Middle School Newsletter
Guiding Principles
Eternity-focused
Growing
Humble
Transparent
Unified
Loving
Excellent
Spirit Week was a wonderful success. Our students enjoyed participating in the dress-up days and proudly demonstrating their school spirit. At the heart of Spirit Week, however, was a focus on spiritual growth. Students had the opportunity to hear from three different speakers who each addressed our school’s guiding principle for the year: transparency. It has been encouraging to witness our students growing spiritually and deepening their walk with the Lord.
Thank you to everyone who shared birthday wishes this past week. I recently celebrated my 40th birthday and am grateful for another year of growth, wisdom, and the continued opportunity to serve our school community.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with you in the education and care of your children.
We are thrilled to share that Dr. Ontoy and her husband are expecting their first baby in July!
We are encouraging our rising 7th and 8th graders to apply to be a Crew Captain for the 26-27 school year. Self-nomination forms will be available in both Middle School offices starting on Monday after chapel. Students will have a chance to fill out the form, have a parent sign the form, and turn it in to their Den Leader by Feb. 27. Den leaders will then find a time in March to do an interview with each applicant. After that round of interviews, students will be recommended by their Den leaders for a final interview with Mrs. Walters. Students who meet all the qualifications and do well in both interview rounds will be put on a ballet for voting in April. Students will then vote for their Crew Captains.
Next year all Crew Captains will be required to take a 6th hour Leadership Elective Class led by Mrs. Walters and other F/S members. MWF will be Leadership-related content, and T/TH will be a study hall time to get work done for classes. Students will work to plan and organize all Crew events and assemblies, practice for leading in chapel announcements and songs, as well as gain skills to be an effective leader and communicator.
Students may not accrue more than 25 discipline points in a school year and must maintain a C average to hold their office. If either of these standards are not met throughout the year, a student will be asked to step down from their position as a Crew Captain.
We are thankful to be able to pour into the next generation of leaders and train them to love God and love others.
Girls' soccer and boys' baseball (8th grade guys may participate) try-outs are February 17 and 19 with the 20th reserved as a possible final day if needed. If your child is planning to try-out, please be sure they have a current sports physical on file and all BJA Athletic forms have been filled out. (You may access the BJA forms under the helpful links tab.)
Fidget toys may be permitted in the classroom only as a learning support tool and at the discretion of the teacher.
To be allowed, fidget toys must meet the following criteria:
Be silent and small enough to fit in one hand.
Be used solely to assist with focus and self-regulation, not for play.
Be used only during independent work or at times specifically approved by the teacher.
Not be shared, displayed, thrown, or used in a manner that distracts the student or others.
If a fidget toy becomes distracting or is used inappropriately, the teacher may require the student to put the item away or may temporarily confiscate it in accordance with school procedures.
The school is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen fidget toys.
We have accumulated many unclaimed items here at the Middle School on our lost and found racks. Each week, pictures of the items are dropped into a spreadsheet for parents to view and claim. (Please do not delete photos as you claim items, or we will lose track of what is what.) After four weeks, any unclaimed items will be donated. The link can always be found under the Helpful Links tab. It is also linked here: Lost and Found
If it is hard to access the sheet to add names, feel free to email: Truc Sulaiman
Second Semester
February 13 and 16, 2026- No School
March 23-27, 2026- Spring Break
April 10, 2026- Spring Crew Day
May 8, 2026- 1/2 Day, BJU Graduation
May 14, 2026- 1/2 Day, Last Day of School