Dear Middle School Families,

We are off to a great start this year!! Students are getting used to their schedules and getting to know teachers. We cannot wait to see what's in store.

SEVENTH and EIGHTH GRADE PARENTS

Our sixth grade parents and new seventh and eighth grade parents were treated to several sessions regarding middle school during orientation. I would like to extend a session on SOCIAL MEDIA to our returning families who missed it. Space is limited, but we can open up more sessions depending on interest. See details below:

Visit with Mrs. Lindsay for a short presentation on an Introduction to Social Media use by teenagers. Please RSVP to Mrs. Lindsay at jlindsay@baylorschool.org for Monday, August 27, 2018 from 10:00 to 11:00 am in Sterling Auditorium (in Hedges Library).

Parents Groups on myBaylor
The Parent Groups on myBaylor have been updated with current information for the school year. On each Parent (Class of 2023, 2024, 2025) page, documents have been added to the front page of the bulletin board, including the updated Middle School B-Book, the Middle School Attendance Policy, and the 2018-2019 Short Calendar.

Under the Topics Tab, a new section called Tech Tips has been added, which will be updated periodically with information to help parents navigate the tricky world of teenage tech usage. I will post helpful articles periodically that might be of interest.

iPads and Cell phones in Middle School
Middle school has started the year off discussing tech usage in class. We believe wholeheartedly that iPads are a valuable educational tool. Teachers have committed to using iPads as best supports student learning while also promoting responsible use of technology. We will enforce our Acceptable Use Policy as established by Baylor School. Students will not have their iPads out during non-academic time, including before school unless they are in extra help and lunch. We will continue to discuss positive use of technology outside of school through advisory lessons as well. Cell phones should not be visible during the school day.

If you need to contact your son or daughter during the school day, we ask that you not text or email them. It can be disruptive to their learning during the day. Please contact Ms. Teresa McDowell in the middle school office, and she will be happy to convey any message.

Looking ahead:

Monday, Aug. 27: Parent education session for seventh and eighth grade on social media at 10:00 to 11:00 am in Sterling Auditorium. Please RSVP to Mrs. Lindsay jlindsay@baylorschool.org. Space is limited.

Monday, Sept. 5:  No classes due to Labor Day.

Monday, Sept. 10: Used Uniform Sale, 3-6 p.m. at the Raider Resale store (adjacent to tennis courts)

Friday, Sept. 14: Middle School Parents Day, schedule forthcoming

Tuesday, Sept. 18 and Thursday, Sept. 20: 10 a.m. start Parent conferences. Look for information from your child's advisor regarding scheduling a conference.

Tuesday, Sept. 18:  Sixth grade parents are invited to a meeting beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Alumni Chapel.  At the meeting, we will discuss the upcoming sixth grade trip to Nature's Classroom.

Monday - Wednesday, Sept. 24-26:  Sixth grade trip to Nature's Classroom in Mentone, AL.

 

Thanks for reading, 

Jenn Lindsay, Middle School Head

 

Baylor will be closed on Monday, Sept. 3 due to the Labor Day Holiday weekend.  Planning ahead for other school breaks?  Click here for the 2018-19 school calendar.

Need Help with myBaylor?  The myBaylor communication platform provides real-time access on student schedules, afternoon activities, calendars and other useful information in a mobile friendly format. It is also where you receive other important school news and information.  If you forget your password, or have any problems and/or comments regarding your Baylor e-mail account, please email Technical Support or call 423-757-2605.

Home Tailgates on Rike - Class tents for each grade will be set up on Rike Field between 5:30 p.m. to kick-off at 7:30 p.m. for home games. Your grade level rep will be contacting parents via myBaylor asking for volunteers to bring food.  Click here to learn more about tailgates.

2018-19 Class Representatives
Throughout the year you will be contacted by your Parent Alliance class rep asking for volunteer help through myBaylor.  Some of the things coming up this fall are home tailgates, the Baylor Fund Parent Phoneathon on Sept. 30, Snack Shack afternoon shifts and tailgate shifts, and Red Raider Resale used uniform sales the first Monday of each month.  If your class rep asks for volunteers, please respond – it's a great way to get to know fellow parents and build community.

Ninth Grade Rep:  Jimmy Adams, 423-883-7383
Tenth Grade Rep: Cynthia Rowland , 305-797-2254
Eleventh Grade Rep: Badiema Waldrep, 423-596-8413
Twelfth Grade Rep:  Jan Cooper , 423-280-3711; and Barbara Kennedy , 423-991-5835

The next used uniform sale will be Monday, Sept. 10 from 3-6 p.m. at the Raider Resale store (adjacent to tennis courts).

Tuesday, Sept. 18 and Thursday, Sept. 20 is a 10 a.m. start for Parent conferences. Look for information from your child's advisor regarding scheduling a conference.

COLLEGE COUNSELING NEWS FOR FALL SEMESTER
Be sure and check myBaylor for important College Counseling updates and events.  Here are a few programs coming up in August and throughout the fall semester:

Application Workshops (senior students only), Sunday, Aug. 19, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Hedges Library (2nd floor computer lab) - Common Application, Naviance skills, and craft a compelling resume.  RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/ybkryc22)

Essay Workshop (senior students only), Sunday, Aug. 26, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., Chapel Lecture Hall - Expert advice about the college essay from Emory University's Farish Jerman. A not-to-miss event for all seniors. RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/y8atts8r

Upcoming College Fairs
Tuesday, Sept. 18, 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., Worsham Arena Lobby
Monday, Oct. 1, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Dining Hall
In addition to upcoming college fairs, colleges and university representatives visit Baylor throughout the fall during community time and provide a perfect time for students to speak with admission representatives about the application/admission process.

Financial Aid Parent Workshop
Thursday, Sept. 13, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Chapel Lecture Hall
A college financial aid professional will help parents navigate the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA), and the College Board's CSS Profile.

College Matters (parents only) Sept. 25 and Oct. 11 - These sessions will highlight the manner Baylor helps students construct a distinctive high school experience, one that naturally positions him or her for admission to our country's most selective colleges.  The sessions are geared towards parents of students in grades 9-11, parents of seniors are always encouraged to attend. 

• Tuesday, Sept. 25, 8 a.m., Chapel Board Room, "Portrait of a Baylor Applicant, part 1"
• Thursday, Oct. 11, 8 a.m., Chapel Board Room, "Portrait of a Baylor Applicant, part 2"

The Red Raider Road Trip Nov. 8 - The Red Raider Road Trip is an optional college tour offered for sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Students will visit the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, including a deeper-dive into UTK's business, engineering and nursing programs. *This is a fee-based excursion, more information and registration will be posted at a later date.