Dear Berner Families, Spring is a very busy time at Berner, especially now that the spring athletic season has begun, and students are traveling to and from school with all of their backpacks, rolling bags, and sports equipment. During this time of the year, an increased number of parents drive their children to school, as bringing all of the athletic equipment onto the school buses is a challenge. As we continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of our students, we want to stress the importance of adhering to our morning drop-off procedures in and around the parking lot and drop-off areas. Safety is our top priority, and your cooperation is crucial in ensuring a smooth and secure start to the school day. Here are a few key points to keep in mind: Follow the designated drop-off zones. Please use the specified areas for dropping off your children. This helps maintain an orderly flow of traffic and ensures that students are safely entering the school premises. Stay within speed limits. Drive slowly and cautiously within the school zone. Speeding can pose a significant risk to students and staff. Be patient and courteous. Morning drop-off can be a busy time. Please be patient and considerate of other drivers and pedestrians. Avoid cutting off other drivers to maintain a safe and respectful environment. Follow staff instructions. Staff members who are present are there to assist with the drop-off process. Please follow their directions to ensure a smooth and safe experience for all. Additionally, please be reminded about the Early Morning Drop-off from 7:15 AM -7:45 AM every day. It’s a time of the morning when the Berner parking lot is less busy, thereby making the drop-off process quicker. Students enter the building through the Cafeteria Entrance and wait in the cafeteria, under the supervision of staff, until the 7:45 AM Homeroom bell. By working together and following these guidelines, we can maintain a safe environment for our students. Thank you for your attention to this important matter and for your continued support. Jason Esposito, Beth Mullins, Keri Wing, Rob Tucker, Kristen Meoli, Ed Hoffman, and Ken Petersen

BMS Homeroom Announcements 4/3/25: https://www.msd.k12.ny.us/bmsannouncements

BMS Homeroom Announcements 4/2/25: https://www.msd.k12.ny.us/bmsannouncements

BMS Homeroom Announcements 4/1/25: https://www.msd.k12.ny.us/bmsannouncements

Dear Berner Families: Please see the attached link with important information regarding the upcoming New York State Grades 6-8 Assessments for ELA and Math and Grade 8 Science. If you do not wish your child to participate in the exams, we ask that you complete the 2025 NYS Assessment Participation Refusal Form located on the Parent Portal by tomorrow so that the building administrative team can safely and appropriately plan for all students on those dates. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kHqNvkmquK8rr4rIrMIv6ATd0hhHy4jQ/view?usp=sharing Thank you, Jason Esposito, Beth Mullins, Keri Wing, Rob Tucker, Kristen Meoli, Ken Petersen & Ed Hoffman

BMS Homeroom Announcements 3/31/25: https://www.msd.k12.ny.us/bmsannouncements

Dear Berner Parents, Students and Staff, April is Autism Acceptance Month. The Berner Student Council and Berner Best Buddies Club will be hosting a fundraiser to support Nassau/Suffolk Autism Society of America (NSASA). On April 1st and April 2nd, students and staff will have the opportunity to purchase lollipops at $1.00 each during all lunch periods. All proceeds will go to NSASA. Kindly click the link for more information: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18xEMgYOki3Gu0I9_LQ7IefYQvqDCTYer/view?usp=drive_link Please remember to wear BLUE on April 2nd! Thank you, Mrs. Ferreira & Mrs. Robertson, Berner Student Council Advisors Dr. Dean & Ms. Porter, Berner Best Buddies Advisors

BMS Homeroom Announcements 3/28/25: https://www.msd.k12.ny.us/bmsannouncements

Good Morning Eighth Grade Students and Families, The Eighth Grade Moving Up & Awards Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. Kindly click the following letter for more details: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_hUp2qERpKcDdVUII-Xd7j1tvkiG-rEQ/view?usp=drive_link We are looking forward to celebrating the many accomplishments of our students! Sincerely, Katrina Laboy & Marianna Christy 8th Grade Class Co-Advisors Alfred G. Berner Middle School

Dear Berner Parents and Students: Please see the attached link with important information regarding the upcoming New York State Grades 6-8 Assessments for ELA and Math and Grade 8 Science. If you do not wish your child to participate in the exams, we ask that you complete the 2025 NYS Assessment Participation Refusal Form located on the Parent Portal no later than Tuesday (April 1 ) so that the building administrative team can safely and appropriately plan for all students on those dates. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kHqNvkmquK8rr4rIrMIv6ATd0hhHy4jQ/view?usp=sharing Thank you, Jason Esposito, Beth Mullins, Keri Wing, Rob Tucker, Kristen Meoli, Ken Petersen & Ed Hoffman

Dear Berner Parents, Students and Staff: Kindly click on the following link regarding World Autism Awareness Day: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T_UAL3U47-oI0F-4W2ZhYDRHc61MKY9v/view?usp=drive_link Don't forget to wear BLUE on April 2nd! Thank you.

BMS Homeroom Announcements 3/27/25: https://www.msd.k12.ny.us/bmsannouncements

Dear Berner Families, Check collection for Adventureland is well underway and will continue through Friday, April 4th. Please note, if your child does NOT plan on attending the trip, please return the signed permission slip, indicating they will NOT be attending. Additional copies of the permission slip are available in the Guidance Office. Thank you, Berner Class Advisors

BMS Homeroom Announcements 3/26/25: https://www.msd.k12.ny.us/bmsannouncements

BMS Homeroom Announcements 3/25/25: https://www.msd.k12.ny.us/bmsannouncements

Dear Berner Parents, Students and Staff, The Berner and Ames Best Buddies Chapters will be selling apparel as part of their annual Spring Fundraiser event. Kindly click on the link to the flyer for this fundraiser: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19ZuHpjbkmGXiIr0ApMZABtKE2zW91355/view?usp=drive_link Proceeds from this fundraiser will support future Ames Campus and Berner Best Buddies Club activities. The online store is NOW OPEN and will close on Sunday, March 30th. The clothing items can be picked up at Amity Harbor Sports (Merrick Rd, Amityville). It take approximately 4 weeks to receive the items once the online store closes. Thank you for your continued support. Megan Porter and Lauren Dean Berner Best Buddies Club Advisors

Dear Berner Parents and Students: Please see the attached link with important information regarding the upcoming New York State Grades 6-8 Assessments for ELA and Math and Grade 8 Science. If you do not wish your child to participate in the exams, we ask that you complete the 2025 NYS Assessment Participation Refusal Form located on the Parent Portal no later than Tuesday, April 1 so that the building administrative team can safely and appropriately plan for all students on those dates. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kHqNvkmquK8rr4rIrMIv6ATd0hhHy4jQ/view?usp=drive_link Thank you, Jason Esposito, Beth Mullins, Keri Wing, Rob Tucker, Kristen Meoli, Ken Petersen & Ed Hoffman

Good Morning Eighth Grade Students and Families, The Eighth Grade Moving-Up & Awards Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. Kindly click the following letter for more details: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_hUp2qERpKcDdVUII-Xd7j1tvkiG-rEQ/view We are looking forward to celebrating the many accomplishments of our students! Sincerely, Katrina Laboy & Marianna Christy 8th Grade Class Co-Advisors Alfred G. Berner Middle School

The Summer Recreation and Summer Fine Arts 2025 Programs are now accepting applications for the following positions: Summer Recreation: Volunteers (Current 8th and 9th grade students), Leaders (Current 9 -12 students), College Assistant Position (Current 12th graders and Current College Students who reside in the Massapequa School District). Summer Fine Arts: Student Assistants Current 9 – 12 Students) and College Assistant Position (Current 12th graders and Current College Students who reside in the Massapequa School District). To apply, first read the instructions available here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1otQvlHLpfc27ZAvzWfuI7NzpHyONjda-/view. Then complete the application process, available here: https://www.applitrack.com/msdny/onlineapp/. Applications will be accepted through April 11, 2025.

Dear Berner Families, Today, a speaker from Rachel’s Challenge visited Berner and conducted impactful and engaging grade level assemblies with all of our students. Rachel's Challenge, inspired by Rachel Joy Scott's life and writings, is an anti-bullying and anti-violence program that aims to replace negativity with kindness and compassion, emphasizing that "people will never know how far a little kindness can go". The core message that kindness and compassion can create a positive chain reaction and make a difference in people's lives was present throughout the presentations and students left being “challenged” to positively affect the Berner school climate by speaking with kindness, demonstrating empathy, choosing positive influences, looking for the best in others, and appreciating those around them. 6th Grade students were presented with the following 5 challenges: 1. Dream big and believe in yourself 2. Be kind to others 3. Practice positive gossip 4. Show appreciation to those you love 5. Be the answer for someone 7th and 8th Grade students were presented with the following 5 challenges: 1. Look for the best in others 2. Dream big 3. Choose positive influences 4. Speak with kindness 5. Start your own chain reaction Tomorrow, students will have the opportunity to sign the Rachel’s Challenge banner indicating they accept the “Challenge”. Additionally, students who found this presentation impactful are encouraged to join our Chief’s Challenge club. Please take a moment to have discussions with your child about the messages shared during today’s assemblies and the 5 challenges they have been tasked with. Thank you to the PTSA for their ongoing support and making today’s events possible. Sincerely, Jason Esposito, Beth Mullins, Keri Wing, Rob Tucker, Kristen Meoli, Ken Petersen, and Ed Hoffman