Barrington Middle School

Important Dates:

• Monday, March 13, 2023 No School for Students. Teacher Professional Development Day.

• Friday, March 17, 2023:  End of the second trimester 

Stay Connected with BMS:

• Barringtonmiddle.org

• BMS Morning TV Show

• BMS Daily Announcements 2022 - 2023

• @bms_ri

• #bmsshines

BMS Weekly Schedule

Week of March 5, 2023,

What is New at BMS! 

(note: the following information is new)

BMS Recognizes Black History Month: 

During the month of February, BMS celebrated and recognized Black History Month with many activities. Below you will find just a few of the highlights that occurred throughout our learning community: 

• In art classes we learned about Black Artists and their contribution to art and the community. Students were inspired to make self-portraits after learning about portrait painter Amy Sherald, known for her portrait of Michele Obama.  Students learned about self-taught artist Kimmy Cantrell and his ceramic pieces. Students watched an interview of artist Faith Ringgold and her goal to tell about her heritage, culture and family through her story quilts.

• In our music classes students had lessons on Jazz Music and Blues Music and the musicians that helped pave the way for the path to Civil Rights.  We looked briefly at the African American spiritual and how that led to the roots of Blues and Jazz and how Black Musicians were among the first to be treated equally.  

• In Digital Literacy we reviewed Black Americans who made contributions to computer science and related industries.

• In our BMS Media Center we had a Black History Month display of books for the month of February with a theme of "The Most Searched...A celebration of Black History". Bookmarks coming out of featured titles said things like "Most Searched Athlete: LeBron James", "Most Searched Speech: Martin Luther King, Jr.", and "Most Searched Ballerina: Misty Copeland." In addition, we created a visual book list to provide ideas of fiction titles with BIPOC representation. Finally, the library's February newsletter had a Black History Month theme and included resources at the top for families to explore. 

• In 6th grade humanities courses students watched and discussed the movie Hidden Figures about the contributions of black, female scientists and mathematicians to NASA during the 1960s Space Race. In addition, students read excerpts from primary sources and responded to prompts regarding the causes and effects of the Atlantic Slave Trade and Middle Passage. Students watched a video showing students in a speech contest from another school.  Students memorized one of MLK's speeches and were delivering them to an audience.  Connections to modern day were made. 

• In 7th grade humanities students studied The Civil Rights movement of the 20th century. For the summative task, students completed their agent of change project, which tasked students with choosing either a past or present change agent and discussed, through a presentation, how that individual has impacted the world in a positive way.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion-Themed Arts Showcase:

We are looking for artists, writers, and creators to submit pieces that center around DEI and minority experiences.  Interested?  Click here to sign up and submit your entry.  For more information, email Mrs.Polando at polandok@barringtonschools.org or high school student, Ritsika Dutta at duttar24@barringtonschools.org.  Submissions will be due by March 18 and the actual show will be in April.

Proficiency Data on Canvas: 

On Monday, March 14, 2023 families will be able to see student Middle of the Year Proficiency Data on Canvas. Students take proficiencies 2 to 3 times a year in Humanities (ELA/SS), Math, and Science. Proficiency assessments our opportunities for students to practice year-end grade level standard/skills. It is important to note that by the end of the year our goal is for our students to reach proficient level (70% or higher) on these assessments. It is not expected for our students to be at the proficient level (70% or higher) at this time of the year (March) as students have only been instructed on 60% of the content. 

Movie Night:

The BMS Robotics team is honored to qualify for the 2023 International LegoLeague Open Invitational! Hosted at the University of Arkansas, this event will include 80 teams from around the world who have achieved significant recognition in their own region. 

In order to attend this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the Robotics team is hosting a series of fundraisers. You can support these students by attending the Movie Night fundraiser on 3/17 from 6-8:30 pm! Available to students in grades 1-8, the Lego Movie will be screening in the BMS cafeteria. Presale tickets are $5, and will increase to $10 if purchased after 3/10. Students will also have the option to purchase drinks and snacks at the event! If you'd like more information or wish to donate directly to the club, checks may be made out to Barrington Public Schools and sent in to the attention of Melanie Cotnoir or email Melanie at cotnoirm@barringtonschools.org.  Thank you!

Volunteers Wanted to Assist with Daily Lunchroom Composting:

- must have current BCI

- no experience necessary

- short time slots

- oversee compost bins and help students sort their trays

If available for any amount of time between 12:20 and 1:10, any day of the week, please email texeiraj@barringtonschools.org.

Rock Your Socks:

The M.A.D. Squad would like to welcome our BMS community to participate in the Rock Your Socks Campaign.  World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated every year on March 21st to create awareness and advocate for the rights, inclusion, and well being of individuals with Down Syndrome. 

Why 3/21? The 21st day of March (the 3rd month of the year) resembles the three copies of the 21st chromosome that causes Down Syndrome.  We will be selling socks for $5 a pair at the school store. We encourage you to stop by and buy a pair. Keep one sock for yourself and give one to a friend! Then on 3/21 wear your mismatched socks to school!    Please join us to celebrate individuals with Down Syndrome and their families!  All proceeds from the Rock Your Socks campaign and March Kindness Grams will be donated to the Down Syndrome Society of Rhode Island.  Thanks for your support!

Nayatt 5K:

Come join the Nayatt Community on April 1st for our annual 5K Race and 1 Mile Family Fun Run.  1 Mile Run Starts at 9:00 am, Kids 50 Yard Dash at 9:35 am, 5K Run/Walk at 10:00 am.  This is a USATF sanctioned course with electronic timing through RaceWire.  Sign up before March 10th to secure your complimentary race shirt!  Click here for more information!

Oldies but Goodies

(note: information previously seen, but still relevant)

Drop-off/Pick-up Instructions:

If you choose to drop-off and pick-up your student from BMS, please see this map for directions.  Please note that the last early dismissal of the day is at 2:45 pm.

Early Pick-Up Reminders: 

Notes or emails to bmsattendance@barringtonschools.org are needed every time you need to dismiss your student prior to the end of school.  Middle School level students are not allowed to bike home, even with permission by note.  ID and a physical presence is required to dismiss your student early.  Please click here for full details about dismissing your student early from school.

PTO Corner: 

Welcome to the new school year from the BMS PTO! We are excited for the new year and a return to many of the events and activities that have been missed over the past couple of years. Here are a few PTO updates to start off the year:

• Join the PTO: Become a member of the BMS PTO for $20 through our BMS online store. Proceeds go directly to the school and PTO programs and membership is required to vote at PTO meetings.

• Volunteers needed: We are in great need of volunteers for the board (President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary) and committees (Book Fair, Hospitality, Fundraising, One Amazing Night, Variety Show, 8th Grade Celebration). Please email barringtonmiddlepto@gmail.com if interested or with any questions with no pressure to commit.

BMS Spotlight on Learning

Let’s Celebrate our Amazing Learning Community!

(note: below you will find our standing/weekly BMS Spotlight on Learning)

This week, we would like to shine our BMS Spotlight on Gail Robinson. Not only is Mrs. Robinson a terrific Speech and Language teacher, she does so much to foster inclusivity at BMS. Mrs. Robinson’s work with the Snack Cart and Best Buddies are two of the many ways she brings students together for meaningful social experiences. Thank you, Mrs. Robinson, for everything you do for our students and the BMS Learning Community. Nominated by Elliott LeFaiver

Do you know of a BMS Faculty/Staff/Student member that is shining bright? If you do, please complete the form below and we can include the nomination in an upcoming newsletter. 

BMS Spotlight Nomination 

Around Town

(Community News)

Teen Test Kitchen:

Join us at the Barrington Public Library, Grades 6 through 12, for a new club where we make, sample and rate different foods!  Space is limited.  Please register on the Teen Page of the library.

Teen Game Night:

Card games, board games, snacks & more!  Meets every third Thursday from 6:30 - 7:45 pm in the Peck Center at the Barrington Public Library.  Bring a game to share!  Next meetup is 3/16!  For grades 6 through 12.

Sea Cadet Corps:

The U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps (Sea Cadets), a youth program for middle and high school students, gives young Americans a competitive edge by providing world-class leadership development, training opportunities, mentorship, life skills, confidence, challenge, and adventure. We offer today's youth the skills, knowledge, and confidence to become productive, responsible American citizens with an appreciation for the maritime services of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Merchant Marine. We build leaders of character. 

There will be a free open house at 9am, 11am, and 1pm for those interested in joining our youth program on the following dates:

February 25, 2023

March 11, 2023

Location: 1 Narragansett Street, Cranston, RI. 

To RSVP please fill out the form located at the link here: http://www.falcondivision.org/join.html