Bullitt Lick Middle School
Bullitt Lick Middle School
Exists to provide our students with an opportunity to engage in a rigorous and relevant educational experience in a positive and safe learning environment.
2/1/10
Bobcat Byline
T Minus 50 and Counting!
There are 50 instructional days remaining until our state testing window opens. The staff is working extremely hard to make sure the students have the opportunity to master as much as the core content as possible. All data indicates we are moving forward, but slowly in some areas. There are opportunities for students to work at home online to continue to improve their skills. Encourage your child to work on Study Island or Carnegie Math Cognitive Tutor at least 20-30 minutes a day for extra practice.
Mrs. Smitha Honored as Teacher of the Year
Mrs. Gwen Smitha, literacy coach of Bullitt Lick, has been nominated and voted by her colleagues as BLMS Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Smitha has worked at Bullitt Lick for 8 years—4 years as a language arts teacher and 4 years as a literacy coach through the Striving Readers program. Mrs. Smitha is an energetic and dynamic teacher who works hard to stay abreast of current best practices. She currently teaches two reading intervention classes and works with teachers throughout the day to implement literacy strategies in all classrooms. She is an outstanding representative of the teaching staff of Bullitt Lick! Good luck, Mrs. Smitha!
Assessment Data Analyzed
BLMS students completed a second round of MAP assessments the first week of January and we are seeing some great results! The interventions in reading and math are having a positive impact. We will continue to monitor student progress and move students in and out of these classes as needed. We are proud of the students for remaining committed to their goals!
Stay in Touch!
The Courier-Journal recently printed an article about our use of Twitter as a communication tool for parents and students. The link to the article is attached. Mrs. Schraut, 8th grade math teacher, has been using the tool effectively to send brief reminders about homework, report cards, and other activites to parents and students who follow her on Twitter. “Tweets” can be received through email or as a text message on your cell phone. What a great tool! BLMS also has a Twitter account called “bullittlick”. Follow us as well!
Good Luck, Matt!
8th grader, Matt Inman, will be competing in the Districtwide Spelling Bee on Tuesday, February 2, at Bullitt Central at 6:30. Matt is an excellent speller who won in a heated spell-off against 8th grader, Dominick Hay. We expect Matt to make it all the way! Good luck, Matt!
Volleyball Takes Off
The girls volleyball team has been selected, sponsored by Mrs. Kim Schraut. This is an exciting new opportunity for girls to get involved in sports and to show Bullitt Lick is on the move! Not many middle schools host volleyball teams, so finding other teams to play will be a challenge. Mrs. Schraut is currently working with the coach at Bernheim to build a schedule.
Athletes Honored
Our annual athletic banquet was held at Paroquet Springs on January 25 to recognize and celebrate the contributions of our girls and boys basketball players, cheerleaders, and coaches during the 2009 season. It was a great night to acknowledge each player’s effort this season and to honor those players with special talents. Many thanks to Coaches Kim and David Rummage, Coach Curtsinger, Coach Dykes, and Ms. Lawson for all their time and effort in building our programs into ones we can be proud of!
Around BLMS
*Mr. McKinley’s Drama Club hosted the first of their acting workshop series with actors from the Frazier Historical Arms Museum teaching lessons on how to “fight” on stage.
*Ms. Hamilton’s classes have been studying how the mass of an object effects its motion by rolling various size balls down the hallway, and measuring and analyzing the data.
*Mrs. Handloser has expanded her NEED team and they have begun preparation for a districtwide workshop to teach Bullitt County teachers about energy.
*Four teachers (Mrs. Schraut, Mrs. Ball, Mrs. Hill, and Mrs. Kaufman) wrote grants and received SmartBoard active whiteboards for their classrooms. Students are extremely engaged with the new technology! More boards will be purchased in the near future.
*Mrs. Rucci’s art classes designed a banner for the district to be displayed at the Kentucky School Boards Association conference. Following the conference, the banner will be on display in the central office. Good job!
Previews of Coming Attractions
2/2 District Spelling Bee, BCHS, 6:30
2/10 SBDM, 4:30
2/11 Valentine Dance, 3:00-5:00
2/12 Schoolwide Science Fair, 9:00-2:00
2/13 Governor’s Cup Regional Competition, BLMS
2/15 No School
2/17 Early Release
2/20 Archery Shoot, BEHS
2/23 8th Grade to Louisville Science Center
2/27 Boy Scouts Merit Badge University
Bobcat Byline Reflections
January 2, 2010
Dear BLMS Family,
As I look back at 2009, I can’t help but smile! Think about what all we have accomplished!
- Test scores improved in math and science, with 6th graders scoring 2nd in the county in math!
- Although not a part of accountability, scores improved in arts/humanities, practical living/vocational studies, and writing portfolios.
- New courses were initiated in math (Carnegie Math), visual arts, technology, and seminar.
- Great improvements in technology with 3 functional computer labs, minilabs throughout the building, and Smartboards and other teaching tools now in use.
- Many needed renovations upgraded our facility and our library is on the road to being the showcase of our building.
- MAP testing is being used to learn students’ instructional level and help them set and meet their goals.
- ESS interventions are now offered during the day, allowing students without transportation to get the assistance they need.
- The Bobcat basketball team made it to the “Big Dance” and was runner-up in the County tournament!
- BLMS raised over $5700 for Relay for Life and collected over 1100 food items for the needy.
- The GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Club project advanced to the state STLP competition in the spring of 2010.
- The NEED (National Energy Education Development) team presented at two NEED teacher conferences.
- The Archery team participated in their first shoot.
- Other activities made or will make their debut: BLMS Players (drama club), Book Club, Future Problem Solving, volleyball
It has been a year of massive change, but change for the better. We have an excellent, caring staff and, as result of their never-ending hard work, our students are walking with their heads held high and demonstrating pride and school spirit they did not have a year ago.
But, as they say, we cannot rest on our laurels. We have further to go than we have come. Scores in all content areas must improve, including closing a 20-point deficit in reading and a 12-point deficit in math. Attendance, while improving, must get better. Being in class ready to learn is a huge factor in bridging our gaps. Student engagement, while also improving, is another huge piece in the improvement puzzle. As we dive into New Year’s resolutions for 2010, I challenge everyone in the BLMS family—staff, parents, and students—to recommit to our roles in helping BLMS meet our goals. “If it is to be, it is up to me”.
Best wishes to all in the coming year!
Johnda Conley
Be sure to try our new BLMS Twitter account so you can receive brief notifications through email or your cell phone about happenings at BLMS.
Go to Twitter.com and create your own account, then search for Bullitt Lick MS.
Bobcat Byline
December 2009
Rudolph Joined in!
Bobcat fans got into the spirit of the season at the BLMS 3rd annual Reindeer Games on Friday, Dec. 11! The teachers were victorious over the students (with a little help from Mr. Gartner!) and the silent auction netted $500! Overall, the games brought in around $1,000 and all proceeds go toward the BLMS Library Beautification Fund. It was really a great night of fun for all! Thanks to all who came out and supported our school, to the parents and teachers who participated in the games, to the PTSO, to Mrs. Weddle for her amazing work getting the games together, and to Mr. Kirby a.k.a Santa!
Homecoming
BLMS hosted Zoneton for our homecoming game on Thursday, Dec. 3. The homecoming court was introduced during half-time. Kara Marlow was crowned queen and Jordan Thompson was king. The homecoming/snowball dance followed on Friday night and the students had a really great time.
3 More Weeks
There is only 1 more week until winter break and Dec. 18 will end the 2nd grading period. Students need to work really hard to bring up those grades and strive for Honor Roll and that coveted “red dog tag” that is a ticket to special surprise functions! 6th grade students have been tested again on MAP to see what progress they have made toward their goals and many have met their goals already! Great job! 7th and 8th grade will test again in January and we are looking foward to those results as well.