Berner Middle School -

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

BMS Homeroom Announcements 3/24/25: 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/1azGwddF5oWzyGzWCJ4cQZ5BDsx3J9Dlj/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

BMS Homeroom Announcements 3/21/25: https://www.msd.k12.ny.us/bmsannouncements

Dear Berner Families, Thanks to the support of our PTSA, Berner is excited to welcome a speaker from Rachel’s Challenge on Monday, March 24th. 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". On Monday, students will participate in a grade level assembly promoting the profound positive impact we can have on those around us. Rachel’s Challenge challenges participants to positively affect school climate by speaking with kindness, choosing positive influences, looking for the best in others, and appreciating those around them. We welcome students and staff to wear apparel that promotes messages of kindness, positivity, inclusion, and/or hope on Monday, March 24th. Thank you for your support! Jason Esposito, Beth Mullins, Keri Wing, Rob Tucker, Kristen Meoli, Ken Petersen, and Ed Hoffman

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

Dear Berner Families, Berner Middle School has emergency plans and procedures to protect our students and staff during emergencies, as everyone's safety remains our top priority. To that end, it is important for us to consistently review and practice our emergency procedures throughout the school year. This is done by engaging our students and staff in a series of drills, both announced and unannounced. Safety exercises, such as fire drills, lockout drills, lockdown drills, shelter drills, relocations, and evacuation drills are done periodically. On Friday, March 21, 2025 we will perform a lockdown drill, which we implement to practice addressing a potential situation that involves a threat inside of the building. Over the remainder of the year, we will continue to run safety drills to ensure that we always remain vigilant and prepared. As always, your continued support is appreciated. Jason Esposito, Beth Mullins, Keri Wing, Rob Tucker, Kristen Meoli, Ed Hoffman, and Ken Petersen

BMS Homeroom Announcements 3/20/25: https://www.msd.k12.ny.us/bmsannouncements

Good Afternoon Berner Parent/Guardian: Registration for the 2025 Berner Spring Sports Season on FamilyID is open, link below. This process needs to be completed in order for your child to be eligible for participation. Tryouts begin on Monday, March 31st. https://www.familyid.com/organizations/massapequa-public-schools-athletics Please contact the Athletics office if you need assistance. Go Chiefs! Sincerely, Ed Hoffman, CAA, - Interim Athletic Director Berner Chairperson for PE & Athletics

BMS Homeroom Announcements 3/19/25: https://www.msd.k12.ny.us/bmsannouncements

Hello Berner 7th & 8th Grade Parents/Guardians and Students: Below is important information regarding the upcoming Berner Middle School Spring interscholastic athletic season. SPRING INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS TEAM INFORMATION: Across NY State, only 7th & 8th grade students are eligible to participate in interscholastic middle school athletic teams (6th grade students are Not permitted). STUDENT INTEREST MEETINGS FOR BERNER SPRING INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORT TEAMS - . All 7th & 8th grade Berner students interested in trying out for a spring season interscholastic team at Berner must attend a meeting from 3:00-3:40pm on the dates listed below. Coaches will discuss tryout procedures, team responsibilities and required forms/paperwork with the students at this meeting. Eligible students will be able to take the 3:50pm late bus home. Meeting Dates & Location Boys Lacrosse - Monday, March 24th. 3pm in the Cafeteria Baseball - Monday, March 24th. 3pm in the Auditorium Gymnastics - Wednesday, March 19th. 3pm in the Wrestling Room/Aux Gym Girls & Boys Track/Field - Monday, March 24th. 3pm in the Gym Girls Lacrosse - Monday, March 24th. 3pm in the Wrestling Room/Aux Gym Softball - Friday, March 21st. 3pm in the Auditorium Berner Spring Athletic Season Informational Slideshow: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vQZXCunK2gTJLnM2BLc2aDkb4Kt6oSJjHvG_eR7XhnlzQgtVrKgFXjrHG779S0KNGolMCTVvTSoPo2e/pub?start=true&loop=true&delayms=3000 The information covered at the Student Interest Meetings is listed on this document (click to view). TRYOUTS FOR ALL SPRING INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS AT BERNER – (Monday, March 31st) - Tryouts for all Berner Spring sports teams will begin on Monday, March 31st from 3:45-5:30pm (Gymnastics ends at 6pm). There are no late buses provided after tryouts/practices. Families must arrange for a ride home at the conclusion of each tryout/practice/game throughout the season. Tryouts will take place for approximately 4 days. Once teams are secured, team practices take place every school day during the season from 3:45-5:30pm (Gymnastics ends at 6pm). To try out for any school interscholastic team, all students must be registered with FAMILY ID and have submitted all of the required information/paperwork online BY THURSDAY, MARCH 27th. PLEASE DO THIS ASAP. All students trying out for a Spring sport must register on Family ID for this specific season. If a student already participated in a Berner sport this year, they must once again register on Family ID for this specific Spring season/sport. To register on Family ID and to complete the online medical forms, please click on this link: https://www.familyid.com/massapequa-public-schools-athletics If you have issues/questions with Family ID, please contact the Berner Nurses’ Office at: 516-308-5791 If the student is in need of an current/updated physical and would like to have the physical performed by the school doctor during the school day at Berner on March 19th, the student or parent must contact the Berner Nurses' office before March 19th to register for this free physical. *PLEASE NOTE - Physicals are considered "current" if they fall within 12 months of the starting date of a sport season. The biggest obstacle that the Berner Nurses' have in being able to clear a student for tryouts is not having a current physical on file. Please make sure that your child's physical that is updated on Family ID is "current". STUDENT-ATHLETE OPTIONS FROM 3:00-3:40pm: From 3:00-3:40pm student athletes will have the ability to choose to attend any of the following after school options: Athletic Team Study Hall (in the Cafeteria) Extra Help Club Meetings Computer Lab -room 120. SPRING PARENT-ATHLETE MEETING (April 22nd at 7pm) - Students that are selected for any of the Berner spring teams must attend a mandatory Parent-Athlete Meeting with a parent/guardian on Tuesday, April 22nd at 7pm in the Berner Auditorium. Additional information regarding the Berner Spring athletic season can be found on the Berner Athletics & Intramurals Schoology Group/Page. Thank you. Ed Hoffman, CAA Massapequa School District Interim Director of P.E., Health & Athletics Office: (516) 308-5080 P.E. Chair and Athletic Coordinator Massapequa School District Nassau County Challenger League Coordinator Office: (516) 308-5725 Email: Ehoffman@msd.k12.ny.us

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. 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