BAMS NEWSLETTER
A MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL LYMAN
Dear BAMS Families,
It’s been a busy and rewarding start to October here at BAMS! Over the past two weeks, our students have enjoyed a variety of learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom — from Team Taurus and Team Leo’s field trips to Fort Dummer, to our all-school assembly focused on Safety, one of our core values. It’s wonderful to see students engaged, active, and building community through these shared experiences.
I want to take a moment to acknowledge the school lockdown that occurred on October 3. Although it was brief, it was understandably upsetting for students and staff. The lockdown was initiated out of an abundance of caution after a report of a possible BB gun; the situation was resolved quickly and safely, and the item was confirmed to be an airsoft gun. While there was no purposeful threat directed at the school community, we recognize that the presence of a possible weapon can understandably feel threatening. I deeply appreciate the calm, swift, and professional response of our staff and the cooperation of our students. Events like this remind us of the importance of preparation and communication, and we continue to reflect on ways to strengthen our responses moving forward.
As the weather turns colder, please help us by reminding your child to dress warmly for school. We make every effort to get students outside for recess whenever possible, and coats, hats, and warm layers go a long way in keeping everyone comfortable.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support in making BAMS a safe, welcoming, and engaging place for all learners.
Warmly,
Keith Lyman, Principal
Open House On Monday!
We’re excited to welcome you to our BAMS Open House this Monday, October 20, from 5:30–7:00 p.m. Families will begin by meeting with their child’s team in designated locations to review some big-picture topics about being part of that team. Following that, you’ll have the opportunity to follow your child’s White Day schedule, spending about nine minutes in each classroom to hear an overview of the curriculum and what to expect throughout the semester and year. While there isn’t a formal rotation to the library, I encourage you to stop in—our library is one of the most beautiful and important spaces in our school!
Team Draco News
Draco is settling into their 8th grade year with lots of busy events. We will be hosting the BAMS fall school dance, and will begin planning soon. Draco students will also be leading an all-school assembly in early November, focusing on the theme of “Community at BAMS”. In science class they have been exploring digestion, breathing and nerve impulses, and completing their
Travel Brochures: Touring the Human Body One System at a Time.
In Foods class, they are working on perfecting the art of making an omelet. Summer of the Mariposas is the novel study students are reading in ELA in our unit about Latin-American Folklore. In Math class, students are
completing a unit on rigid transformations and congruent shapes. In Social Studies, students are wrapping up our first unit, learning about the perspectives and history of Native American Nations. Students have learned about the concept of sovereignty, identified it in their own lives, and have discussed the pros and cons of film portrayals of Pocahontas in a student-led socratic seminar.
BAMS Athletics
Please check the BAMS Daily Announcements, linked here. Athletic information is posted on the BAMS Daily Announcements and is accessible through the BAMS Webpage by clicking on the “Athletics” header on the BAMS webpage
Exploring Culture Through Cuisine: BEAMS Students Make Wontons
On October 8, students in Ms. Gao’s Chinese Cooking BEAMS program rolled up their sleeves for a hands-on culinary adventure, making and taste-testing wontons from scratch! From mixing the savory filling to carefully folding each delicate wrapper, students explored the art and patience behind this traditional dish.
After their taste test, Food Connects Farm to School Coach Adelaide led a mini-lesson on two star ingredients: whole grains and green onions. Together, students learned about the parts of a grain, explored different grain varieties, and shared fun facts, like how humans get nearly half their energy from grains!
BEAMS (Brattleboro Enrichment Activities for Middle School) offers students opportunities to connect food, culture, and community through cooking clubs that spark curiosity and build real-life skills. Session 1 runs through October 24, with new sessions coming soon, so stay tuned for more food, friends, and fun after school!
A Huge Opportunity! Ms. Koplinka-Loehr is Awarded A Rowland Foundation Fellowship
Diversity 2025-2026-Voices of the People
Each month, our District will celebrate a theme that is related to Diversity. Check out the monthly themes below.
News from the French Class
Bonjour à tous.tes!
Nos élèves enthousiastes de français viennent d’apprendre les nécessités de participer dans une société francophone, avec politesse et élégance! On peut maintenant avoir des petites conversations simples- c’est toujours un plaisir de tendre un piège aux élèves dans les couloirs, avec un « Bonjour! » et « Ça va? » On me répond, et on sourit! Maintenant, on regarde un film d’animation français, et la semaine prochaine on va explorer plus profondément cette industrie.
Je vous souhaites une belle journée,
Madame Murdock
(Our enthusiastic French students have just finished learning the necessities to participate in a French-speaking society, with politeness and elegance! They can now have small, simple conversations- it’s always a pleasure to ambush students in the hallway, with « Bonjour! » and « Ca va? » They reply, and we smile! Now, we are watching an animated French film, and next week we’ll continue exploring this industry more deeply.)
What’s Happening on Team Canis!
It’s been a busy and exciting fall here at school! In math, students are exploring proportional relationships, while in social studies they’re diving into agriculture and the Paleolithic/Neolithic shift to understand how early humans built the foundations of civilization. In science, students are becoming young investigators as they practice using the scientific method, and in ELA they’re reading A Long Walk to Water, connecting deeply with themes of perseverance and resilience.
Outside the classroom, students are enjoying fall sports and BEAMS activities, and we’re looking forward to our ice skating field trip in November! It’s a wonderful season of learning, growth, and community.
News from Band & Digital Music
Both the 7th and 8th grade bands have been busy preparing for our first concert on Wednesday, December 10th! Each grade will be performing two pieces individually, the percussion students will perform a percussion ensemble piece, and then the bands will combine for a final number.
Digital Music students have been creating songs utilizing the browser-based DAW, SoundTrap. Ask your student to share what they have!
Jazz Band meets weekly (on Wednesday, 5:30 pm - 6:45 pm) as an advanced ensemble, and we've started with foundational improvisation and blues form. Students are welcome to join if they have an interest in jazz music and can play an instrument!
Feel free to let me know if there's anything else you need.
Mr.Sonntag, msonntag@wsesdvt.org
Looking Ahead- Dates to Remember
Monday, October 20- BAMS Open House 5:30-7:00 pm
Wednesday, October 22- Jazz Band Practice 5:30-6:45 pm
Wednesday, October 22- Select Chorus Practice 7:30-8:30 am
Friday, October 24- BEAMS Session 1 Ends
Friday, October 24- Student Leadership Field Trip to NELMS Conference- Springfield, MA
Wednesday, October 24- Jazz Band Practice 5:30-6:45 pm
Wednesday, October 24- Select Chorus Practice 7:30-8:30 am