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March Robins…Brrrrrrr!

Mrs. Brouwer and her fifth grade class spotted a flock of 20 robins searching for worms on our 4/5 playground this week.  As we brace for a bitterly cold week, these robins are here to remind us that spring will come!

Another sign of spring:  Our 5th graders travel to Baldwin Middle School to tour the building as future 6th graders.   Some of these students (18) have been with us for seven years and the majority of them six year.  I have learned that even for those who I have known for a shorter time period, it is exciting and sad to see them mature into the next stage of their educational career.

We are fortunate to have our 5th graders move onto one of our outstanding middle schools.  Both of our middle school staffs, Riley and Baldwin, prepare well for our students in terms of courses, climate and culture.   I am truly excited for all our students…they are ready!

Have a great week – and stay warm!

Mrs. Reagan

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March: A Time of Transition

March is an important month in our elementary school calendar.  It is a time when we welcome new parents to kindergarten for the 2012-13 year and at the same time, prepare 5th graders and their parents for the transition to middle school in 2012-13.

Below is a letter from Dave Powers,  principal at Baldwin Middle school.  This letter is for all parents of 5th graders who will be 6th graders next year.

March 2012

Dear Fifth Grade Parents:

It is time to begin the process of welcoming your child to Baldwin Street Middle School and planning for this new world that is sixth grade. Whether they have older siblings who have been at BMS before or not, your student will encounter this transition in his or her own unique way, and we aim to make it a positive experience.

We are excited about the transition activities in store for you and have quite a program set up to make both you and your child comfortable with the change that awaits. The process gets under way on Thursday, March 22,when we welcome all incoming sixth graders to Baldwin Street Middle School for a special visit. The schedule is as follows:

• 10:45 • 10:50

• 11:30 • 12:00 • 12:30 • 12:45

Students arrive at BMS and report to the gym.

Students will be introduced to our Middle School with a video and PowerPoint presentation. There will be noprinted information going home with students on this day.

Concert featuring 6th Grade band, Choir, and Orchestra.

Music Aptitude Survey administered in the music rooms.

Tour of the building.

Lunch! Students are encouraged to buy lunch in our cafeteria/lunch program. Specifics for purchasing lunch will be sent home with students on Friday, 3/16.

• 1:30 In addition, you will want to make note of the following important dates regarding the transition to middle school:

• 4/10-12

• 4/18 & 4/19

• 4/27 • 4/30 • Mid-August • Early Sept.

*Middle School Music Staff visit elementary buildings for instrument fittings. *Middle School Counselors visit to answer questions, hand out Course Selection/Enrollment sheets for

parents to fill out and sign. “Getting Ready for 6thGrade” brochures are also sent home.

7:00 p.m. – Instrumental Music Parent Meetings (4/18 at BMS and 4/19 at RMS — parents may attend either meeting). Details to follow from the Music Department.

Students return Course Selection/Enrollment sheets to their 5th grade teachers.

7:00 p.m. – Sixth Grade Orientation for BMS parents and students. Student schedules will be mailed.

Students board buses and return to the elementary schools.

BMS will be open for those wishing to visit. Dates and times to follow as set by District. We hope you will find this information helpful. Please feel free to call should you have questions (669-7750).

Sincerely,

Dave Powers, Principal

Baldwin Street Middle School 

3835 Baldwin Street Hudsonville, MI 49426 

(616) 669-7750

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5th Grade to 6th Grade Orientation

5th Grade Parents – Please be reminded that Baldwin Street Middle School will be holding its 6th Grade Parent/Student Orientation Night on Monday May 2, from 7:00-8:30 p.m.  On this night parents and students will meet our administrators and counselors.  They will also learn about our academic, exploratory, prime time, and extended opportunity programs, and have ample time to ask questions.  The Orientation Night Schedule is as follows:

7:00-7:45 – Overview of Middle School Program
7:45-8:00 – Q&A Session
8:00-8:30 – Opportunity to tour the building

If you have questions, please contact BMS at 669-7750.

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6th Grade Orientation: BMS

Mark your calendar 5th Grade Parents!

Baldwin Street Middle School will be holding its 6th Grade Parent/Student Orientation Night on Monday May 2, from 7:00-8:30 p.m.  On this night parents and students will meet our administrators and counselors.  They will also learn about our academic, exploratory, prime time, and extended opportunity programs, and have ample time to ask questions.  The Orientation Night Schedule is as follows:

7:00-7:45 – Overview of Middle School Program
7:45-8:00 – Q&A Session
8:00-8:30 – Opportunity to tour the building

If you have questions, please contact BMS at 669-7750.

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6th Grade Musical Instrument Meeting: TONIGHT

If your child plans to play a musical  instrument in 6th grade, please plan on  attending an informational meeting WITH YOUR CHILDnotes-1e0o8g6 tonight ( Wednesday, April 20 in the Baldwin St. Middle School cafeteria)  or Thursday, April 21 in the Riley St. Middle School cafeteria.  Both meetings start at 7:00 p.m. and should last no more than an hour.

You and your child can come to either meeting regardless of which middle school they will be attending next fall.

Additional information about the band and orchestra programs will be presented as well as presentations from local music companies that will discuss rental and purchase options.  If your child is planning on participating next year and parents are not able to attend please contact one of the either director on the band sheet.

Thank you!

Mrs. Reagan and Mr. Powers (BMS Principal)

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Music Program Information for 6th Grade

musical notesFrom Mr. Wood, BMS Music Director:

This past week, your fifth grade child was fitted for an instrument at Georgetown.  The next step in getting your child ready to play an instrument is attending an informational meeting WITH YOUR CHILD next Wednesday, April 20 in the Baldwin St. Middle School cafeteria or Thursday, April 21 in the Riley St. Middle School cafeteria.  Both meetings start at 7:00 p.m. and should last no more than an hour.

Parents may come to either meeting regardless of which middle school they will be attending next fall.

Additional information about the band and orchestra programs will be presented as well as presentations from local music companies that will discuss rental and purchase options.  If your child is planning on participating next year and parents are not able to attend please contact one of the either director on the band sheet.

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Fifth Grade Parents: Please Read

The Baldwin Street Middle School will be holding its 6th Grade Parent/Student Orientation Night on Monday May 3, from 7:00-8:30 p.m.  On this night parents and students will meet our administrators and counselors.  They will also learn about our academic, exploratory, prime time, and extended opportunity programs, and have ample time to ask questions.  The Orientation Night Schedule is as follows:

7:00-7:45 – Overview of Middle School Program
7:45-8:00 – Q&A Session
8:00-8:30 – Opportunity to tour the building

If you have questions, please contact BMS at 669-7750.


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BMS Orientation Dates

As we move into the new year,  we are getting set  for our new kinders and preparing our 5th graders for middle school.  Orientation, instrument fittings and information nights are posted below.  Mark your calendars!   A note from Mr. Powers, the BMS principal, outlines the time line for these dates on this letter:   Parent Letter-6th Grade Timeline

Orientation for our 5th graders at Baldwin  Middle School (meet with counselors, tour of building, music testing, music concert with 6th graders)—Parents do not attend this event.  Your child’s teacher will accompany the class during the school day.

  • Wednesday, March 17th Baldwin Street MS
Instrument Fittings (the 5th graders get to try different instruments) held at school–parents need not attend:
  • Tuesday, April 13  at Georgetown, 1:30 to 3:30 pm

Rental Nights: Parent meetings to find out about how to get an instrument (band and orchestra only):

  • April 21 and 22  (Details will be coming in March.)
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Instrument Fittings

We work very closely with the Baldwin Middle School staff to prepare our current 5th graders for their transition to sixth grade.  Mr. Dave Powers, the BMS principal, and his team work through every single step from course selection, elective scheduling, to instrument fittings and much more!  Mr. Ron Good, the band director, spent the morning at Georgetown matching 5th graders with a just right instrument for next year.  Check out these fun snapshots we caught of the event.