Happy Winter Break!

BJHS hopes everyone has a safe and recharging winter break.  School resumes on 1/4/16.

Here is a picture of the Bronco Brass Quintet playing at Jackman Road Elementary..

Saturdays

Even though it is the weekend, Saturdays are extremely busy at our schools in Bedford.

Last Saturday BJHS had a robotics competition going.  Thank you to Ms. May for organizing all of the fun for the students.

We also were getting ready to deliver the canned goods collected and organized by the student council.  Thank you to the Bedford Lions for all of their hard work with the deliveries.  

Toys!!!!!

    In an effort to raise social awareness, the publication's class at Bedford Junior High School temporarily lowered the price of their yearbooks by seven dollars if student brought in a "gently" used or new toy.  This year, we are very pleased to report that our philanthropic efforts worked as we collected over 200 toys!  Thanks to the students who made a difference. The toys will be distributed by Bedford Goodfellows who have been serving the Bedford Township community since 1954. 

Bedford 360 Day

Last Tuesday BJHS switched up the afternoon by having our 6th graders attend technology classes as part of our "BJHS 360 Day".  Students were able to see demonstration on presentations software, scientific tools, picture editing, coding, and more.  Thank you to all that presented and our kids had a great time.

Veterans' Day

Thank you to all that have served our country in the Armed Forces.  Today BJHS celebrated Veterans' Day with a school wide assembly.  The assembly featured student speakers and student musical performances. Thank you to Senior Airman Derek Duschl for speaking to our student body.

Before the students left for the day, they listened to the traditional playing of taps.  We recorded the playing below.

Thank you to all that have served our country.

Panoramic of the gym. 

8th Grade Choir

8th Grade Orchestra 

Drama Time

Drama class is always a great time to express yourself.  The Mrs. Matlow's students created and put on some puppet shows at the end of the quarter.

Students Interact

Every year our counselor, Mrs. Connolly, runs our Students Interact Program at the YMCA.  During the program, Mrs. Connolly takes 7th graders and goes through team building and good decision making skills.  This program is also an opportunity for the students to interact with different classmates.  Thank you to Mrs. Connolly for organizing and to the YMCA for our partnership. 

Halloween Fun

Thank you Mr. Lopinski and student council for the work that you did at our Halloween Party.  We always have a great time!!!

Be Strong • Play On • Conquer Leukemia

The Bedford Jr. High School PTSA, staff and students are getting in the game to support our 6th grader, Camryn! 

Be Strong • Play On • Conquer Leukemia

CLICK HERE and enter the CONQUER IT WITH CAMRYN gear store!

All proceeds raised through the store's sales will go to Camryn's family, thank you for your support!

Yearbooks

Halloween

Halloween is around the corner.  Please remember that it is a staff work day on Friday 10/29, so no school for students.
We will be having our Halloween Party at 7:00 Thursday night here at the JHS for BJHS students only.  I know Mr. Lopinski has some ghoulish plans.
We also started our annual pumpkin judging contest in the cafe.

Teacher ATLAS Training

This week our teachers have been having a lot of training.  We have had training regarding entering and sharing curriculum with teachers through our ATLAS online site.  Our English teachers have also been having training regarding the new books we have.

Health Class Presentations

I always like seeing the different projects and work of the students.  I was in Ms. Kaufman's Health Class and the students were working on presentations regarding the social and health problems caused by different drugs.  Here are some presentations from some students.

Be True To Your School

We appreciate our parents!  It is always nice to have parents helping and volunteering at school.  Several parents have been helping with landscaping outside.

Our PTSA meetings on the 2nd Tuesday of the month are an excellent opportunity to share ideas and ask questions.  All are welcome and the meeting begins at 7:00 in our downstairs teacher's lounge.

Quiz Bowl Time

Quiz Bowl Tournaments started today during lunch times.  Our students will be playing 4 matches as a team, then we will be taking the top 8 teams per grade in an elimination tournament.  We will also be keeping track of the students that answer the most questions.  Those students will be asked to be on our grade level team that will compete at the Monroe County ISD against other schools in the county.  Thank you to PTSA volunteers Mrs. Ostermyer and Mrs. Reitz for all of the help. 

Last Full Day of Summer:(

What a gorgeous day outside!  The Spanish classes are spending the day enjoying the sun and labeling body parts.  It is always nice to see our classes going outside and enjoying the weather while doing activities. 

Assignment Books

Now that BJHS is a 100% chromebook building, we are using the Google Calendar as our assignment book.  Students will be putting assignments and tests in the calendar to reference.

However, students that are having a difficult time keeping track of assignments will be getting a paper planner for checking in with the staff.

As always, you can check HAC to see grades.  If you are having trouble with HAC or need help with your log-in, contact Mrs. Brieschke at 734.850.6200 or email her at linda.brieschke@mybedford.us. 

Here is a copy of the presentation that teachers went over with students.

BJHS Athletics

BJHS has always enjoyed our many athletic opportunities.  Below is a copy of our sports schedule if you wish to see upcoming events.

Imagination Station

Today our 7th graders had a field trip to the Imagination Station in Toledo.  Thank you to the parents and teachers for watching our students today.  Thank you to the PTA for providing t-shirts and transportation for our students.

Mrs. Benisatto going for a ride during our field-trip today.

Awards Day

Today was our annual awards day.  This is an opportunity for students to be recognized in front of their classmates for achievement in their classes.  Congratulations to all of the recipients.

Supplying Our Future

To Parents of Monroe County children:

“Supplying Our Future” Backpacks for Kids in Monroe County is a group of caring people who are working to make sure every child K-12 has the school supplies necessary to start school.  In this trying economy, we know there are those who need a backpack filled with the necessary supplies for school.   Click here to link for an  application that can be turned in at your school or to The Salvation Army for your child/children for the up-coming school year.  We do not require income information on the application. 

We understand seeking assistance is not always easy, rest assured there are many caring people and agencies working together to help your family during these tough times.  We have distribution events planned throughout the county to make it easier for you to get these needed supplies.  Please check which site will be convenient for you.  We will have food and fun activities planned.  If your family could benefit from this program, please fill out the application and turn it in.  We will have information from many agencies that work with families available.

If you do not need assistance but would like to come to the fun back to school events you are still welcome to come.  If you are able to assist us with donations to this program, we would be happy to accept them. 

If you want further information on this program, you may call The Salvation Army at 734-241-0440.    We are working hard to make a successful start for the upcoming school year. 

Sincerely,

 

Captain Robert C. Whitney                             Michael Smith

Corps Officer                                                  AFL-CIO Community Services Liaison

The Salvation Army                                        United Way of Monroe County

Supplying Our Future Co-Chair                      Supplying Our Future Co-Chair

Cooking Time

The 6th graders are currently studying solar energy.  The project that they had to make was a solar oven.  The good news is that now you can use your child's homework to cook dinner.

Suriname Dancing

Below is Mrs. Vogel's 6th grade class learning how to dance from Raviel Morris, an exchange student from Suriname.  The dance represents the 5 cultures found in Suriname. Looks like the kids had fun.  You can read more about it on Mrs. Vogel's blog (click here).

Pi Day

Happy Pi Day this Saturday.  Math enthusiasts have celebrated Pi Day every March 3rd, 3/14.  However this Saturday is Super Pi Day because we go out an extra 2 digits, 3/14/15.  In order to celebrate, 6th grade math teacher Mrs. Wood challenged her students to memorize as many digits of Pi as they could.  Jared Hallgren memorized 154 digits!  As a "reward" for the student who memorized the most digits, they were allowed to throw a pie at Mrs. Wood.  Good job Jared and thank you Mrs. Wood for being a great sport. 

Welcome Future 6th Graders

I will be visiting the elementary schools over the next few days in order to talk about 6th grade.  Time is flying by!

Postcards were mailed home inviting families to our 5th Grade Open House.  We will be having lunch for dinner at 6:00 in the cafe.  At 6:45 I will be addressing everyone in the gym.  Then students will go on a scavenger hunt in the building.

Click here to see the registration form.

Below is the presentation for the 5th Graders.

7th Grade Focus on 8th Grade Curriculum Information

Below is the presentation that Mrs. Johnson is giving all 7th graders regarding their 8th grade schedule.
Here is a copy of the form that the students will need to turn in by 3/4/15.

The World Would Be A Better Place If...

Last night our PTA Council held the annual Reflections Recognition Ceremony.  The theme was "The World Would Be A Better Place If...".  Students were recognized from our district for their work in literature, photography, visual arts, dance, and film.  Here is a copy of the program with a list of all of the students that were recognized.  Congratulation to all the students that participated and were recognized.  Thank you PTA for organizing the program.  

PTA President Sandy Kraine presenting awards. 

Congratulations to BJHS Reflection Honorees!

6th Grade Focus on 7th Grade Curriculum

Here is a link to the registration form.

Below is the presentation that Mrs. Johnson gave to the students.

Monroe County schools to teach A.L.I.C.E. program to educators

Educators in Monroe County to Receive Active Shooter Response Training

Monroe County schools to teach program to educators

Monroe County Schools in partnership with local police agencies are implementing an active shooter response program. During the 2014-15 school year, trained law enforcement officials and school personnel will provide staff training that is based on current research shown to increase survival rate during an active shooter incident.

This action was precipitated by the dramatic increase in school violence and school shootings across the nation. Law enforcement officials have been working in conjunction with Monroe County School districts to select and implement a response method. The group has adopted the Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate (A.L.I.C.E) program, which provides tactical advantages that teachers and students can use in the event an intruder/shooter enters a school.

An overview of the A.L.I.C.E. approach is:
Alert: Sound an alarm of the situation at hand and call 9-1-1. Information of the situation should be provided by all means possible including the Public Address system. (Ex. Gunman in the cafeteria)
Lockdown: Doors should be locked to provide a time barrier and give students and teachers time to recognize the threat. If they are not in the danger zone they should evacuate as fast as possible.
Inform: If possible, keep teachers, students, and police up to date on the shooters’ location inside the school.
Counter: Interrupt the physical act of shooting. If the shooter walks into a classroom or hall and you have no escape route, start throwing anything and everything you can at him/her to interrupt shooting and accuracy. This is a last resort and is a survival process to stay alive. If multiple people can overpower the shooter after being distracted and hit with items, swarm the shooter and detain him/her.
Evacuate: We want as many people away from the situation as possible. If during the alert stage or any other stage the students are not near the shooter, students should evacuate as quickly as possible.

Monroe County Sheriff Dale Malone is committed to responding uniformly to this type of emergency and to making sure school personnel are equipped with as much information as possible. The A.L.I.C.E response is also endorsed by the Monroe County Association of Chiefs of Police. The superintendents in Monroe County have played a key role to ensure this training is implemented.  Schools are not taking a “fight back” approach, but rather looking for strategies to neutralize harm done to students and staff.

The superintendents believe that educating staff and students will always be our primary focus. The horrendous attacks that have taken place on school grounds around the country have caused us to elevate our safety measures and do whatever we can to maintain a safe and secure educational environment. We appreciate all the support from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and other local law enforcement have invested to make sure that we have a sound safety plan for all Monroe County districts.

For more information regarding A.L.I.C.E., go to the official training site.

If you have any questions, please feel free to speak to our superintendent Mr. Kleinhans, 734.850.6001 or email at mark.kleinhans@mybedford.us.

Stations

Gym class at BJHS is more than throwing out a few balls.  The kids below are going through stations.  This is a great way to get active and work all of those muscles! 

Quiz Bowl

For those interested, the Quiz Bowl can be viewed by going to the following link: http://video.monroeisd.us/quizbowl/.

Great job quiz bowl teams and congratulations to the 8th grade team.