Welcome

August 8, 2023

Dear Benjamin Tasker (BTMS) Families,

Welcome to the 2023/24 school year. We hope that your summer has been full of fun, excitement, and some rest. At this time, we want to share information that may assist you in preparing to return to school. As we plan for the upcoming year, our mission and vision remains the same. Students will follow the BTMS Daily Schedule, which includes (a) Morning Advisory Mod for morning announcements (b) attending six classes daily following an A-day/B-day schedule, (c) one 30 minute lunch break, (d) Tiger Time for interventions, study hall, extension activities, and restorative communities. 

To be successful, students should complete the following:

•    Attend every class on time 
•    Actively participate in the entire lesson
•    Get involved in school clubs and activities
•    Complete and submit all assignments on time
•    Check virtual platforms (ie; Canvas & SchoolMax) daily
•    Remain organized with materials easily accessible: BTMS Student Supply List 
•    Bring school issued devices (ie; Chromebook, charger, and carrying case) everyday.
•    Advocate for themselves by asking questions and seeking assistance when needed.
•    Review Student/Family Handbook & follow all school rules and protocols.
•    Review school-wide information (ie; BTMS Community Updates, Monthly Newsletter & Website) weekly.

Communication: You may access ongoing communication, including weekly newsletters, from the BTMS Website or you can sign up for Messenger to receive weekly emails. Please contact Sonia Brooks (sonia.brooks@pgcps.org) for questions and/or assistance. Please see communication information below:

•    Communication & Contacts
•    PGCPS SchoolMax Family Portal 
•    Master Calendar (Save to your Google Calendar)
•    BTMS Community Newsletter  
•    BTMS Website
•    Canvas (accessed through classroom teachers)

Student schedules will be available in SchoolMax as of Monday, August 14th. Students are placed in their core content area courses (Reading, Math, Social Studies, and Science) based on student performance data (assessments & grades). Students will complete the beginning of the year math diagnostic (Thursday, August 31) and reading diagnostic (Friday, September 1) to identify their current levels and needs. To ensure that all students are placed appropriately to meet their individual needs, some students may receive schedule changes based on updated data. 

Important Dates to Remember: Please review the following dates to kick-off the beginning of the school year:

• Friday, August 25 8:30am - 12:00pm: New Student Orientation & Family Block Party
• 8:30am - 11:00am - New Students Follow Moc Schedule
• 10:30am - Parent Information & Q&A
• 11:00am - 12:00am - New Family Block Party (Meet Your Teachers)
• Monday, August 28th: 1st Day of School for Students
• Thursday, August 31st: Math Diagnostic
• Friday, September 1st: Reading Diagnostic
• Monday, September 4th: Labor Day - School & Offices Closed
• Thursday, September 14th: (5:30pm-8:00pm) Back to School Night (In-Person)
• Friday, September 30th: School Closed for Yom Kippur

Arrival & Dismissal: Care riders and walkers will enter and exit through the back side parking lot doors, while bus riders will enter and exit through the front doors. Only buses are permitted into the driveway in front of the school during

Morning Arrival and Afternoon Dismissal. The school hours are 8:00am to 4:00pm. The instructional day for students is 8:30am to 3:10pm. To ensure a safe and orderly arrival and dismissal, please adhere to the following guidelines:

• Arrival: Students may begin arriving as early as 8:00 am. No student should arrive on school property prior to 8:00 am, as there is no adult supervision. Upon arrival, 6th and 7th grade students report to the gymnasium and 8th grade students report to the cafeteria. Students are released to class at 8:23 am. Breakfast is served in the cafeteria in the morning for all grades. See Morning Arrival Details Below: 
• 8:23 am - Students released to lockers and/or classes
• 8:25am -Students should be in the building by 8:25 am, if they are going to make it to class on time.
• 8:30am - Instruction Begins (All students arriving to class after this time are marked tardy)
• 8:33am - Students arriving to class at this time or later must have a late pass.
• Dismissal: Dismissal begins at 3:10 pm. 
• Car riders not picked up by 3:30 pm will report to the main office to await their parents, who will need to show their ID to check them out. 
• Early Pickup: Early pick up ends at 2:30p, so that the office staff can prepare for dismissal. Families picking up after this time will need to wait for their child in the back parking lot for dismissal at 3:10pm.

Meals (Breakfast/Lunch): Breakfast is available to all students from 8:00am to 8:20am. Students must be in line by 8:20 am in order to receive breakfast. However, all students arriving on a late bus will be permitted to receive breakfast, if they choose. Students may purchase breakfast ($1.60) and/or lunch ($3.00) daily. Families who would like to apply to receive free or reduced meals must complete the Free and Reduced Lunch Application.

Staff Contact Information: Please see important contact information below:  

School Services:

• Student Services AP:  Student Services:  Gina Byrd - gina.byrd@pgcps.org
• TAG Coordinator: Ms. Janet Clarke-Green janet.clarke@pgcps.org
• Special Education Chair: Mrs. Sharon Marshal-Oladokun sharon.marshall@pgcps.org
• ESOL Chair: Mrs. Ann Fleming ann.fleming@pgcps.org

For more information regarding the school, please review the BTMS Information & Overview. We are looking forward to an exciting and engaging school year. We can’t wait to see you!!!

Sincerely, 

Dr. Kendra Hill

Kendra Hill, Ed.D.