September 8, 2016

Bronco Times[BMS site] [BMS PTSA site] [Attendance]

Chad O. Thomas, PrincipalCreate a great day!

Greetings, 

Well, only 173 school days to go, but who's counting! :-)  Our students and staff are off to a great start through the first two weeks.  Compass Learning has begun for most students, yet will not be counted as a grade until we ensure that all are able to access it from school and home.   Please know that the expectation this year is for all students who are not in clubs to do six Compass Learning lessons each week (three Math and three ELA).  Those students in clubs will also complete these online lessons, yet only be required to do four (two Math and two ELA).  

Our first MAP Assessment dates are September 19th and 20th, with make-ups on the 21st and 22nd.  Students will have two hours to complete the 53 questions for their Math and Reading MAP assessment, which is more than enough time as long as they pace themselves well.  Please coach your student to not spend 10-15 minutes on a single question that they may never answer correctly.  This test is normed and adjusts questions up or down according to the accuracy of a student's prior answer.  Therefore, students can still do very well and miss a few questions, as a 100% is not really possible. Please plan to attend Curriculum Night next Tuesday evening starting at 6:15 pm.  Each grade level team will have assigned rooms for parents as we provide curriculum related information and answer a few questions.  We will offer three sessions for parents with students in multiple grade levels and for those who need some flexibility with the evening schedule.  Grade level sessions will begin at 6:15 pm, 7:00 pm and 7:30 pm.  Our Elective teachers will also be sharing information about their curriculum, with sessions starting at 7:00 pm and 7:30 pm.  Please

be prompt as we would like to begin at 6:15 pm sharp. Thanks! Finally, I want to encourage all of our families to begin the year with your best foot forward with homework and studying.  Middle school students tend to procrastinate or pretend that they don't have as much or any work to do.  Even our students who consistently take the initiative tend to slip a little bit at one point or another in middle school, as the distractions from extracurricular and interest in the opposite gender increases.  I have listed the top 5 pointers to help keep your Bronco on track for success.

1. Expect them to utilize their planner and check it daily, or at least randomly, each week...they need to know that you are checking!

2. Review Parent Portal every Thursday.3. Help them get into a routine for completing homework in an area free of distractions,

which includes collecting their cell phone while completing homework or studying unless they truly need it for that purpose.

4. Ask them to show you their work or even help them study (inspect what you expect).5. Use the 7 Habits language to help keep their focus on proactive actions, setting goals,

understanding what's important, and finding something that helps them "Sharpen the Saw."

Super-hero Volunteers!

Thank you to everyone who has filled out a "Volunteer Opportunities" form and stepped up to volunteer this year! Volunteering helps great things happen for our students.  It is wonderful to see the parents willing to spend time at our school, but we can always use more! If you haven't signed up yet, there are many opportunities throughout the year.  Check out the weekly Bronco Times and our PTSA website for up-coming events. The school and kids need your time and talents!  Please remember to register with CMS before volunteering, and add Bailey as one of your volunteer schools. If you have any questions about volunteering or want to add your name as a volunteer, please contact our PTSA Volunteer Coordinator, Amy Gais.   We look forward to seeing you at BMS!

Accidents happen...Even in Middle School. For a variety of reasons students sometimes find themselves in need of a change of clothing and parents are not always available to bring some.  Ms. Dennis, school nurse, is collecting NEW (tags on) sweatpants in adult size small, medium and large.  Donations are being accepted in the front office. 

Attendance Matters"There's no time like the present, and no substitute for being present"

Strong attendance is a key component of student success both in the classroom and in the future workforce. Although students may "make up" work that is missed when they are out, this is not a substitute for face to face instruction and interactive learning. Start this school year strong by helping your student to build good attendance habits. When students miss school they tend to struggle both academically and socially. Often student complaints of headaches, stomachaches, etc. can be a sign of distress rather than due to a medical cause. Staying out of school only makes the situation worse. Please reach out when help is needed. The Bailey Middle School staff is here to support you and your student. 

North Meck hosts parenting program

North Meck High is very excited to be hosting "Parenting with Love and Logic," sponsored by the Teen Health Connection.  

Although this program usually has a cost of $300-$400 dollars if taken privately, this program is absolutely free for parents and guardians, and all supplemental materials will also be provided FREE OF CHARGE.

The first session will be held in the NM Auditorium on Monday September 12th from 6-8pm. There are six sessions in this program that will be given over the course of the first semester, approximately twice per month.

For more information, and for required registration, click HERE.  

2016 - 2017 Drama Productions

Elf: The Musical, Jr. Book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin

Music by Matthew Sklar, Lyrics by Chad Beguelin

Based on the hit holiday movie, Elf is the story of an orphan, Buddy, who crawls into Santa's bag and travels to the North Pole. Buddy is raised by elves, unaware of his human origins, until his large size and slow toy making cause Santa to tell him the truth.  Buddy then sets out for New York City to find his dad and his true identity. Join us for this holiday favorite! 

*Auditions: September 8th and 9th, 4:30-6:15 p.m., Room D7 *Performances: November 17 and 18th at 7 p.m., and November 19th at 2 p.m. at Hough HS 

MacbethBy William ShakespeareAdapted to 45 minutes by Emily Klingman

"Knock, knock, who's there?", "Double, double toil and trouble, fire burn, and cauldron bubble", "Something wicked this way comes."  

One of Shakespeare's darker plays, Macbeth is full of murder, magic, and superstition at every turn. Three witches set the story in motion by telling Macbeth that he will be King of Scotland, what he and his wife do to bring about the prophesy insure their inevitable downfall. This play is a gripping, Shakespearean-thriller! 

*Auditions: September 1st and 2nd, 4:30 - 6 p.m., Room D7 *Performances: March 18th at NCTC Middle School Play Festival 

 March 23rd and 24th, 7 p.m. at Bailey MS 

Peter/Wendy by Jeremy Bloom

A lyrical, atmospheric interpretation of Peter Pan. Peter lures Wendy away from her nursery to Neverland, where she joins his adventures with Tinker Bell, Tiger Lily, and Captain Hook. 

This inventive adaptation pays homage to the darker themes of J.M. Barrie's original. You will not want to miss this mesmerizing version of this beloved classic!

*Auditions: January 5th and 6th, 4:30 - 6 p.m., Room D7*Performances: March 18th at NCTC Middle School Play Festival, 

 March 23rd and 24th, 7 p.m. at Bailey MS

Zink: The Myth, The Legend, The Zebraby Cherie Bennett

Bailey's Honors 8th Grade Drama Class invites you to see this beautiful play, performed in the round. Zink is about true courage in the face of unpredictable predators. Imaginative, funny, and heartbreaking, it's the story of the relationship between Becky, a lonely pre-teen girl with leukemia, and her guardian-angel herd of zebras on the African savannah. Go with us on this shattering, breathtaking, and uplifting journey! 

*Performances: May 11th and 12th, 7 p.m. in Room D7 

Positions are also available for technical theatre, behind the scenes jobs, for all of the productions.  Audition information and technical theatre applications can be found on the Drama Bulletin Board and Bailey Theatre Productions webpage.

Let us do something for you!

The PTSA is hosting a Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast!

Friday, September 16, 8:45 - 9:30 am in the Media Center.  

Please join us for a light breakfast and fun conversation. This is also a great time to meet new people 

and get to know more about our PTSA!

 Please RSVP so we are sure to have enough food for everyone.

Free cotton candy and popcorn! Dunk your favorite principal and teachers in the dunk tank for charity!  Challenge your friends in the Meltdown, Wrecking Ball, Leaps and Bounds, Triple Bungee

Challenge, and Ultimate Obstacle Course Test your speed and agility with the trainers from Champions Sports! Spin the wheel for Chick-fil-a and Bailey school store coupons! Music provided by DJ Baez! Food trucks on site with food available for purchase include Tenders, Domino's Pizza,

Philly Pretzel Factory and Carolina Ice Cream Truck

We need volunteers to make this event a success. Please sign up to help!        

Permission slips will be sent home the week of September 12th. You may also download and print by clicking HERE.  Signed permission slips are required if your child would like to stay after school for the picnic.

 Questions?  Please contact Shelley Suter Notte 

  

Support the Performing Arts at Bailey Middle School

Did you know that the Performing Arts Booster Club (PABC) was recently created for all students involved in Chorus, Dance and Drama here at Bailey? This club was put together in order to support each of these programs financially for teaching and learning in the classroom, performance opportunities, and extra-curricular educational opportunities. Please consider supporting this fantastic organization by becoming a member today!

We are currently looking for a member to represent Chorus on the PABC Board. This person will work closely with the new Chorus teacher, Mrs. Coldiron, and with the Dance and Drama teachers and current board members. 

Please contact Mrs. Coldiron if you are interested in this position.

So easy to help our school, just by shopping Want to know how you can support bailey middle school financially without spending anything extra?  We've got several things that you and your family can do and they all take less than 10 min to set up and Bailey benefits all year long.  

Don't forget that EACH school year you have to Re-Link your VIC Card for our school to earn money.  Bailey needs your help. Our school's number is 6083. Just tell the cashier this number to re-link your card or simply go online to Harris Teeter's website.

Have more than one child at more than one school? No problem! You can split up your link for up to 5 schools/groups.  Select Harris Teeter brands are considered qualifying items as well as prescriptions from their pharmacy.  

Don't forget to also keep using your Publix card (no re-linking required).  If you do not have a Publix Card for Bailey and need one, please email me and I will make sure you get one or stop by the Welcome Desk at Bailey to pick up one.  Unfortunately, you are not able to pick up a Publix Card in the stores.

Do you shop on Amazon?  If so, I bet you didn't know you could be earning Bailey money with your purchases.  See below for more information.

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support our school, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you'll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to Bailey.

On your first visit to AmazonSmile, you need to select Bailey Middle in the search field, and select PTA North Carolina Congress Bailey Middle School PTA when prompted. You'll then receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. Amazon will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a donation to our school. 

Want to help Bailey Middle School earn extra money by doing your daily shopping?  Download the free app "Shoparoo" and start earning points with your store receipts.

What is Shoparoo?  Shoparoo is a free iPhone and Android app that turns pictures of your shopping receipts into donations to our school.  With Shoparoo, any receipt from a grocery store, super center, club store, dollar store, drug store, convenience mart or pet store- (regardless products purchased) - earns money for our school.  Just take a quick moment to snap a quick picture of your receipt and voila, you've made an instant cash donation.  That's it - no clipping, collecting, following up, mailing or guilt for asking someone to buy something they don't want!  For more information, visit Shoparoo or go to your app store and download the app to get started ~ make sure to select our school.

BMS Advocacy... Let your voice be heard

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education has selected McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C., Executive Recruitment and Development to assist them in the important task of selecting the next CMS Superintendent. The following large group meetings are open to any stakeholder who wishes to provide input. Please share with your networks! 

Monday, September 12, 20167:00-8:30 pm

West Charlotte High Auditorium2219 Senior Drive, Charlotte, NC

  Tuesday, September 13, 2016

7:00-8:30 pmSouth Mecklenburg High Auditorium

8900 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 

 Wednesday, September 14, 20167:00-8:30 pm

North Mecklenburg High Auditorium11201 Old Statesville Rd., Huntersville, NC

 The board is seeking a broad range of community input.  We hope you will attend and help spread the word among your colleagues and neighbors about this opportunity.  The large group sessions are open to members of the public.  Only invitees will provide feedback in the small group sessions. In the large sessions, we welcome input from all who attend.

BRONCO CALENDARClick HERE to see the BMS Master Calendar for 2016-17 

Please note some dates are subject to change

Thurs, Sept 8 Fall Fundraiser Kickoff (Discount Cards)

Sept 8 - 9 Elf auditions

Tues, Sept 13 6:15 pm Curriculum Night & General PTSA Meeting

Fri, Sept 16 Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast, 8:45 am

Fri, Sept 16 8th Marching Band Night @ Hough High School, 3-9 pm

Mon, Sept 19 Fall sports games begin

Wed, Sept 21 School Tour, 9:30 am

Friday, Sept 23 Back to School Picnic, 4:30-6:30 pm 

Wed, Sept 28 Progress reports - check Parent Portal

Bronco athletes and fans unite!  Please click HERE for fall sports news, schedules and permission slips