Bryan Middle School
Week of 3/15/2021
Weekly Schedule
- Grades are due
March 16 - A Day
March 17 - B Day
March 18 - A Day
March 19 - B Day
3/19/2021
2021-22 Bell Schedule: For the 2021-22 school year, we are required to stay on block scheduling, however, we can make Cubs (advisory) as a stand alone class. During this school year, we offered Cubs as part of 3rd period and then part of 4th period. We have explored the idea of putting Cubs between 1st and 2nd period next year.
7th
1 7:40-9:13 (93)
Cubs - 9:17-9:37 (30)
2 9:41-11:11 (90)
3 (lunch) 11:15-1:22 (97+30)
1. 11:15-11:45
2. 11:49-12:19
3. 12:23-12:53
4. 12:57-1:27
4 1:26-3:05 (99)1:31-3:05 (94)
8th
1 7:40-9:18 (98)
Adv 9:22-9:42 (30)
2 9:46-11:16 (90)
3 11:20-1:27 (97+30)
1. 11:15-11:45
2. 11:49-12:19
3. 12:23-12:53
4 12:57-1:27
4. 1:31-3:05 (94)
Please email Dr. Williams and Mr. Karmazin any feedback on this proposed class schedule.
From Woodworth
Mindy was a math teacher here at Bryan Middle School for 18 years. She was loved by many staff and students at Bryan Middle School. She is missed dearly. ❤️
Next week we will be taking donations for her scholarship fund for a future teacher.
If you would like to participate and wear jeans next week and wellness on Wednesday it is a $10.00 donation. Please make this donation to Mrs. Suhr. She also has ribbons for you to wear as well. If you do not want to wear jeans and just donate you can do that also.
One of Mindy’s favorite colors was lime green, nice and bright. Please wear green if you have some in honor of Mindy on Thursday March 25, 2021. We have taken a picture each year for the scholarship and it would be great if we could this year after school / bus duty about 3:20 by the front office on Thursday!
Any questions please don't hesitate to ask.
3/18/2021
March 22: March 22 is scheduled as a department meeting day. During this time, we will have a meeting to review information from the district special education department related to alternatives to suspension. In addition, we will cover our office discipline referrals vs classroom managed behavior and the process for BMS referrals. The district PowerPoint is required of all teachers. Those not in attendance will be required to make up this meeting.
Next Level Learning (Summer School): I did email all of our current 7th graders the link to sign up for Next Level Learning (summer school). If they have questions, feel free to direct them to me. The link for the sign up is here and does have a lot of the answers to their questions.
3/17/2021
3/16/2021
The open road is calling…will you answer the call?
It’s not too late to sign up for the virtual fitness challenge, Route 66! You can travel solo or with a 6-driver team. Cruise the route and feel great by completing individual health and fitness guidelines. Research has shown that even small changes toward better fitness can result in big improvements for your overall health and wellness.
Just for signing up you’ll receive a challenge t-shirt to get you excited about the journey ahead!
If you complete the program requirements — documenting your progress for at least 20 days during the challenge — you’ll be entered into a drawing for one of 600 $25 VISA gift cards.
Join the fun and register for the challenge today, at www.ehawellness.org by the April 2nd deadline and don’t forget to select your T-shirt style/size. Team Registration can be completed at: www.ehawellness.org/66.
Forget your EHA Wellness Code? Go to www.ehawellness.org/code.
3/15/2021
Conference Jean Days: Thank you for everyone's dedication to parent teacher conferences at the end of February! We finished conferences with 43% attendance, but that does not tell the entire story. On the conference sheet, it is very clear that a much higher percentage of parents were reached out to by all of you! This effort is appreciated. Due to this, we will have the following:
Tuesday, March 16 - Jeans day for all staff
Wednesday, March 17 - Wellness Wednesday for all staff
- If you were over 60% in conference attendance, you get a free jean's day to use at your leisure. Just email me that you are taking a jean's day for your conference participation.
- If you attempted to contact over 75% of your families (even if you did not get all of them), you get a free jean's day to use at your leisure. Just email me that you are taking a jean's day for your conference contact attempts.
- Yes you can have two jeans days, one for each of the above.
Severe Weather One drill in the second semester. Due to the inability to social distance in our shelters, these are not to be completed for the entire school population during the same drill. Allowing staged, designated times for all students to have the opportunity to be shown where the storm shelters are located will suffice for your Severe Weather Drill. Communicate to your students that in the case of a Severe Weather Siren, social distancing may not be able to accommodate to large numbers.
Updating iPad Operating System:
We want to encourage staff as well as students to update their iPad operating system on a consistent basis to maximize performance. The district does not force the iPads to update the operating system as it will force the iPad to restart and could impact learning time. When students return from spring break, it may be a great time to work with students to ensure they are updated.
Next Level Learning
STEM Next Level Learning (summer school) Options
Hello everyone,
As individuals consider applying to teach this summer, we have received some questions regarding the Next Level Learning curriculum. Final details are still taking shape, but we wanted to provide an overview of the curriculum and planning support to help inform your decision (and hopefully encourage you to apply: https://omaha.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=8906).
This year, we will have a STEM Enrichment course. The STEM Enrichment course will be engaging student activities supported by STEM equipment, supplies, and curriculum on topics such as becoming inventors, entrepreneurs, and creative thinkers as well as coding, engineering, cybersecurity, digital animation, artificial intelligence, robotics, augmented reality/virtual reality and drones. The teacher does not need to be an expert in any of these areas, but rather be open to learning along with the students while facilitating activities and discussions. With the supports provided, the course can be taught by all teachers. Below is a list of important dates, key curriculum components, and teacher preparation supports.
Important Dates:
- Welcome Camp: June 2-4
- Session 1: June 7 - July 1
- Session 2: July 6 - July 23
Curriculum:
- 90-minute STEM Block
- Planning Resources: Curriculum, teacher's guides, and training sessions in May
Teacher Preparation:
- 2 hours of content area PD provided by vendors
- 1 day of planning time per session
- 30 minutes of plan time per day
- Ongoing support through collaborative community on Teams and vendor support
If you have any questions, particularly related to curriculum, please don't hesitate to contact me. Again, plans are evolving daily, but we are excited to see the details coming together for what we hope is an extraordinary and engaging learning experience for students AND teachers.
EL Summer Teaching Opportunities
Hello, EL Teachers!
As individuals consider applying to teach this summer, we have received some questions regarding the Next Level Learning curriculum. Final details are still taking shape, but we wanted to provide an overview of the curriculum and planning support to help inform your decision (and hopefully encourage you to apply).
This year, ELs will participate in ESL A or ESL B OR the grade-level hybrid ELA and reading block to provide a differentiated curriculum for all students. (Cari Taylor will support student scheduling of ESL vs. ELA block based on EL student proficiency levels.). ELs will participate in Math, STEM and Enrichment courses with their peers based on school offerings.
Middle School EL teachers will be needed to teach the ESL courses and provide in-class supports for content area summer courses. Schedule and teaching assignments will vary by school and be determined based on EL student enrollment and their proficiency levels.
Below is a list of important dates, key curriculum components, and teacher preparation supports.
MIDDLE SCHOOL Important Dates: Teacher Preparation:
Other EL Next Level Learning Summer teaching opportunities include:
ELEMENTARY:
EL supports at the elementary level will be provided through layering EL teachers and/or paraprofessionals into classrooms by providing in-class supports and pull-aside focused language lessons. EL teachers can apply and indicate their interest in supporting EL students. Teachers should have their ESL Endorsement. MIDDLE SCHOOL: EL Teachers/Paras support Math and/or STEM block in addition to teaching ESL Summer Enrichment block Migrant funded teachers and paras layered into classrooms to support ELA/Math Teachers should have their ESL Endorsement.
HIGH SCHOOL:
High School accrual for ELs will be offered in the AM session include the following courses during Term 1: ESL Summer Enrichment 1-2, Math Essentials 1, Economics, Geography, Personal Finance, English 3.
Teachers for these accrual courses should be certified for the content area and have an ESL Endorsement. Teachers of English 3-4 and Math Essentials 1-2 will provide additional tutoring as part of the AM session.
High School accrual for ELs will be offered in the AM session include the following courses during Term 2:
Math Essentials 2, English 4
If you have any questions, please reach out. Again, plans are evolving daily, but we are excited to see the details coming together for what we hope is an extraordinary and engaging learning experience for students AND teachers.
Jaimie & EL Team
ELA Next Level Learning Information
Hello, middle school ELA and reading teachers!
As individuals consider applying to teach this summer, we have received some questions regarding the Next Level Learning curriculum. Final details are still taking shape, but we wanted to provide an overview of the curriculum and planning support to help inform your decision (and hopefully encourage you to apply).
This year, we are creating a hybrid ELA and reading block to provide a differentiated curriculum for all students. Below is a list of important dates, key curriculum components, and teacher preparation supports.
Important Dates:
- Welcome Camp: June 2-4
- Session 1: June 7 - July 1
- Session 2: July 6 - July 23
Curriculum:
- 90-minute ELA Block
- Planning Resources: Session At-A-Glance, Pacing Guide, & Lesson Calendar
- Core Resources: Read 180 REACH Workshops, Read 180/System 44 application, & Step Up to Writing
- Session 1 - Workshop Topic: Food for Thought | Step Up to Writing Focus: Argumentative Writing
- Session 2 - Workshop Topic: Tell Us Your Story | Step Up to Writing Focus: Narrative Writing
- Lesson Framework:
- Whole Group Reading Lesson
- Student Application
- Independent Reading
- Writing Workshop
Teacher Preparation:
- 4 hours of content area PD provided by Shelley, Kristin, & Julie
- 1 day of planning time per session
- 30 minutes of plan time per day
- Ongoing support through collaborative community on Teams
If you have any questions, particularly related to curriculum, please don't hesitate to contact one of us. Again, plans are evolving daily, but we are excited to see the details coming together for what we hope is an extraordinary and engaging learning experience for students AND teachers.
Shelley, Kristin, and Julie
Free Professional Development Workshop
From - the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) here in Omaha. First and foremost, thank you for being a No Place for Hate® school. We are so thankful for all the folks at Bryan Middle School do to make schools inclusive and equitable.
We are hosting an event for educators on 3/25 and we would love for all the folks in your building to attend. This is a completely free event. We have been hosting events like these (formerly called Educator Breakfast) for over 10 years here in Omaha.
This year, as we looked for ways to support our education community through the many challenges and hardships educators continue to face because of the pandemic, we thought a training on resiliency could be a small gift to our education community as our schools continue to navigate new ways of teaching, learning and connecting with students. The training, again is completely free, and the psychologist will address the additional stressors related to COVID and how to utilize evidence-based practices to increase our own resiliency. We hope you will attend and share the resource with your staff!
ADL’s Educator Speaker Series: Building Resiliency
Date: Thursday, March 25, 2021
Time: 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM CT
Registration: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_v9Y8BplzRiyKKyqaFAonog
Building Resiliency
Our first workshop in the 2021 Educators Speaker Series, “Building Resiliency”, will features Dr. Jerry Walker, PhD, ABPP, MSCP who currently works as the Psychology Services Manager for Nebraska Medicine. Our audience will be introduced to evidence-based practices for resiliency and provide an overview of a variety of practical skills for managing stress, bolstering social support, enhancing positive emotionality, attending to physical self-care routines, and identifying and counteracting unhelpful cognitive processes. Educators in attendance will have the opportunity to create a personalized “Resilience Roadmap,” identifying their unique resilience-building skills and strategies over the course of the workshop.
Additionally, the first 100 registered attendees will receive a Recovery and Resiliency kit created by local herbalists from Hiatus. Hiatus Healing Collective
Speaker Bio:
Dr. Jerry Walker, PhD, ABPP, MSCP is a board-certified counseling psychologist who currently works as the Psychology Services Manager for Nebraska Medicine, overseeing the Psychology Department, the Chronic Pain Management Program, primary care behavioral health operations, and regional disaster behavioral health planning. Dr. Walker received his undergraduate training from the University of Texas and his PhD in Counseling Psychology & Human Systems from Florida State University. He then served 8 years as a psychologist in the United States Air Force, holding multiple leadership positions in both clinical and operational psychology. Dr. Walker moved to Nebraska in the Summer of 2019 with his wife and son to be closer to family. In addition to his role at Nebraska Medicine, Dr. Walker also sees patients via telehealth in multiple states, he is active in various committees with the Nebraska Psychological Association, and he recently completed a Postdoctoral Master’s degree in Clinical Psychopharmacology.
2021 Nebraska student-centered assessment for remote learners
This was sent to our remote learners about NSCAS testing
Dear Families of Remote Learners,
We hope this message finds you well. We are preparing to offer the NSCAS test for all students in grades 7th and 8th. It is our goal to provide every student the opportunity to participate in these state assessments with health and safety at the forefront.
Enhanced cleaning measures, regular disinfecting of high-touch surfaces, frequent handwashing and hand sanitizer use, social distancing measures when possible, limiting transitions, adapting meal procedures and the use of district-provided face coverings are all part of our comprehensive effort to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Our NSCAS testing plan for remote learning students is to have a limited number of masked learners test in the cafeteria. Students will be socially distanced during testing. The 7th grade tests will take approximately 2 hours to complete. The 8th grade tests will take approximately three hours to complete. Please sign up for your testing date and time.
Students should bring their iPads and headphones.
- March 31 – 8 AM to 10 AM (7th Grade only)
- April 5 – 7:45 to 10:45 AM (8th Grade only)
- April 7 – 8 AM to 10 AM (7th Grade only)
- April 9 – 7:45 to 10:45 AM (8th Grade only)
- April 13 – 8 AM to 10 AM (7th Grade only)
- April 15 – 8 AM to 10 AM (7th Grade only)
- None of the above times work, please contact me to arrange a time.
Remote learning families, please click here and complete a survey on your intentions for the NSCAS assessment.
We understand that, for different reasons, families have decided that remote learning is best for their student during this time. The Nebraska Department of Education has determined that all students should receive an invitation to participate, however these yearly assessments cannot be offered remotely.
If you have any questions or would like additional information about the steps we have taken for remote learners who wish to take the NSCAS assessment on-site, please contact Jessica Korth at 531-299-6841
Thank you,
Andrew Karmazin
Principal
Bryan Middle School
LUNCH INFORMATION
Lunch schedule times: As you are working on your lunch seating charts, start with two students at the ends of the table. If you fill your tables, you will utilize the middle seat at each table. This includes the Boys and Girls Club. Most students have their masks off for 10 minutes or less, so we should be fine from a COVID stand point.
4th Quarter Lunch Seating chart: Please look over this sheet. If you see any mistakes, please share. The time spots should be set, so please look for your new spot. Please communicate changes with your 3rd lunch this week. Changes go into effect on March 15.
Summer School Information for current 6th graders and 7th Graders (email to parents)
Good afternoon current and future Bryan Middle School Bears,
We have an exciting opportunity for you this summer at Bryan Middle School called Next Level Learning! The Bryan Middle School Next level learning offers a variety of learning opportunities for 6th graders that will enroll at Bryan Middle School for the 2021-22 school year and for our current 7th graders. Registration is taking place from now until April 9, 2021. We have lots of ways to attend this Next Level Learning Opportunity. Click here to sign up. Look at the Next Level Learning One-Pager_Middle School .pdf for more information.
As you look to sign up, know you can control how you register. You have the following options:
- Welcome camp: 8 AM to 3 PM on June 2 to 4.
- Next Level Learning June Session: June 7 to July 1
- Next Level Learning July Session: July 6 to 23
You can sign up for one, two, or all three!
When registering for the session, you can register for:
- all day, 8 AM to 3 PM.
- AM Session Only: 8 AM to 11 AM
- PM Session Only: 12 PM to 3 PM
Lunch will be provided between 11 AM and 12 PM.
Transportation will be provided for eligible students at the beginning of the day and at the conclusion of the day. If a student chooses to participate in an AM or PM session only, the parent/guardian will need to provide midday transportation.
Please email me with question.
Thank you,
Andrew Karmazin
Principal
Bryan Middle School
NSCAS Assessment (From Korth on 2/25)
Hi everyone! This year the NSCAS assessment is not a summative assessment as in years past. It is a Phase 1 Pilot with the Science Field Test.
- ELA and Math assessments are transitional and designed to help NE prepare for an improved approach to assessing grade-level performance.
- The assessments are shorter to preserve instructional time this year.
- Tests will support research being done related to the impact of COVID and identify unfinished learning that may exist.
- The science test is a field test for the new standards.
- There will be no public reporting of student results for this year. Students will not receive scores.
- Remote students will be invited to participate in testing at the building, however, not required.
I have attached the draft schedule to this email. We will be testing within ELA, math, and science classrooms! The bell schedule will not be adjusted. Below is the number of questions and estimated time to take the assessment. I will reach out with additional information for staff testing soon. If you have any questions, please let me know! Take care, YOU MATTER!
March Birthdays
We wish you a fantastic birthday and year ahead!
March 6th - Vicky Porter
March 14th - Ashlee Clements
March 22nd - Nancy Kimble
March 29th - Danny Parmentier
March 30th - Matt Collins
March 31st - Marie Cusic
Covid Self Assessment Information
Below are the updated self-assessment questions for both staff and students:
1.Have you or anyone in your household tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 14 days?
2. Are you awaiting a Covid-19 test result, following symptoms or a direct exposure to
someone who tested positive?
3. Have you had a fever of 100.4 or greater, a new cough, new onset of shortness of
breath, new loss of taste or smell in the last 24 hours?
If you answer "yes" to any of these questions, you will be expected to stay home.
Important Documents
Getting Reading for In Person Learning PowerPoint
Map of Cafeteria and Lunch Seating Chart Document (Download, print, and turn in)
3/2 Family Plan with A/B Block Schedule
Preparing for a responsible return checklist
Paper On Call Sheet (You can either utilize this OR the ODR group. Administration will type in the referral.)
Sending a student to the office (steps)
PDIY - PD IT YOURSELF
The purpose of the 1-5-15 is to offer quick notes on relevant educational topics. My sincere hope is that whether you have 1, 5, or 15 minutes that this bulletin and the content within it will have an impact on you and your classroom. Furthermore, I hope that the topics shared spur further conversation with your scholars and colleagues.
1 minute: Reflect on this
5 Minute:
15 Minute: Moving Learning Outside
Family Newsletter:
3/5: https://www.smore.com/a0mpn
2/26: https://www.smore.com/7ys3q
2/19: https://www.smore.com/webmt
2/12: https://www.smore.com/7015y
2/5:
1/29: https://www.smore.com/16594
1/22: https://www.smore.com/134hu
1/15: https://www.smore.com/bzn90
1/8: https://www.smore.com/bzn90
1/3: https://www.smore.com/hcrd5
12/12: https://www.smore.com/9hp7v
12/5: https://www.smore.com/430s9
11/20: https://www.smore.com/dc3mv
11/13:https://www.smore.com/h3rwz
11/6: https://www.smore.com/8aezx
10/30: https://www.smore.com/rk6nj
10/23: https://www.smore.com/n1h8c
10/9: https://www.smore.com/f6x0b
Previous Weekly S'Mores
Week of February 22: https://www.smore.com/hnegb
Week of February 15 :https://www.smore.com/fm87x
Week of February 8: https://www.smore.com/nrzc1
Week of February 1: https://www.smore.com/mk04h
Week of January 25: https://www.smore.com/z20rt
Week of January 18: https://www.smore.com/4hda9
Week of January 11: https://www.smore.com/ry57e
Week of January 4: https://www.smore.com/fdsu1
Winter Break: https://www.smore.com/tkmy4
Week of December 7: https://www.smore.com/xg2pb
Week of November 30: https://www.smore.com/qzv5c
Week of November 23: https://www.smore.com/9qh6j
Week of November 16: https://www.smore.com/h6qwm
Week of November 9: https://www.smore.com/sdrqc
Week of November 2: https://www.smore.com/d586u
Week of October 26: https://www.smore.com/udah1
Week of October 19: https://www.smore.com/ngmfh
Week of October 12: https://www.smore.com/sxnwd
Week of October 5: https://www.smore.com/43bvx
Week of September 28: https://www.smore.com/76rj2
Week of September 21: https://www.smore.com/gne4h
General Reminders
Parent Contact Log: As you are contacting parents, make sure you are adding these to the parent contact log in infinite campus.