and Field Practice will begin on March 16. All meets will take place in April and May.
CalendarHere is the link to next year’s school approved school calendar. https://connect.d51schools.org/sites/shared/sitedocs/calendars/2015-2016%20School%20Calendars/2015-16%20Calendar.pdf
New Flyer SystemOn January 26, 2015, District 51 launched a new electronic flyer distribution service called “Peachjar.” District approved e-flyers are emailed to parents and posted on school websites under the Peachjar icon. This replaces paper flyer distribution. No action is required on your part. You should receive a welcome email that includes a username and password. This gives you the opportunity to manage your flyer delivery preferences or to opt-out. You do not need to login to receive or view school e-flyers.
Bookcliff Middle School| (970) 254-6220 | 540 29 1/4 Rd, Grand Junction, CO 81504 | bms.mesa.k12.co.us| Page 7Revenues from ads in this newsletter help fund programs in our school. Please support these businesses by clicking on their ads.
ContestsAs a parent who puts together this newsletter for you all, I thought you may appreciate knowing about the different contests available for students. With that said, here is the disclaimer necessary for me to let you know about these. Disclaimer: Essay contests and similar voluntary, academic-oriented extracurricular competitions for students sponsored by other public or private community groups, individuals or organizations may advance the board of education’s educational philosophy by promoting literacy and other skills needed to support and promote participation in a democratic society. Accordingly, teachers may (but are not required to) pass along to students information posted below regarding such contests or competitions. Outside groups, individuals or organizations sponsoring such extracurricular activities do not necessarily reflect or express the views or opinions of the District, its board of education or staff, and posting or dissemination of contest information shall not be construed as an endorsement of or agreement with the views or message of any sponsoring group, organization or individual. The District reserves the right to refuse posting of information regarding any extracurricular contest or activity that is contrary to law, Board policy or regulation, that is not consistent with the District’s educational mission, or that is likely to result in any disruption of the educational process or impair order or discipline in schools. As always, staff should adhere to the principles set forth in Board policy IMB when presenting information about controversial issues.
ART CONTEST There will be a school art competition in May that needs to be a school related work and the winner will have their work hung in the hallway. Also the Altrusa art show is coming up in April.
MESA COUNTY LIBRARY ART CONTEST Art Submissions sought from teen artists in Mesa County. Mesa County Libraries and Super Rad Art Jam are seeking art submissions in all mediums and subjects from teen artists in Mesa County. Work will be collected February through May 2015 and displayed in the Central Library Teen Area during one of the following months: April, May, June, July, August, or September 2015. Any student in grades 6-12 is eligible to submit work. Work is to have been completed in the past two years. All work should be original in concept, design, and execution. All submitted entries must be ready to display, matted with a hanging device, or based for three-dimensional work (display space is limited for 3-D work). Artwork will be shown for one month. For more information and an official entry form, contact Teen Librarian Corinna Manion at (970) 683-2411 or [email protected].
POSTER CONTESTAll K-12 students and youth organization members are invited to showcase their artistic talent and their commitment to the environment by participating in the Colorado Association for Recycling’s 9th annual poster contest.PrizesTwelve (12) winners will receive prizes. One grand-prize winner receives a$100 gift card, and their winning artwork will serve as Colorado’s 2015 America Recycles Day (www.americarecyclesday.org) promotional piece and be distributed throughout the state. Plus, the grand-prize winner earns an organizational membership to the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE) for their school.DeadlinePosters should be received by CAFR no later than April 27, 2015. Please mail entries early. Posters will be judged the week of April 27 and winners will be notified as soon as possible.RulesPlease read the contest rules (PDF) carefully. Only posters that meet the contest rules will be considered. http://www.cafr.org/events/posterContest.php
Bookcliff Middle School| (970) 254-6220 | 540 29 1/4 Rd, Grand Junction, CO 81504 | bms.mesa.k12.co.us| Page 8Revenues from ads in this newsletter help fund programs in our school. Please support these businesses by clicking on their ads.
