Broughal Middle School Weekly Update
Sunday, April 21, 2024, 2024 to Sunday, April 28, 2024
- **Staff Shout-out** A HUGE congratulations to 8th Grade Social Studies teacher, Dr. Brittany Reese on defending her doctoral dissertation this past week! Dr. Reese is an outstanding teacher, mother, coach/mentor, and friend…Dr. Reese does it all! #BroughalProud
- This week we begin PSSA testing!
- Friday was the deadline for opt-outs for the 2024 PSSA tests. All students are expected to test in 2024.
- Please ensure your children are to school on time (7:45 – 8:05 am)
- Please ensure they bring their laptop fully charged every day.
- Please ask them to do their best!
- District Survey – Cell Phones
- Please view the following presentation about Cell Phones. We need your opinion about the future use of cell phones.
- The QR code will give you the survey to complete.
- Important Upcoming Dates:
- Tues 4/23 – No School – Election Day
- Mon 4/29 – High School Principal Circles with 8th grade during Social Studies Class
- Weds 5/1 – Spring Music Concert 7:00 pm @ BMS
- Fri 5/3 – ME240 Race Day PM
- Mon 5/6 – PSSA Pep Rally 2pm
- Tues 5/21 – 6th Grade Iron Pigs Game
- Thurs 5/30- 8th Grade Track & Field Meet @ LHS
- Mon 6/3 – Diversity Day @ Broughal Middle School
- Tues 6/4- 8th Grade Farewell Dance @ Lehigh University’s Mountaintop Campus 6:00 p.m.
- Thurs 6/6- 8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony in Broughal Gymnasium- 9:00- 11:00 a.m. (Families of 8th Grade Students only are welcome to attend)
*Weekly Schedule & Highlights*
Stay Connected with Broughal Middle School on the Official Broughal Social Media Accounts!
Facebook – @BroughalMiddleSchool
Twitter (X) – @BASDBroughalMS
Instagram – @basdbroughalms
| Day | Date | Cycle Day | Notes |
| Monday | 4/22 | Day 3 |
|
| Tuesday | 4/23 | N/A |
|
| Wednesday | 4/24 | Day 4 |
|
| Thursday | 4/25 | Day 5 |
|
| Friday | 4/26 | Day 6 |
|
*District-wide Announcements*
BASD eNews:
The Bethlehem Educational Scholastic Trust (B.E.S.T.) Fund was established with the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation more than two decades ago by a group of Bethlehem civic & business leaders who believe that the work of teachers is so critical to the community – as well as to the students – that outstanding teachers require special recognition.
Since 2000, B.E.S.T. Awards reward excellence in teaching at the K-12 levels in the Bethlehem Area School District (BASD). All recipients of the B.E.S.T. Awards receive a certificate, a monetary award, and are recognized at the BASD convocation in August.
Nominations can be submitted in english or spanish by staff, students, parents, community members, etc. Please help spread the word. Nominations are due May 8th.
The online nomination form can be found on The Foundation’s website. Here is the Google Form link
—-
Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up (May 6-10), and we want to celebrate the fantastic teachers, past and present, in the Bethlehem Area School District. Every student, parent/guardian, or graduate has a story about a teacher who made a difference. Now’s your chance to share yours!
We’re collecting short messages of thanks or memorable moments about your favorite teachers. Just a few sentences can shine a light on the impact they have made. Your words could be featured across our community during Teacher Appreciation Week, bringing smiles and appreciation to our dedicated educators.
Here are some examples to get you started:
- “Mr. Smith at William Penn – Thanks for being an amazing teacher.” -Ashley Williams.
- “Mrs. Rosado at Broughal – You always helped me through tough times.” -Denise Roman.
- “Mrs. Justice at Liberty – Your music class was unforgettable.” -Jared Harper.
Ready to share? Click here to fill out the BASD Teacher Appreciation Form
Let’s make this week special for our teachers together!
Entry deadline is April 25, 2024.
—————————————————————————————————————-
*School-wide Announcements*
Broughal Title I Information
Also, please visit the Broughal Middle Schools website for information on our Title I services, Parent and Family Engagement Plan, Title I Compact, Parents Right to Know Letter, and teachers at Broughal working toward PA teaching certification (ESSA teacher letters).
—-
*An article worth reading as a parent in 2024*
Kids, Cell Phones, and School – Jonathan Haidt
- I have always been against students having/using phones during the school day. Jonathan Haidt is a social psychologist and author who has been researching the impact of smartphones on adolescent-age children and the findings are exactly what you thought they were. Please take a look at the article above and watch his recent segment on CBS Saturday Mornings
- Here are a few of his thoughts on what should happen:
- No smartphones before high school. Haidt suggests giving kids flip phones before high school so they can still stay connected for safety purposes.
- No social media before age 16.
- Phone-free schools. Haidt recommends asking school officials for options like lockers for students’ phones.
- More free play and responsibility in the real world.
2023-24 Yearbook Purchases
New this year! You may order your Broughal Yearbook online using a credit card!
*Student Services & Grade Level Contacts*
Contact Members of the Student Services Team by email:
8th Grade Team: Miss Bouhana – Assistant Principal
6th Grade & 7th Grade Team:: Mrs. Cierech – Assistant Principal
Dean of Students – Mrs. Simspon
Student Services Counseling Corner: Click Here!
Attendance Coordinator: Mrs. Vasquez-Tatis Attendance Secretary
Registration Coordinator: Mrs. Vanessa Gonzalez
*Family Center*
Community School Coordinator: Ms. Anais Martinez
Family Development Specialist: Mr. Joseph Swenson
After-School Activities Coordinator: Miss Karla Contreras
Family-Teacher Organization (FTO) – NEW SCHEDULE – We are looking for parents/guardians who are interested in offering parent and family voice within many aspects of our school community. FTO meetings are held monthly on the 3rd Wednesday from 4:30-5:30pm. Snacks and drinks are provided. This next meeting is scheduled for March 20th. Please contact Mr. Swenson with questions – jswenson@basdschools.org
Community School Coordinator
A community school is both a place and a set of partnerships between the school and other community resources. Its integrated focus on academics, health and social services, youth and community development, and community engagement leads to improved student learning, stronger families, and healthier communities.
If in need of resources, or help obtaining resource information, please contact Miss Anais Martinez- amartinez@basdschools.org
Reading Specialists & Math Coach (Room 401) – Coaches’ Family Tip of the Week.
Questions about Benchmark and/or Progress Monitoring assessments or overall reading/math progress?
Please contact:
Gina Kutz – Literacy Coach – gkutz@basdschools.org
Christina Diernbach – Math Coach – cdiernbach@basdschools.org
Jen Zelena – Literacy Coach – jzelena@basdschools.org
*CIS Corner*
Communities in Schools: Halina John, Site Coordinator
Email: hjohn@basdschools.org
What is Communities In Schools (CIS)?
The mission of Communities In Schools is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. CIS is partnered with Bethlehem Area School District to provide support services during the school day to meet academic and non-academic needs, such as behavior interventions, attendance awareness, social skill building, academic support, etc.
How to get involved?
CIS accepts students on a referral basis through the guidance or admin team. CIS works closely with each grade level school counselor and Admin to best support students.
*Grade Level News & Info*
6th Grade – No news to report
7th Grade – No News to report
8th Grade – No News to report
Related Arts – No news to report
*Health Services Corner*
Nurse’s Office – Mrs. Uhl & Mrs. Korscienski
Any questions please call 610-866-5041 and hit 2 for the nurse
Attention 6th and 7th-grade parents – BASD will not be offering vaccination clinics at the end of the year or for back-to-school for the 24-25 school year. BASD will be strictly adhering to the PA School Health Immunization Law for 2017 which states that students who do not have or provide proof of TDAP, MCV4 vaccines before the 1st day of school, will not be able to start school. Please contact the Nurse’s Office at Broughal or the Bethlehem Area School District Health Services Director – Dr. Kim Zsitek-Brannan (kzsitekbrannan@basdschools.org)
*Technology Corner*
BASD Parent Portals Link (Schoology, Home Access Center, SchoolCafe, etc.)
Parent Guide – How to Navigate Schoology
Tech Tip of The Week:
Visit our Smart Device Management Resource Page for families. This will help set limits/screen time on your child’s smart phone.
Please Subscribe to the Broughal’s YouTube Channel
Please explore a new feature on our school website – Smart Device Management
MUSIC DEPARTMENT
Broughal Music – Interested in getting involved in Broughal Music? Check out our recruitment videos!
Early-Morning Rehearsal Schedule:
Monday 4/22 – Band & Majorettes
Tuesday 4/23 – NO SCHOOL
Wednesday 4/24 – Orchestra
Thursday 4/25 – Band & Majorettes
Friday 4/26 – Orchestra
Students should be at the Main Entrance on Morton Street by 7 AM for early-morning rehearsals.
Broughal Music Directors
Instrumental Music: Mr. Stoltz
General Music/Chorus: Miss Putlock
Theatre: Miss Trostle
Band Front: Mrs. Truchan
Helpful Broughal Music Links
Broughal Music Handbook 2023-2024
*Extracurricular Clubs/Activities
Visit our After School Activities page on the school website for a list of current activities! After-School Activities Coordinator: Miss Karla Contreras
Please contact our After-School Activities Coordinator, Miss Karla Contreras and/or Community School Coordinator, Ms. Anais Martinez, for more information on afterschool programs.
*Broughal Rockets Athletics*
Visit the Broughal Athletics webpage on our school website!
**IMPORTANT**
All student athletes traveling to athletic events at other schools/buildings are the responsibility of the school for the duration of the event, including the ride to and from the event. If you want your child to leave with a parent or another team member’s family, you MUST fill out the Permission/Release form 48 hours in advance of the event. Please return this form to Athletic Coordinator, John Peters, jpeters@basdschools.org 48 hours in advance of a game/event/competition.
If the form is not returned 48 hrs in advance, your child will not be allowed to leave with you and will return with the team to Broughal Middle School. Violation of this policy could result in denial of attending other school events.
BASD Stadium Rules and Guideline 2023-2024
Broughal Middle School Guidelines – This year, students attending any sporting events or extra curricular activities as a spectator inside the Broughal Middle School building, will be required to have a parent/guardian present with them for the duration of the event.
*If you engage in the following behavior, you may be restricted from attending extracurricular activities/sporting events for the remainder of the year and school consequences can be imposed:
- Fighting or any kind of physical altercation
- Arguing or defiant behavior toward a BASD staff members
- Bringing unauthorized items into the event
Check out this FREE 3 on 3 basketball tournament at Sand Island in Bethlehem! Register your team using the QR code on the flyer.
8th Grade Track Meet
Attention 8th graders!! During gym class, we will be working on track and field. Anyone interested in being on the track and field team, please see Mrs. Pfizenmayer or Mr. Saltzgiver.
Thank you!
Mr. Horlick, Principal
Miss Bouhana, Assistant Principal
Mrs. Cierech, Assistant Principal