W.E.B. Du Bois Regional Middle School
Week at a Glance, News and Notes
April 4, – April 8, 2022
Note from the Principal:
Another busy week at Du Bois Middle School. We finished up the quarter, and are now onto the fourth and last quarter of the school year. Where did it go? There is a lot going on, with classes, crew and clubs, Project Connection and the Wizard of Oz musical, support groups and lunch hangouts, etc., etc. I love the energy of middle school. The students are growing up before our eyes, from little kids to tweens to full fledged teenagers. Please see below for the announcement on eighth grade graduation. We get to do it in our traditional manner again, celebrating our students fully. Graduation from middle school is an important event, recognizing that our students are ready for the rigors and responsibility of high school, and acknowledging that it is time to have the freedom that comes with growing up. It is hard to see when our kids are eleven years old, in fifth grade, that the independence and focus will come, and it is a joy to watch them on the journey.
Please drop me a note if you have feedback or questions at ben.doren@bhrsd.org.
Have a good weekend!
Ben Doren
Principal
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Monday, April 4
Regular School Day
Tuesday, April 5
Regular School Day
Wednesday, April 6
Half Day of School–Professional Development
Dismissal at 11:25
Thursday, April 7
Regular School Day
Friday, April 8
Regular School Day
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Du Bois Musical
The students of Du Bois proudly present: an all-new adaptation of THE WIZARD OF OZ! On April 8, 9, and 10, come join us in the magical land of Oz through this classic musical that has a fresh and modern twist. You’ll laugh, cry, and sing along! Tickets will be sold at the door with a suggestion donation of $5/student, $10/adult, and $25/family. Doors open 30 minutes before the show. The shows will be on Friday 4/8 at 7 PM, Saturday 4/9 at 7 PM, and Sunday 4/10 at 2 PM. Email any questions or concerns to duboismusical@bhrsd.org. See you there!
Eighth Grade Graduation
We will hold middle school graduation in our traditional way for the first time in two years! It will be on the regular day we usually hold it, the evening before the last day of school. So graduation will be on Wednesday, June 15, at 6:30 pm in the gymnasium. All eighth grade families are invited, as well as our faculty and staff. There will be more information to come later this year, but I wanted you to know so you can plan for the big event!
Thank you: Humanitarian Aid Collection for Ukraine
Thank you to the Du Bois Middle School community for your incredible support and generosity during this week’s Humanitarian Aid Collection. TurnPark Art Space has expressed deep gratitude and wants you to know that your donations will make an immediate, necessary, and life-saving impact in Ukraine.
REMINDERS:
Local Student Mask Access Program
In partnership with the Rural Health Network and with support from a state Rural Vaccine Equity grant, we are working to ensure fair access across our community to current information about COVID-19, as well as the availability of effective masks for those at high risk for severe outcomes from this disease. Below is a brief survey for families in your districts. It asks whether they identify their student, a household member, or nearby loved one as being at high risk for severe COVID outcomes. Those who answer yes are asked if they want to receive tailored masking guidance and/or a supply of free youth-sized KN95 masks. If they do, they may confidentially submit their name and phone number or email address. Our public health nurses would reach out to those families directly within a week or so, and if masks are needed, coordinate distribution via the schools.
Student health and well being
In an effort to promote the health and well being of students in WEB Du Bois Middle School, students will be periodically provided with questionnaires, surveys, and screeners that address issues related to mental health. The information gained will support the school’s ability to provide comprehensive and timely support for your child if they require any assistance. Families can opt-out students from filling out any questionnaire, survey, or screener that they are not interested in taking and you can opt-out your child at any time by contacting the school or by filling out this opt-out form.
En un esfuerzo por promover la salud y el bienestar de los estudiantes en la escuela WEB Du Bois, se les proporcionará periódicamente cuestionarios, encuestas y exámenes que abordan temas relacionados con la salud mental. La información obtenida apoyará la capacidad del distrito para proporcionar un apoyo integral y oportuno a su hijo o hija en caso de que requiera alguna ayuda. Las familias pueden optar por no rellenar cualquier cuestionario, encuesta o cuestionario que no estén interesados en tomar y usted puede optar por su hijo o hija en cualquier momento poniéndose en contacto con la escuela o rellenando este formulario de exclusión.
Pool Testing
We strongly encourage your student’s participation, and anyone can participate in the pool testing regardless of vaccination status. Please use this LINK for more details and to complete the electronic consent form. Each student in your household will require an individual consent. The link defaults to Muddy Brook. Select the drop down for your child’s school — Muddy Brook, Du Bois, or Monument Mountain. The video is available in multiple languages–click the link on the top right to choose the language you want.
Safety and the Pandemic: How to navigate symptoms at home
We are serious about safety here at Du Bois, and appreciate all you do to coach the students on how to keep it safe while here at school and in the community. So far we are in school and able to come every day. Much of that depends on you abiding by our community safety norms–thank you for your help so far and in the future! One way you can do that is to check in with the school nurse, Hilary Bashara, if you are not sure about symptoms and whether to keep your kid home. She can advise on covid protocols, testing and other health questions. When your kid is home sick, please make sure they rest, and we will catch them up on school work when they return: the best cure for being sick is rest, and not worrying about falling behind. For unvaccinated students, if there is a concern about exposure to Covid and the student is symptomless, we are able to support learning during quarantine with materials as the school is directing the student to be home. If a vaccinated student is a close contact they can continue to attend school, while connecting with pediatricians and our health office to ensure the safety of all. If a student, regardless of vaccination status, is positive for Covid we are able to support learning remotely until quarantine is complete and they can safely return.
Long Term Absences
Long term absences are difficult to manage as our curriculum depends on students being present for instruction every day. If you take a student on vacation or on an extended family visit it really interrupts the learning cycle, as we are set up for in-person, community based learning. Please let us know if you are planning a longer absence, as there are Massachusetts rules about extended absences and attendance laws that we have to follow. If a student is out of school for a non-medical reason we will support as best we can when they return. We are not set up to provide learning materials for this as we are an in-person learning community. We have also seen an uptick in students being out of school for family vacations. This is a reminder that when when kids return from extended absences and vacations they should be
- checking in with teachers,
- getting make up assignments,
- staying in or after school for help, and
- checking their email and online class sites.
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Flyers and School Letters
Flyers and School letters are available on our website at this link: https://mvrms.bhrsd.org/category/families/flyers/
This week’s flyers:
Du Bois Wizard of Oz 2022 Poster
Kids Sing for Peace-Benefit Concert for Ukraine Aid
Recent flyers:
- FREE Adult ESOL Classes: English and Spanish versions
- Babe Ruth Softball Registration
- 2022-2023 Butternut BHRSD Student Season Pass-paper applications are also available in the school office
- World Down Syndrome Awareness Day March 21, 2022
- World Autism Awareness Day April 2, 2022
- 2022 Spring Lacrosse
- Berkshire Busk
- 5th Annual Spotlight on the Arts
- 2022 South Berkshire Babe Ruth Spring Sign Ups
- GB Girls Softball Registration 2022
- Bilingual Computer LIteracy Workshop
- CHP March Playgroup Schedule
- Read Across America: GB Libraries
- Gt. Barrington Little League RegistrationMMRHS Ski Team Dine to Donate Event at Marketplace Wed. 2/9/22
- Young People and Anxiety, Depression and Stress Free Forum Tues., 2/15 6:30pm
- Young People and Anxiety, Depression and Stress Forum–Spanish version
- Community Health Programs: Virtual Parent Workshop
- FREE Family Social-Emotional-Learning Session (Virtual): 2/17/22 at 12 pm
- FREE Glee Club Class–Grades 1-5
- YMCA Camp Hi-Rock Virtual Information Session Flyer
- BRIDGE: Lesson Plan and Project for MLK Day 2022
- Winter Project Connection Packet
- Winter Project Connection Packet – en Espanol
- Stateline Youth Wrestling
- Du Bois Middle School 2022 Musical: THE WIZARD OF OZ! (English & Spanish versions)
- Winter Farmer’s Market
- Hancock Holiday Nights
Older flyers:
- Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine Information Session
- Community Thanks Supper: BSRCC
- Participate in a Williams College Study on Children’s Thinking
- Girls Basketball Free Clinic Grades 5 and 6
- Fall Arts & Crafts Festival – BSRCC
- Yearbook Club
- Casting Untitled Annie Baker Film
- Housatonic Youth Basketball Registration
- 27th Annual Winter Outerwear Drive
- Ski Butternut Student Application
- FUNK BOX BREAKING: Berkshire Pulse
- Golden Knights House League Registration
- American Red Cross Swim Lessons: BSRCC
- Oct. 2 ThinkFOOD Conference FREE for all students
- Talking to Teens so that they Talk Back
- Flying Cloud Institute: SMArt Kit Flyer
- Parent Child+: Equal Possibilities from the Start
- Yearbook Cover Contest
- Project Connection Fall Packet
- Action Adventures Out of School @ BSRCC
- Ballet Ages 5-8 @ BSRCC
- Berkshire Hills Youth Soccer House League Registration
- Ski Butternut Student & Family Season Pass Application