Broughal Middle School Weekly Update
Sunday, April 28, 2024, 2024 to Sunday, May 5, 2024
- Sports 24-25 Physical Information – BASD is taking the sports physicals process ONLINE!
- Vaccinations
- Hello, parents of Broughal Middle School’s rising 6th graders! By now you should have received paperwork from the school nurses regarding the mandatory vaccines for 7th graders. Now is the time to make sure your student has the necessary immunizations before the start of school in August or they will not be able to attend.
- If you do not have insurance, or have Medicaid, you may be eligible to have your child vaccinated at school before the end of this year. You can contact the school nurse at (Insert school number because I forgot) and they will send a consent form home with the student. The deadline to return these forms is May 13th. For questions, please call 610-866-5041 and hit #2 for the nurse.
- This week we continue PSSA testing!
- Friday was the deadline for opt-outs for the 2024 PSSA tests. All students are expected to test in 2024.
- Please ensure your children are to school on time (7:45 – 8:05 am)
- Please ensure they bring their laptop fully charged every day.
- Please ask them to do their best!
- District Survey – Cell Phones
- Please view the following presentation about Cell Phones. We need your opinion about the future use of cell phones.
- The QR code will give you the survey to complete.
- Important Upcoming Dates:
- Mon 4/29 – High School Principal Circles with 8th grade during Social Studies Class
- Weds 5/1 – Spring Music Concert 7:00 pm @ BMS
- Fri 5/3 – ME240 Race Day PM
- Mon 5/6 – PSSA Pep Rally 2pm
- Tues 5/21 – 6th Grade Iron Pigs Game
- Thurs 5/30- 8th Grade Track & Field Meet @ LHS
- Mon 6/3 – Diversity Day @ Broughal Middle School
- Tues 6/4- 8th Grade Farewell Dance @ Lehigh University’s Mountaintop Campus 6:00 p.m.
- Thurs 6/6- 8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony in Broughal Gymnasium- 9:00- 11:00 a.m. (Families of 8th Grade Students only are welcome to attend)
*Weekly Schedule & Highlights*
Stay Connected with Broughal Middle School on the Official Broughal Social Media Accounts!
Facebook – @BroughalMiddleSchool
Twitter (X) – @BASDBroughalMS
Instagram – @basdbroughalms
| Day | Date | Cycle Day | Notes |
| Monday | 4/29 | Day 1 |
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| Tuesday | 4/30 | Day 2 |
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| Wednesday | 5/1 | Day 3 |
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| Thursday | 5/2 | Day 4 |
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| Friday | 5/3 | Day 5 |
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*District-wide Announcements*
BASD eNews:
In this edition of the BASD eNews, we shine a spotlight on a student from James Buchanan Elementary School, recognize a dedicated staff member from Governor Wolf Elementary School, and celebrate a Liberty High School graduate from the Class of 1982. Stay informed with updates from our featured departments. CLICK HERE for the BASD eNews.
Explore upcoming various events, summer camps, and activities within the #BASDcommunity section. For direct access to this section, FOLLOW THIS LINK to the #BASDcommunity Events Section.
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The Bethlehem Educational Scholastic Trust (B.E.S.T.) Fund was established with the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation more than two decades ago by a group of Bethlehem civic & business leaders who believe that the work of teachers is so critical to the community – as well as to the students – that outstanding teachers require special recognition.
Since 2000, B.E.S.T. Awards reward excellence in teaching at the K-12 levels in the Bethlehem Area School District (BASD). All recipients of the B.E.S.T. Awards receive a certificate, a monetary award, and are recognized at the BASD convocation in August.
Nominations can be submitted in english or spanish by staff, students, parents, community members, etc. Please help spread the word. Nominations are due May 8th.
The online nomination form can be found on The Foundation’s website. Here is the Google Form link
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*School-wide Announcements*
Broughal Title I Information
As the parent/guardian of a child attending a Title I school, you are an important part of the Title I team. Your input is important in the planning and implementation of the parental involvement program and activities in our school. The focus of all Title I programs is to help eligible students meet the same high academic achievement standards expected of all children, regardless of family income level and background.
Also, please visit the Broughal Middle Schools website for information on our Title I services, Parent and Family Engagement Plan, Title I Compact, Parents Right to Know Letter, and teachers at Broughal working toward PA teaching certification (ESSA teacher letters).
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*An article worth reading as a parent in 2024*
Kids, Cell Phones, and School – Jonathan Haidt
- I have always been against students having/using phones during the school day. Jonathan Haidt is a social psychologist and author who has been researching the impact of smartphones on adolescent-age children and the findings are exactly what you thought they were. Please take a look at the article above and watch his recent segment on CBS Saturday Mornings
- Here are a few of his thoughts on what should happen:
- No smartphones before high school. Haidt suggests giving kids flip phones before high school so they can still stay connected for safety purposes.
- No social media before age 16.
- Phone-free schools. Haidt recommends asking school officials for options like lockers for students’ phones.
- More free play and responsibility in the real world.
2023-24 Yearbook Purchases
New this year! You may order your Broughal Yearbook online using a credit card!
*Student Services & Grade Level Contacts*
Contact Members of the Student Services Team by email:
8th Grade Team: Miss Bouhana – Assistant Principal
6th Grade & 7th Grade Team:: Mrs. Cierech – Assistant Principal
Dean of Students – Mrs. Simspon
Student Services Counseling Corner: Click Here!
Attendance Coordinator: Mrs. Vasquez-Tatis Attendance Secretary
Registration Coordinator: Mrs. Vanessa Gonzalez
*Family Center*
Community School Coordinator: Ms. Anais Martinez
Family Development Specialist: Mr. Joseph Swenson
After-School Activities Coordinator: Miss Karla Contreras
Family-Teacher Organization (FTO) – NEW SCHEDULE – We are looking for parents/guardians who are interested in offering parent and family voice within many aspects of our school community. FTO meetings are held monthly on the 3rd Wednesday from 4:30-5:30pm. Snacks and drinks are provided. This next meeting is scheduled for March 20th. Please contact Mr. Swenson with questions – jswenson@basdschools.org
Community School Coordinator
A community school is both a place and a set of partnerships between the school and other community resources. Its integrated focus on academics, health and social services, youth and community development, and community engagement leads to improved student learning, stronger families, and healthier communities.
If in need of resources, or help obtaining resource information, please contact Miss Anais Martinez- amartinez@basdschools.org
Reading Specialists & Math Coach (Room 401) – Coaches’ Family Tip of the week.
Questions about Benchmark and/or Progress Monitoring assessments or overall reading/math progress?
Please contact:
Gina Kutz – Literacy Coach – gkutz@basdschools.org
Christina Diernbach – Math Coach – cdiernbach@basdschools.org
Jen Zelena – Literacy Coach – jzelena@basdschools.org
*CIS Corner*
Communities in Schools: Halina John, Site Coordinator
Email: hjohn@basdschools.org
What is Communities In Schools (CIS)?
The mission of Communities In Schools is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. CIS is partnered with Bethlehem Area School District to provide support services during the school day to meet academic and non-academic needs, such as behavior interventions, attendance awareness, social skill building, academic support, etc.
How to get involved?
CIS accepts students on a referral basis through the guidance or admin team. CIS works closely with each grade level school counselor and Admin to best support students.
*Grade Level News & Info*
6th Grade – No news to report
7th Grade – No News to report
8th Grade – No News to report
Related Arts – No news to report
*Health Services Corner*
Nurse’s Office – Mrs. Uhl & Mrs. Korscienski
Any questions please call 610-866-5041 and hit 2 for the nurse
Attention 6th and 7th grade parents – BASD will not be offering vaccination clinics at the end of the year or for back-to-school for the 24-25 school year. BASD will be strictly adhering to the PA School Health Immunization Law for 2017 which states that students who do not have or provide proof of TDAP, MCV4 vaccines before the 1st day of school, will not be able to start school. Please contact the Nurse’s Office at Broughal or the Bethlehem Area School District Health Services Director – Dr. Kim Zsitek-Brannan (kzsitekbrannan@basdschools.org)
*Technology Corner*
BASD Parent Portals Link (Schoology, Home Access Center, SchoolCafe, etc.)
Parent Guide – How to Navigate Schoology
Tech Tip of The Week:
Visit our Smart Device Management Resource Page for families. This will help set limits/screen time on your child’s smart phone.
Please Subscribe to the Broughal’s YouTube Channel
Please explore a new feature on our school website – Smart Device Management
MUSIC DEPARTMENT
Broughal Music – Interested in getting involved in Broughal Music? Check out our recruitment videos!
Early-Morning Rehearsal Schedule:
Monday 4/29 – Jazz Band
Tuesday 4/30 – ALL ENSEMBLES
Wednesday 5/1 – ALL ENSEMBLES
Thursday 5/2 – NO REHEARSAL
Friday 5/3 – Band & Majorettes
Students should be at the Main Entrance on Morton Street by 7 AM for early-morning rehearsals.
Broughal Music Directors
Instrumental Music: Mr. Stoltz
General Music/Chorus: Miss Putlock
Theatre: Miss Trostle
Band Front: Mrs. Truchan
Helpful Broughal Music Links
Broughal Music Handbook 2023-2024
*Extracurricular Clubs/Activities
Visit our After School Activities page on the school website for a list of current activities! After-School Activities Coordinator: Miss Karla Contreras
Please contact our After-School Activities Coordinator, Miss Karla Contreras and/or Community School Coordinator, Ms. Anais Martinez, for more information on afterschool programs.
*Broughal Rockets Athletics*
Visit the Broughal Athletics webpage on our school website!
Fall Sports 24-25 Physical Information – BASD is taking physicals ONLINE
Check out this FREE 3 on 3 basketball tournament at Sand Island in Bethlehem! Register your team using the QR code on the flyer.
For Girls Interested in playing basketball at Liberty High School
8th Grade Track Meet
Attention 8th graders!! During gym class, we will be working on track and field. Anyone interested in being on the track and field team, please see Mrs. Pfizenmayer or Mr. Saltzgiver.
Girls Basketball – Girls that will be future Liberty Hurricanes are more than welcome to join us this off season. This will begin on Monday 4/29 and will run through the remainder of the school year! From Coach Carnes (jcarnes@basdschools.org)
Thank you!
Mr. Horlick, Principal
Miss Bouhana, Assistant Principal
Mrs. Cierech, Assistant Principal
Mrs. Simpson, Dean of Students