April 10, 2015
In this edition:
* News from the Principal
* House and Department News
The FLOOR HOCKEY championship was held Friday, March 20th. Congratulations to this
year's champion- TEAM 4: 1. Captain: Mae Winglass, 2. Sheamus Mann, 3. Aaron Landel,
4. Paul Tuttle, 5. Corey Larmon, 6. Levi Bushman, 7. Abby Carpenter, 8. Samantha Ramsey, 9.
Cameron Footer, 10. Eva Machnitzky, 11. Owen Barter.
Several wrestlers placed in the Regional Championship meet on March 20th: Placing 4thMason Savary, Placing 3rd-Rakalin Buford, Placing 2nd -Donavin Rector & Austin Baltazar.
Congratulations to all 4 wrestlers who advanced to the League Championship on March 27th. At
the championship meet in Augusta Mason Savary and Austin Baltazar placed 4th, and Donavin
Rector placed 3rd. Congratulations to them and to Rakalin Buford who made it to the league
championship in his first year. BMS placed 15th out of 24 teams.
The team of Devin McAllian and Tristan Merrill placed 12th in the Seaperch Challenge competition
with their underwater vehicle,"Pushing Button and Hoping for the Best". Under the guidance of
Anne Dunham, the students worked weekly on designing, building and maneuvering their vehicle.
We are pleased to announce March's "Students of the Month":
Reid House:
Most Outstanding: Isabella Short-Galuza
Most Improved: Mason Small
Most Academic: Emily Gauthier
Popham House:
Most Outstanding: Robin Hale Krull
Most Improved: Luke Nickles
Most Academic: Matthew Doughty
Green House:
Most Outstanding: Katy Tucker
Most Improved: Austin Baltazar
Most Academic: Mae Winglass
Red House:
Most Outstanding: Elsa Bertlesman
Most Improved: Haile Smith
Most Academic: Vanessa St. Pierre
Purple House:
Most Outstanding: Kayleigh Duggan
Most Improved: Finn Gellatly
Most Academic: Samantha Ramsey
Black House:
Most Outstanding: Paige Faulkingham
Most Improved: Paige Willis
Most Academic: Logan Pelletier
Your student's teachers will be scheduling "Portfolio Conferences" for April 16th. We hope you are
looking forward to talking to your student about his/her academic progress.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Spring has to be arriving soon.....!
Bud Solebello,
Principal of Bath Middle School
Bath Middle School
6 Old Brunswick Road
Bath, Maine 04530
207-443-8270, Extension 414
[email protected]
As of Monday we have completed the Smarter Balance testing and now we’re easing
ourselves back into the regular class routine. Congratulations to all the kids for the diligent
effort and willingness to persevere through the rigors of these tests.
Popham mathematicians have been investigating how to maintain balance in algebraic
equations. They have developed these skills through building and breaking down equations
with one variable. Relating back to their experiences in elementary school with pan-balance
problems, 6th graders are now beginning to apply those strategies to more increasingly
complex situations in which they are working to isolate a variable using opposite operation
strategies.
In Humanities, we have begun our study of heroes. What are the
characteristics of a hero? Well, our Popham house students will do an
extensive study of the noble qualities that historical, fictional, and everyday
heroes have. In particular, we'll be looking at the hero's journey our main
character Percy goes through in the book The Lightning Thief. Students are
practicing their close reading strategies by analyzing Percy's character
traits. Soon, students will be ready to write their own narrative stories with
a character that also goes on a hero's journey.
In science class we have begun our study of floating and sinking objects, which will include
investigations into how ballast affects a floating object’s behavior, as well as how the shape
and size, or volume, of a container may influence its buoyancy. Soon how an object in
water displaces some of the water around itself will also become an element to be
considered in the - Why does it float? Why did it sink? inquiry.
As a house we will be doing conferences on Thursday, April 16th from Noon until 7p.m. If
you have not laid eyes on the conference letter, please contact us - either by phone, email,
or with a simple note - informing us what time on conference day you and your sixth grader
could come in to school - we are very flexible with this afternoon of conferences.
Happy April!!! We are hopefully moving quickly into spring weather. Only one more week
until April vacation and then it seems the rest of the year goes by at a swift pace.
Please be reminded about the parent teacher conferences next week. If you have not signed
up for one yet, please make sure to contact your child's homeroom teacher to see what
times are available. For Mr. Dwyer, he is conducting his during the beginning of the week.
Mrs. Jones and Mr. Luchies are holding theirs on Thursday afternoon and early evening.
Please make sure your child is with you during the conference time as it is a Portfolio
conference where the students are sharing what they have accomplished during the school
year.
In Humanities, students finished their investigation into Ancient Roman life this week with
a final open book test. Now they are heading into the middle ages for the rest of the year.
We are starting off with a look at the Code of Chivalry. They will be looking at the various
traits of the code from that time period and identifying how they still apply in today's world.
This information will be later used to complete their project.
In science, students have continued investigating the engineering process through our unit
on sinking and floating. Classroom labs have focused on developing background
knowledge about density, buoyancy, displacement, and volume as well as refining our use
of measurement tools including rulers, graduated cylinders and scales. The students had a
great time competing with one another trying to create clay boats that could hold the most
cargo. By applying the scientific principles behind sinking and floating, the students did an
amazing job engineering some tiny boats that held a surprising amount of cargo. Next
up: our final project of the unit where students will create a submarine that floats, sinks,
and then floats again. Be sure to have students scrounge around home for any materials
they may need to build a submarine. The recycling bin would be a good place to look!
We are still going at full speed with our AR reading program as students
continue to have reading goals to meet. Please continue to encourage
your child to read every night for half an hour. The more they read, they
better readers they will become.
Enjoy the beautiful weekend weather!! Hope to see you all next week at
conferences.
7th Grade Black House
After a week of Smarter Balance testing, Black House mathematicians will begin to explore
linear relationships in our new unit Moving Straight Ahead. We will be studying a variety of
linear relationships through graphs, tables and equations. Students continue to work on
basic math skills on their Problem of the Weeks. Be sure to stay up to date on nightly
homework assignments by checking out Ms. Gallagher’s homework
blog: mathgallagher.blogspot.com.
Black House scientists are getting ready to finish their study of organism adaptations and
the process of evolution. We have explored many pieces of evidence and learned about how
continental drift works, how fossils collect evidence from past organisms, and how current
organisms utilize their structural and behavioral adaptations to survive and pass on their
traits to the next generation. We also have a fruit fly genetics experiment going on. We are
crossing fruit flies with wings with those without wings; we will study their offspring as we
get into genetics! It will be an exciting spring in science as we do more work with the BMS
apple orchard as well!
In Humanities students just finished up "A Long Walk to Water". We have been learning
about water insecurity and the water crisis in Sudan. This week students have been
putting the water crisis into a first hand experience by doing hands on activities to truly
understand what the characters in the book have been dealing with. This
included walking around carrying a bucket of water on our heads, and
learning how to clean dirty water to make it drinkable.
The Black House teachers are VERY proud of each and every one of the
students for their extremely hard work on the Smarter Balanced Testing last week.
Students kept a positive attitude throughout the week, and never complained. We are so
proud of their hard work and positive attitudes! We are also proud of our students for
raising over $2,000 for the Bath Mobile Food Truck and Bath Food Bank. Our students
put a great amount of time and effort into raising money for this great cause.
7th Grade Purple House
It's conference time again, and your child has evidence of their learning to share with you.
On the afternoon and evening of April 16th student led conferences will take place. Student
will be showing work from the school year that they would like to highlight. A letter went
home on Monday with information, but if you did not receive it, here is an abbreviated
explanation of the letter. There is a sign-up form at the Purple House website. Click on the
link, sign up for a time with your child's homeroom teacher, and you’re done. If you don't
have a chance to sign up, just show up with your child on Thursday afternoon before 6:30.
If you can't make it on Thursday contact your child's homeroom teacher to set up a
different time.
Personal narratives take a moment in time that a character experiences and gives
reflection, emotion and personal responses to give the reader a mental picture of the scene
and the character. The book Seedfolks was a collection of personal narratives tied together
through a community garden. Purple house students have started their creations of
character personal narratives that could be included on the book, Seedfolks. Pulling from
the research on the countries they investigated earlier in this unit our students will create
characters that immigrated from those countries. Students will also have the opportunity to
create portraits of these characters much the same as the drawings from the book. The
literary elements of voice and imagery will be emphasized in this project.
Purple House Scientists have wrapped up their time travel labs and compiled their
knowledge of how life evolved on Earth through original comics. We hope to compile our
comics for elementary students to utilize in the future. Additionally, we completed a
modeling performance task where students used the idea of runners running a race
through the woods to help them better understand phylogenetic trees and how scientists
use these models to understand relatedness between organisms. Now we have jumped into
genetics and how traits are inherited. We’ve even seen our own DNA from our cheek cells!
This additional layer of understanding will help us better communicate how natural
selection occurs in populations of species. We are using two model organisms for this, fruit
flies and next week bacteria. We are currently collecting data on the presence of one trait
(wings or no wings) in a population of flies in our classroom. We analyzed the data from our
first generation of flies crossed this week and were surprised to
find all of the offspring had wings even when one of the parents
did not. We will continue to use ratios, probability, and Punnett
squares (type of model) as we wrap up our fruit fly experiment
after break.
Students continue to explore linear relationships. They are
using tables, graphs and equations to explore real-world
problems involving linear relationships and systems of
equations. They are developing an understanding of how each
representation describes the attributes of a linear relationship.
Hannah observes her own DNA on the end of
the toothpick!
A fruit fly experiment in our classroom allows
us to study the passing down of one trait in
fruit flies over 3 generations.
8th Grade Green House
Congratulations again to Mia Garza for representing BMS at the state level Geography Bee
at University of Maine, Farmington. We are very proud of Mia and her accomplishments.
Last month Mrs. Bartlett attended a professional development conference on Document
Based Questions. The DBQ approach incorporates thinking and writing skills, or as stated
on dbqproject.com, close analysis and interrogation of documents, deep reading for
understanding, and powerful evidence based argumentative writing. We are currently
analyzing five primary documents related to the defense of the Alamo. Then, writing as if
they were one of the people described in Alamo biographies provided, students make a
journal entry in response to each document. The entries record their thoughts and feelings
about what unfolded at the Alamo.
Please remember student-led portfolio conferences will be held April 16, 2015. You may
sign up via a link on the Green House website, or return the green form sent home last
week with your child.
We have started a new literacy unit on the Industrial Revolution in the United States. Our
anchor text is Lyddie, by Katherine Paterson. Students will analyze how plot, character,
and setting interact and use context clues to determine the meaning of unknown words.
Science classes have been working hand-in-hand with math classes to explore energy use
in our homes. To do this, students have been collecting data about their own homes, and
have been analyzing this data to find areas where savings can made. The proposals that
students develop to save energy should help both their family’s pocketbooks and the
environment. This is a long term project that will segue into an exploration of Maine's
energy systems.
8th Grade Red House
Literacy classes have begun to write personal narrative essays. The kickoff was to look at a
selection of 8th grade red house narratives saved from 2001. Each student had a list of the
titles, and using an organizer to note things such as great hook, realistic dialogue, good
details, and excellent voice, we rotated through as many as we could read in one
period. The next day, we met in small groups to compare notes. After that, we looked at a
handful of longer models. We checked to see which ones had good leads, elaboration,
dialogue, or whether or not the writer had included what he learned about himself as a
result of the experience. Finally, we each brainstormed some possible topics from our own
lives. Rough drafts are due at the end of the week, and the first thing we'll examine is
elaboration, also known as show, not tell.
Students have been busy learning about energy and electricity use. One day last week,
they had a team competition to sort different electrical appliances from highest watts used
to lowest. Then, students took their learning right into math class to calculate specific
kilowatts per hour for how long different items were using electricity. As
we all build background knowledge about use, students are now
writing their proposals for decreasing energy in their homes or
community. The light bulb is starting to be turned on (ha, ha) on
their learning. Small changes will make an impact.
Students work on Powerhouse.
Sararose with the Van De Graaf
Generator.
Upcoming Events:
Friday, 4/10 - Quarter #3 Closes
Tuesday, 4/14 - Career Fair
4/16 & 4/17 - Parent/Teacher Conferences - Dismissal at 11:00
Friday, 4/17 - Report Cards go home with students
4/20-4/24 - April Vacation!!
Tuesday, 4/28 - PTSA Meeting - 5:30 - Guidance Classroom
Wednesday, 4/29 - Freedom Tour Meeting - 6:00 - Cafeteria
Thursday, 4/30 - 6th Grade Chorus to Winship Green
7th and 8th graders are currently showing off their archery skills
in Physical Education class. After learning the "11 Steps to
Archery Success", students have been playing a variety of games
involving archery.
Our 3rd annual BMS Invitational Archery Tournament will take
place on Saturday, May 16th. BMS students can qualify for the
tournament by shooting consistently high scores and
demonstrating knowledge of protocol and safety.
With the weather (gradually) improving, many of you are probably looking to do some
Spring cleanup around your homes in the upcoming weeks……if you have a nice stash of
bottles and cans, please consider waiting to redeem them until between Monday
4/27 - Friday 5/16 – and bring them to Hilltop Redemption on State Rd. in West Bath
(past Witch Spring Hill, next to Bath Auto Parts/Napa) so you can donate them to the
BMS PTSA Bottle Drive! Eric and his friendly crew at Hilltop are generously allowing us to
build up a collection of returnables for the three weeks after April vacation, to raise funds
for much needed expenses at Bath Middle School! Hilltop is open most weekdays and
Saturdays between10-3pm – but call first to make sure. 442-7243. Please don’t forget to tell
your friends/neighbors!!!!
NEXT BMS PTSA MEETING: Tues 4/28 at 5:30 - all are welcome!!!
Extra…. Extra…..
COMMUNITY NEWS
Seed Starting Workshop for the Whole Family
Calling all families interested in learning about
starting seeds indoors to grow some of your own
food! The Sagadahoc Chapter of MOFGA (Maine
Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association) is offering
an afternoon event at Chewonki in Wiscasset
on April 11 at 3:30pm. For those who would like to
learn about seed starting, there will be tours at 3:30
and 4pm by Hilary Crowell, one of Chewonki's
farmers. While the adults are learning about seeds,
there will be an opportunity to feed and care for our
farm animals during afternoon farm chores with
Farm Manager, Megan Phillips. (Parents are
welcome to join their children at the farm if they
prefer.) Plan to arrive promptly at 3:30 at the Center
for Environmental Education to participate in farm chores. There will be a potluck
afterward if you would like to bring something and share a meal with others who like to
garden.
There is no fee but space is limited. RSVP to save a spot and for directions. Email
Sagadahoc MOFGA Chapter at: [email protected]
Upcoming events: If your child has enjoyed gardening during field trips to the RSU 1
school garden, or you'd like to see the garden for yourself, look for upcoming offerings cohosted by KELT (Kennebec Estuary Land Trust) and Sagadahoc MOFGA this
summer. These will be held at the RSU 1 L.O.C.A.L garden on June 27 & August 8.
Save the dates!
The Bath Parks & Recreation Department
Are now taking registrations the following programs
Youth Lacrosse K – Grade 7
Baseball Ages 5-8
Spring Running Club Grades K – Grade 6
Mad Science Camp (April Vacation) – Ages 5 – 11
Summer Day Camp – K – Grade 5
Summer Camp Extreme - Grades 6-9
Visit the Bath Parks and Recreation Department Website at www.bathrecreation.com to
see all programs available. Contact the Recreation Department office at 443-8360 with
any questions.
Knitting group at Halcyon Yarn:
Sign up right away to learn to knit.
This is a 2 week class: Friday, May 1st and Friday, May 8th, 3:30-4:30pm.
Sign up with Mr. Hamilton in the guidance office.
The cost is $45 which includes instruction, needles, and your choice of colored yarn.
Full payment is due Friday the 17th.
April Is Child Abuse Prevention Month
and Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Sexual Assault Support Services of Midcoast Maine (SASSMM) will visit 6th grade guidance
classes during April to help educate our students about childhood sexual abuse. We listen
to a fictitious story about a twelve year old boy named Victor who is touched sexually by a
family member. SASSMM defines sexual abuse as any sexual contact without your
permission or if you are a minor, by anyone who is an adult.
There are two learning targets for the lesson:


Sexual assault is never the victim's fault
If it happens to you, always tell a safe adult
As this topic is very sensitive in nature, your student may come home with more questions
as they continue to process what they learn. Feel free to contact me, Mr. Hamilton
([email protected]), or our social worker, Mrs. Curley ([email protected]) for support or
more information.
SASSMM educates students throughout our RSU and Midcoast Maine. At Bath Middle
School, SASSMM also assists with lessons on internet safety in 6th grade. In 7th grade, they
present lessons about Sexual Harassment and about Sexual Assault in 8th grade.
SASSMM is a non-profit organization located in Brunswick dedicated to providing advocacy
and support to survivors, families and concerned others affected by sexual assault, sexual
abuse and sexual harassment. You can learn more about SASSMM on their web site
www.sassmm.org and their support hotline number is 1-800-871-7741.
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