Principal's Message

Ballenger Creek Middle School
                                                                                                                            Rigor      Support      Structure
 
Welcome to Ballenger Creek Middle School. Our vision for each student is to provide rigorous curriculum in a supported and structured learning environment. We invite you to share this vision as we take your child through middle school years. These years are the most dynamic time for your youngster and promise to challenge and reward you with varied and wonderful experiences as a parent.
 
In middle school students become a part of a team. Even though, your child will have a different teacher for each subject, the teachers belong to an interdisciplinary team. These dedicated professionals help your child master content and become independent learners. Our 3 word vision explains the tripod of skills and knowledge students need and will acquire during grades 6 – 8.
 
Rigor:
 
Using a variety of instructional strategies, teachers challenge students with content. In middle school students will focus on specific content such as Pre-algebra, Literature, Ancient and American history and Physical, Earth and Life Science. To master this type of substantive and procedural knowledge, teachers use differentiated and cooperative learning and frequent assessment. To successfully navigate through the rigor of the middle school years, students will need the following skills:
  • Reading, Writing and Math
  • Problem-solving and Decision making
  • Creativity
  • Organization
  • Study skills
  • Test taking Skills
 
It may sound overwhelming to see the array of things students must know and be able to do to get to high school. That is why we have built in Structure and Support for our students.
 
Support:
         
Here at BCMS, we recognize high academic achievement would not be possible without appropriate supports available to our students and their families. These supports are designed to help your student better plan and monitor their progress and daily assignments. Please access the following supports throughout the school year.
 
  • Homework Hotline:
 
You may call to get up to date homework assignments for each class by calling 240-236-5700 ext.3.
 
  • Pinnacle:
 
This is the FCPS on line grade book. By accessing it you may monitor your child’s grades in each subject throughout the year. You may also program the Pinnacle program to alert you automatically by email should your child’s grade fall below a selected grade level. You can access Pinnacle at: http://www.fcps.org/grades
 
  • BCMS Website:
 
The BCMS website is a valuableinformation site dedicated to all things Bulldogs! On this site you can find out about upcoming events, programs, staff websites, school assessment dates and results, school lunch information along with a myriad of other interesting and useful items. While on the website, be sure to register for Find Out First. This will enable you to receive automatic announcements and updates from BCMS relevant to you child and the community at large. You can find the website at http://bcms.sites.fcps.org
 
  • Tutoring:
 
Each day, during BEST time, students, teachers, or parents can request tutoring for a student in subjects that have been identified as weaknesses for that child. These more specific and focused sessions help students gain greater understanding into concepts and promote greater self confidence in the child’s abilities.
 
  • Community Liaison:
 
Our Community Liaison, Ms. Mary Sue Rice, acts as a link between members of the BCMS community and the school. If you are interested in volunteering your time to help here at school, or have questions about community programs, please call. You can reach Ms. Rice at 240-236-5785.
 
  • Parent Conferences:
 
Each semester, BCMS offers parents the opportunity to sit down and meet with teachers and gain a better understanding of their child’s abilities in any of their classes. These multi-day opportunities are in October and March of the school year. Something prevents you from attending those dates? No problem! The teaching staff has set aside Fridays this year for the purpose of meeting and communicating with parents. Should you ever need to meet with a teacher, please contact that staff member directly and they will be glad to schedule an appointment.
 
  • Counselors:
 
Perhaps the most valuable support you and/or your child can access throughout the school year is our team of school counselors. Here you will find not only the information you need to help guide you through your scholastic day and year, but also a friendly and welcoming professional ready to assist you and your child with everything from confusion over lockers and schedules to emergency school and home situations. Each grade level has a designated counselor who will follow their grade level student throughout the three years your child attends BCMS. Please feel free to call main counseling office number at 240-236-5710, or your child’s individual counselor at:
 
6th Grade…Ms.Catherine Reddington 240-236-5713
7th Grade…Ms. Becky Krauss 240-236-5712
8th Grade…Ms. Laren Peck 240-236-5711
 
Structure:
 
  • One core belief of BCMS is that all students can be successful in a rigorous academic environment if they are provided with proper support and structure. BCMS has adopted the PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) approach to provide this structure.
 
We believe if all members of our school community are purposeful, respectful, and employ good self management skills, then traditional coercive disciplinary measures can be kept to a minimum. To this end, we teach children what it means to demonstrate purpose, respect and self management over a variety of school settings. In addition to teaching these skills, we endeavor to provide consistent reinforcement for those students who show growth in these areas.
 
We employ a token system using “Bulldog Bucks”. These “Bucks” can be exchanged during regularly scheduled events for small fun items and supplies which help the children learn. Aside form the PBIS approach, BCMS also follows the progressive disciplinary policy as laid out in the FCPS guidelines when necessary to address behavioral concerns and safety issues. We know we are successful with these approaches when positive interactions between students and staff occur at a rate five times greater than negative ones. In the end, office referrals for inappropriate behaviors decrease and student academic achievement increases.