Thursday, October 8, 2020

No Field Hockey on Monday

Due to the holiday there is no field hockey practice on Monday, October 12. 

See this calendar for the complete practice schedule and other important information.

Math Team Info Meeting Tuesday

Students who are self motivated and interested in upper middle school to early high school math, join us on Thursdays in a Google Meet to discuss and go over math problems! We will compete virtually 5 times between November and Mid April.

Join a information meeting on Tuesday 10/13 at 3:15pm 

First Practice will be Thursday 10/15 at 3pm and the first meet is November 12.

Join the math team Google Classroom page with the code: dmgsqcv

Questions? Contact Mrs. Shaw: sshaw@beverlyschools.org

Gr 5/6: (Virtual) Musical Auditions

Do you love to sing? Do you love to act? Are you in 5th and 6th grade? Then audition for Super Happy Awesome News: A Virtual Musical. This show follows to siblings and their "rival" news stations with drama, comedy, and all-out fun! 

Follow this link to the Panther Cub Productions website and get some more information. To audition, go to the "auditions" tab and fill out the Google form!

See this flyer for more information; please email bmsmusicals@gmail.com with any questions. 

Arrival & Dismissal Adjustments & Reminders

Dear BMS Families,

We are writing today with news regarding arrival and dismissal routines. Thank you so much for your patience and partnership in the last few weeks as we welcomed students for FOUR first days of school! The BMS community rose to the challenges of new traffic patterns and routines and it is much appreciated.

Here are a few reminders and things to consider:
  • In partnership with the Beverly Police Department, we have been timing the drop-off. We are currently running at 6 minutes from start to finish (Balch St. to Neighborhood One.) This is GREAT time! Please plan to spend that amount of time “rolling.” Thank you for keeping two lanes of traffic flowing and merging.
  • Students may enter the cafeteria doors to eat breakfast at 8:15. Neighborhood doors will open at 8:30 RAIN or SHINE. Please plan with your child accordingly as we respectfully ask that you NOT arrive early. This is to ensure that students remain socially distanced. All students arriving after 8:45 must report to the front doors and main office.
  • Rolling Drop-Off: Please remember that ALL drop-offs are taking place at a student's neighborhood (unless you are one of the few families that have directions from an administrator to go to the front door.) There is no stopping or dropping-off on Cabot Street. This is very dangerous and we need to enforce this for safety reasons.
  • Walkers: Please review crosswalks with your walkers. Students are crossing (or trying to cross and being stopped) in unsafe spots. Please help us keep them safe.
  • Bike Riders: There are MANY students riding without helmets. Not only is this very unsafe, it is also against the law. Children under 13 without helmets may have their bike impounded for up to 15 days and the family can be fined. We are beginning a partnership with the Beverly Police Department to address Bike Safety. This will include providing all children with a helmet before enforcing helmet consequences are put into place.
Thank you for your help and partnership as we do our very best to keep BMS students safe both in and outside the building.

Our very best,
The BMS Leadership Team

No school Monday

In observance of Columbus Day, there are no classes for students on Monday, October 12, either in school or online and all school offices are closed.

See the full school year calendar here.

Student Email

Students should check their email regularly as this is a critical way for teachers and staff in the school to communicate with them under our current schedule.

One difficulty students may run into is wading through the many notifications that come in from Google Classroom. These notifications can be customized so that students only get the ones that are most useful to them. Here is an article from Google support with directions.

Parent and Guardian summaries for Google Classroom are also available once a teacher turns on this feature and sends you an invitation. Here is an article about how they work and what information they include.

Cross Country Reminders

Attention all cross country runners: this is a reminder to check your team's Google Classroom page, as well as the welcome letter, to review the requirements for attending practice. An email has been sent to parents and guardians of all team members with information regarding Thursday's practice. Please be sure you know which group number and coach you are assigned. You are reporting to your assigned coach at the turf field at 3:30 Thursday.

Wednesday, October 7, 2020

Field Hockey Cancelled Wednesday

 Due to the weather, field hockey practice for Wednesday, Oct. 7 is cancelled.

Popup Used Book Sale Thursday at BPL

The Friends of the Beverly Public Library is hosting a Popup Book Sale on Thursday, October 8, from 12-4 PM (weather permitting) on the Winter Street patio. Children’s and adult materials will be available. Paperbacks will be sold for $1, hardcovers $2, and all children’s books are 50 cents. Reusable tote bags containing curated choices at a great value will also be for sale. The Friends will accept cash and checks. Don’t miss this opportunity to stock up on some great books for the fall and winter, while providing financial support to the library.

Beverly SEPAC Meeting Tonight at 7

 The Beverly Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) will be holding their first meeting of the school year on Wednesday, October 7th, 2020 at 7PM

The SEPAC is an organization of parents that supports students in the Beverly Public Schools who qualify for Special Education. Any other interested parties are also welcome to join this Open Meeting. The organization has a new leadership team this year that is looking to expand their membership and are urging parents of special needs children to attend this first meeting of the school year. The meeting will be held remotely via a Zoom call. If you are a parent or a caregiver of a student who is eligible for special education or you suspect that your child may qualify for special education services, you may find joining the SEPAC useful.

The Zoom call information is as follows:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81364779680
Meeting ID: 813 6477 9680

A Beverly SEPAC brochure with more information can be found on the "Beverly SEPAC" Facebook page or on www.bevsepac.org. You may reach out to the Beverly SEPAC directly by email:SEPACBeverly@gmail.com

Message from the Superintendent

In case you missed this message from the superintendent on Tuesday, it is reproduced here:

Good Evening Beverly Parents and Families,

I am writing to you this evening to remind all of you the importance of adhering to the safety measures we have outlined for the safe return of our students to school. Six months into this pandemic, we know that safety procedures, executed well, can make a huge difference in preventing transmission. The combination of masks/face coverings, physical distancing, hand-washing/sanitizing, and staying home at the first sign of a symptom will greatly reduce the spread of the virus. As you may be aware, we had the first positive cases reported today in our middle and high school. It is important to remember that the purpose of all the precautions and safety measures that we have implemented is to stop the spread of the virus within the school community. All of these precautions require a seamless partnership between families and schools in order for students to understand how to protect themselves and others.

I want you to know that in our schools throughout the day, your children have been amazing in adapting to the new routines and procedures. Our teachers report that compliance to the new protocols is exemplary. Thank you for your partnership in this endeavor. Tonight, I want to ask you to please take a moment to review with your child how these precautions are necessary outside of school as well and how they will help prevent the spread and protect you and your family in these times. Whether walking to and from school, playing on the playground or in the neighborhood, wearing a mask and keeping a safe distance is an important part of keeping us all safe along with the hand hygiene measures we are all participating in. And finally, for all families, a reminder to stay home if you do not feel well.

Thank you for your continued support.


Sincerely,
Sue Charochak, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

Tuesday, October 6, 2020

Additional Meal Pickup Times

Beverly Public School Food Service has heard from some families that the 10:30-11:30 meal pick time was difficult with remote learning. So beginning Wednesday, October 7 they will offer a 7:15-7:45 meal pick up time daily at Beverly High School. This is in addition to the 10:30-11:30 daily pick up. So beginning Wednesday October 7 there are TWO meal pick up times, 7:15-7:45 AND 10:30-11:30 daily at Beverly High School. Please note, the combo boxes will only be handed out at the 10:30-11:30 time on Thursdays on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Also, for students who are attending BMS in hybrid mode, they may pick up a bagged lunch/breakfast combination on their way out of school on days when they are in the building. This is free for all students and does not require any advance signup or payment.

Please reach out to Christina Leal with any questions, concerns or difficulty accessing these meals at 978-921-6132 ext 11129.

Gr 5/6 Chorus Cancelled Today

Dear Grade 5 and 6 Families, 

Due to a need to cancel chorus for today, we respectfully ask that you make arrangements for your child to use their normal dismissal procedure. Please call the main office if you need assistance. We also made an announcement over our loudspeaker so students are aware. I apologize for any inconvenience.

Thank you, Lisa Oliver BMS Principal

Beverly SEPAC Meeting Wednesday

The Beverly Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) will be holding their first meeting of the school year on Wednesday, October 7th, 2020 at 7PM

The SEPAC is an organization of parents that supports students in the Beverly Public Schools who qualify for Special Education. Any other interested parties are also welcome to join this Open Meeting. The organization has a new leadership team this year that is looking to expand their membership and are urging parents of special needs children to attend this first meeting of the school year. The meeting will be held remotely via a Zoom call. If you are a parent or a caregiver of a student who is eligible for special education or you suspect that your child may qualify for special education services, you may find joining the SEPAC useful.

The Zoom call information is as follows:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81364779680
Meeting ID: 813 6477 9680

A Beverly SEPAC brochure with more information can be found on the "Beverly SEPAC" Facebook page or on www.bevsepac.org. You may reach out to the Beverly SEPAC directly by email: SEPACBeverly@gmail.com

X-Country Google Meet at 3:15 today

 Students are are registered for Cross Country will have a kick-off online Google Meet today (Tuesday) at 3:15 with Coaches Arsnow, Devlin, Huynh, and Sherman! You must already be signed up. Practices will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:30 from October 8 through November 5.

Please see this letter from the Cross Country coaches for details on the Google Meet and the Google Classroom that students must sign up for to receive information through the season.

Postcards from Around the World

We have recently sent and received a few cards. 

Check the BMS Postcrossing blog to see where they are from and what they look like!

If you want more information about Postcrossing, contact Ms. Woznick. The BMS PTO is generously supporting Postcrossing postage and cards.

Monday, October 5, 2020

Global Read Aloud Begins Wednesday

Ms. Woznick is participating in this year's Global Read Aloud with the book Prairie Lotus by Newbery Award-winning author Linda Sue Park. She will be reading it on Google Meet starting on Wednesday, October 7 from 11:45-12:15pm. 

The schedule has been updated slightly to accommodate more students. Those who would like to participate may join a Google Meet from home 2 times a week -- either Wednesday and Thursday or Wednesday and Friday. The read aloud is scheduled for times when most students are scheduled for independent work, lunch, or Global Apps. (This is a Global Apps choice and it may also count as an independent reading option for many teachers.)

See this presentation for more information about Global Read Aloud and the book. In order to participate, students must enroll in a Google Classroom - the link is in the presentation. (It's not exactly a "class" but this is an easy way to keep things organized and private.) They must enroll from a device logged into the student's school login. 

Students do not need to have a copy of the book to participate, but if you would like to purchase one, Copper Dog Books in downtown Beverly is offering us a special 20% off coupon code for this title! Simply search for Prairie Lotus (or go directly to this page) and put the book in your shopping cart. When you have completed your order and go to checkout, put in the coupon code READALOUD. You will have a choice of having the book shipped to your home, or you can also opt for free in-store pickup or home delivery within 5 miles.

For more information, contact the BMS librarian, Ms. Woznick at awoznick@beverlyschools.org.

Field Hockey Starts Today

Just a reminder that 7th and 8th grade field hockey starts today (10/5) from 3:30 - 4:30 outside on the turf field.  Email jmcgrath@beverlyschools.org if you have any questions.

Math Team -Virtual Competition Year

Students who are self motivated and interested in upper middle school to early high school math, join us on Thursdays in a Google Meet to discuss and go over math problems! We will compete virtually 5 times between November and Mid April.

Join a information meeting on Tuesday 10/6 or Tuesday 10/13 at 3:15pm 

First Practice will be Thursday 10/15 at 3pm and the first meet is November 12.

Join the math team Google Classroom page with the code: dmgsqcv

Questions? Contact Mrs. Shaw: sshaw@beverlyschools.org

Sunday, October 4, 2020

Cross Country Update

Students are are registered for Cross Country will have a kick-off online Google Meet on Tuesday at 3:15 with Coaches Arsnow, Devlin, Huynh, and Sherman! You must already be signed up. Practices will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:30 from October 8 through November 5.

Please see this letter from the Cross Country coaches for details on the Google Meet and the Google Classroom that students must sign up for to receive information through the season.