Dear Beagle Middle Families,
Here are some updates that we wanted to share with you at this time:
Digital Readiness for PSAT–8th Grade Only: Over the past two weeks, our 8th graders have engaged in “Digital Readiness” within the Bluebook application on their chromebooks. Our 8th grade students were able to verify their information within the Bluebook testing platform, and they were also able to preview both reading and math-based questions to get a feel for the format on test day. Students were also allowed to take a picture of their Digital Readiness Test Ticket in case they were interested in completing the practice test on their own over Spring Break. While this is an important assessment just like M STEP, the reality is that the purpose of the PSAT is to prepare our students for taking the actual SAT in 11th grade, and students will engage in taking this practice assessment across the next two school years. On Friday, April 5th during CNC, students will open up the Bluebook application one more time to ensure updates are installed prior to test day the following week.
April 10th PSAT–8th Grade Only: Wednesday, April 10th is PSAT test day for our 8th graders. The PSAT assesses both reading and math, and it replaces the M STEP for both reading and math. Our 8th graders were sent an email from our desks about two weeks ago with detailed information regarding the assessment, which we spotlighted during Digital Readiness. We encouraged students to review this email if they have not done so already. Thanks to our PTO, snacks will be provided to students in the testing rooms, which they can access during scheduled breaks. Breakfast will also be served the morning of the test just like a typical school day. At this time, we are still working out the details regarding a specific release time for our students, and we will provide more information in the newsletter when we return from break. On the 10th, school will start at the typical time, and students will be expected to be in their assigned testing rooms (testing rooms will be shared with students after break) by 8 am. The test will begin at 8 am, and most students will be done around 11 am. However, our accommodated testing rooms (time-and-a-half, etc.) will take longer to test, and we cannot release students until testing is complete for all students. After the test, students will be provided lunch, and they will be engaged in a short window of recess before being released at 12:15 pm. Buses will run for our 8th graders on April 10th.
No School for 7th Graders April 10th: 7th graders do not come to school on April 10th as our 8th graders will be taking the PSAT, and our entire staff will be supporting with this process per College Board expectations.
Rising 8th Grade Families: Thank you for working with your students regarding elective requests for next year. This week, our rising 8th graders entered their requested electives into PowerSchool with the support of our Science teachers. If students were absent this week, our Science teachers will continue to work with students that have not entered requests into PowerSchool when we return from break.
Rising 7th Grade Families, Current Hayes 6th Graders: On April 9th, we will head over to Hayes Intermediate to meet with our rising 7th-grade students for the Elective Roadshow. This is a great opportunity for us to connect with our rising 7th grade students and to explain how our daily schedule works. During this time, we will also review our elective offerings, discuss how to make elective requests, and how those requests will be entered into PowerSchool with the support of the Hayes team. Students will receive an all-in-one document that includes elective course descriptions along with a worksheet where students can pencil in their elective course requests under the guidance of their parents.
Middle School Tennis: Through Grand Ledge Community Recreation, we have a grades 6-8 Grand Ledge Middle School Team. Coaches are actively looking for interested athletes. Please click here for all necessary information: MS Tennis 2024 Flyer.pdf. Practices begin on Monday, April 1st.
GenCyber Summer Camp for 8th Graders: Davenport University is hosting a FREE gencyber camp for those entering grades 9-12, so our current 8th graders could attend this free camp. Please click here for more information: GenCyber-SummerCamp-Flyers-2024 Lansing Student.pdf
Pom Tryouts: Pom tryouts for next year are happening soon! Current 5th - 7th grade students can tryout for next year – visit http://GLstuff.com/pom for more information. The parent meeting is April 23. Athletes will have an instructional clinic on April 23 & 24, concluding with a judged audition on April 25. Register now at http://GLstuff.com/pom.
International Day, April 13th: We invite you to join us for International Day this year on April 13 from 2-6 at Beagle Middle School. International Day is a day to celebrate our cultural diversity and to learn from each other! There are many different ways to participate on this special day. You may simply attend and enjoy watching PERFORMANCES, looking at DISPLAYS, or admiring clothing. Or, you may wish to create a display, perform, or be a part of the fashion show (please sign if interested: International Day Flyer and Sign-Up 2023-2024.pdf ). New this year - FOOD TRUCKS - Picnic, La Fajita and Shove It from the Lansing and Grand Ledge area offering International and fusion recipes! We look forward to seeing you and your family!
La Fajita - https://lafajitamexicanfood.com/menu/
Shove It - https://www.shoveitpizzatruck.com/menu#menufinal
Picnic - https://www.517picnic.com/"
Spring Dance--April 26th-- Volunteers Needed: Our PTO-sponsored Spring Dance volunteers are needed to help with planning and preparations for the spring dance on April 26th.
If interested please reach out to David Berner on Facebook and/or by commenting the following form https://airtable.com/appwYXEExh4bHhJGF/shrYR38bl2kkJkBoA
PTO Meetings: On Tuesday, April 9th, the Hayes/Beagle PTO meeting will be hosted here at Beagle Middle School Media Center from 6:30-7:30 pm. We are also nominating officers in April, so please attend this upcoming meeting if you are interested in holding an officer position for our PTO. Parents should enter through the cafeteria doors as they are open for athletic events.Families interested in attending virtually can do so by using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82744686994. We greatly appreciate parent support and participation at these meetings. In addition, please follow the Hayes & Beagle PTO Facebook page for more information and updates regarding upcoming events.
Students’ of the Week: To view our Students’ of the Week, please click here https://www.glcomets.net/ourschools/beagle-middle-school/studentoftheweek/. Please note that Students’ of the Week are updated to our website the Monday after receiving their certificate on Friday.
Family Communication Archive: Please click here https://www.glcomets.net/ourschools/beagle-middle-school/parent-communication-archive/ to review family communications (current and previous newsletters) sent to Beagle Families.
District and Community News: To review district-wide and community news, please click here https://www.glcomets.net/parentcommunityresources/fun-things-to-do/#upcoming
Looking Ahead:
- April 1st–Classes resume
- April 26th–Spring Formal Dance 6:30-8:30
- May 20th–Half-Day
- May 27th–No School, Memorial Day
- May 29-June 3rd–Washington DC Trip for participating 8th graders
- May 29th–Lugnuts Trip–entire school, all 7th grade and 8th graders not attending DC Trip
- June 14th–Last day of school, half day
Spring Testing Schedule:
In an effort to be as transparent as possible while also providing our families with as much notice in advance, we will continue to run our Spring Testing (PSAT, MSTEP, and NWEA) in our subsequent newsletters. We kindly ask parents to avoid scheduling appointments, if possible, on these dates in an effort to ensure smooth testing and having to avoid pulling students from classes (first, best instruction) to make up these assessments.
- PSAT–April 10th, 8th grade only
- 8th grade MSTEP Social Studies–April 17/18
- 8th grade MSTEP Science–April 24/25
- 7th grade MSTEP Math–May 1/2
- 7th grade MSTEP ELA–May 8/9
- NWEA Math–May 21
- NWEA ELA–May 28 (with organized break by hallway and snacks)
These are all of the updates that we wanted to pass along at this time. Please reach out with any questions or concerns.
Take care,
Dave and Kelly
