Beaconsfield Middle School
630 Fundy Drive Saint John N.B. E2M 2S5
Phone: 658-5333
bms.nbed.nb.ca
Bulldogs: Believe Apprecier
Appreciate Brancher
Respect Overture d’esprit
Keep Learning & Trying Inclusive
Effort Toujours
NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2016
WELCOME BACK EVERYONE!
On behalf of the staff of Beaconsfield Middle School, we welcome you to the 2016 -2017 school year!
We would like to inform you that the school will be forwarding monthly newsletters out each month. Parents & caregivers are asked to read the newsletter, sign the “Tear Off” located at the bottom of the newsletter and return it to school with your child for the opportunity to win a surprise package of prizes for your child. The school will also post the newsletter on the school’s website and update other pertinent information as it becomes available. In addition the school will be providing school connects messages via email and telephone once we get things up and running.
Hopefully, you had an enjoyable and relaxing time with family and friends over the summer months, and now look forward to the challenges and opportunities that will come your way in the days and months ahead. We look forward to working with you and your children throughout the school year.
Notice to parents/guardians that the Meet the Teacher Open House will be held on Thursday, September 15th from 6:30 – 7:30PM. The School Parent Support Committee election will be held during that time.
For those interested, the role of the PSSC (Parent School Support Committee) is to advise the Principal, enhancing student learning and development, and enriching education for all children by increasing family and community involvement. Whereas we do not have a home and school committee at this school, the PSSC is very active in supporting school based activities. Typically the commitment consists of monthly meetings and volunteering with support for school based activities.
Should you be interested in running for a position on the PSSC, you can do so in one of the following ways:
A) You must submit a nomination form (available at the school). Once the school receives the completed form, it will be posted in the office.
B) You may be nominated from the floor on the evening of the election.
As a parent of a child enrolled in this school, if you wish to nominate a non-parent as a candidate, you may do so by nominating him/her from the floor at the election meeting.
Please note that candidates do not have to be present on the evening of the election and they may be employees of the school system. Parents who are teachers or other educational staff may serve on the committee for a school where they have children in attendance providing they do not work at that particular school.
All parents/guardians of students that have medical conditions should review with the school the expectations with regards to emergencies if you have not already done so. Also, within our school community there are typically several students who have potential life threatening allergies to foods, predominantly to peanuts and nuts. Schools are therefore nut/peanut free areas. The school would like to minimize the risk of accidental exposure to these students and we seek the support of our community of parents and students. Your support in helping us provide an “allergy-safe” environment for children at risk of anaphylaxis is greatly appreciated.
The province has recently launched a new awareness campaign for students and families on the importance of attending school, and being on time for class. It is very obvious that being present and on time has a positive impact on learning from K-12. It is very difficult to “catch up” when time is missed and for some children starting the day late can impact their total day. On the other hand, we know that good attendance helps to build lasting routines that will transfer to life beyond public school.
It is important to note that our staff at the school care about their students and want them to do their very best and feel that they belong at school. It is important for school and home to work together for the success of your child.
Further details about this initiative can be found on the ASD-S website: www.asd-s.nbed.nb.ca.
All students participating in interscholastic sports are required to have an “Interscholastic Sports Forms” signed and returned before participating in any sports or activities. The school is also advising the parents/guardians that you should have accident insurance for your child or coverage can be purchased for all students participating in interscholastic sports through the Reliable Life Student Insurance Company (http://www.reliablelifeinsurance.com/products.aspx.).
Also, all students traveling to and from games and practices must do so with a driver who has had a “Volunteer Driver Form” signed and returned to the school. Students must not, at any time, make travel arrangements without notifying their parent, the coach and teacher supervisor.
Beaconsfield Middle School continually seeks to enhance the learning environment of all students by providing diverse learning experiences through enrichment activities. While the school already hosts many sports and clubs, we welcome our community of parents to share their interests with students. Any parent or community member who has an interest or talent that they are willing to share should contact the school (658-5333). All school volunteers are obliged to submit a Criminal Records Check and do Policy 701 in-service training before supervising any school based activity. All forms are available at the school.
All students, staff and parents/guardians should be aware that the very popular “Pat On The Back” program exists through the generous support of donors in our community. This year we are again seeking community support for the program. If you have access to something that you could donate or know of someone who could donate something, please let us know. There are information cover letters explaining the “Pat On The Back” program available at the school should you wish to approach a local business or organization.
All students at Beaconsfield are encouraged to stay for lunch at the school but they must conduct themselves according to the expectations set out by school staff, student classroom monitors and the school administration. Those students who fail to comply will not benefit from the volunteered supervision of staff members at lunch. It should also be noted that only those students that have an official lunch form signed by their parents/guardian are allowed to leave the school grounds at lunch.
All parents are advised of the expectations for the Emergency Measures Procedures. Students have been informed of the procedure for an evacuation from the school and for a “Lock Down” situation. It is important to note that the Emergency location for an evacuation is Havelock School. Announcements regarding the situation and circumstances would be made on the radio and students would be picked up by their parents at Havelock School.
Parents are asked to review expectations for the use of Cell Phones and Electronic Devices in the School and District. The policy is intended to support the Positive Learning Environment Policy and protect personal privacy by establishing minimum standards and expectations during instructional time. The policy states that cell phones and/or electronic devices are not to be used during the hours of instruction. Cell phones or other electronic devices being used during the hours of instruction will be confiscated and will be retained until the end of the day and parents are contacted on the first occasion. On the second incident, the parents are informed and required to pick the device up at the school. Taking pictures of staff or students while at school presents a potential serious privacy concern and is strictly prohibited.
We are pleased to report that the school will once again receive funding for the Breakfast For Learning Program. The school utilizes this funding to provide healthy snack options for students throughout the day and facilitate middle schools’ actions in promoting an increased consumption of nutritional snacks among students.
Throughout the past several years, Beaconsfield Middle School has committed a fair amount of time and energy into fundraising for various products and services. The school has purchased countless items, including technological equipment for the classrooms and various other components to support both in-class and extra-curricular learning. This year once again, we are seeking ideas and support from the community and encourage your input.
In order for the school to begin to plan and offer extracurricular opportunities for students a Student Fee of $25.00 (Maximum of $40.00 per family) is required. These fees go directly to all sports and social activities along with the purchase of materials and resources required in organizing special events. A full list of the expenditures can be made available for review by the school.
Cross-country running for interested students will soon begin under the direction of staff members. The group will be meeting to run after school three days a week and competition opportunities will be announced soon. The girls and boys soccer teams will soon begin their practices in preparation for the season also.
We are looking for students to volunteer to serve as student Classroom Monitors during lunch hour for the school year. Their role is to report to each classroom to remind students of classroom procedures and expectations for behavior and to assist the volunteer staff member on duty in each grade level area.
Parents and visitors to the school are reminded once again that the front of the school is designated as a bus loading area for students of Beaconsfield and St Patrick’s Schools. Vehicles should not be parked in this area in the morning between 8:00 – 9:15AM and after school between 2:30 – 3:15PM. All vehicle operators must also yield to buses in the area and refrain from all movement while the buses display the red flashing lights. In providing a safe environment for your children, the school staff and Police will monitor this area to ensure the safety of all students.
Parents should recognize that the teachers at the school are available every day after school to help students get caught up on missed work or to clarify issues regarding assignments or assessments. It is our hope that these measures will help all students meet with success this academic school year.
We are always very pleased to have parents visit the school however, to provide a safe school environment for your children, the school administration insists that all visitors report to the office upon arrival at the school. Visiting classes or teachers during the hours of instruction is obviously not possible because of the disruption to the learning processes. All school staff have been instructed to monitor this expectation very carefully so that your children are safe at all times. Teachers are always available and willing to meet with parents when given notice in advance. Please call the school, send a note in the student agenda or email to make arrangements to meet. Your cooperation is well appreciated.
Public health is holding an immunization clinic at the school for Grade 7 students. All grade 7 students will be offered a booster vaccine that protects against Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Whooping cough if they have not received one in the last 5 years. The grade 7 girls will also be offered a vaccine that protects against cervical cancer. This vaccine is a series of 2 which will be given throughout the school year.
Immunization consent brochures will be sent home very soon (girls should have 2 forms). We ask that all consent forms be completed and returned indicating “yes” or “no” as to whether the student will receive the vaccine and with parent/care giver signature.
Please return all consents to the school as soon as possible.
Finally, a few safety reminders: We are asking that parents help support a safe school environment by reminding your child/children of the following expectations:
- Physical confrontations or harassing/bullying behaviors that impact the safety of students on the way to and from school or while at school cannot be tolerated. The school and Community Police will continue to work together to provide a safe environment for all students. Please advise your child/children that any person who participates in this type of activity or are in the area of the activity will be dealt with very seriously by both the school and Police. Parental and community support in addressing this issue is essential.
- Students are strongly encouraged to remain after school for extra help and/or participate in extra-curricular activities. Hanging out around the school yard after dismissal is not an option. Students either stay to participate in school based activities or leave the school grounds following dismissal at the end of the day.
- For the safety of all, the use of bicycles, skateboards and scooters in the school yard is strictly prohibited.
Your support for the school is always very well appreciated.
Yours truly
Arthur P. Sisk
It is not the biggest, the brightest or the best that will survive, but those who adapt the quickest.
Charles Darwin
********************** NEWS LETTER TEAR OFF ***************************
Student’s Name ______________________________________________
Parent / Guardian Signature ____________________________________