Community Values at BMS

Dear BMS Families,
 
Welcome to the 2022-2023 School Year! The first day for students is August 31, 2022.
 
We have been working hard this summer to prepare for an outstanding experience for ALL students. As we begin this school year, we would like to outline some key values we have for students.
 
1.  We aspire to have all students feel like they are part of a caring community. Students should have a robust middle school experience where friendships and relationships are front and center.  Consider the facts below:

 

Humans are relational creatures and belonging is a fundamental human need. Researchers describe belonging as, "a major factor that contributes positively to an individual's psychological development." 
Beyond its implications for mental health, belonging plays a specific role in education. Research shows that belonging positively affects engagement, behavior, and academic performance.

 

2.  As we reflect on aspects of our community that we feel would be helpful to best support our vision of belonging and community, we realize that cell phone use within the building has an incredibly negative impact on student achievement, a sense of belonging and overall well being. In a world where we have information at our fingertips, the cell phone has actually contributed to feelings of isolation for many students. Our school handbook has a policy that states the following:

 

The use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices is prohibited between the hours of 8:45 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.  All cell phones and personal electronic devices must be turned off and locked in lockers during school hours. These items are not allowed on school field trips. Teachers will confiscate these items and give them to office personnel if found.

 

Research shows that addiction to technology has been harmful to adolescent brain development, executive functioning skills and most certainly social skills. We need to get back to the basics and teach students how to make eye contact, initiate a face to face conversation and cultivate strong and healthy relationships within the school house.

 

As per our policy, students will be required to shut off their phones and lock them in a classroom locker each morning. All phones will be safe until the end of the school day. The classroom teacher will be responsible for returning the phone at 3:00.  Please remember that if you need to contact your child during the school day, you can call the main office. There are also phones in each classroom that can be used by students with adult permission if needed.  Exceptions to our cell policy will be made for medical purposes only.

 

Please see the resources below which support our cell phone policy.

 

3. Our dress code policy states the following:

 

The administration reserves the right to determine whether items of clothing are of an inappropriate nature or are in violation of the health standard and safety of students attending the schools.

We are kindly asking for your support and thank you in advance as we move into the 2022-2023 school year.  A consistent message from both home and school will best support students and provide the needed structure for a successful year.

 

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions.

 

Sincerely,