W.E.B. Du Bois Regional Middle School
Week at a Glance, News and Notes
May 2-6, 2022
Note from the Principal:
A busy week back from break! Kids returned with lots of energy and we are focusing it on finishing up the school year.
Next week is Educator Appreciation Week. Please take the time to appreciate the folks in your child’s life that make a difference every day at school. All of the staff are all in for the success of the students and our learning community. It has been quite a ride these past two pandemic years, and we are coming out of it having persevered and succeeded in many ways. Let them know how much they matter and that you see their hard work. It makes a difference 🙂 And, of course, thank you for being a partner in your child’s education. Families make it all work!
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, May 2
Regular School Day
Tuesday, May 3
Regular School Day
Wednesday, May 4
Regular School Day
Thursday, May 5
Regular School Day
Friday, May 6
Regular School Day
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Did you know that April 30th is National Drug Take Back Day?
Substance use often starts with the misuse of prescription drugs found in medicine cabinets in homes all across America. You can help by bringing those unwanted prescription drugs to a participating police department in Southern Berkshire County. No questions asked, no consequences, just a safe way to get rid of any unused or expired medicines. Participating police departments in South County include Egremont, Great Barrington, Lee, Lenox, Monterey, Otis, Sheffield and Stockbridge. Help our community be safer, better and healthier by dropping off your unused prescriptions on April 30th or any other day to a participating police department or pharmacy. Go to www.rural-recovery.org/help for more information.
Family choice for student name and identity
Massachusetts now allows for families to tell their child’s school to use a different name for a student that is not the same as the name on the birth certificate and other legal documents. Please use this form to tell us at the middle school that you want us to use a name for your child that is different from the legal documents we have from when you enrolled them at the school or in the district. We will update our Student Information System, PowerSchool, with the information you tell us to use, so your child’s name appears as you direct. If this is a legal name change, please provide the documents to us so we can make the update for the legal name of the student. Email ben.doren@bhrsd.org if you have any questions about this form or this process.
Form in English: https://forms.gle/PALB99wyuE29gW1Z7
Forma en Español: https://forms.gle/jcFoaQAB8KkGPWhH6
REMINDERS:
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!
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.
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.
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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:
- Camp Hi-Rock Overnight Camp & Wilderness Expedition Info Session
- Flying Deer Evening Camp for youth ages 11-16
Recent flyers:
Guide to Food Access and Assistance Resources in South Berkshire County
Spring Indoor Soccer Training @ Berkshire School
Du Bois Wizard of Oz 2022 Poster
- Kids Sing for Peace-Benefit Concert for Ukraine Aid
- FREE Adult ESOL Classes: English and Spanish versions
Older flyers:
- 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)