From Mr. Arnold:

Hello, families and friends of BMS! It's hard to believe that it's been nine months since the inaugural District update and the start of the 2025-26 school year.  With just a couple weeks of school left and the weather getting better everyday (I hope, I really, really hope), everyone is preparing to change gears and enjoy the time and opportunities that come with the long, warm days of summer break.  Whatever plans you and your family have made or activities you will be involved in, we hope that the next three months are full of fun, sun, and relaxation.  

But, like I recently told our students, we aren't there yet!  As we wind down the school year we still have work to accomplish and to recognize from throughout the year.  During the week of May 4th, the 6th Graders traveled to Camp Palmer for the day (5/4), 7th Grade Honor Roll students went to a Toledo MudHens game (5/6), and Thursday and Friday is the annual 8th Grade trip to Chicago.  Outside of those formal trips, there are all kinds of activities planned for our kids in and out of the building designed to celebrate a great year.  Be sure to communicate with your student(s) about what is coming up and what they may need to be prepared for.

Finally, during the last three days of school, we will hold our final Reach for the Gold assembly, recognizing hundreds of students for a wide range of positive participation during the fourth quarter and throughout the year.  On the last day we will have our annual Top 20% Assembly recognizing 7th and 8th graders whose academic achievements placed them in the top 20% of the students in their class for the school year.  

As I mentioned, we are almost there, but we are not there yet!  The best help you can provide your student is to help them remember to keep getting their rest, keep getting their work done, and making sure they are working hard to the finish line of this school year.  Thanks and have a great summer break!

If you look below in the Announcements and News of Interest section, you will see some important dates and events that are coming up soon at BMS.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me or any staff at BMS.  We are happy to help in any way we can. 

MOST IMPORTANTLY, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO EVERY DAY AND ALL YEAR TO MAKE THIS A GREAT PLACE TO TEACH FOR THE 6-8 STAFF!

From Mr. Alspaugh: 

It’s hard to believe how quickly the final weeks of the school year are flying by. It feels like just yesterday we were returning from spring break and starting the 4th quarter, and yet we’ve already celebrated so many milestones. From the excitement of Senior Signing Day on April 24th to the wild fun of the Senior Class trip to the Toledo Zoo on April 29th, the beautiful melodies of annual spring musical in April, and our final band concert on May 3rd, our students have been making memories that will last a lifetime.

In the days ahead, the calendar is packed with "lasts" and celebrations. Between Prom (May 9th), Senior Scholarship Night (May 11th), and the Academic Boosters Club Awards Night (May 18th), our community is coming together to honor years of hard work. Of course, the halls are also buzzing with the final push of exams, research papers, and presentations, punctuated by the sounds of our upcoming choir and orchestra concerts. It is all leading up to our final days with the Four County Career Center Senior Recognition Ceremony on Tuesday, May 19th,  our Graduation Practice and Senior Clap-Out on Wednesday, May 20th, last day of school on Friday, May 22nd, and the grand finale: Graduation on Sunday, May 24th.

Check out the sections below for specific details on all these events and more. We wish everyone a safe and relaxing summer break—and to our returning families, have an incredible 2026-2027 school year!

In April, we had our annual End-of Course testing. We offered our students in Grades 9–11, an exam exemption if they performed strongly on core subject tests, which include Government, History, Biology, English, Algebra, and Geometry.

Standard Exemption Pathway:
Students are eligible for an exemption by achieving an End-of-Course (EOC) score of 700 or higher and maintaining a minimum of a 74% average for the second semester.

Alternative Exemption Pathway (Algebra and English Only):
For Algebra and English specifically, students could qualify for an exemption with a slightly lower EOC score of 684 if they meet two additional requirements:

1. Maintain a 74% semester grade.

2. Attend at least 50% of scheduled tutoring sessions.

We will have to wait several weeks for the results, so we encourage everyone to stay focused and be patient until the scores arrive.

As we approach the end of the school year, please note that Second Semester Exams are scheduled for Wednesday, May 20 through Friday, May 22. These exams represent 20% of your student’s semester grade, so attendance and preparation are vital.

Please avoid scheduling doctor appointments, vacations, or other events during these three days.

Exam Schedule
Wednesday, May 20
1:30 PM – 2:45 PM 11th Period Exam

Thursday, May 21
8:00 AM – 9:25 AM 1st Period Exam
9:30 AM – 10:55 AM 2nd Period Exam
11:00 AM – 12:25 PM 3rd Period Exam

Friday, May 22
8:00 AM – 9:25 AM 4/5 or 5/6 Period Exam
9:30 AM – 10:55 AM 6/7 or 7/8 Period Exam
11:00 AM – 12:25 PM 10th Period Exam

Dismissal & Attendance Rules
Wednesday, May 20 (Full Day)
The 6-12 building will be on an adjusted schedule, but this is a full day of school. Students should use the time to prepare for exams or complete missing assignments.

Exemptions: Students with state testing exemptions may leave at 1:30 PM with a parent note and a ride.

Thursday, May 21 & Friday, May 22 (Early Dismissal for HS)
High School students are dismissed at 12:25 PM. * Transportation: School buses will not run until the usual afternoon time. Students without a ride must remain in the cafeteria until the end of the school day. (The lunch line will be open from 12:25–12:35 PM).

Early Release: Students with a study hall, exam exemption, or previously completed exam (Music, CCP, etc.) may leave early.

Permission to Leave Campus
To leave campus during exam windows (May 21–22), students must have a parent note specifying the dates and times they are excused.
Advance Notice: Notes can be turned in as early as Thursday, May 14.
Phone Calls: While we accept phone permission, the parent or an approved adult must come into the office to physically sign the student out.
Note: Students must return to school if they have a subsequent exam later that day.

Tips for Success
To help your student finish the year strong:
Review: Encourage them to go over study guides early.
Wellness: Ensure they get a good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast.
Impact: A strong exam score is the fastest way to boost a semester average

Congratulations to the following BHS students, who attend Four County Career Center and are actively working in and around the four county area.

• Myleigh Andrews, working at Cove Beauty Company - NEW

• Brianna Bauer, working at the Hicksville Auto Recyclers

• Nic Caja, working at Menards Distribution Center 

• Connor Hogan, working at Schlatter’s Plumbing & Heating

• Corey Minck working at Morris Heating, AC & Plumbing

• Brennen Mosier, working at MAC Companies

• Cody Shaffer, working at Flex-Com Communications

• Vincent Taylor,  working at Kings Remodeling & Repair LLC - NEW

• Aaden Wallace, working at Allied Moulded Products, Inc.

• Gabriel Woodring, working at Bil-Jax - NEW

• Jordan Wolf, working at Selking International Service Center

Just a reminder for our music families: please double-check the locations for all performances. Since our auditorium is officially closed for its exciting renovation, our concerts are moving to some new spots. We’d hate for you to miss a single note because of a detour, so be sure to peek at the schedule before you head out.

On Wednesday, April 29th, our seniors visited the Toledo Zoo. Check out some photos from the day!

Work permits are available in the HS Office for any student who holds a job throughout the school year or during the summer. Age range for a work permit is 14 to 17 year olds, if you are 18 you do NOT need a work permit.

It has 3 sections that need to be filled out first:

1. First section (front top) is all of the students' information which also needs a parent/guardian signature.

2. Second section (front bottom) is for the employer to fill out with all of their information and work schedule for the student.

3. Third section (back) is a physician's agreement that the student is physically able to work. If the student has a physical on file for being in a sport (they are good for one year) this section can be skipped. 

Once all three sections are completed it gets returned to the HS Office to Mrs. Lupo. She will input all the information into the state system which then creates the final work permit paper to be signed by the student and Mrs. Lupo. The student then will return that paper to the place of employment for their records, which means the work permit process is completed.