Friday, March 1, 2019

Newspaper Club

Newspaper Club meets on Tuesday after school in the library. We will take a photo for the yearbook, so if you have been a regular member, even if you can't stay for the whole meeting, please try to come right after school!

See Ms. Woznick in the library for more information or questions about Newspaper Club.

Honors Choir

Honors choir rehearsal is Monday 3pm in room 155.

School Funding Community Conversation

Join the Beverly Teachers Association (BTA) for a community conversation on school funding on Thursday, March 28 from 6:30 to 7:45pm in the Beverly Middle School Library. Light refreshments will be served!

See this flyer for more information.

Chess and Cribbage Club

Yearbook Photo is happening at 3:10 at Chess and Cribbage Club this Tuesday 3/5. Be sure to come on time and with a smile! Questions? Contact Mrs. Wood-Bell at cwoodbell@gmail.com

Big Buck$ Winning Begins!

BIG BUCK$ WINNING! 

If you still have calendars to turn in, please have your student bring them to the school office ASAP and we will get those slips added in. Click here to see all the prizes for the month.

The Friday, March 1 BIG BUCK$ winner is Sue Jewett. Sue wins $100. The calendar was sold by BMS student, Norah Jewett, who also wins $10 for the selling the winning calendar.

All $10 student winners can pick up their $10 in the office after school.

Remember, if you still have calendars to turn in, please have your student turn them in to the main office ASAP.

Thank you again for your enthusiasm and involvement in making this all-school fundraiser such a great one! We will announce our weekend winners on Monday. Have a wonderful weekend! GO BIG BUCK$!

Box Tops for Education

Did you know that Beverly Middle School is accepting Box Tops for Education? Please clip, save and send in your Box Top labels to the front office. Each box top is worth 10 cents so be on the lookout for those everyday grocery items you have in your cabinet and send in your Box Top labels. This is an easy way to help the school earn free cash. 

For more information or any questions contact Todd Rotondo at toddrotondo@yahoo.com.

CRAFFT Screening Tool

In order to help prevent students from starting to use substances, or to intervene with early use, our nursing and counseling staff will be providing an interview-based screening for 7th grade students about the use of alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs. Screenings will be conducted by team assignment on March 19, 20 & 21.

This screening utilizes the most commonly used substance use-screening tool for adolescents in Massachusetts, the CRAFFT. A copy of the screening tool is posted on the Beverly School District website under Health/SBIRT resources or you can click here to view it.

Student screening sessions will be brief (5‐10 minutes) and conducted confidentially in private by trained school nurses and counselors.

Read this letter to parents and families for more information about this process and about your rights to opt your child out.

Early Release & Parent Afternoon Back Today

Parent Afternoon Back is scheduled for today, Friday, March 1, 2019 from 1:00-3:00 PM. This will be an early release day for students, who will be dismissed at 12:15pm. Students are expected to leave the building promptly on Friday. There are no activities or supervision for students after 12:15.

Parent Afternoon Back is a time for parents and guardians to come in to check on their child’s academic progress with brief 1-1 teacher meetings. These meetings are limited to 5 minutes or less due to the number of parents that attend. If a you need more time, please ask about setting up a meeting at another time.

Basic Rights in Special Education Tuesday

A workshop entitled "Basic Rights in Special Education" for parents and professionals will be held on Tuesday, March 5 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm in room 103 of the McKeown School building at 70 Balch Street. There will be a brief SEPAC meeting right beforehand at 6:00, which you are also welcome to join.

For more information, click here to view a flyer.

Thursday, February 28, 2019

A Message From Mr. Poska

We recently heard of a few concerning news stories and want to share the following resources with you. Some of you may have seen accounts of the "Momo challenge" and concerns regarding YouTube Kids in the news or via social media platforms. We have no indication that these topics have been widely discussed by students at the middle school, but we always want to be aware and prepared if the subject comes up. We will not be addressing these news reports at school. However, we hope these resources will be helpful for your own information and in case you feel the need to discuss this with your children. These are moments when we are reminded of the ever present need to help our students navigate the digital world. 
Please do not hesitate to contact myself or your child's counselor if you have any questions or concerns.

Mr. Matthew P. PoskaPrincipal
Beverly Middle School



Check Lost & Found During Parent Afternoon Back

There are now about 200 jackets, shirts, and sweaters as well as dozens of hats, mittens, scarves, lunch boxes and other personal items in the lost and found.

If you come on Friday to Parent Afternoon Back that would be a great time to check for your child's items!

We will begin clearing out the lost and found by the end of next week, as many items have been here since before the December vacation and we are out of hangers and rack space 😀






Into the Woods Rehearsals - Important Info

Dear parents and guardians of actors/actresses of INTO THE WOODS JR.:

There have been some issues with students wandering the building unattended after play rehearsal, and this has become a safety concern for BMS. Mr. Poska has requested that I ensure all students are dismissed from play practice precisely at 5:00pm, and that I monitor that every student is picked up by their appropriate rides before I depart from the building for the night. 

Therefore I must request, per order of the principal, to please pick up your child exactly at 5:00pm when their rehearsal is done to ensure their safety (play rehearsal is always 3:15-5:00pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday - these times will not change).

NOTE: Alterations and updates will continually be made to the rehearsal schedule concerning which scenes will be rehearsed on which days throughout this rehearsal process. Please regularly check the schedule with your child, and familiarize yourselves with the changes. Please email me with any questions or clarifications.

-- Mr. Hecox

Tomorrow - Early Release & Parent Afternoon Back

Parent Afternoon Back is scheduled for this Friday, March 1, 2019 from 1:00-3:00 PM. This will be an early release day for students, who will be dismissed at 12:15pm. Students are expected to leave the building promptly on Friday. There are no activities or supervision for students after 12:15.

Parent Afternoon Back is a time for parents and guardians to come in to check on their child’s academic progress with brief 1-1 teacher meetings. These meetings are limited to 5 minutes or less due to the number of parents that attend. If a you need more time, please ask about setting up a meeting at another time.

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Gr 7/8 iPad Reminders

Some of our grade 7 and grade 8 students are arriving at school without their iPads fully charged. We'd like to remind you that it is a student's responsibility to charge their iPads at home using the charger that was issued to them at the start of the school year. (Please keep in mind that when the iPads are turned back in they are to be returned with the school-issued chargers.)

We have many instances of students using other chargers, such as phone chargers. These chargers are not powerful enough to charge an iPad. Moreover, we can see from the battery activity on student iPads that the batteries are sometimes being drained with apps that are running overnight. (You can go to Settings > Battery to see when the battery is being used and by which apps.)

Ideally, the charger issued with the iPad is kept in a safe place in the home outside the student's bedroom. At night the iPad should be powered down completely and plugged into the appropriate charger so that the iPad is fully charged in the morning. When you plug it in, check to be sure you see the lightning bolt appear on the battery icon in the upper right corner, or else an image of the battery appears on the screen to show you how full it is, so you know that it is actively charging.

School Report Card from DESE

Dear Beverly Middle School Families:

Every year, each public school and school district in Massachusetts receives a report card. Just as your child’s report card shows how they are doing in different subjects, the school’s report card is designed to show families how our school is doing in different areas. A link to our school’s report card is available at reportcards.doe.mass.edu and put in ‘Briscoe Middle School’ or you can just click here.

The report card includes multiple measures of a school’s performance – more than just MCAS scores. It represents a new way of looking at school performance, by providing information on student achievement, teacher qualifications, student learning opportunities, and more.

Science Fair a Success!

On Tuesday, BMS held its annual science fair. It was a great success with 39 projects submitted and 53 participants. Thank you to the many participants and the families who came to view the fair, as well as the volunteer coordinators and judges!

The list of winning projects from each grade is as follows:

8th Grade Winners
  • Stewart Moran - Most likely Pullies and How the Size of them Changes the Ease of Pulling an Object
  • Chloe Aiello - How gluten affects your body

6th Grade Winners
  • Timothy Harrington- How high can you fly?
  • Alexander Gangi - Does warm water freeze faster than cold water?
  • Ella Checksfield - Sarcophagus science – mummify a hot dog

5th Grade Winners
  • Sydney Taylor & Reese Kwiatek - Where should you store your popcorn?
  • Harry Wilson - How load affects drone battery life
  • Josue Reyes & Aiden Gates - Save the World with Fog
  • Nate Fein - Why do succulents need less water than other plants?
  • Mia Belmonte - Does Soil with Worms Help Plants Grow Faster Than Soil Without Worms?

5th Grade Honorable Mentions
  • Lydia McCarthy & Miranda Harrington - “Think Quick": Boys vs. Girls- Who has better reflexes?
  • Max Panda - Is a dog's mouth really cleaner than a human's?

BPL Pizza Book Club Next Week

The teens-only Pizza Book Club meets at the Beverly Public Library next Wednesday March 6th from 3:45 to 4:45.  Students should ask their ELA or Reading teacher if Pizza Book Club can fulfill T2 independent reading requirement!

This meeting it's the Newbery Honor book Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk. 

Remember to sign up online so we have enough pizza!

Recognize Anything? Hundreds of Items in Lost & Found

There are now over 100 jackets, shirts, and sweaters as well as dozens of hats, mittens, scarves, lunch boxes and other personal items in the lost and found, located outside the library on the first floor.

If you come on Friday to Parent Afternoon Back that would be a great time to check for your child's items!

We will begin clearing out the lost and found after Friday, as many items have been here since before the December vacation and we are out of hangers and rack space 😀






Early Release & Parent Afternoon Back Friday

Parent Afternoon Back is scheduled for this Friday, March 1, 2019 from 1:00-3:00 PM. This will be an early release day for students, who will be dismissed at 12:15pm. Students are expected to leave the building promptly on Friday. There are no activities or supervision for students after 12:15.

Parent Afternoon Back is a time for parents and guardians to come in to check on their child’s academic progress with brief 1-1 teacher meetings. These meetings are limited to 5 minutes or less due to the number of parents that attend. If a you need more time, please ask about setting up a meeting at another time.

Yearbook - Important Meeting Tomorrow

Yearbook Club will be meeting on Thursday this week. It is extremely important that we have our entire staff there because we are putting the finishing touches on the yearbook!

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

BMS Musical Rehearsal Changes

Into the Woods Jr. - Attention Parents of Actors/Actresses!

There have been some changes to the Google Doc Rehearsal Schedule. Please orient yourself to these modifications by re-checking the document online.

-- Mr. Hecox

New BSA Girls Troop - Info Night 3/4

Find out about the new BSA Girls Troop 49 at an information/signup night on March 4 at 7pm Centerville Church.

See this flyer for more information or email Shannon Skilling at skilling2016@gmail.com.

Parent Afternoon Back Friday

Parent Afternoon Back is scheduled for this Friday, March 1, 2019 from 1:00-3:00 PM. This will be an early release day for students, who will be dismissed at 12:15pm. Students are expected to leave the building promptly on Friday. There are no activities or supervision for students after 12:15.

Parent Afternoon Back is a time for parents and guardians to come in to check on their child’s academic progress with brief 1-1 teacher meetings. These meetings are limited to 5 minutes or less due to the number of parents that attend. If a you need more time, please ask about setting up a meeting at another time.

Yearbook - Important Meeting Thursday

Yearbook Club will be meeting on Thursday this week. It is extremely important that we have our entire staff there because we are putting the finishing touches on the yearbook!

Monday, February 25, 2019

Big Buck$ Bagel World Winners

The Big Buck$ Homeroom Bagel World breakfast is tomorrow!!!

5th - Orlando/Elliot
6th - Melanson/Spoon
7th - O'Leary
8th - Sherman

It will be held on the 3rd floor cafe. PTO will be setting up at 8:30 after students are dismissed from breakfast and homerooms will be heading down at 8:40.  Congrats to the winning homerooms!!!

Hanger Donations Needed

We have a new rack for the lost and found, but need more hangers to hang up the items! If you can donate some hangers, please email Ms. Woznick at awoznick@beverlyschools.org.

Fab Lab

Session 3 of Fab Lab will be meeting on Tuesday after school in room 316 from 3:00 to 3:45.

Friday Early Release & Parent Afternoon Back


Parent Afternoon Back is scheduled for this Friday, March 1, 2019 from 1:00-3:00 PM. This will be an early release day for students, who will be dismissed at 12:15pm. Students are expected to leave the building promptly on Friday. There are no activities or supervision for students after 12:15.

Parent Afternoon Back is a time for parents and guardians to come in to check on their child’s academic progress with brief 1-1 teacher meetings. These meetings are limited to 5 minutes or less due to the number of parents that attend. If a you need more time, please ask about setting up a meeting at another time.

Honors Choir

Honors choir rehearsal today (Monday) 3pm in room 155.

Gr 8 - NJHS Meeting Wednesday

There is a National Junior Honor Society meeting for all invited 8th graders THIS Wednesday, February 27th, at 3:05 - 3:45pm in the 3rd floor cafeteria. Any questions, please see Lady McGrath in room 444 or Mrs. Cann in room 336.

Play Rehearsal

There will be a full cast play rehearsal this afternoon (Monday) in the auditorium until 5pm.

Chess & Cribbage Club Cancelled Tomorrow

Chess and Cribbage Club will be cancelled Tuesday 2/26.

Mrs. Wood-Bell will be judging at the science fair, so she will not be available to run the club. See you all on March 5.

Conservation Club

Kestrel Educational Adventures and Endicott College are collaborating to bring an after-school Conservation Club to Beverly for students in grades 5-10.

It will be held on Wednesdays from 3:30-6:30 starting March 20 at 9 May Street in Beverly. Transportation from Beverly and Salem schools is available.  Students will work together to choose a project that will help people and the local environment.

Click here to see flyer with more information and/or contact Jessica Kagle: jessica@kestreleducation.org, (617) 290-2258.

Sunday, February 24, 2019

Lost & Found

Many items have been in the lost and found outside the library since December. We now have more than 100 jackets, sweaters, and other items.  Please be sure you or your child check the lost and found soon, as items will be donated to a local charity after Parent Afternoon Back (which is on March 1).

Click here to see pictures of many of the items!

Gr 8 - BHS Curriculum Night Tuesday

The will be a Curriculum Night held Tuesday, February 26 at 7:00 pm at Beverly High School for any families of students considering or planning to attend BHS next fall as 9th graders.

BHS guidance counselors will be visiting all BMS 8th grade teams starting the week of February 25 to hand out course recommendation/selection sheets and to help students pick electives for next fall. Students will bring these home and they must be returned with a parent/guardian signature by Monday, March 4. 8th Grade Moveup Day will be held on June 3.

For more information, click here.

Order Your Yearbook Today

The ordering window for the Inaugural Beverly Middle School Yearbook is underway!

No extra yearbooks will be available at the end of the year - You must secure your order now!

All yearbook orders (online and paper) are DUE FRIDAY MARCH 29, 2019. 

There are 2 ways to place your yearbook order. They are only $20 each - the same low price we've had for many years!

Online Ordering from Jostens
Please visit our ordering website to place your order online:
http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A03409530
When placing your order, please make sure you are entering your student’s namegrade and team name accurately.

- OR - 
Please print out and complete this order form (or pick one up at the BMS office) and return it to the main office with cash or a check stapled to the form or labeled in an envelope with your student’s name. Please make checks payable to Beverly Middle School.

Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to handing out the first ever BMS Yearbook!

Mrs. Kristina Vanderslice, Advisor and the Yearbook Staff

Gr 6 - Final Nature's Classroom Payment Due Tomorrow

Grade 6 students have received packets with information about Nature's Classroom. You can also view or download the packets online.

Thank you to all who sent in in your first or full payment for your student's 6th grade Nature's Classroom trip.

The final payment of $75 is due on Monday, February 25, 2019. 

Click here for an updated payment schedule.

Questions may be directed to Kathy Mullins in the main office.

6 Lions & 6 Pumas go April 8-12 at the Pondsite Site in Charlton, MA
6 Jaguars & 6 Tigers go April 8-12 at the Hilltop Site in Charlton, MA
6 Bobcats, 6 Cougars & 6 Wildcats go April 29-May 3 at the Hilltop Site in Charlton, MA

Dodgeball Starts Tomorrow - Check Roster & Schedule

Dodgeball teams and schedules are now available! This is a club activity with 25 teams, so not every team will play each week. The first games are on Monday, February 25 after school in the BMS gym.  The action takes place from 3:05-3:40. Students will be released in time to get the late bus.

Click here to see the full schedule and team rosters in order by grade. If your child signed up for dodgeball earlier this month, check the list to find their name on the list and look on the first page for the full schedule.

Only students who have games scheduled should be in the gym!

Games for week of February 25

February 25th:

  • Blue Barracudas v. Green Monkeys
  • Hungry Hippos v. Candy Landers
  • Boom Shaka Laka v. Too Fast, Too Furious
  • Average Joes v. Purple Cobras
February 27th:
  • The Battleships v. ​Chutes and Dodgeballers
  • Purple Parrots v. Red Jaguars
February 28th:


  • Silver Snakes v. Orange Iguanas
  • The Monopolizers v. The Dominoes
  • Team Wakanda v. ​Some Beauty
  • Mostly Beast Lumberjacks v. Flying Cougars

Chess & Cribbage Club Cancelled Tuesday

Chess and Cribbage Club will be cancelled Tuesday 2/26. 

Mrs. Wood-Bell will be judging at the science fair, so she will not be available to run the club. See you all on March 5.

Science Fair Tuesday - Important Info!

The BMS 1st Annual Science Fair will be on Tuesday February 26th!
All participants MUST email Danielle Hopkins - dhopkins@beverlyschools.org or Bridget Fish - bfish@beverlyschools.org with your name (list all team members), grade and confirmed title of your project.

Science Fair Day Schedule
  • 8:15-8:45 Students to check in and drop off boards and display items in the library
  • 3:00-3:15 Students pick up boards from the library and take to upper cafeteria for display and judging
  • 3:15-3:45 Judges arrive
  • 3:45-5:00 Judging of projects
  • 5:00-5:45 Judges meet to caucus the projects. Students take a break and will have pizza provided for them
  • 6:00-6:45 Public reception, viewing and awards ceremony

The Science Fair Committee is looking for parent volunteers to help supervise the students during the afternoon, if you are available for any amount of time between 3:00 and 6:45 please contact Reya Al-Khalili – reyaal67@gmail.com

Participants: please remember to keep any extra items for display to a minimum as display space is limited and there are no electrical outlets available to us.

Please bring a snack and water bottle with you for the afternoon, and a book or homework to work on if you have free time in between being judged.

Lost & Found

Many items have been in the lost and found outside the library since December. We now have more than 100 jackets, sweaters, and other items.  Please be sure you or your child check the lost and found soon, as items will be donated to a local charity after Parent Afternoon Back (which is on March 1).

Click here to see pictures of many of the items!