Monday, March 11 - B day
Tuesday, March 12  - A day
Wednesday, March 13 - B day
Thursday, March 14 - A day
Friday, March 15 - B day 

SPRING BREAK: Monday, April 1 - Friday, April 5

Tuesday, April 9 - 8th Grade State-Mandated PSAT exam (see "For 8th Grade Families)
Tuesday, April 9 - 1/2 day in the AFTERNOON for grades 5, 6, 7 & full day for 8th grade. See details in article below
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RESOURCES FOR BHMS FAMILIES
The following resources are on the right side of the main BHMS webpage.
-BHMS CLUB MEETING CALENDAR
-A/B DAY & EVENTS CALENDAR
-DAILY BELL SCHEDULE (includes lunch periods)
-SCHOOL DAY HOURS AND OFFICE HOURS

BHMS TEAM SPORTS  SCHEDULE: Click HERE to find out where and when the current season BHMS team sports competitions are scheduled.

On Tuesday, April 9, BHMS students in grades 5, 6 and 7 will have a late start, and classes will begin at 11:45 a.m. (8th graders will report to school at the regular time in the morning to take the state-mandated PSAT exam. Please see the article entitled "Important Dates and Information for 8th Grade Families").

Here is how the day will work for BHMS students in grades 5, 6, & 7: 

• All students in grades 5, 6 & 7 should report to school between 11:35 a.m. and 11:40 a.m., and will follow a "B" day afternoon schedule. Classes will start at 11:45 a.m.
   
• For students who utilize bus transportation, the bus will arrive at the bus stop 3.5 hours later than the regularly scheduled morning pick up time. Example: if the student's morning pick up time is usually 7:32 a.m.; on April 9, the adjusted pick up time will be 11:02 a.m.
   
• Lunch will not be served for late-start students, and they will not have a lunch break scheduled. Students in grades 5, 6 & 7 should eat before arriving to school on April 9.

All students will be dismissed at the normal time of 3:05 p.m. and bus transportation will follow the normal afternoon schedule.

With high school on the horizon, the remainder of the year holds many important dates for the BHMS 8th grade families. Here is a summary of some dates and other important information to help you and your student keep track, This summary will be updated regularly on the main page of the BHMS website. Please read through and mark pertinent dates on your calendar.

Tuesday, March 7: FOLLOW-UP REQUIRED 8th graders met with BH High School counselors and received Course Description Books, course selection sheets, and instructions for how to add their course request in to MiStar. Please review the information with your student and ensure that the requests are entered in to MiStar before March 13.

Thursday, March 14 and Friday, March 15: ACTION REQUIRED NOW Students and a parent/guardian will meet at a scheduled appointment time with a high school counselor. If you haven't already done so, please schedule your appointment online at the link below. If you come on the 14th, schedule with your student's specific counselor. If you can only come on the 15th, schedule with either Mr. Midea or Mr. Fogle and they can help you even if they are not your student's assigned H.S. counselor. Click here or paste this link into your browser to schedule your appointment before March 13. https://www.ptcfast.com/schools/Bloomfield_Hills_Middle_School_1

NEW! Thursday, March 28: Washington DC Field Trip Informational meeting for parents/guardians of students who are going on the trip in April.  Meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. in the BHMS cafeteria.

Tuesday, April 9: CRITICAL INFORMATION State-mandated PSAT for all 8th graders!  The State of Michigan is requiring that all 8th graders take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test, a paper/pencil assessment more commonly referred to as the PSAT. The state requires that the PSAT be administered on April 9, which is the Tuesday immediately following Spring Break. It is extremely important for all 8th graders to be in school on April 9. The test administration will begin promptly at 8:15. Advance notice is being shared so families can plan their Spring Break vacations accordingly. If you have any questions, please contact BHMS 8th grade counselor, Mrs. Jaster.

NEW! Thursday, June 13: 8th Grade Recognition Ceremony from 12:30 p.m. until 2 p.m. at BHMS. Families welcome to attend.

NEW! Thursday, June 13: 8th Grade Party in the evening at an outside location. Time and location to be announced.

8TH GRADERS INTERESTED IN BH HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS: Please check District News below or click this link for BH High School Athletic News for Incoming 9th Graders, which includes athletic information, including meetings and try-outs, for current 8th graders heading to BHMS. The high school webmaster updates this item as new information becomes available.

The 7th grade Choir concert originally scheduled for Tuesday, March 12, has a date, time and location change. The concert will now be held on MONDAY, MARCH 25 at Bloomfield Hills HIGH SCHOOL starting at 6:30 pm. Students have been working toward a Festival-level performance with two pieces of music, and learning how to sight read two-part music. The BHMS and WHMS 7th grade choirs will combine together on the high school stage to present their Festival music, and sight read with a clinician/adjudicator from the Michigan School Vocal Music Association (MSVMA). The High School Choirs and the 8th grade choirs will also be presenting music at this concert. Please email Mrs. Pierre if you have questions.

The annual Hoops for Heart Physical Education class fundraiser for grades 6, 7 and 8 is kicking off. The annual campaign raises awareness of, and funds for the battle against heart disease. Physical Education teacher, Mr. DiVito, has prepared the attached letter with more information about the Hoops for Heart campaign, and how you can help students be healthier and raise funds at the same time. Please take a look.

Please plan to attend an informational meeting on Thursday, March 28, at 6:00 p.m.  for all parents of 8th graders who are going on the Washington, DC, field trip. The meeting will cover expectations on the morning of the trip, during the trip, how to keep in touch throughout the trip, and address your questions. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend.

On two days in February, representatives from the WE Organization did a presentation to the BHMS 5th & 6th grades, and then 7th and 8th grades. Students were allowed to sign up for in advance for 3-hour workshops that immediately followed each presentation. Over 60 students participated in the facilitator-led workshop which helped them develop tangible leadership skills, identify issues affecting their communities and come up with plans to take action in a meaningful way. Students learned that, will whether they are volunteering, fundraising, changing behavior or raising awareness, they can make a positive impact on their local and/or global communities.

In addition to being awarded the speakers and workshops, BHMS also received a $500 grant toward a volunteer opportunity, funded by Allstate. Use of that grant will be determined by the student participants in the Me Organization afternoon workshops. Mrs. Veillette started the "Me to We Club" at BHMS five years ago. Through the club, she has done a tremendous job in helping students look outside of themselves to see how they can help the world around them. BHMS is appreciative of her efforts that led to this wonderful opportunity for its students. Thank you, Mrs. Veillette!!!!!

See this week's MYP newsletter from Kathy Janelle, with an overview of the March MYP Learner Profile of being OPEN-MINDED.

NEXT MEETING: The next Music Boosters meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 12, at 11:45 a.m. in the Orchestra room.

BAKERS AND SELLERS DESPERATELY NEEDED: Music Boosters continues to need volunteers for the weekly Wednesday fundraising bake sales, which take place immediately after school in the Gateway Space. Volunteers are needed to donate baked goods and/or run sales. PLEASE REMEMBER that products must not contain or be cooked with nuts or nut products. Baked items can be dropped off in the main office anytime before 2:45 p.m. Sign up to donate baked goods and/or work at a sale by clicking HERE. Thank you for supporting the BHMS Music Boosters!

Upcoming PTO meetings (assuming no more snow days!): The next PTO meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 27, at 9:30 a.m. in the BHMS Media Center. That meeting will feature BHHS Principal Charlie Hollerith and International Academy IB Coordinator, Sarah Fairman. They will discuss high school curriculum tracks, including the IB program at the high school, as well as the International Academy. Meetings for the remainder of the year will be as follows: Wednesday, April 10 at 9:30 a.m., on the topic of middle school math curriculum; Wednesday, May 1 at 9:30 a.m. on the topic of ELA (English and Language Arts) curriculum; and Wednesday, June 6 at 9:30 a.m. featuring the district's Social and Emotional Learning Director Margaret Schultz, who will discuss the district's ongoing efforts to improve equity and inclusion.

Students who will be missing school for three or more consecutive, preplanned days must complete an EXTENDED LEAVE FORM. The form must be filled out and signed by a parent/guardian, then the students should have all A and B day teachers, including elective teachers, sign the form. The completed, signed form should be turned in to Mrs. Foronato in the BHMS office two weeks prior to the planned absence. Click HERE to download the required form.

This extended leave policy, as well as reference guide of other attendance policies - including what to do if you are going out of town and leaving your student in someone else's care - can be found by clicking HERE.

The Be the Change Club dedicates part of one of their meetings each month to sorting through the large volume of items that end up in the BHMS lost and found. Unmarked items, which make up the majority, are bagged and donated to a charity like Purple Heart or Salvation Army. Items marked with a name are returned to the owner. Please encourage your student to search for any missing items including jackets, hats, boots, lunch boxes, etc. in the lost and found. Even better, encourage them to mark their name on all of their items. The donation dates for the remainder of the year are April 11, May 23 and June 13. Students will also be reminded of these dates through daily announcements and on signs in the student lounge.

Please scroll down to District News and read the article entitled "New Update for School Lunch Program". Effective January 25, there is a change in the way that online prepayment must be made. If you pay for your student's lunch online, this information is extremely important. This only affects payments made by credit card. Payment by cash and check may be made directly to the school cafeteria or main office.

Please remember that BHMS IS A PEANUT and TREE NUT RESTRICTED BUILDING, 24-HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. There are students in the building who are highly allergic to peanuts and all kinds of tree nuts, and their well-being is of concern. Students, parents/guardians or visitors should not bring items containing peanuts, tree nuts or products derived from nuts of any type into the building. This includes items given to the office staff, to teachers, for classrooms, bake sales, end-of-sports or club parties or any other occasion. Thank you so much for your consideration.

SEE DISTRICT NEWS BELOW

If your child will be 5-years-old by September 1, 2019, it is time to start the enrollment process.

Step 1: Online Pre-Enrollment Form

• This form will take approximately 20-30 minutes to complete.
• Complete this form using a computer (a smartphone or tablet is not recommended).
• Please read the instructions carefully on the introduction page.
• If you have questions or are unclear while completing this form, please send an email to stuservices@bloomfield.org or call 248-341-6390.

Step 2: Enrollment Appointment

• Once you complete the Online Registration, you will be invited to schedule an appointment with Student Services located at 7273 Wing Lake Road.
• This appointment must be attended by a parent or legal guardian.
• At this appointment, please bring the required items ("Documents Required" AND the 4 items needed for "Verification of Residency").
• This appointment will take approximately 15 minutes.
• Ideally, this appointment will take place prior to March 12, 2019.

www.bloomfield.org/kindergarten 

• Football Information for Current 8th Grader - Morning Sessions
• Poms Clinic and Tryouts begin 4/24
• Volleyball Boosters Meeting 3/19

To support PSAT testing on April 9, 2019

Eighth grade students

• There is no change.  On April 9, 2019, please report to school prior to 8:15 a.m.
• Buses will pick up 8th-grade students at the regularly-scheduled time.  
• On the morning of April 9, 8th-grade students will take a standardized test called the PSAT 8/9.  The purpose of the PSAT 8/9 is to establish a starting point in terms of college and career readiness as students transition to high school.  The PSAT will also replace the M-STEP ELA and Math tests.  Students will still take the M-STEP Science and Social Studies subject tests during the M-STEP testing window.
• We recommend that students get a good night of sleep before the test and eat a balanced breakfast the morning of April 9.  
• After the test, 8th-grade students will have a scheduled lunch break before classes begin at 11:45 a.m.  Lunch will be available for purchase in the cafeteria.
• For the afternoon, students will follow the half-day class schedule shared by their middle school.
• School will be dismissed at the normal time of 3:05 p.m. and bus transportation will also follow the normal afternoon schedule.
• Please notify your student's school counselor ASAP if you know your student will not be in school on April 9, 2019.  Make-up testing arrangements will be made.

Middle school students and upper elementary students excluding 8th-Grade: 

• April 9, 2019 is a late start for students who attend BHMS, WHMS, and EHMS who are not in the 8th-grade.  
• Please report to school between 11:35 a.m. and 11:40 a.m. on April 9 and follow the half-day class schedule shared by your school.  Class will start at 11:45 a.m.
• For students who utilize bus transportation, the bus will arrive at the bus stop 3.5 hours later than the regularly scheduled morning pick up time.  Example: if the student's morning pick up time is usually 7:32 a.m.; on April 9, the adjusted pick up time will be 11:02 a.m.
• Lunch will not be served and late-start students will not have a lunch break scheduled on April 9.  Students should eat before arriving to school.  
• School will be dismissed at the normal time of 3:05 p.m. and bus transportation will follow the normal afternoon schedule.

Registration is open for all 3rd graders to 8th graders interested in boys lacrosse. Come join the fastest sport on two feet! Please visit https://www.13milelax.com/spring-lax.html for more information. 

Families are automatically signed up to receive communication from their child's school, teachers, and Bloomfield Hills Schools (Wednesday Web News & Important Notices - including school cancellations). In order to receive emails, telephone calls, and even text messages, all you have to do is maintain your contact information and manage your personal preferences. If you wish not to receive these newsletters, simply "opt-out" when you receive the first newsletter (an option at the bottom of every email we send).

Instructions for updating this information are now available at www.bloomfield.org/notifications. Here you can manage your contact preferences as they pertains to emergency and district notifications.