WELCOME Middle School BOBCATS! Banneker Middle School Page 3 PTSA President’s Message...continued SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICE There is a school nurse and health technician assigned to

PTSA President’s Message...

Important Dates: 6th Grade Orientations Thursday, August 25 8:15 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Welcome Back Picnic Thursday, August 25 5:00 p.m. First Day of School Monday, August 29 8:15-3:00 p.m. Reading & Math Packets due First week of school Labor Day—Holiday Monday, September 5 Back to School Night Thursday, September 8 7:00 p.m. Professional Day-No School for Students Monday, September 12 Back to “Health” Night Wednesday, September 21 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Principal’s Message...

Continued page 2

Inside this issue:

Principal’s Message 1, 2

PTSA President’s 1, 3

Message

Bell Schedules 6, 7

Bus Routes 20, 21, 22

Cafeteria prices 16

Calendar 15

ECA 18

PTSA Roster 14

School Purchases 13

Worksheet

Supply List 12

Web sites 4

Withhold Info 17

WELCOME

BOBCATS!

Benjamin Banneker Middle School

BACK-TO-SCHOOL

SUMMER

NEWSLETTER

August 2016

www.bannekerms.org

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students,

Happy New Year! As we embark on a new school year, I am especially proud to have another opportunity to work with the wonderful children of our commu-nity. In this newsletter you will find important information for parents and stu-dents regarding the upcoming school year. This will help you plan ahead for upcoming deadlines and events. The Banneker Family is prepared to provide your child with a rewarding year of engaging and rigorous academic work, ex-citing after school programs, and enriching on and off campus field trips and programs.

In addition, we as a staff are fortunate enough to have so many support-ive parents and community members that are dedicated to our school’s success. I can assure you that the team of teachers we have assembled this year are some of the most hard-working, dedicated and caring teachers you will find in any school system! We have a diverse group of teachers that include award-winning, veteran teachers who bring experience to our school, coupled with new teachers with a strong dedication to the fundamental purpose of achievement.

Furthermore, we are thrilled about the work that the school and PTSA have planned this year. Our PTSA president, Ms. Crystal Baker, along with the exec-utive board have been working with the school administration to coordinate our opportunities for collaboration during the 2016 – 2017 school year. Over the course of the year, parents will be invited to work with us as we monitor our school’s progress. We will use our Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) meetings to discuss our progress and gain parent input. This year we want to encourage our Bobcat parents to be leading parents in our community by staying connected to our school activities and events.

Continued page 3

A message from your SUPER ROCKIN' PTSA! Well that sounds fun, doesn't it? We're SUPER because of you! We're absolutely convinced that Banneker Middle School has the best students, teachers and parents in Montgomery County! We're ROCKIN' because your PTSA gets things done. Have you seen our newly renovated science labs? Your PTSA pushed the envelope to make that happen. We wrote letters, made calls, brought decision-makers to our school and testified at school board and county coun-cil meetings. By making sure your voices were heard, our students and teachers will have a brand-new, state of the art place to learn! And we're not done. Advocacy is a key priority for Banneker PTSA. It's one of the main reasons we're here. Our building is 42 years old, but Banneker students teachers deserve the best. We won't stop until you get it.

Page 2 Benjamin Banneker Middle School

In an effort to maximize your student’s success, please make sure that they come to school every day, on time, and fully prepared with all of their materials and assignments. We want to encourage you to become actively engaged in our school, but more importantly, your child’s individual academic performance and social development. We have several opportunities for parents and guardians to become engaged:

Website: Visit us at www.bannekerms.org to view the daily announcements and stay in-formed of school events. This is quick and easy way to get to our website directly. We are in the pro-cess of updating and revamping the site.

Edline: This tool allows parents and students to connect directly with classroom teachers re-garding assignments, grades and notices. Edline activation codes will be sent home with students the first week of school. PTSA Listserv: The parent-maintained discussion board is a tool for parents to connect with one another about school events. (p. 4)

Our first day of school is Monday, August 29, 2016. On that day, students will report to their homerooms. We are continuing the seven-period day schedule. We will have advisory every day except on early release days. The advisory period is designed to provide rigorous instruction in reading and mathematics that works toward building upon academic goals. This is a reminder that students are not permitted to enter the school building until 7:50 a.m., except during extreme weather conditions. The day ends at 3:00 pm. A copy of the bell schedule is included in this newsletter. Special bell schedules (early release and two-hour delayed open-ing) can also be found in this newsletter (p. 6 – 7) and in the Student Agenda Book.

Through collaboration, with our parents, staff, and community members, we look forward to working closely with you throughout the 2016-17 school year to ensure that this is a rewarding experience for all or our stu-dents.

Respectfully,

Dr. Otis Lee

Principal

Principal’s Message...continued

http://www.bannekerms.org


PTSA President’s Message...continued

SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICE There is a school nurse and health technician assigned to Benjamin Banneker Middle School. The health room hours are

7:50am-3:20pm. The priorities for school health personnel are: emergency care for students who are seriously ill or injured, com-municable diseases and control; health appraisal and follow-up with the establishment of health care plans and crisis intervention.

It is important to note that prescriptions and over-the-counter medications are subject to strict guidelines. Students are not al-lowed to bring to school, carry or self-administer medication without written authorization from a physician, parent and/or the school nurse. Prescriptions and over-the-counter medications must be ordered by the physician utilizing one of the MCPS Forms. The forms to use are MCPS Form 525-13 for administration of medication, MCPS Form 525-14 for Epipen administration, and MCPS Form 525-12 for administration of treatment. The forms can be obtained in the health room, school office, school website, or MCPS website. Carefully follow the instructions when completing the forms and for the proper labeling of the medications. Contact the health room at 301-989-5764 if you have any questions or other health care concerns.

New 7th and 8th grade immunization requirements Maryland immunization requirements for students entering 7th and 8th grade this August (SY15-16). Students entering the 7th and 8th grade must provide documentation of Tetanus-diptheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) and Meningococcal meningitis (MCV) immunizations. Students not in compliance with the new requirements will be ex-cluded from attending school until they are in compliance with the State law. MCPS DOES NOT want to exclude students due to a lack of these immunizations. Students may receive these immunizations through their health care provider or through Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services Clinics (schedule of clinics will be posted on our website www.bannekerms.org ). There will be other clinics once schools are open, but scheduling for those clinics are still in the planning stages. Please watch our website and phone calls home with more information.

September 8 @ 6:30—1st PTSA at Back to School Night

Guess what? We like to have fun too! Remember the Student-Staff Community Basketball game? Grandparents Day? Heritage Night? Movie Night? Restaurant nights? The "Pink Paw" Run/Walk for Breast Cancer? PTSA loves bringing families together. Our dedication to family engagement is one reason why we've been named a National PTA "School of Excellence" through 2017. Behind the scenes, we're doing even more to support students. Your membership helps pay for afterschool snacks for our boys mentoring program, the student ice cream social, scholarships to a youth empowerment program and more. Want to join this winning team? It's easy! Send in the membership form in this newsletter, or join at BannekerPTSA.org. Your membership is the only commitment we ask for. No meetings. No volunteering. If you want to help out, great. We work with whatever time you have available. But if you can't, please consider joining anyway. Why? Here's what you get: - Discounts from Staples, Quicken Loans, Hertz and other companies - Biweekly email updates on what's happening at school and in our community - Workshops on things parents need to know: helping with homework, understanding tests, dealing with teens, social me-dia and more. Plus meet other parents, and watch your kids beam with pride when you show them your membership card! We hope you'll join us. We promise you'll have a SUPER ROCKIN' year! Crystal Baker Your "Super Rockin" Banneker PTSA President

http://bannekerptsa.org/


ADMINISTRATION Dr. Otis Lee, Principal Mr. Andrew Glaspie, Assistant Principal Ms. Erin Mazer, Assistant Principal

USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS Main Office/Attendance 301-989-5747 FAX# 301-879-1032 Guidance Office 301-989-5757 Health Room 301-989-5764 Media Center 301-989-5765 MCPS Transportation 301-879-1061

CONTENT SPECIALISTS: Ms. Augustina Bryan—Resource Teacher, Special Education

Mr. Chris Ellis—English/Literacy

Ms. Michelle Moton—Mathematics

Ms. Danielle Prietz —Electives, PE/Health

Mr. David Noyes—Foreign Language Department Chair

Mr. Robert O’Dell—Science

Ms. Asewe Onyango—Social Studies

Ms. Alexis Simmons—Resource Counselor

Mr. Troy Horsley—Reading & ESOL & World Languages & AVID

TEAM LEADERS In addition to contacting counselors and/or administrators for information regarding your child, it is recommended that you contact the team leader. These individuals have overall responsi-bility for working with students assigned to their teams. For 2015-2016, the team leaders are: Team 6-1—Mr. Shane Clemmer Team 6-2—Ms. Amy Spencer Team 7-1—Ms. Heather Burroughs Team 7-2—Ms. Shannon Jacobs Team 8-1—Ms. Dorothy Lee Team 8-2—Ms. Brielle Wertz

COUNSELING DEPARTMENT Please contact the counselors below at (301) 989-5757 if you have questions, need information or have concerns regarding your child: Ms. Wilma Drakes Grade 6 Ms. Alexis Simmons * Grade 7 (A-K) Ms. Lisa Tran Grade 8 Ms. Michelle Thomas Grade 7 (L-Z) *Resource Counselor If you moved during the summer or if you move during the school year, you will be required to bring a new proof of residen-cy in order for your child to continue attending Banneker Middle School.

WEB SITES AND E-MAIL

A wealth of information is available on the Web site listed below. Many links are available via Banneker’s Web page, including the main MCPS home page. BANNEKER’S WEB SITE ADDRESS:

www.bannekerms.org

TEACHER’S E-MAIL ADDRESS:

In most instances, the teacher’s e-mail address is the teacher’s first name, middle initial and last name followed by @mcpsmd.org

SAMPLE: [email protected]

BANNEKER’S LISTSERV:

Parents are invited to join the PTSA listserv to get daily school announcements. Information about activities, test schedules, fundraisers, etc. is also communicated through the PTSA listserv. Go to Banneker’s website at BannekerMS.org to join. Once your e-mail address has been added, you should start receiving daily announcements within a week. Please remember to keep your e-mail ad-dress updated.

BANNEKER’S STUDENT DIRECTORY

The Banneker PTSA will be publishing a student directory in the fall. Students' names, addresses and phone numbers will be published in this directory. If you do not want this information to be published, please com-plete the "Request to Withhold Directory Information" form (attached to this newsletter) and return it to the school main office no later than September 9, 2016. It is recommended that you check with the main office to be sure this form was received. All students will bring home a Notification of Rights Under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment during the first week of school. Parents must understand that if they withhold directory information, the decision affects all lists of or references to students distributed or used outside MCPS, whether prepared by the school, PTSA, central services, or other school organizations. This in-cludes the honor roll printed in the Gazette.

Return this form to your school ONLY if you do not want directory information released.


SIXTH GRADE ORIENTATION DAY

The MCPS orientation for incoming sixth graders will be held Thursday, August 25, 2016. Buses will run their regular routes (refer to attached MCPS bus schedule) and will pick students up at the regular pick-up times. Students will report to the cafe-teria where they will sit at tables according to their last name. Orientation will begin at 8:15 a.m. and will conclude at 12:00 p.m., at which time buses will return students to their regularly scheduled drop-off points.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

The first day of school for students will be Monday, August 29, 2016. Buses will run their regular schedules that day (refer to attached MCPS bus schedule). Please remember that it takes a few days to stabilize the pick-up times. Therefore, it is wise to be at the bus stops at least ten minutes early for the first several days of school.

When students arrive at school on August 29, they should check the lists posted in the front hall to locate their homeroom. Students are assigned to administrative homerooms alphabetically by grade level. The list will show the last name of the first and last student in each group. As an example, Grade 7 HR 1 Abel-Brown. Each student must be able to determine if their last name falls between the two names shown. Teachers will be available to assist students but it will go much faster if parents will work with their children to make sure they understand how to read this list and identify their homeroom. Sixth grade students who at-tend the half day orientation August 25 will go to the homeroom assigned to them on that day. Schedules are distributed in home-room classes.

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT

Banneker's Back to School Night will be Thursday, September 8, 2016, 7:00 p.m. Please reserve this date on your calendar so you can come to meet your child's teachers and join the PTSA. You are encouraged not to bring your children to Back to School Night. Parents will follow their child’s schedule to meet his/her teachers. (Please contact the main office as soon as possible if you need any special accommodations or interpreting services for Back to School Night.)

WELCOME BACK PICNIC

Parents, Guardians and Students, please join the Benjamin Banneker Middle School staff on Thursday, August 25 at 5:00 p.m. for the annual Welcome Back Picnic. This is a perfect opportunity for you and your children to meet the new principal, the staff and get acquainted with other students. Each grade should bring the items listed below and the school will provide grilled hotdogs. Come out and join the fun!

Grade 6: Bring Side Dishes Grade 7: Bring Desserts Grade 8: Bring Drinks

OPEN HOUSE Lathrop E. Smith Environmental Education Center—Grade 6 Residential Program Do you have a child currently enrolled in Grade 6? Come experience firsthand the Grade 6 Outdoor Environmental Education residential program. Thursday, September 8, 2016 5:30–8:00 p.m. 5110 Meadowside Lane, Rockville, Maryland

We highly encourage students to bring a bag lunch during the first week of school to avoid long lunch lines.


STUDENT EMERGENCY INFORMATION FORMS On August 29, your child will bring home a preprinted student emergency information form. Please make corrections/updates to this form and return it to the school as soon as possible. It is imperative that the school has information to contact a parent or guardian in the event of an emergency. We ask that you also list your e-mail address and cell phone number. The school is not permitted to release students to anyone not indicated on the student emergency information form. Lockers will not be assigned to students until the student emergency information form has been returned.

Benjamin Banneker Middle School Bell Schedules 2016-2017

DAILY CLASS SCHEDULE

SCHEDULE A (8th) SCHEDULE B (7th) SCHEDULE C (6th) Advisory: 8:15-8:36 Advisory: 8:15-8:36 Advisory: 8:15-8:36 Period 1: 8:40-9:26 Period 1: 8:40-9:26 Period 1: 8:40-9:26 Period 2: 9:30-10:16 Period 2: 9:30-10:16 Period 2: 9:30-10:16 Period 3: 10:20-11:06 Period 3: 10:20-11:06 Period 3: 10:20-11:06 LUNCH: 11:10-11:40 Period 4: 11:10-11:56 Period 4: 11:10-11:56 Period 4: 11:44-12:30 LUNCH: 12:00-12:30 Period 5: 12:00-12:46 Period 5: 12:34-1:20 Period 5: 12:34-1:20 LUNCH: 12:50-1:20 Period 6: 1:24-2:10 Period 6: 1:24-2:10 Period 6: 1:24-2:10 Period 7: 2:14-3:00 Period 7: 2:14-3:00 Period 7: 2:14-3:00


Benjamin Banneker Middle School Bell Schedules 2016-2017

EARLY RELEASE CLASS SCHEDULE

SCHEDULE A (8th) SCHEDULE B (7th) SCHEDULE C (6th) Advisory: 8:15-8:26 Advisory: 8:15-8:26 Advisory: 8:15-8:26 Period 1: 8:30-8:54 Period 1: 8:30-8:54 Period 1: 8:30-8:54 Period 2: 8:58-9:23 Period 2: 8:58-9:23 Period 2: 8:58-9:23 Period 3: 9:27-9:52 Period 3: 9:27-9:52 Period 3: 9:27-9:52 LUNCH 9:56-10:21 Period 4: 9:56-10:21 Period 4: 9:56-10:21 Period 4: 10:21-10:53 LUNCH 10:25-10:53 Period 5: 10:25-10:53 Period 5: 10:57-11:25 Period 5: 10:53-11:25 LUNCH 10:57-11:25 Period 6: 11:29-11:57 Period 6: 11:29-11:57 Period 6: 11:25-11:57 Period 7: 12:01-12:30 Period 7: 12:01-12:30 Period 7: 12:01-12:30

TWO-HOUR DELAY CLASS SCHEDULE

SCHEDULE A (8th) SCHEDULE B (7th) SCHEDULE C (6th) Advisory: 10:45-10:25 Advisory: 10:45-10:25 Advisory: 10:45-10:25

Period 1: 10:29-11:00 Period 2: 11:04-11:35 Period 3: 11:39-12:10 LUNCH: 12:14-12:45 Period 4: 12:49-1:20 Period 5: 1:24-1:54

Period 1: 10:29-11:00 Period 2: 11:04-11:35 Period 3: 11:39-12:10 Period 4: 12:14-12:45 LUNCH: 12:49-1:20 Period 5: 1:24-1:54

Period 1: 10:29-11:00 Period 2: 11:04-11:35 Period 3: 11:39-12:10 Period 4: 11:54-12:25 Period 5: 12:29-1:00 LUNCH: 1:04-1:34

Period 6: 1:58-2:28 Period 6: 1:58-2:28 Period 6: 1:58-2:28

Period 7: 2:32-3:00 Period 7: 2:32-3:00 Period 7: 2:32-3:00


AGENDA BOOK

Banneker will continue its efforts to help students more effectively organize their class work and homework, develop better study skills and improve time management. Part of this effort is requiring that each student carry an agenda book. Students are required to carry it with them throughout the school day. It has specific areas where students write down the homework from each class and a place where parents and teachers can exchange written messages. The agenda book also contains Banneker's discipline policy. All students will be provided an agenda book. Students who do not have their agenda book with them for a period of more than three days will be given another agenda book and be charged $6.00. The Banneker staff strongly suggests that parents require students to bring the agenda book home daily. Parents who check student assignments in the agenda book and on Edline can be aware of all student assignments.

CELL PHONE POLICY

All secondary school students will be able to possess portable communication devices on MCPS property and at MCPS-sponsored activities. It will be the student’s responsibility to en-sure that the device is turned off and out of sight at all times dur-ing the instruction day. PLEASE NOTE: Vibrate is not consid-ered off. The secondary school student may not turn on/use the device until the end of the official instructional day on the second-ary school campus. This includes but is not limited to talking, sending or receiving text or use of cell phone camera. Use of de-vices by secondary school students riding to and from school on MCPS buses is permitted as long as it does not impact the safe operation of the school bus. However, secondary school students may not use portable communication devices on MCPS or com-mercially chartered buses used for school-sponsored activities during the official instructional day. Benjamin Banneker Middle School will assume no responsibility or liability for any lost, stolen or damaged cell phone or for any other portable communication device. If a device is out, the student will be told to put it away. The next time it is out, it will be confiscated. Confiscated items will be returned to a parent or to another family member who has the par-ent or guardian’s permission to pick it up. When the item is picked up, the adult will sign a slip, acknowledging that further confiscations can result in the item being held until the end of the school year.

ATTENDANCE

Banneker's instructional day begins at 8:15 a.m. and concludes at 3:00 p.m. All students have a responsibility to attend their scheduled classes and required activities throughout the school day.

Full-day Absence—Student is present less than two hours during the day.

Half-day Absence - Student arrives more than two hours late = a.m. absent or Student leaves more than two hours before the end of the day = p.m. absent or Student leaves school for more than two hours during the day = a.m. or p.m. absent

Tardy—Student arrives within the first two hours of the day.

Early dismissal—Student leaves within the last two hours of the day.

All absences must be explained in a written note signed by the parent/guardian. This note must be turned in to the main office, within three school days following the absence. If an absence note is not received, the absence will be considered illegal under Maryland law. Family vacations are not considered legal absences. Parents/guardians are encouraged to call the school office (301) 989-5747, between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. to report student absence. It is the student's responsibility to make up the work missed. For the safety of our students, we will not release students during the school day to any-one without prior approval of the parent. The school is not permitted to release students to any-one not indicated on the yellow emergency form.

DISCIPLINE POLICY A detailed description of the local school and MCPS disci-pline policy can be found in the student agenda book. Please discuss this policy with your child and sign the “Consent Form Acknowledgement of Handbook Receipt” located on the first page of the agenda book.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

It is expected that each student will dress in an appropriate way so as not to be distracting to the instructional process. Head coverings are not permitted in school (with exceptions for religious reasons). Clothing cannot be sexually explicit, ad-vocate prejudice, hate and/or violence, advertise or advocate the use of tobacco or drugs (including alcohol), or display ob-scene words or gestures. All students must wear clothing that appropriately covers their body. Students dressed inappropri-ately will be asked to call their parents to bring a change of clothing. If the parent is not available, the student will be asked to get sweat pants or a shirt from their P.E. locker. Students will not be allowed to return to class until the matter has been cor-rected. All outdoor clothing (hats, coats, vests, gloves, etc.) must be left in lockers throughout the school day. Please check the student agenda book for further details about proper student attire. With your cooperation, Banneker's students will come to school each day dressed for success.


EDLINE (Find student grades, classwork, homework and quarterly progress reports online)

Edline is an Internet-based program to provide information about the academic progress of students and to enhance commu-nication between parents, students and teachers. Edline can be accessed from any device that can connect to the Internet, in-cluding computers, tablets and cell phones.

Edline is accessed through a secure login and password. Stu-dents and parents each have an Edline account. Students receive their Edline account information at school. Students new to Banneker (including all 6th graders) will activate a new account during the first week of school. Seventh and eighth graders use the same screen name and password as last school year.

Parents with students new to Banneker will receive an Edline activation code in the mail near the start of school. Please keep an eye out for this information. Directions for activating the account will be included in this mailing, and are also at http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/oars/activate.shtm. Parents who have previously activated an account will use their existing screen name and password. Multiple chil-dren can be combined on one parent account.

LOCKERS

Students will be assigned a locker, along with one school issued combination lock at the start of the school year. Lost locks must be replaced with a school issued combination lock at a cost of $5.00. Unauthorized locks will be removed by security. Lockers should be kept locked at all times and lockers must not be shared. Stu-dents are only permitted to access their lockers before and after school and before and after lunch. All book bags must be stored in the student's locker during the school day. Upon entering the building, book bags go into the student's locker and cannot be retrieved until after the last class before going to the buses. All book bags must fit into the locker. Locker dimensions are: Width 12”x Height 38” x Depth 11”. Lockers will not be assigned until students return their Student Emergency Infor-mation Form.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES &

FEE

Banneker will be offering a large number of extracur-ricular (afterschool) activities. Activities will begin some-time in late September or early October. A list of the of-ferings will be distributed to students to take home some-time in mid or late September. Activity buses will be available, leaving Banneker at approximately 4:25. Stu-dents not taking the activity bus home after extracurricular activities are to be picked up promptly by 4:20 p.m. The Board of Education requires that all middle and high school students who participate in extracurricular activities pay a $32.50 annual fee, called the ECA fee. The 2016-2017 Extra-curricular Activity Fee Remittance form will be mailed to all students before the beginning of the school year. The sample Extracurricular Activity Form on page 19 gives further instructions and details, including how parents can pay the ECA fee online.

INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS PROGRAM

The middle school interscholastic sports program will continue a modified sports program. It consists of softball and cross-country in the fall, basketball in the winter and soccer in the spring. Only seventh and eighth grade students can participate. There will be both a boys and girls mixed grade level team for each sport. A reminder that students must pay the $32.50 ECA activity fee in order to play on a Banneker sports team.

“STUDENTS MUST HAVE A CURRENT PHYSICAL ON

FILE IN THE HEALTH ROOM

PRIOR TO TRYING OUT for a sports team.”

LOST AND FOUND ALERT!

Each year Banneker donates boxes and boxes of clothes, eyeglasses, shoes, purses, wallets and other belong-ings to charity. You are asked to label all of your child’s personal belongings . Most lost items are stored in the hall near the cafeteria. Lost books/notebooks are kept in the media center and smaller items (glasses, keys, wallets) in the main office. If your child does not find the missing arti-cle, you might want to come in and check yourself. Stu-dents are not to bring valuable items to school.

You can’t try out with-out a current physical!!


PHYSICAL EDUCATION UNIFORMS

We would like to inform you, in advance, of the materials your child will need in September for participation in their daily Physical Education class. Students are required to change clothes for physical activity.

All students need:

1. P.E. uniform (Students will need to be prepared to dress in PE clothes on Wednesday, August 31st)

T-shirt (black or royal blue with absolutely no writ-ing or design)

Shorts (royal blue or black mesh with no writing or design)

On colder days, students may wear sweatshirts and sweatpants (ash/gray with absolutely no writing or design).

White or grey colors can be accepted.

Socks and a pair of tennis shoes with either laces or Velcro fasteners

(Optional: Students may purchase uniforms with Banneker logo through the P.E. department fundraiser begin-ning the first week of school. If you choose to order a uni-form, orders must be placed no later than September 9th. T-shirts (Royal blue, Black) $10 Shorts (Royal blue, Black) $15 Hooded Sweatshirts (Gray) $25 Sweatpants (Gray) $20 Cinch Bag $10 If you chose to purchase any of these items, you can choose to buy online @ https://bms2016.itemorder.com from 7/18/16 to 8/12/16 or complete the purchase worksheet form on page 13 and have your student return the form, along with a check made payable to: Banneker MS during their P.E./health class. If paying by check, please write student’s name in lower left hand corner of the check. 2. Towels and personal hygiene items

Towels and personal hygiene items will not be provided by the school. Students will need to bring these items from home. These items should be stored in their as-signed gym locker, along with their physical education clothes.

Students are responsible for making sure their clothing, uni-form and other belongings are securely locked in their as-signed P.E. locker. Theft can occur if students do not properly secure their belongings. The school is not responsi-ble for stolen belongings.

PROGRESS REPORTS

All Banneker students will receive a school wide progress report midway through each quarter. Each teacher will com-plete the progress report with the current grade in each class. Progress reports must be accessed through Edline (see page 9 for directions).

SAFE BUS PROCEDURES

Riding the bus is a privilege, not a right. Students waiting for their bus after school must wait behind the metal bars. Please help us by talking to your child about this. Bus route numbers are written on a blackboard as the buses arrive each afternoon. Students are encouraged to check this board to help locate their bus.

Parents are requested to discuss appropriate behavior for riding the school bus. Reinforce the importance of students remaining in their seats, keeping their arms inside the bus, refraining from throwing objects from the bus, etc. Bus privi-leges can be denied to students not following bus rules. Food and drinks are not permitted on the buses.

Parents should be aware that while students are closely supervised throughout the school day and on the bus, there is usually no adult supervision once students leave the bus. This is often when conflicts between students occur. Each commu-nity should consider the need for parents to be present at bus stops. Adult presence at the bus stop will go a long way to-ward curbing inappropriate behavior.

Students MUST ride their assigned bus to and from school. Students who wish to ride home on a friend’s bus or get off of their own bus at a friend’s stop must bring a note from their parent. Once approved and signed by the principal or design-ee, the student should give this note to the operator of the bus they will be riding. This practice will normally be approved where space permits. Students who ride a bus other than their assigned one without prior approval, can lose bus riding privi-leges. This applies even if two buses serve the same commu-nity.

SAFE ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE OF

STUDENTS

Parents are reminded that the circular driveway in front of the school is a bus loop only and the lower lot is for staff park-ing only. If you drive your child to school or pick him/her up after school, you must use the student drop off area closest to the tennis courts. This area has been redesigned to simplify this process. Signs are posted showing where students can be dropped off and picked up.

A number of Banneker students walk to school on the side-walks along Old Columbia Pike. Walkers are required to use the designated cross walks located at the traffic circle. Students should also use caution when crossing the teacher entrance driveway.

BACK TO HEALTH NIGHT

All parents are invited to attend BACK TO HEALTH NIGHT on Wednesday, September 21, 2016, 7:00-8:00 p.m., room 236. An over-view of the Health Program will be presented.


SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY

In order to provide a safe school environment, we will be conducting ten (10) practice fire drills throughout the school year and six (6) Shelter and Lockdown drills. Please retain the paragraph (on the right “In Case of Emergency”) and post it on your refrigerator or other similar location in the event of a real situation requiring evacuation to another site.

Banneker employs two security assistants. They serve to monitor student behavior as well as assist administration in conducting school investigations. Security is highly visi-ble and they are available to assist students with all school safety concerns.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY!!!!

In the event of a situation that would require moving Banneker students from the school campus, students would be walked to Paint Branch High School. Announcements would be made on radio and television. Should this occur, only emergency personnel would be able to access the Banneker and Paint Branch sites. To obtain the most up-to-date information, parents should contact Liberty Grove Methodist Church, 15225 Old Columbia Pike, at (301) 421-9166. The church site is for parents or family members only. The media will be directed to Fairland Library or Resurrection Church.

CLIP AND SAVE..CLIP AND SAVE...CLIP AND SAVE ...

CLIP AND SAVE...CLIP AND SAVE...CLIP AND SAVE...

STUDENT SERVICE LEARNING

All MCPS students are required to earn a total of 75 Student Service Learning (SSL) hours before graduating from high school. SSL is an unpaid activity within the curriculum, school or outside community that provides service to an individual or group to address a school or community need. Students may begin earning SSL credit the summer after finishing 5th grade.

All community service does not qualify for Student Ser-vice Learning. Check the SSL Web site www.mcpsssl.org to see if the organization/event has been approved, or see Ms. Whitaker , the Student Service Learning Coordinator. If the activity is not pre-approved, then a special activity approval form must be filled out in advance.

Service must be performed with a non profit organization, under the supervision of an adult who is not a relative. Activities must be secular (non-religious) in nature.

SSL verification forms must be completed and submitted to Ms. Whitaker by specific dates. The verification forms are available on the SSL Web site, main office and coun-seling office. The specific deadline dates are noted on the school calendar (page 16).

SUMMER READING PACKETS

and MATH PRACTICE

All students were given Reading packets to complete over the summer. These packets are also available on Banneker’s website. In order for students to receive full credit for complet-ing the packets, they must be submitted during the first week of school. These packets are important because they will help teachers in determining what students need to work on in prepa-ration for the PARCC Assessments.

Math Practice (info also available on BBMS website)

The BBMS Math Department asks that students review math concepts over the summer. Students received a letter advising them to visit: https://sites.google.com/a/mcpsmd.net/mcps-math-online-resources/. If you do not have internet access, please visit the Marilyn J Praisner Library located at 14910 Old Columbia Pike. Math practice packets are available in the main office, but will NOT be collected or graded by teachers.

Reading packets:

Read at least four to six books.

Answer questions and follow directions on assignment sheet to receive full credit.

Completed reading packets are to be turned in to the student’s English teacher the first week of school.

Look for extra practices online all summer long!

SCHOOL SUPPORT PROGRAMS

We look forward to maintaining our partnerships with Giant, Harris Teeter, Safeway, Office Depot, Seibel’s Res-taurant and Target. Please be sure to register with any spon-soring stores to support Banneker Middle School. Banneker also collects Box Tops for Education. These items can be turned in to any teacher or to the container in the main office.

VENDING MACHINES IN SCHOOLS

Vending machines providing juice and milk are availa-ble for student use during lunch only. These vending ma-chines are located in the cafeteria. The vending machines located in the hall near the gym doors are for the use of outside groups that use the building after school hours.

https://sites.google.com/a/mcpsmd.net/mcps-math-online-resources/

https://sites.google.com/a/mcpsmd.net/mcps-math-online-resources/


CALCULATORS: (Algebra and Geometry students only)

Graphing calculators (Texas Instruments TI-83 Plus or TI-84 Plus) are considered necessary for the student to demonstrate mastery of the curriculum. Students are encouraged to purchase their own graphing calculators for their academic career. If your student cannot purchase a graphing calculator, one will be loaned to the student for the duration of the course. Students may rent a calculator for the duration of the course by paying a deposit fee of $10. Algebra and Geometry teachers will be providing more rental information to students during the first week of school. The deposit will be returned to the student at the end of the course as long as the calculator is returned in proper working condition. When available, the school may loan the calculator without charge, but assess an obligation (for the cost of the calculator only) if the calculator is lost or damaged. If the calculator is lost or stolen, the student is responsible for the replacement cost. The calculator will be in working order when originally loaned. The student borrowing the calculator may be asked to provide batteries needed throughout the year.

NOTE: Basic calculators are optional in all other math classes. However, calculators are helpful if students want to bring

in their own personal calculator from home.

School Colors: BLUE & ORANGE

School Mascot: BOBCAT

Suggested School Supply List

2016-2017

All Grades Binder (preference: 3 inch 3-ringed for loose leaf paper)

8-Tab Subject Dividers

Pocket Folders

Paper, loose-leaf

Pencils, #2 lead

Pens, ballpoint (blue or black ink)

Highlighters

3 Spiral notebooks (for math and English classes)

Grade 6

Fees:

Art students only: $10 fee for

sketchbook, ceramic clay and other

consumables (students keep materials when class is completed)

Grade 7

Fees:




7th grade students taking Robotics

Class: $10 fee

Grade 8

Fees:




8th grade students taking Introduction to Engineering class: $5 fee


Parent’s full name (print) _____________________________________________________________________

Student’s full name (print) ____________________________________________Grade _____ Team______

_ITEMS PRICE QUANTITY COLOR SIZE TOTAL

Grade 6 ___

Replace Lost Agenda Book $6.00 n/a n/a __________

Grade 7 ___

Replace Lost Agenda Book $6.00 n/a _ n/a ___

Grade 8 ___

Replace Lost Agenda Book $6.00 n/a n/a _________

SIZE

P.E. Uniforms with logo (optional) QUANTITY S/M/L/XL ___

(Youth to Adult Sizes)

T-shirt (Royal Blue, Black) $10.00 _ __

Shorts (Royal Blue, Black) $15.00 ___

Sweatshirt (Hooded) (Gray) $25.00 __________

Sweatpants (Gray) $20.00 _________________

Cinch Bag $10.00

TOTAL PURCHASES _________________

Send worksheet and one check, beginning August 29th (Deadline September 9th).

Checks should be made payable to: Banneker MS

Write student’s name in lower left hand corner of check.

You may write one check for all purchases.

Please contact PE Department if alternate payment arrangements, including possible waiver of

fee(s) is necessary.


School Purchases WORKSHEET

(This worksheet is only to be used for the purchases listed below.)


[email protected]

BannekerPTSA.org

BobcatStore.org

2015-16 PTSA Leadership

President Crystal Baker [email protected] 240-815-2035

1st VP/Membership Tonja Paylor [email protected] 240-893-6454

2nd VP/Communications Tracie Potts [email protected] 202-365-3766

Recording Secretary OPEN

Corresponding Secretary OPEN

Treasurer Lisa Betts [email protected] 240-593-1426

MCCPTA Representative Harriet Kamendi [email protected] 240-565-8933

MCCPTA/Spiritwear Tonja Paylor [email protected] 240-893-6454

NAACP Representative Angela Cooper [email protected] 240-274-0578

Fundraising OPEN

Webmaster Tracie Potts [email protected] 202-365-3766

Volunteer Coordinator OPEN

Staff Appreciation Chair OPEN

mailto:[email protected]

tel:202-365-3766


tel:240-893-6454


tel:240-498-9544


tel:240-593-1426


tel:240-565-8933


tel:240-893-6454


tel:240-274-0578


tel:240-498-9544









Montgomery County Public Schools


14800 Perrywood Drive

Burtonsville, MD 20866

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage Paid

Rockville, MD

Permit No. 201

DATED MATERIAL

PLEASE DELIVER PROMPTLY

HELPFUL CHECKLIST FOR SCHOOL START-UP

August 25 (Thursday) Sixth Grade Orientation Day (8:15 - 12:00 p.m.) August 25 (Thursday) Welcome Back Picnic for Parents/Students/Staff (5:00 p.m.) August 29 (Monday) 1st Day of School (8:15-3:00 p.m.) Students bring home Student Emergency Information Form (return August 30) Students receive Cafeteria account PIN number during lunch August 30 (Tuesday) 2nd Day of School Student Emergency Information Form is due to homeroom teacher Agenda Books distributed and P.E. uniforms sold during P.E./Health class* (bring Purchase Worksheet on page 13) Parents sign “Consent Form Acknowledgement of Handbook Receipt” located on first page of Agenda Book August 31 (Wednesday) Students must start dressing appropriately for P.E. class September 2 (Friday) Math packets due to math teachers and Reading packets are due to English teachers during first week of school September 5 (Monday) Holiday-Labor Day September 8 (Thursday) BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT—7:00 p.m. (Bring PTSA membership form) September 9 (Friday) Request to Withhold Directory Information for 2016-2017 form is due (directly to school office) September 12 (Monday) Professional Day—No school for students and teachers September 21 (Wednesday) Back to “Health” Night—7:00-8:00 p.m. (room 236) September 30 (Friday) Early Release Day—Students dismissed at 12:30 p.m.

IMPORTANT:

Attention 7th & 8th Grade Students: Students must have a current physi-cal on file in the health room prior to trying out for a sports team.

Documents

WELCOME Middle School BOBCATS! Banneker Middle School Page 3 PTSA President’s Message...continued SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICE There is a school nurse and health technician assigned to