BMS Families,
Now that we are several weeks into the school year, our routines and expectations are becoming established. Students know their schedules, teachers are getting to know their students, and our classrooms are settling into productive learning environments. With that foundation in place, we are beginning to take the next step: increasing the level of academic challenge and rigor at BMS.
As a staff, we have spent time discussing what we want to see and hear in a rigorous BMS classroom. Rigor does not simply mean giving students more work or making assignments more difficult. Instead, it means creating learning experiences that require students to think deeply, apply what they know, communicate their ideas, take appropriate risks, and take greater ownership of their learning.
In a rigorous BMS classroom, students are:
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Thinking – asking questions, analyzing, interpreting, making connections, and thinking beyond the obvious.
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Doing – applying concepts, solving problems, creating, experimenting, and producing meaningful work.
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Talking – explaining their thinking, engaging in academic discourse, debating ideas, and learning from peers.
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Taking Risks – trying challenging tasks, using different strategies, learning from mistakes, and revising their thinking.
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Owning Their Learning – staying engaged, using resources, managing their learning, and demonstrating understanding in meaningful ways.
Families can play an important role in this work, too. One of the simplest ways to support our goals is to ask your child about their learning—not just what they completed.
As you are driving to and from practices, sitting around the dinner table, or squeezing in a few minutes together at the end of the day, consider asking questions such as:
- What was something you had to really think about today?
- What did you do today that was challenging?
- Did you have to explain your thinking to someone?
- Did you make a mistake or change your thinking today?
- What did you learn from someone else?
- What is something you understand better now than you did this morning?
- Did you have to figure something out without your teacher giving you the answer?
As we move through the year, you may notice students being asked to explain their thinking more often, work through challenging problems, defend their ideas, collaborate with classmates, or revise their work based on feedback. These are intentional parts of our effort to create intellectually challenging classrooms while continuing to provide students with the support they need to be successful.
We are excited about the direction our classrooms are heading and look forward to partnering with families as we continue to raise the level of learning at BMS.
Have a great Weekend!
Josh
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September 28th: Auditions for Drama 2:30 - 4:30
September 28th: PTO Meeting 6 PM @ BMS Library
October 5th: Drama Rehearsal @ 3:15 - 5:00 in the Auditorium
October 8th: Student Council Meeting @ 2:30 in the Cafeteria
October 12th: NO SCHOOL
October 19th: Drama Rehearsal @ 3:15 - 5:00 in the Auditorium
October 22nd: Student Council Meeting @ 2:30 in the Cafeteria
October 26th: Drama Rehearsal @ 3:15 - 5:00 in the Auditorium
October 30th: Early Release @ 11:15
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Auditions for Frozen Jr. will take place on Monday, September 28th from 2:30 - 4:30 PM in the auditorium. 4th Grade Students will only stay until 3:15 (unless they have a sibling staying until 4:30) and can take the late bus home. All students will be required to sing a short song from the show. Any student who would like to try out for a speaking role will need to read lines from the script. Audition sign ups will be in the office starting on Friday, September 18th and students must bring back the signed permission form saying they are allowed to try out. Any student staying until 4:30 must secure a ride home! |
There will be an informational meeting for the 7th grade class of 2032 regarding the Washington DC trip on October 1, 2026 at the Bellingham High School in the lecture hall at 7:00 PM. Please email lcartier@bpsdk12.org with any questions. |
**Introducing: FUEL FRIDAYS** A snack cart for Staff!
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Thank you to everyone that has donated to our Fuel Fridays already! We hope to start this program on Friday, October 9th, but we need more items in order to do so.
Student Council members are excited to prepare and deliver snack bags to our teachers and staff every other Friday!
To make Fuel Friday possible, we are asking our BMS families to help by donating individually packaged snacks and beverages.
🥨 WHAT CAN YOU DONATE?
Snacks
Granola bars
Chips & pretzels
Popcorn
Crackers
Cookies
Candy
Trail mix
Individual snack packs
Other individually packaged treats
Please make sure snacks are nut-free
🥤 Beverages
Bottled water
Flavored water
Juice boxes
Sports drinks
Soda
Seltzer
Other non-perishable beverages
❤️ EVERY DONATION HELPS!
Our Student Council students will organize and package the donations before delivering Fuel Friday snack bags to our teachers and staff.
Your generosity helps our students practice teamwork, leadership, organization, and giving back to our school community—while putting a smile on our staff members' faces!
📦 HOW TO DONATE
Please send donations to school with your child or drop them off at the BMS Main Office.
Donations can be made anytime during school hours!
⛽ FUEL FRIDAY
Fueled by our families. Delivered by our students. Appreciated by our staff!
Thank you for always supporting BMS!
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Ski Club is a 6-week ski and snowboard program at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area in Princeton, MA.
This is a great program for first time or experienced skiers and snowboarders. Ski Lessons and Rental Equipment are available for all levels. All students in grades 4th through 12th and their parents are welcome. Ski Club is the ideal way for kids to get outdoors during the winter for a fun, healthy activity, at a great price!
Ski Club starts Sunday, January 3, 2027, and runs for six (6) Sundays. We take a charter bus from the High School parking lot, leaving at 2:30pm. We ski from 4:30pm to 8:00pm, and return to the High School around 9:30 p.m.
Packets are available for pick up in the BMS Main Office!
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Wow! What a great turnout we had for our first information Student Council meeting! If you were unable to attend, please see Ms. Iarussi or Mrs. D to get your sign up sheets. Please make sure slips are turned in before the next meeting, which is on October 8th.
StuCo is open to any student in grades 4-7.
Meetings are 2:30-3:15 on the following Thursdays:
October 8 and October 22
November 5 and November 19
December 3 and December 17
January 7 and January 21
February 4 and February 25
March 11
April 8 and April 29
May 13 and May 27
June 10
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TO 4th GRADE PARENTS:
I will be starting the state mandated screenings (height, weight, vision and hearing screenings) in the next few weeks.
We have had a report of Head lice in our school - The appropriate grade has been notified. While this is not pleasant, it is not uncommon when students are back together. Please check your students' head for nits or live lice; and then occasionally throughout the school year.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.
Thank You,
Maureen
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Looking for a rewarding part-time job that offers competitive pay and flexible hours, perfect for parents? Consider joining the Vendetti family of school bus drivers. No experience necessary. Paid behind-the-wheel CDL training. Immediate openings in our Milford location. Contact Jean (508) 520-5111 or Transportation@vendettibus.com to learn more. |
- What subject do you teach?
- I teach 5th grade and love getting to teach across the curriculum. Science is definitely one of my favorites, especially when we get to do hands-on projects through Project Lead The Way!
- What inspired you to become a teacher?
- I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a teacher and have a career where I could make a difference in the lives of others. When I was in 6th grade at Stall Brook Elementary, my teacher, Mrs. Hebden, gave us an assignment where we had to interview someone in a profession that interested us. I chose to interview a teacher, and that experience really confirmed for me that teaching was what I wanted to do.
- What is your favorite part about being a teacher?
- My favorite part is seeing those moments when something finally clicks for a student or when they accomplish something they did not think they could do. I also really love building relationships with my students and getting to know their personalities, interests, and strengths.
- What is one thing you hope your students learn from you this year?
- I hope my students learn that it is okay to make mistakes, ask questions, and challenge themselves. I want them to leave my classroom feeling more confident in themselves and knowing that they are capable of doing hard things.
- What is one piece of advice you would give to students?
- Do not be afraid to try something just because you might not get it right the first time. Some of the best learning happens when things are challenging!
- What is one fun fact about you that you want the BMS community to know?
- A fun fact about me is that I was part of the last graduating class from this school in 2001, back when it was Bellingham Junior-Senior High School. My husband, Mr. Campano, and I actually met here when we were students, so this building has been a special part of my story for a very long time. It is pretty amazing to now be back here teaching the next generation of Bellingham students!
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Starting on Monday, September 14th, late buses will be available on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Extra help will be available after school for students needing additional assistance or help with assignments, completing missed homework or tests due to absences, or receiving remedial assistance. Click here for Teachers weekly “office hours”. Students may be requested by teachers to stay for extra help if they determine that the student is in need of such assistance.
For a list of late bus routes, please click on the link below:
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Lunch Menu
ALL STUDENTS EAT FREE!
PLEASE JOIN US FOR BREAKFAST & LUNCH!
* Please visit our District website for more School Nutrition Program information
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If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us.
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