B. C. BERG MIDDLE SCHOOL

B. C. BERG MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWSLETTER Issue #1 of 5 AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2015 The first day of school will be Monday, August 24. Students may enter the building at 7:35 a.m. on regular school days. Students are to be in their homerooms at 8:05, ready to start their school day. BREAKFAST & LUNCH PRICES Berg Middle School has both breakfast and lunch available for students. Deposits to student meal accounts can be made in the lunch room either before school or at lunch. Depositing money before school works best. Deposits can also be made on-line through the District Web-site. Meal deposits are not taken in the main office. Free or reduced price application forms are available in the office. Breakfast Daily - $1.25 Lunch Daily - $2.60 Extra Milk Daily $.40

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL There will be a meeting from 3:15-3:45 p.m. Wednesday, August 26, for all girls interested in 7th or 8th grade volleyball. The girls will meet in the small gym. Physicals, concussion, eligibility, and emergency contact forms should be turned in at this meeting. Girls participating in volleyball will need to have black shorts. The first practice will be held Monday, August 31. EIGHTH GRADE FOOTBALL If you are planning on playing 8 th grade football you need to contact Coach Archie Ergenbright at home (792-5635) or cell (521-3008) as soon as possible. You can also e-mail him at ergenbrighta@newton.k12.ia.us. He has an important packet for you and your parents. Equipment will be passed out on Monday, August 3 and Tuesday, August 4 at Berg Middle School Gym from 11 am to 2 pm. Any questions please contact Coach Ergenbright. SEVENTH GRADE FOOTBALL Incoming 7 th Grade Football Players Information 2015 Defensive Backs Camp (incoming 7-12 graders) July 20-23 from 7 9 PM at H.A. Lynn Stadium. Cost = $25 2015 Lineman Camp (incoming 7-12 graders) July 20-23 from 7 9 PM at H.A. Lynn Stadium. Cost = $25 2015 Football Camp (incoming 7-8 graders) August 3-6 from 8-10:30 AM at H.A. Lynn Stadium. Cost = $40. 7th grade football players attending the August 3 6 football camp will be able to check out equipment following camp on Wednesday August 5, and Thursday, August 6 from 10:45 AM to 1:00 PM at Berg Middle

School. Parents/guardians will need to transport players to Berg Middle School (please enter the building using the northwest doors (large gymnasium entry doors)). The first official 7 th grade football practice will be Monday, August 24 (1 st day of school). All players interesting in playing 7 th grade football should meet in the cafeteria at 3:15 on August 24. Players need to wear football shoes and appropriate athletic wear for practices. Practice will end at 5:15. Parents/guardians need to make arrangements to pick up players at the northwest entry doors at 5:15. The 7 th grade football season occurs from August 24 to October 13 with daily practices from 3:15 to 5:15 and 6 game dates (September 15, 22, 29, October 1, 6, and 13). Prior to the first day of school, please make sure your student/athlete has the following four forms completed and on file with the guidance office to be eligible to participate in practices/games: 1. Physical Examination Form (ideally turned in at registration) (Note: physicians are extremely busy in the summer with physicals, so make arrangements as early as possible this summer to complete the physical prior to Monday, August 24) 2. 2015-16 Newton Community School Eligibility Statement (read, sign, and turn in at registration) 3. Health and Injury Information Card and Consent for Medical Treatment Form (read, sign, and turn in at registration) 4. HEADS UP: Concussion in High School Sports (read, sign, and turn in at registration) You may pick up and/or return forms at the Berg Middle School front office Monday thru Friday, August 3 to August 21 from 7:30 AM to 3:45 PM or wait until the middle school registration date. Your local physician will be able to provide you with the physical form. CROSS COUNTRY The first meeting of the 7th and 8th grade girls and boys cross country team will be from 3:10-3:40 on Thursday, August 20 in the LMC. The first practice will be from 3:10-4:45 on Monday, August 24 (first day of school). ATHLETIC PHYSICALS Students who will be participating in volleyball, football, or cross country this fall should have their physical examinations completed by August 17. School physical forms are available from most Newton doctors or may be picked up at the school office. In addition to the physical form, a concussion form, eligibility form & emergency contact form need to be turned in before players can practice. If possible, please turn the physicals in during school registration.

TRAFFIC SAFETY BY MAIN ENTRANCE A couple of years ago we added a second drive route at Berg. Middle school students should be dropped off using the eastern drive by the walkway near the school and walk up to the front entrance. The western drive is for elementary drop off and pick up. Parents dropping off both middle school and elementary school students may use either drive. Drop off middle school students Drop off elementary students Parking Lot P P P Elementary School parents are asked to enter the drive from the west and exit to the west. Middle School parents are asked to enter from the east and exit to the south or back to the east.

BALLOONS AND FLOWERS Again this year we would ask that any balloons and/or flowers for students be delivered to their homes and not to school. All Students STUDENT SUPPLIES FOR BMS Two 3-ring binders (1-2 inch) Notebook dividers (at least 8) 200 sheets loose leaf notebook paper-wide lined 2 folders Black or blue pens Red pen Several No. 2 pencils highlighter 3-4 boxes of tissues for homeroom Headphones Dry erase markers and eraser Additionally PE: After the first couple of days of school students will need to bring PE clothes with them. Names must be on gym clothes. You will need shorts (preferably black), t-shirt (preferably white or red), gym shoes, and white socks Spanish 8th Explo: required course; 50 index cards with rubber band

INTERNET POLICY Many of our computers have internet access available. Students will only be able to use the internet from school if they have permission from a teacher and have a signed permission form from their parents. More information on Internet use will be found in the student handbook. OPEN HOUSE Our fall open house is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, August 20. Parents are encouraged to attend and meet the teachers. LOCKERS/SEARCHES The staff at BMS works hard to maintain a safe school environment. All lockers are the property of Newton Community Schools. The BMS administration, or designee, has the right to open any locker in the event of an emergency, if there is believed to be a serious violation of school board policy, or for the purpose of safety, health, and welfare of the middle school students and staff. School district authorities may, without a search warrant, search students, student lockers, personal effects, desks, work areas or student vehicles based on a reasonable and articulated suspicion that a school district policy, rule, regulation or law has been broken. For further information refer to Board Policy 502.7. YEARBOOKS Yearbooks may now be ordered for the school year 2015-2016. These may be purchased at registration, through payschools@newton.k12.ia.us or for a week in January (students need to listen for dates through morning announcements). The cost for a yearbook will be $16.

STUDENT DRESS Clothing which interferes with the learning environment of the school will not be allowed. Examples of clothing which are not appropriate for school include pajama pants, short shorts, halter, strapless, spaghetti strap, or backless tops, and bare midriff designs. Clothing which reveals a student's underwear (briefs or bras) and cleavage is inappropriate. Clothing must not display advertising, messages, or symbols that are offensive to others because of the message or its placement. Clothing advertising alcohol or tobacco products is not appropriate and will not be allowed. Heavy chains worn as decoration or attached to belt loops/billfolds will not be allowed. Any clothing that depicts violence, has messages using double meaning, or any clothing sexist in nature, will not be allowed. While the primary responsibility for appearance rests with the students and their parents, the administration reserves the right to judge what is proper and what is not. A student who wears an inappropriate article of clothing is given a "replacement" from a supply of clothing in the office, or is allowed to call home and have parents bring a replacement. PAID BUS TRANSPORTATION Registration for pay transportation for the 2015-2016 school year will be July 20- July 31. Hours will be from 7:30-noon and 1-3:30. Contact Curt Roorda at 792-4493 for further information. STUDENT INFORMATION ON THE WEB This past couple years the Newton Community School District has been using a new student data management system for attendance and grades. Again this fall parents will be able to access their student s basic data through the district website. Information about using Infinite Campus Parent Portal is available at the Berg Middle School Office.

HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT The Newton community School District offers a comprehensive K-12 health curriculum as required by law. Below are listed the main areas where the health curriculum is presented to students at BMS. 7 th Health & 8 th Health As is true with the health curriculum at any level in Newton schools parents may excuse their child from health instruction or a part of it. Please just write a note to the principal with that request. NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND LEGISLATION The recent federal legislation called No Child Left Behind has many requirements and practices that are required of local school districts. A part of this legislation states that parents have the right to know the qualifications of their child s teachers. To comply with this right to know, NCSD makes the following statement. As Parents/Guardians in the Newton Community School District, you have the right to information regarding your child s teacher s qualifications, state licensure status, special endorsements for grade level/subject areas taught, and baccalaureate/graduate certification/degree. Parents/Guardians may request this information from the Office of Human Resources by calling 792-5809 or by sending a letter of request to NCSD Office of Human Resources. CELL PHONES Cell phones may be brought to school, however, student use of cell phones in the building during school hours for voice or text communication is prohibited except during their lunch. If cell phones are carried with students they must be turned off while in the building. Students who abuse the use of picture phones may face appropriate criminal charges.

CARDINAL CLOTHING COMPANY The Cardinal Clothing Company located at Berg Middle School offers a unique opportunity for students to acquire quality, name-brand, gently used clothing, shoes, and accessories at no cost. Preteen, teen and adult sizes are available for both boys and girls. Please call the school in advance to schedule an appointment if you d like to see if there s something for you. Donations are always welcome. You may donate your clean new or gently used clothing or accessories by bringing them to Berg Middle School. Call 792-7741, ext. 1217 (Mrs. Rodewald) for information. Officers for the 2015-2016 school year are: Leslie Nehring President Marci Clark Vice President Lynn Gifford Treasurer Bev Pierce Secretary/Concessions PTSA The PTSA will be sponsoring a Welcome Back Pool Party at Maytag Pool on Thursday, August 20 from 7:30-9:30 p.m.. The pool party is for incoming 7 th & 8 th grade students only. Chaperones will be on site. It is the policy of the Newton Community Schools not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, marital status, religion, national origin, sex, age, or disability in its educational programs, activities, or employment practices.