World-Class Knowledge and Skills:
The Blacksburg Middle School community continues to work proudly and diligently to develop world class knowledge, skills, and life/career characteristics of the Profile of the SC Graduate by providing excellent opportunities for all students to excel in academics, athletics, and the arts. BMS just completed its fifth year as an AVID wide school (Advancement Via Individual Determination) with a select group of students in each grade level participating in the AVID elective class, which provides these students with the academic and social skills they need to be college and career ready upon high school graduation. Many of our teachers have become AVID certified in their respective content areas and therefore practice AVID strategies with students in all of their classes. In fact, during the 2022-2023 school year, teachers participated in monthly professional development opportunities with a focus on WICOR (Writing, Reading, Collaboration, Organization, Reading) strategies. Each of these learning strategies is a component that assists all students in developing the Profile of the SC graduate. The AVID site team, BMS administration, and the Coordinator of Teacher Quality and Professional Development planned, prepared, and provided professional development opportunities to address each component of the AVID site team plan for BMS, including instructional strategies, organizational skills, and activities to meet the learning needs of the students. Certified staff provided opportunities for student success through the implementation of organizational skills including the use of student agendas and AVID binders for all students. Students also participated in a 30-minute homeroom time every morning. Teachers focused on different areas of learning each day and utilized this time to assist and mentor small groups of students. For example, on Monday, teachers worked with students on reading and learning how to apply the seven habits of highly effective teenagers based on Sean Covey’s book. Teachers also implemented the Second Steps Program every Wednesday during this homeroom time to help students build essential social-emotional learning skills.
South Carolina standardized assessments, iReady, benchmarks, and classroom assessment data were used as the basis for informing and creating instructional plans using SC College-and Career-Ready Academic Standards. District instructional initiatives and Multi-Tiered Systems and Supports (MTSS) research-based strategies were also utilized to improve academic areas of weakness and to accelerate strengths.
Students at BMS work persistently to cultivate the technological skills they need in order to be successful in today’s rapidly growing digital age. Students use their individual chrome books in all content areas to conduct research, create presentations, and collaborate with teachers and peers to complete a variety of projects. Moreover, teachers have received monthly professional development training from the technology integrator. With the emphasis on learning and the implementation of AVID strategies, students will be more equipped to take rigorous credit courses at the middle and high school level. Currently, BMS offers English 1, Algebra 1, Geometry, and Fundamentals of Computing for high school credit to 8th grade students and Algebra 1 and Fundamentals of Computing to 7th grade students. The 22-23 school year also saw a focused effort to improve world-class knowledge and student engagement as teachers offered instruction through Project Lead the Way (PLTW).
Life and Character Skills:
Our mission statement states that working together with parents, community members, and stakeholders, we will strive to prepare all students to be successful members of society. All students participated in staff-led clubs based on a student selected area of interest. Student clubs met periodically throughout the year, providing opportunities for students to develop relationships with students in other grade levels as well as staff members that they may not have encountered on a day-to-day basis. Many of our students participate in extracurricular leadership opportunities through Beta Club, Student Council, Chorus, Band, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), or athletics. Student leadership clubs at BMS encourage participation in service projects in our school and in the community. Service, work ethic, and improving interpersonal skills are important at BMS. FCA students participated internationally in Operation Christmas Child by collecting and packing shoebox items. These initiatives are woven together by the faculty and staff of BMS in a purposeful effort to assist students’ growth in service to others and their community.
Positive Behavior Incentives and Supports (PBIS) was continued for the 2022-2023 school year. Each month, a student from each homeroom class was recognized and a school representative was recognized as the “Wildcat of the Month” for exemplifying one or more of the seven habits. The PBIS Committee organized monthly, semester, and yearly incentives to reward academic, attendance, and behavioral growth.
In addition to the SC Standards based curriculum, BMS students participated in various activities geared toward enhancing their self-management and interpersonal skills. Guidance counselors conducted classroom lessons on a monthly basis with a focus on The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. In addition, students were able to increase their global perspective by participating in field trips that strengthened and supported curriculum connections. Eighth grade students were given the opportunity to participate in job shadowing activities with local businesses, and all eighth grade students met one-on-one with a counselor to develop their individual graduation plan. BMS students were identified and participated in TRIO (sponsored by Spartanburg Community College). These students will have opportunities to work with the TRIO counselor to develop college readiness skills, visit college campuses, receive tutoring and many other opportunities.
BMS celebrates several student accomplishments and recognizes two Junior Scholars among numerous writers, artists, and athletes. The BMS Concert Choir received a Superior Rating and second place overall at the Smoky Mountain Music Festival. The Winter Color Guard won first place in the state championship. The Marching Band was awarded first place at SCBDA Upper State and second place at SCBDA state. Furthermore, the BMS Girls’ Basketball team was named region champions. Many students from BMS were recognized at the Young Writer’s Gala in addition to the District’s Fine Arts night. In fact, one eighth grade student was named as the district’s Civil War postcard contest winner. In addition to these student awards, two teachers were recognized for winning a prestigious award from Broad River Electric.
Blacksburg Middle School maintains and communicates a purpose and direction that commits to high expectations for learning as well as shared values and beliefs about teaching and learning which is demonstrated through school-wide Professional Learning Community groups. These groups continually evaluate our program offerings and expectations for students to ensure that our purpose and direction are implemented with fidelity and expressed with integrity. As we move into the future, we will work cooperatively with all stakeholders to create opportunities and overcome challenges set forth by the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate that include World Class Knowledge, World Class Skills, and Life and Career Characteristics.
Miranda Grigg, Principal
Hannah Byars, SIC Chair
