Ben Hill Middle School
Grow your mind. Grow your life.
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BEN HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL
September 18, 2020
Re: Online Learning
To: Parents of Online Students
Fr: Ben Hill Middle School
Good afternoon Parents and Online Learning Students!
We hope this message finds you well! We have had a great beginning to the 2020 – 2021 School year! Both students and teachers have faced many challenges, but continue to rise above the uncontrollable circumstances that we find ourselves in. At BHMS, we continually evaluate the educational opportunities that we provide our students. We started the year providing an online learning platform and curriculum through Odysseyware. Throughout these 1st nine weeks, we have listened to and reevaluated our plan for online instruction based on parental concerns and feedback. At this time, we have the technological and staffing capabilities necessary to provide students with live instruction and communication by the fantastic staff and content experts here at BHMS.
Beginning the 2nd nine weeks, all online students will switch from Odysseyware to regularly scheduled online classes with BHMS teachers. Students will be expected to log in to Schoology at regularly scheduled times every day. To be clear, students will have a very structured schedule with specific times for classes. They must be present to complete work and be given credit for attending. In essence, online students will have a schedule just like face-to-face students. We will finish the semester with students being scheduled in 4 Academic classes, just like they were in Odysseyware (Math, ELA, Science, Social Studies). Beginning the second semester, students will be scheduled in Connections classes as well.
Our goal is to provide all of our students, regardless of whether they are face-to-face or online, with the best possible educational opportunities. We will continue to work with parents and students to strengthen our online program and make changes when necessary. We appreciate the valuable feedback that we have received from parents and encourage parents to continue to communicate with us. Parents and students will see changes to their student’s schedules in Infinite Campus on Monday, October 5, 2020. The first day for online student’s live instruction will be Tuesday, October 6, 2020. When these classes start, students are expected to adhere to the following guidelines.
Students will be expected to:
1. Log on to Schoology Daily
2. Be present in their classes at the scheduled times for each class
3. Be dressed appropriately for school
4. Be in an environment that is conducive to learning and without distractions
5. Be mindful of background noise, images, and people
6. Be aware that other virtual students are present in the class
7. Make sure that they use the Schoology Platform to communicate with their teachers
8. Be attentive to all school rules and follow directions of the teacher
9. Be ready and willing to learn
Should you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us at 229-409-5578. You can ask to speak Mr. Sims, Mrs. Sellars, Mrs. Giddens, Mrs. Jacobs, Mr. Alexander, or Mrs. Robitzsch.
Thank you,
Mr. Sims, Principal
Ben Hill Middle School
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Here are some good tips and instructions for all of our Online Learners through Schoology and Odysseyware.
Be GREAT!
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Online Learners:
Scroll down on this page until you see the purple tile labeled "Schoology."Click on that and login with your email and email password.firstname.lastname@student.benhillschools.orgBHSlunchnumber!Here you will see your class schedule with times for each class. You will also see links to Odysseyware, IXL, Clever, and the BHMS website.You will also see videos and documents with tutorials to help you.First day of class is Monday, August 10, 2020. -
Click Here to Practice on IXL:
Click Below to Practice on Classworks:
Click Below to Complete the Reading Inventory: -
Congratulations
Mrs. Vaughn!
District Teacher of the Year for Ben Hill County Schools!
Find It Fast
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We are excited about the various clubs that will be offered this year! Please view the descriptions for each club below and click the link to register.
CLUBS AT BEN HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL
4-H meets as a part of 6th grade Science classes and after school to let students complete hands-on projects in a positive environment with guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles. 4-H is also available to 7th and 8th graders as an after school activity that meets at the 4-H office monthly. Special activities available include consumer judging team, poultry judging team, shooting sports teams as well as project achievement. It is sponsored by the Cooperative Extension System. Mrs. Jeri Gilleland is the sponsor and can be reached at 426-5175.
Art Club meets as part of rotation A in the cafeteria. Sponsors Bailey Miller and Marketa Poole work with the Fitzgerald-Ben Hill Arts Council to provide monthly art experiences and lessons for the members.
Book Club will meet as a part of rotation A in room 702 and is sponsored by Katrina Campbell and the Fitzgerald-Ben Hill Arts Council. Members will read one book a month then meet to discuss the book.
Calligraphy Club meets as part of rotation A in the Media Center conference room. Students learn how to do calligraphy from the sponsors Debbie Hamlin and Karen Kelly.
Chess Club meets as part of rotation B in the Tech Lab (room 911). Students who already know how to play chess can enjoy challenging other students to a match. Students who do not know how to play can learn from the sponsor Robert Garber.
CIS meets with rotation B in the cafeteria. It also has after school meetings and tutoring sessions as well as in-school workshops. Communities In Schools works to fill in the gaps to meet the needs of students and to offer leadership training and support. The BHMS program is led by Ms. Megan Smith.
Coloring Club meets during club rotation B in room 909. Students learn to manage stress, anxiety, anger, and boredom by coloring. Ms. Nicole Menge and Deidre Cox are the sponsors.
Cosmetology Club meets during club rotation B in room 901. Ms. Amanda Ross is the sponsor. She is assisted by Kayci Gibbs and Shelby Reese.
Debate Club meets during club rotation A in room 801. Students learn how to conduct formatted debates, discuss and analyze interesting topics, practice public speaking, construct arguments, exercise reasoning, and work with friends. There must be a minimum of 15 members to form this club. Ms. Pam Brown is the sponsor.
Environmental Club meets during club rotation A in room 601. Katrina Vaughn and Katy Calhoun are the sponsors. Students will learn ways to make a positive impact on the environment, both at school and in our community.
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) meets as part of rotation A and after school in room 902 to develop skills for life through character development, creative and critical thinking, interpersonal communication, practical knowledge, and career preparation. Leslie McDonald is the advisor.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) meets on Friday mornings before school and during both club rotations. Rotation A is in the gym as a full group and rotation B is in huddles as grade level groups as grade levels in room 702, room 802, and room 811. Students look at the concepts of Christianity through the experiences of athletes. (Students are not required to be athletes nor Christians to join.) Advisors and huddle leaders are Christopher Alexander, Katrina Campbell, Kenya Harris, Willie Harris, Sammy Reynolds, and Marisa Reynolds.
FFA meets as part of rotation B and after school in room 904 to let members develop their own unique talents and explore their interests in a broad range of agricultural career pathways. Micheal Barnes is the advisor.
Fitness Club meets during rotation B in the gym. Advisors Katy Calhoun and Katrina Vaughn help students learn to live a healthier lifestyle through proper exercise and nutrition.
Game Code Club meets during rotation A in room 909 with Nicole Menge. Students learn basic computer coding then create and play their own game.
It’s Not Just Duct Tape meets as a part of rotation B in room 801. Sponsor Pam Brown leads the members in varying craft projects. Membership is limited to 25 students.
Needle Crafts Club meets during both rotations in the Band room. Sponsors Michelle Denison and Deidre Cox teach members how to crochet, knit, needlepoint, and how to improve upon their current skills.
Public Relations Club meets during rotation B in the Media Center conference room. This student-led club will work with the Ben Hill County Schools Public Relations director Jenny McCranie to take pictures and write articles that celebrate what is happening at BHMS. Debbie Hamlin is the sponsor.
Spreading Unity – Not Cruelty meets during rotation B in the rotunda conference room. The student-led club will promote acts of kindness and learn ways to promote unity within the school. Mrs. Sujette Giddens is the sponsor.
Student Council will meet during rotation A to discuss issues and represent the student body as stakeholders in BHMS. Katrina Vaughn is the sponsor. Stephanie Howell and Joi Kinnett will assist as needed.
Technology Student Association (TSA) meets after school in the Tech Lab (room 911) to prepare students to be successful inventors, designers, creative problem solvers, responsible citizens and leaders in a technological society. Robert Garber, Katrina Vaughn, and Debbie Hamlin are the advisors.
Ben Hill County Middle School
students receive laptops
to use this year!
Please review the
Technology Use Handbook
and sign the
Student/Parent Agreement.
Each student will use the device
assigned to them during the school day.
The devices will not be sent home.
The Agreement needs to be signed
for the student to use the internet & laptop.
