BMS Principal's Message - Patrick Perkins

BMS Newsletter

Principal’s Message

May 2008

It is incredible to think that there are only about six weeks left to the school year!  Although the end of the year is in sight, there is still much to be accomplished before the last day. During this time, in addition to regularly scheduled classes, students in all grades will complete the final portion of MCAS testing for this year. Other activities include our Memorial Day Assembly, Field Day, and our annual cookout.  At the end of this month, our eighth grade class will travel to Washington D.C., a tradition that has lasted more than thirty years. On June 18th we will honor the accomplishments of our eighth grade class at Recognition Night.  This is also the time of year that much planning for the 2008-09 school year happens.  Although this will be the last newsletter for this year, September will be here before you know it and I will be writing to you once again. 

MCAS Test Schedule

For your convenience, I have included our testing schedule for the final portion of MCAS.  I respectfully request that parents make every effort to ensure that their children are in attendance during the scheduled testing periods.

Eighth Grade Recognition Night

With just over a month of school left, it is a very exciting time for everyone, but especially for our eighth grade students who are headed to high school in the fall.  In keeping with a long standing tradition, we have planned a special evening for our eighth grade students and their parents.

Recognition Night will be held on Wednesday, June 18th, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Mary Rowlandson Auditorium.  Following the ceremony, the eighth grade students are invited to attend a dance in the Mary Rowlandson cafeteria.  Please note that this dance is strictly for eighth grade students currently attending our school and who have passed for the year.  The dance is the school’s gift to the students, and therefore there is no charge. Parents are asked to be at school promptly at 9:30 p.m. to pick up their children.

Students must be in school on Wednesday, June 18th in order to attend the ceremony and dance. For students to be eligible to participate in the ceremony and attend the dance, all school materials, such as textbooks or library books, must be returned or paid for if damaged or lost. Any other financial obligations, such as athletic user fees, cafeteria money, etc., must also be paid by that time. 

The ceremony and dance are special events designed to celebrate the culmination of your child’s middle school education.  In keeping with this tradition, appropriate dress is required to attend these events.  Sneakers, shorts, jeans, t-shirts, hats and tank tops are not allowed. We expect that girls wear a skirt, dress pants and a blouse, or a dress. We expect boys to wear dress pants, a collared shirt and shoes. 

Parents Satisfaction Survey

I would like to invite parents to complete our on-line 2008 Parent Satisfaction Survey developed by our school council.  The data collected will help to determine the focus of work that will be outlined in our School Improvement Plan for the future. The survey will be open from May 5th through May 31st  and can be accessed from our school website at http://burbank.nrsd.net/.  If you are unable to access the internet from home, a computer will be made available for you in our school office.  Printed copies of this survey will also be made available to anyone who requests this option.   Be sure to look for the chance to win a Rota-Spring Farm gift certificate at the end of the survey.

On Friday, May 23rd middle school students will attend our annual Memorial Day assembly at 8:45a.m. in the Mary Rowlandson Auditorium.  The purpose of this assembly is to recognize and remember those that have given so much to keep us free. 

Please look for Mr. Gilbert who will once again lead the middle school band in the town’s annual Memorial Day parade held on May 26th.

Progress reports for our final trimester will be issued on Monday, May 5th.  These reports will provide parents with a grade average and a summary report describing every assignment issued for all core subject courses.  Please contact teachers directly with any questions you may have regarding these reports.

Barring any unexpected school cancellations between now and the end of the year, the last day of school will be Thursday, June 19th.   Students will be dismissed from school at 10:40 am.  In closing, I would like to thank students, staff and parents for their continued support throughout this school year.   I wish all families a safe and relaxing summer vacation.


Patrick G. Perkins