BAMS NEWS

 

September 20, 2024

Dear Families of 7th and 8th Grade Students,

It’s been a terrific start to the school year! Our students and staff have been working incredibly hard in their classes and are already seeing great progress. Fall sports are in full swing with a huge turnout, and it’s wonderful to see so many students getting involved. 

Our students recently completed the STAR 360 Benchmark assessments, and we’ve been working diligently to ensure that every student is assessed so we can tailor instruction to their individual needs.

A few important reminders: We have a half-day scheduled for Friday, September 27th, with dismissal at 12:30 PM for both the Middle and High Schools.

Picture day at BAMS was yesterday, however, the re-take day will be Monday, November 4th. Stay tuned for more details. 

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to a fantastic year ahead!

Sincerely,

Warm regards,

Keith Lyman- BAMS Principal

BEAMS Session 1 Registration is now open! 

BEAMS is our afterschool programming offered here at BAMS free of charge to all seventh and eighth graders. Program and club options are available Monday through Friday. 

For more information, please visit the BEAMS Webpage for a video introduction to this session's programs, as well as a link to the registration form.

Contact BEAMS Program Director Nick Yialiades (nyialiades@wsesdvt.org / 802-451-3588) with any questions. 

Picture Day at BAMS

LIFETOUCH Picture Day was held on Wednesday, September 19th. 

*Families can order pictures online at mylifetouch.com using your student ID or Picture Day ID: EVTFZ72HD

Picture retake day is Monday, November 4th. 

School Meals are FREE!  However, We Need Your Help...

Help us provide the best education possible for your children. Please review this letter regarding the school breakfast and lunch program for this year.  Families are encouraged to complete the Household Income Form online. Additional forms are available in the BAMS office. 

Filling out the 2024-2025 Household Income Data Collection form only takes a few minutes. It will help your community, our school, and your property taxes.  The information you give helps our school access federal and state education dollars. This funding supports reading, math, science, arts, PE, afterschool, and other vital programming.  The privacy of your household financial information is protected by law. We appreciate your participation in this important data-collection process for our school. 

My MealTime- Student Accounts

A MealTime account can be set up to purchase a la carte options or additional meals beyond the one free breakfast/snack and lunch per day. Here is the information about how to set up an account.  Contact the BAMS office for your child's ID number to set up an account. 

Additional information regarding the Meal Charge Policy is here.

Notable Events and Dates

Staff Spotlight: Anthony Minickiello

Role at BAMS: 7th Grade Social Studies Teacher

Team: Team Leo

Background:

We are excited to welcome Anthony Minickiello, a recent college graduate who is currently pursuing graduate studies in history, to our teaching staff. This is his first year as a public school educator, though he brings a wealth of diverse teaching experience. Over two summers, Anthony taught forensics, economics, and history to middle and high school students at Northfield Mount Hermon in Massachusetts. He also taught reading and academic writing in a nontraditional education program at Lawrence High School in Maine and delivered Holocaust lessons to high school students at Monadnock Regional High School. In addition, he has contributed to a DEI curriculum for elementary school students. Lifeguard and CPR certified, Anthony comes from a long line of educators, with both his parents and grandparents having taught. We're thrilled to have him on board!

What They Love About Their Job:

• Anthony loves building relationships with students and values the supportive, committed, and knowledgeable staff and administration at our school.

Fun Fact:

Anthony enjoys anything involving sports, especially swimming, cross country, cycling, and triathlons.

Favorite Quote or Motto:

“Whether you think you can or cannot, you are right” - Henry Ford

Looking Ahead:

Anthony looks forward to crafting engaging lessons in collaboration with his mentor and team, helping his students become the best versions of themselves. He believes there is no better place to begin this journey than at BAMS. The opportunity to cover 7th grade social studies this year for Jessica Earp is a privilege. Only three weeks in, Anthony already feels like he belongs at the school and can't wait for the rest of the year!

Staff Spotlight: Linda LeConey

Role at BAMS: Special Educator Team: Draco

Background:  I grew up in and around New Haven, CT before heading to PA to attend Gettysburg College. I started as a Pre-Med/Pre-Vet major but changed to Communications.  Following college, I worked in radio as a DJ and a writer.  After realizing that radio wasn’t going to pay the bills, I worked in numerous tech/math fields.  I have worked as a Computer Consultant, an Assistant Mgr. of an investment company owned by the Lender Brothers of Lender’s Bagels, and as a Controller for a real estate company managing 12 different companies.

After tiring of looking at screens all day, I set up my own web design business and my own company - AtlanticCityWeddings.com.  At one point, our family needed some extra income after my husband was laid off unexpectedly.  I started subbing in Atlantic City, NJ and was offered a long-term sub position after just a few days.  I quickly discovered that I really enjoyed teaching, and I went back to school to get my teaching license.  I have been teaching since 2008.  Prior to moving to VT, I worked as a Special Ed teacher, Math teacher, and Academic Intervention teacher. 

What They Love About Their Job: I love helping students have an “aha” moment, especially in math, when they say, “Hey, I get this now.” 

Fun Fact:

During my senior year at Gettysburg College, I worked as a Top 40 DJ on nights and weekends on 98YCR in Hanover, PA.   For a radio station publicity event, I played basketball with Jim Palmer of the Baltimore Orioles.

Favorite Quote or Motto: Langston Hughes Poem Excerpt:

Hold fast to dreams for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.

Looking Ahead: I’m excited to help both students and staff have a successful year on Team Draco.  Considering that I was hired the weekend before the start of school, I’m extremely grateful to the entire staff for their warm welcome.  

Hobbies & Spare Time:

Hiking, nature photography, playing Frisbee with my dog, working as a DJ on weekends on the local radio station & pleasure reading.  Favorite authors & genres include Tolkien, Stephen King, Haruki Murakami, mysteries, sci-fi & fantasy.

 Here is a photo of my dog Iko.  I’ve been teaching him frisbee in my spare time.

Staff Spotlight: Alan Blackwell

Role at BAMS: Art Teacher Team: Canis Major

Background: Alan Blackwell has been a professional artist for most of his adult life. Growing up in New York City helped to introduce him to cultures and artistic styles from across the globe. He has shown his work in galleries and exhibitions in Manhattan, Brattleboro, and London. 

What They Love About Their Job: Introducing students to new forms of creation and artistic techniques is a dream come true. 

Fun Fact: Alan enjoys long walks on beaches, deep introspective glances into firelight, and silly humor. 

Favorite Quote or Motto: May the best days of your past be the worst days of your future. 

Looking Ahead: Alan is incredibly excited to make some beautiful and weird projects with the students this year. 

Staff Spotlight: Nat Baldwin

Role at BAMS: English Team: Taurus

Background: I’m a composer, double bassist, and writer from Maine currently living in Western Mass. I spent many years touring as a musician, both solo and with numerous bands, and still perform often. I’ve released a book of experimental fiction and have a work of hybrid non-fiction forthcoming. I received my BA in English at the University of Southern Maine, and my MA in Music (Composition/Experimental Music) from Wesleyan University. This is my first year teaching English. 

What They Love About Their Job: I love seeing students get excited about the possibilities of language, bringing their unique experience and creativity to the page and making it sing. 

Fun Fact: I barely remember what it feels like to dunk, but I still have a pretty decent handle.

Favorite Quote or Motto: I don’t read or write fiction for answers but for the feeling of being at swim amid the muchness of what cannot be answered. –Noy Holland

As composers, our first composition is our life. –Anthony Braxton

Looking Ahead: I’m excited about making connections with students, guiding them as best I can, and learning from all they have to offer. I’m also excited to coach basketball.