Friday, July 3, 2020

Book of the Day: Alexander Hamilton

The Making of America: Alexander Hamilton by Teri Kanefield

From Hoopla: The America that Alexander Hamilton knew was largely agricultural and built on slave labor. He envisioned something else: a multi-racial, urbanized, capitalistic America with a strong central government. He believed that such an America would be a land of opportunity for the poor and the newcomers. But Hamilton's vision put him at odds with his archrivals who envisioned a pastoral America of small towns, where governments were local, states would control their own destiny, and the federal government would remain small and weak. The disputes that arose during America's first decades continued through American history to our present day. Over time, because of the systems Hamilton set up and the ideas he left, his vision won out. Here is the story that epitomizes the American dream -- a poor immigrant who made good in America. In the end, Hamilton rose from poverty through his intelligence and ability, and did more to shape our country than any of his contemporaries."

BMS Librarian Ms. Woznick is recommending a book a day! You can download the ebook of Alexander Hamilton from Hoopla with a Beverly Public Library, reserve the hard copy of Alexander Hamilton for pickup at the library -- or check with local stores like Copper Dog Books or the Book Shop in Beverly Farms buy a book.

There are lots more Guys Read ebooks available on Hoopla: The Sports Page, Other Worlds, True Stories, Terrifying Tales, Thriller, and Heroes & Villains. If you have a boy in your life, whether they think they like to read or not, these collections are for them!

Check the Real Life Stories page on the Summer Stories website to explore more true stories about real people!

Thursday, July 2, 2020

Thurs 7/9: Pick Up Yearbooks and Belongings

On Thursday, July 9 you may pick up a BMS yearbook if you ordered and paid for one earlier this year. This is also your last chance for your child to retrieve belongings from school if you have not already done so.

Yearbook Pickup Directions
We will host a rolling pick-up for yearbooks on Thursday, July 9th. If you ordered a yearbook, you may pick it up in the front driveway of the school between 10:00am and 2:00pm. Please post your student’s first and last name, and grade (during the 2019-2020 school year) on the passenger side front window, and follow staff instructions.

Student Belongings Pick-Up Directions
If you missed the original student belongings pick-up dates, you have one last opportunity to gather your things! Please RSVP HERE, then come to the main lobby on Thursday, July 9th between 10:00am and 2:00pm to check in. Per the city ordinance, masks must be worn to enter the building. Belongings left behind will be discarded.

Library Books
If you have any BMS library books out still it's a great day to drop them off as well!

Book of the Day: Funny Business

Guys Read: Funny Business by Jon Scieszka

From Hoopla: "Funny Business, the first volume in Jon Scieszka's Guys Read Library of Great Reading, features ten short stories guaranteed to delight, amuse, and possibly make you spit your milk in your friend's face. There's something for everyone in this collection of short stories from some of the funniest writers around. This hilarious, offbeat first installment in the Guys Read Library is 100% grade-A humor, guaranteed to have kids of all ages asking for more. Authors include Mac Barnett, Eoin Colfer, Christopher Paul Curtis, Kate DiCamillo & Jon Scieszka, Paul Feig, Jack Gantos, Jeff Kinney, David Lubar, Adam Rex, and David Yoo, with illustrations by Adam Rex."

BMS Librarian Ms. Woznick is recommending a book a day! You can download the ebook of Guys Read: Funny Business from Hoopla with a Beverly Public Library, reserve the hard copy of Lucky Caller for pickup at the library -- or check with local stores like Copper Dog Books or the Book Shop in Beverly Farms buy a book.

There are lots more Guys Read ebooks available on Hoopla: The Sports Page, Other Worlds, True Stories, Terrifying Tales, Thriller, and Heroes & Villains. If you have a boy in your life, whether they think they like to read or not, these collections are for them!

Check the Short Stories page on the Summer Stories website for some more ideas about short story collections to read!

Parks Program Application Due TODAY 7/2

Here is the link for this year's Parks Program Lottery Form: https://forms.gle/Txk6deoW8gL1U8Yo8. We are very excited to be able to offer the Program starting this Monday, July 6th.

Unfortunately, we need to limit the number of children who can attend in an effort to adhere to proper COVID-19 Guidelines. 

Please fill out this form to enter for a roster spot at one of our Summer Parks. Unlike previous years, families will NOT be allowed to register their children in person at Park. Please read the link for more details.

Also, please share this link and/or email it to all of your parent/sports/Beverly groups! Any Beverly family who may be interested. Entries are NOT "first-come-first-serve." Family applications will be assigned a number and picked at random. Applications are due TODAY, Thursday, July 2nd at 5 pm.

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Pick up Summer Eats Tomorrow

Beverly Public Schools & Summer Eats are Feeding Students for free All Summer!!!

*Note: Meals will be distributed on Thursday July 2nd instead of Friday July 3rd in order to observe 4th of July Holiday

Meal distributions will continue on Tuesdays and Fridays*
summer eats



Tuesday & Friday 10:30a-12:30p at Beverly High School and 
Tuesday & Friday 11:30a-12p at Apple Village 600 Manor Road and Holcroft Park 10 Gage St

CHILDREN DO NOT NEED TO BE PRESENT TO RECEIVE MEALS! 

Produce Boxes will be distributed on Fridays on a first-come-first-serve basis

Any questions please call the Food Service Department at 978-921-6132 x 11129

Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Book of the Day: Major Impossible

Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales: Major Impossible by Nathan Hale

From Hoopla: "The ninth book in the bestselling series tells the story of John Wesley Powell, the one-armed geologist who explored the Grand Canyon John Wesley Powell (1834–1902) always had the spirit of adventure in him. As a young man, he traveled all over the United States exploring. When the Civil War began, Powell went to fight for the Union, and even after he lost most of his right arm, he continued to fight until the war was over. In 1869, he embarked with the Colorado River Exploring Expedition, ten men in four boats, to float through Grand Canyon. Over the course of three months, the explorers lost their boats and supplies, nearly drowned, and were in peril on multiple occasions. Ten explorers went in, only six came out. Powell would come to be known as one of the most epic explorers in history! Equal parts gruesome and hilarious, this latest installment in the bestselling series takes readers on an action-packed adventure through American history."


BMS Librarian Ms. Woznick is recommending a book a day! You can download the ebook of Major Impossible from Hoopla with a Beverly Public Library, reserve the hard copy of Lucky Caller for pickup at the library -- or check with Paper Asylum on Cabot St. to buy a graphic novel or comics.

Check the Graphic Novels page on the Summer Stories website for some more ideas about graphic novels to read!

Summer Math Packets

The math packets here have sets of problems all students entering grade 7 and grade 8 are REQUIRED to complete and turn in by the appropriate date. The links posted yesterday did not function - these have the correct links.

BMS Yearbook Pickup July 9

We will host a rolling pick-up for yearbooks on Thursday, July 9th. If you ordered a yearbook, you may pick it up in the front driveway of the school between 10:00am and 2:00pm. Please post your student’s first and last name, and grade (during the 2019-2020 school year) on the passenger side front window, and follow staff instructions.

BMS iPads Over Summer

Any students who are moving out of the district should please return their iPads to the BMS main office by July 31st or sooner, by appointment only. iPads that leave the district are unusable, as they will be locked remotely and cannot be reset.

Students who kept their iPads for the summer will receive a short survey that will help our tech department assess the functionality of each iPad. 

If your iPad is not working properly, or there is any physical damage, it must be returned for repair by Friday, July 17th. Please return any broken iPads to the main office so that a new one can be issued.

If you need tech support over the summer, please contact the BMS tech department at bmstech@beverlyschools.org

BMS Summer Office Hours

Summer office hours are by appointment only at this time. Please call 978-921-6103 Monday - Thursday between the hours of 8am and 4pm, or Friday between the hours of 8am and 1pm to request an appointment.

Monday, June 29, 2020

Summer Reading is now SUMMER STORIES

In summer 2020, we want Beverly Middle School students to spend time interacting with different stories - and creating some of their own. Stories can live in books, but they live in lots of other places too. We want you to explore the many ways that we create and share stories. 

Go to the website at summerstories.beverlyschools.org. (Note there is a section in Spanish!)

Students should pick at least one activity (but hopefully many!) from each of the two choice boards on the website. One is labeled Read - Listen - Watch. Those choices are about consuming stories (reading books or other text, audio and digital stories, etc.). The other is labeled Connect - Create - Share; here, you use stories to make connections with your own life and with other people. If all those choices are a little too much for you, try the Streamlined Choice Board.

See this sheet for more information and also don't forget to check out Summer Reading at the Beverly Public Library for kids, teens and adults!

Student Belongings Pick-Up - RSVP for July 9

If you missed the original student belongings pick-up dates, you have one last opportunity to gather your things! 

Please RSVP HERE, then come to the main lobby on Thursday, July 9th between 10:00am and 2:00pm to check in. Per the city ordinance, masks must be worn to enter the building. Belongings left behind will be discarded.

Summer Math Packets

Summer work, such as math packets and reading, can be useful in achieving grade-level mastery and “bridging” the gap between school years. We believe that any assigned summer work should be appropriate and purposeful.

These summer math packets were developed to provide students entering 7th and 8th grade an opportunity to review grade-level math objectives and to improve math performance. We hope this helps to build anticipation for new learning and give students confidence in their abilities so that they are well prepared for the next level of math. This packet can help ease the transition and help reinforce skills that are needed prior to the start of school to ensure future success.

The math packets here have sets of problems all students entering grade 7 and grade 8 are REQUIRED to complete and turn in by the appropriate date:
  • Incoming 7th Graders: math packet, due on September 9, 2020
  • Incoming 8th Graders: math packet, due on September 3, 2020

Summer Letter to BMS Families

You may have recently received a letter from the BMS Leadership Team. It covers BMS summer hours, iPads, summer math packets, yearbooks, student belongings pickups, library books, and Summer Stories (formerly summer reading).

Pick Up Summer Eats Tu/Th This Week

Beverly Public Schools & Summer Eats are Feeding Students for free All Summer!!!

Meal distributions will continue on Tuesdays and Fridays*
summer eats



Tuesday & Friday 10:30a-12:30p at Beverly High School and 
Tuesday & Friday 11:30a-12p at Apple Village 600 Manor Road and Holcroft Park 10 Gage St

*Note: Meals will be distributed on Thursday July 2nd instead of Friday July 3rd in order to observe 4th of July Holiday

CHILDREN DO NOT NEED TO BE PRESENT TO RECEIVE MEALS! 

Produce Boxes will be distributed on Fridays on a first-come-first-serve basis

Any questions please call the Food Service Department at 978-921-6132 x 11129