March 28, 2001

Dear Parents, Guardians, Students, Staff and Interested Others:

With the third term quickly coming to a close, the pace of activities at BMR will pick up momentum as we head towards the end of the 2000-2001 school year. Below, I have listed a summary of important dates to keep in mind as spring arrives. Before I begin that calendar however, in light of what has happened around the country in terms of school safety, we should all take a minute to think about BMR in that context.

I believe that the children and staff who attend BMR on a daily basis and those who visit with us from time to time are safe and secure in our facility. For years, school personnel have been informed of behavior between students which is not acceptable. As situations come to our attention, we investigate the details provided before determining the appropriate response. We respond to each incident based on the specifics of that case. Our response always takes two tracks- first to remedy the situation and secondly to prevent a recurrence. None of the elements of this procedure are new or different. Bullying and other forms of intimidating behavior have never been acceptable but now they may be viewed as more serious infractions of student conduct. Our high school students participated in a survey about this issue last fall. Nearly 87% of the student body reported they witnessed forms of bullying nearly every day. However, 80% reported they were tolerant of the differences between people. Perhaps it is a matter of definition or maybe it depends on whether one is the aggressor or the victim. We all need to take an active role in the identification and prevention of these unkind behaviors. We need to listen when children talk to us of such matters. Students need to listen to each other. If you think that we 'need to know', then we probably do. Together we can decide that no form of aggressive or threatening behavior is acceptable at BMR.

Now to the calendar

Students in grades 8 through 11 have been issued their new course catalogues for 2001-2002. We hope that parents have participated in assisting their children with selections for next year. The pre-registration process has begun as guidance personnel meet with students to discuss their schedules. Please feel free to contact guidance with any questions or concerns.

The end of term 3 has been extended to April 6 in order to make up for the snow days. Report cards will be issued at the end of the day on Thursday, April 12. These snow days have not affected graduation which will be held on Saturday, June 9.

Freshmen will be involved with the Stanford Achievement tests in math and science. These tests will be administered during two of their math and science classes and will not affect their daily schedules. On April 11, the freshmen will take a 'Benchmark' MCAS exam in writing and language arts. This is an informal practice test using previously released MCAS questions. This will be administered in class and scored by their English teachers. We will use these results as diagnostic tools in order to prepare them for the formal test next year.

Sophomores will be involved with formal MCAS testing beginning on April 11 with the long composition. This section will require only one day. The remainder of MCAS will be administered according to the state's schedule beginning on May 14 and continuing through May 25. Although the number of test sessions is reduced this year, students can still expect to be involved with testing for about 2 hours per day for 6 days. The remaining days are scheduled for make-up. It is very important that all students are in attendance for these days. Unless a student's absence is documented by a physician's statement, he or she will receive a failing grade on any test missed.

The prom is scheduled for April 19 at the Biltmore Hotel in Providence and the seniors have received School Committee permission to go white water rafting in Maine for their class trip, June 1-3.

A reminder on the importance of good attendance during the 4th term especially if it is necessary in order to restore administrative failure due to previous excessive unexcused absence. An administrative failure in the third and /or forth term could result in failure for the year which could affect promotion.

Sincerely,

Mary E. Shimkus, Principal