Beaconsfield Middle School
630 Fundy Drive Saint John N.B E2M 2S5
Phone: 658-5333
Principal: Mr. Art Sisk Vice – Principal: Heather Langille
School Mission Statement
Beaconsfield Middle School will provide a quality education for all students regardless of ability, in a safe, orderly learning environment.
Beaconsfield Middle School will require that all students learn to the best of their abilities, and contribute to the positive climate of the school and community.
April 2014
Parents are advised of the following dates to take note of:
April 1 Drama Production Oliver Twist at Harbourview High School in the AM
April 11 – 13 Youth Global Services Days
April 15 School Wide Oratorical Assembly
April 16 District Science Fair (SJEC)
April 17 Teacher/Staff Professional Development (No Classes for Students)
April 18 Good Friday (No Classes)
April 21 Easter Monday (No Classes)
April 26 Brent Kelly Memorial Run/Walk (Irving Nature Park)
We are very pleased with our Term 2 Celebration of Learning Student Led Conferences that took place on March 28th at the school despite the cancellation of the evening session of March 26th because of the storm. The evening session will be rescheduled for Thursday, April 3rd from 5:30 – 8:00. The opportunity is very important as it allows parents to help celebrate their children’s accomplishments for the term and help students develop plans for improvement. The conferences are an excellent time to communicate with teachers about expectations and the support that is available to the students. As you well know, the teachers of this school are available to support learning throughout the day and usually after the hours of instruction. It is very important that students take advantage of this support in meeting with grade level outcomes. School based interventions are available and will be arranged for students struggling with any subject area. It is our hope that all students will take full advantage of this support.
Schools have a policy in place to protect the positive learning environment for all students and staff. Policy 306.6 for school safety: Cell Phone and Other Electronic Devices (music devices, cameras, etc.), states that cell phones or electronic devices are not to be used in schools during the hours of instruction. Students are provided an opportunity to use the devices at lunch time in the school yard providing they do not present any safety issues or disruption. The cameras devices are never to be used at school however. Most students have been very respectful of expectations up to date and it is our hope that we can continue to permit this opportunity.
If students have cell phones or electronic devices at school however, the school is in no way responsible for lost, stolen or damaged property and the devices must be turned off and out of sight during the school day. Students that fail to comply with the Policy will have the device removed and parents will have to come to the school to obtain the device at the end of the day. Your cooperation with the protection of the positive learning environment is very well appreciated by all.
In January Beaconsfield had 12 students trained to become Youth Facilitators of the Red Cross’ “Beyond the Hurt” anti-bullying program. These students have been working diligently since then to prepare a workshop for the entire school through a grade level workshop. This workshop, for each grade level, will take place on Wednesday morning April 9th. We would like to acknowledge our appreciation to these facilitators for their hard work and dedication.
Parents and visitors to the school are advised once again that the front of the school is designated as a bus loading area for students. All vehicles should not be parked in this area in the morning between 8:00 – 8:30 and after school between 2:30 – 3:00. All vehicle operators must also yield to all buses in the area and refrain from all movement while the buses display the red flashing lights. The school staff and Police will monitor this area to ensure the safety of all students.
We are always very pleased to have parents visit the school but to provide a safe school environment the school administration insists that all visitors report to the office upon arrival at the school. All school staff have been instructed to monitor this expectation very carefully so that your children are safe at all times. Also, teachers are always available and willing to meet with parents when given notice in advance but it is very difficult for teachers and school administrators to meet during the hours of instruction. Please call; send a note in the student agenda or email to make arrangements to meet. Your cooperation is well appreciated.
Our grade 8 Students should be receiving notifications by mail as to the status of their placement and/or their placement on a wait list for high schools. This would mean that they really have to focus on learning and leading as they prepare for this transition into high school. It also means that we will be soon planning for our year end celebration of learning and achievement. We hope that parents will get aboard as soon as possible to help plan this great celebration. PSSC members will be contacting the homes of the grade 8 students seeking support for the organization of this event.
The drama group has been working extremely hard under the direction of Mr. Lawrence with their upcoming production”. The play is scheduled to take place in May. Details are to follow. As usual the production requires the assistance of many volunteers for stage design, props and costumes. Please contact the school if you are interested in contributing your time and/or resources.
The four week Red Cross Babysitting Course began in March thanks to Mrs. Lawton who took on the responsibility of coordinating this extended learning opportunity. The course had begun on March 18th and takes place at 3:00 on Wednesdays. Students that successfully complete the program receive a certification of completion.
The school basketball teams have completed their respective seasons showing consistent improvement throughout the last couple of months. Very big thanks go to their coach and biggest cheerleader Mr. Patterson who made the commitment to coach and supervise both teams for the duration of the season.
We are now beginning the volleyball season with Mr. Patterson and Mr. Clark co-coaching the teams. Thank you to both of these staff members for making this opportunity possible to students in the school.
The Brent Kelly Memorial Race will take place on April 26th at 9:00 at the Irving Nature Park. Staff and students are strongly encouraged to participate in this event in memory of Brent. As most of you are aware Brent was a grade 6 student at Beaconsfield Middle School who passed away unexpectedly in 2004.
Parents are advised that there is an interesting gardening opportunity that Carleton Community and the school is actively seeking ideas and support to become engaged in this opportunity. If you have knowledge of the process or gardening, your input would be well appreciated. You may want to get involved as a family or facilitate a school group.
The school is very proud of two students that made a commitment to represent the school at the recent school district chess tournament held on March 22nd. Although, they did not place in the final rounds, Shawn S from Madame Dodds-Martin’s 6B class and Devon B from Mr. Lawrence’s 8A class competed admirably in their perspective competitions. Special thanks to all those involved in providing this opportunity.
We are asking that parents help support a safe school environment by reminding your child/children of the following expectations:
- Confrontations between students are always a serious matter and must be addressed by all in our community. Please advise your child that physical confrontations or incidents of cyber bullying will be reported directly to school administration and the Police.
- Attendance at school is mandatory and students that fail to report are not meeting with the expectations clearly outlined in the Education Act of New Brunswick. Students that are absent from school for any reason must provide a signed written excuse from their caregiver/parent upon their return to school.
- Students are strongly encouraged to remain after to school to participate in school activities but hanging around the school yard after dismissal is not permitted. Students are to exit the school yard immediately at dismissal.
- The school also works in partnership with Parks Canada Staff at the Martello Tower Historic Site adjacent to the school and students are not to be in that area unless under the direct supervision of school or park staff.
- Bikes and skateboards can be brought to school but students are never to use them in the school yard.
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TEAR OFF FOR APRIL 2014
Student Name_______________________________________________________
Parent’s Name_______________________________________________________