Summer Reading - More Great Books To Read

BMS librarian Ms. Woznick is blogging all season on the BMS Summer Reading website.

This week: If your child had read his or her “official” summer reading book and completed the accompanying response, and also read a graphic novel, they should keep reading! We’ve got a few suggestions to share in Finding More Great Books To Read. And if your child hasn't started yet, this post has some quick tips for getting going!

Students entering grades 6-8 at Beverly Middle School in September 2019 must:

• read a book from one of the 2019 lists: for students entering grades 5 and up, for students entering grades 7 and up for students entering grades 9 and up (BHS).
• complete ONE response assignment
• read one graphic novel of their own choosing

Once you have satisfied those requirements, we hope and expect you to continue to read. Note that there is no assignment for students entering grade 5, although they should read over the summer, trying books recommended for grades 5+ and on the BPL summer reading list.

Check the BMS Summer Reading website for more information.

2019-2020 School Year Info

Welcome to the 2019-2020 Beverly Middle School year! 

We are so excited to begin and to continue this journey with our BMS community. Over this summer we have reflected on the opening of the school last year and how to make this year even better for our students and families. As we enter this new school year, we want to let you know that there are changes to the overall school schedule. This summer our staff has participated in numerous professional development opportunities. This includes continued emphasis on project based learning, co-teaching model, and innovative practices. In addition, a committee of administrators, teachers, paraprofessionals, and support staff was formed in January of 2019 to focus on the culture at BMS. This work is never complete, but with countless hours over the summer, our team is ready to share our new mantra on opening day. We will spend each Monday to start the year with Mantra Mondays in which students will take part in lessons building community and incorporating our shared values as a learning community.

For all of our incoming grade 5 students and new families entering our school this year, we will have summer tours scheduled below:

• Ayers and Hannah - August 13, 2019 4:30 P.M. - 5:30 P.M.
• Centerville, Cove, and North Beverly - August 14, 2019 4:30 P.M. - 5:30 P.M.
• New to BPS families/make up tour - August 21, 2019 4:30 P.M. - 5:30 P.M.

Team assignments and schedules are now available in ASPEN. Unfortunately, we will not honor team changes or teacher requests, as we believe all of our teams understand the middle school learner.

All new families should have received a welcome letter through ASPEN with directions on how to set up your parent portal. 

If you have not received this or need help accessing your ASPEN account, please contact Maddy August at maugust@beverlyschools.org and she will assist you.

Thank you, and we look forward to learning with our students on Tuesday, September 3, 2019. School doors open at 8:00 AM!

Have a great rest of the summer,

The BMS Administrative Team

Grade 5 Open Houses Coming Up

Do you have a child entering grade 5 in September? You can come to an open house at Beverly Middle School this month that's just for you and your child! It is an opportunity to see some classrooms as well as the cafeteria and other shared areas of the school, check out the lockers, and to have some of your questions answered!

The front door of the school is located at 502 Cabot Street. Please park in the large lot in back of the school, which is accessed from Balch St., across from the back entrance to the Cummings Center.

• Students from Ayers and Hannah elementary schools should plan to attend on Tuesday, August 13 from 4:30 to 5:30 pm.
• Students from Centerville, Cove, or North Beverly elementary schools should plan to attend on Wednesday, August 14 from 4:30 to 5:30 pm.
• If you are new to Beverly Public Schools -- welcome! There is a makeup tour for new families on Wednesday, August 21 from 4:30-5:30

Also, please visit the PTO on your way out the door! They will have a refreshing treat for you in the front hallway.

The first day of school for all BMS students is Tuesday, September 3, 2019.

Supply Lists

Supply lists for the 2019-2020 school year are now available.

Go to folder with all 4 lists

Please note that because lockers are smaller than traditional ones, and due to use of technology instead of large textbooks in many cases, we recommend your child use a smaller cinch sack instead of a larger backpack for bringing in items from home every day.

Public Library Summer Reading Deadline Wednesday

If your child is doing the Beverly Public Library summer reading program to earn prizes, keep in mind that game cards must be turned in no later than Wednesday, August 7 at 4pm! 

Teens can come by on Wednesday from 2-4 to play board games, collect any level 1-3 prizes that are still due to them, eat snacks and get the last raffle tickets in for the grade prize drawing. Stick around to watch the drawing live! You don't need to be there to win... but it's fun! 

If you can't make it to the final teen summer reading event, drop by the library anytime before that for prizes and raffle tickets your child has qualified for.

Check the Beverly Public Library Summer Reading page for more information.

Summer Reading Blog: Graphic Novels

This year we are asking all incoming grade 6, 7, and 8 students to read a graphic novel of their own choosing over the summer, in addition to the book they select from the lists we provide. Students do not complete a response assignment for the graphic novel, but will be asked to report back in September about which graphic novel they read and to provide a brief description of the book and why they selected it.

This week's summer reading blog post from BMS librarian Ms. Woznick is all about graphic novels - what are they, why read them, how to find them, and lists of titles to look for.

Ms. Woznick is blogging here all summer about summer reading. See the earlier posts below.

• 8 Reasons to Read This Summer - June 20, 2019
• Choosing Books To Read This Summer - June 26, 2019
• Getting Your Summer Reading Book - July 2, 2019
• Getting Started With a Summer Reading Book - July 12, 2019
• Staying On Track With Summer Reading - July 25, 2019

Summer Math

We are asking students to maintain their math skills over the summer by completing math packets and/or using IXL.com.

Please note that completion of the packet is required for students entering grade 8 and will be turned in on the second day of school.

Click here to go to website with directions for each grade.

Supply Lists

Supply lists for the 2019-2020 school year are now available.

Go to folder with all 4 lists

Please note that because lockers are smaller than traditional ones, and due to use of technology instead of large textbooks in many cases, we recommend your child use a smaller cinch sack instead of a larger backpack for bringing in items from home every day.

Transportation Signup Deadline Thursday, August 1

The deadline to sign up for school bus transportation is Thursday, August 1. Click here to go to a page with both the forms that may be printed out and brought in or to a page to register online.

Go to the main Transportation page for information about bus routes and more.

Clothing & Lunch Box Labels Strongly Recommended

Middle school students are roaming around a large building and we're here to tell you that had thousands of dollars worth of sweaters, jackets, water bottles, lunch boxes and more that ended up in the BMS lost and found last year and then stayed for a month or more -- at which point they were donated. Probably 5% or less had names on them, and even then it was often only a first name, which is not always helpful with a student body of 1400.

An article in Wirecutter this week about the best labels for kids lunch boxes and clothing might be worth reading -- think of these labels as sort of an insurance policy to help protect those expensive water bottles and jackets, and even less expensive items are inconvenient to replace. Labels won't guarantee the item will find its way back to you, but it sure increases the odds! Another helpful and less expensive tool is a laundry marker, which works better than regular permanent markers on clothes.

Summer Hours at BMS

Starting on July 1, the summer hours for the Beverly Middle School office will be Tuesday through Friday from 7:15 am to 4:30 pm. The building is closed on Mondays in summer.

Grade 5 Open Houses

Do you have a child entering grade 5 in September? You can come to an open house at Beverly Middle School in August that's just for you and your child!

• Students from Ayers and Hannah elementary schools should plan to attend on Tuesday, August 13 from 4:30 to 5:30 pm.
• Students from Centerville, Cove, or North Beverly elementary schools should plan to attend on Wednesday, August 14 from 4:30 to 5:30 pm.
• If you are new to Beverly Public Schools - welcome! You may attend either day.

Thursday Deadline for Fall Sports

If your child wants to participate in the fall cross country (Gr. 5-8) or field hockey (gr. 7 & 8 only) programs at the middle school level -- or if you have a child entering BHS who plans to play a fall sport -- you must register them over the summer at at bhsonline.org. Look on the menu bar for Activities and choose Athletics Home and then Registration, or click here to go directly to the registration page.

The deadline for registration, receipt of payment and physicals is THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2019.

Before any student can participate, the following requirements must be met:

• All students MUST turn in a copy of their most recent physical to the Athletic Office by August 1, 2019. Physicals are good for 13 months from the date of the exam. Students with expired physicals will not be permitted to participate in practices or games until a new physical is turned in.
• Parent/guardian and the student-athlete must complete an online concussion course in the past 12 months. The free course can be found at http://nfhslearn.com/courses/38000
• Payments must be received in the BHS Athletic Office by August 1, 2019. Pre-payment is required. If your son/daughter does not make a team, you will be refunded. Checks received will be shredded or if paying online, you will be reimbursed. If paying online, please send a copy of your confirmation page to the Athletic Office. This will speed up the process.

Staying On Track With Summer Reading

BMS Librarian Ms. Woznick is blogging about summer reading all summer long.

This week: Now that we’re past the halfway mark for the summer, your child has potentially started a summer reading book but perhaps hasn’t finished it. Some readers just rip through books, but if your child has a little trouble staying on track, we have some suggestions. Read "Staying on Track With Summer Reading" for some tips.

Next time: Graphic Novels!

Past blog posts:

• 8 Reasons to Read This Summer
• Choosing Books to Read This Summer
• Getting Your Summer Reading Book
• Getting Started With a Summer Reading Book

More information about summer reading requirements, book lists, and more is at the BMS Summer Reading website.

Summer Math

We are asking students to maintain their math skills over the summer by completing math packets and/or using IXL.com.

Please note that completion of the packet is required for students entering grade 8 and will be turned in on the second day of school.

Click here to go to website with directions for each grade.

BoxTops for Education at BMS

The PTO welcomes any BoxTops for Education clips you have. All BoxTop funding directly benefits BMS programs funded in part by the PTO.

There is a BoxTops container in the main office!

1 Week to Fall Sports Registration Deadline

If your child wants to participate in the fall cross country (Gr. 5-8) or field hockey (gr. 7 & 8 only) programs at the middle school level -- or if you have a child entering BHS who plans to play a fall sport -- you must register them over the summer at at bhsonline.org. Look on the menu bar for Activities and choose Athletics Home and then Registration, or click here to go directly to the registration page.

The deadline for registration, receipt of payment and physicals is THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2019.

Before any student can participate, the following requirements must be met:

• All students MUST turn in a copy of their most recent physical to the Athletic Office by August 1, 2019. Physicals are good for 13 months from the date of the exam. Students with expired physicals will not be permitted to participate in practices or games until a new physical is turned in.
• Parent/guardian and the student-athlete must complete an online concussion course in the past 12 months. The free course can be found at http://nfhslearn.com/courses/38000
• Payments must be received in the BHS Athletic Office by August 1, 2019. Pre-payment is required. If your son/daughter does not make a team, you will be refunded. Checks received will be shredded or if paying online, you will be reimbursed. If paying online, please send a copy of your confirmation page to the Athletic Office. This will speed up the process.

Supply Lists

Supply lists for the 2019-2020 school year are now available.

Go to folder with all 4 lists

Please note that because lockers are smaller than traditional ones, and due to use of technology instead of large textbooks in many cases, we recommend your child use a smaller cinch sack instead of a larger backpack for bringing in items from home every day.

Fall Sports Deadline Next Week!

If your child wants to participate in the fall cross country (Gr. 5-8) or field hockey (gr. 7 & 8 only) programs at the middle school level -- or if you have a child entering BHS who plans to play a fall sport -- you must register them over the summer at at bhsonline.org. Look on the menu bar for Activities and choose Athletics Home and then Registration, or click here to go directly to the registration page.

The deadline for registration, receipt of payment and physicals is AUGUST 1, 2019.

Before any student can participate, the following requirements must be met:

• All students MUST turn in a copy of their most recent physical to the Athletic Office by August 1, 2019. Physicals are good for 13 months from the date of the exam. Students with expired physicals will not be permitted to participate in practices or games until a new physical is turned in.
• Parent/guardian and the student-athlete must complete an online concussion course in the past 12 months. The free course can be found at http://nfhslearn.com/courses/38000
• Payments must be received in the BHS Athletic Office by August 1, 2019. Pre-payment is required. If your son/daughter does not make a team, you will be refunded. Checks received will be shredded or if paying online, you will be reimbursed. If paying online, please send a copy of your confirmation page to the Athletic Office. This will speed up the process.

Fall Sports - 2 Weeks to Registration Deadline

If your child wants to participate in the fall cross country (Gr. 5-8) or field hockey (gr. 7 & 8 only) programs at the middle school level -- or if you have a child entering BHS who plans to play a fall sport -- you must register them over the summer at at bhsonline.org. Look on the menu bar for Activities and choose Athletics Home and then Registration, or click here to go directly to the registration page.

The deadline for registration, receipt of payment and physicals is AUGUST 1, 2019.

Before any student can participate, the following requirements must be met:

• All students MUST turn in a copy of their most recent physical to the Athletic Office by August 1, 2019. Physicals are good for 13 months from the date of the exam. Students with expired physicals will not be permitted to participate in practices or games until a new physical is turned in.
• Parent/guardian and the student-athlete must complete an online concussion course in the past 12 months. The free course can be found at http://nfhslearn.com/courses/38000
• Payments must be received in the BHS Athletic Office by August 1, 2019. Pre-payment is required. If your son/daughter does not make a team, you will be refunded. Checks received will be shredded or if paying online, you will be reimbursed. If paying online, please send a copy of your confirmation page to the Athletic Office. This will speed up the process.