Ms. Trapp’s Weekly Address

Good Evening Brogden Families. This is Mrs. Trapp with the Weekly Sunday Message for the week of November 9-13.

Our Canned Food Drive has started!  We will be collecting cans for the Salvation Army through November 20^th.  Be sure to bring in your cans and give them to your homeroom teacher!

To recognize Veterans’ Day, Wednesday, November 11^th is a holiday for students and staff.

Please do your holiday shopping and all of your internet shopping through the Brogden website:Brogden.dpsnc.net then go to the Furtal link F_U_R_T_A_L.  Hundreds of major retailers are on the site and shopping through the Brogden.dpsnc.net website will gain a percentage of all sales for our school.  Remember, shop on line through brogden.dpsnc.net.

On Saturday, November 14, Durham Public Schools will hold its annual Magnet Fair.  This year the fair is just for elementary magnet and year-round schools.  There will be a separate fair the next day, Sunday, November 15, that will feature ALL of the middle and high schools in the district.  So mark your calendars for Saturday, November 14, 9 am until 12 noon for the Elementary Magnet Fair and Sunday, November 15, for the Middle and High School Fair, 1 until 4 pm.  Both events are at Hillside High School, 3727 Fayetteville Street. 

Grandparents who are raising their grandchildren or who are offering support to help raise their grandchildren are invited to attend support and education group meetings the second Thursday of each month from 6:00 until 7:30 pm at the DPS Staff Development Center, 2107 Hillandale Road.  The next session will be Thursday, November 12 and the topic is Communicating for Everyday Life.   The sessions are sponsored by Durham County Cooperative Extension in partnership with Durham Public Schools.  Refreshments will be provided. In December, grandparents will gather on Thursday, December 11.  Mark your calendars now.  To attend, call Peggy Kernodle at 560-0523 or email pkernodle@co.durham.nc.us

Have a successful week, Dragons!

7th and 8th grade students will go on a field trip to see the play High School Musical at Hillside High School on Friday, November 6th. Students need to remember to bring money for lunch.

6th grade will recognize students with Achievement Day activities on Friday, November 6th. Students who have exhibited positive behavior and maintained appropriate grades have been invited to attend.

PTA Spiritwear has arrived. It will be distributed throughout this week. We will start distribution with 8th grade, then 7th, and lastly 6th grade.

Boys & Girls Basketball and Wrestling will hold tryouts starting Monday, November 2 through Thursday, November 5. Any student interested in trying out for the teams must have a current physical.

Please do your holiday shopping and all of your internet shopping through the Brogden website:Brogden.dpsnc.net then go to the Furtal link F_U_R_T_A_L. Hundreds of major retailers are on the site and shopping through the Brogden.dpsnc.net website will gain a percentage of all sales for our school. Remember, shop on line through brogden.dpsnc.net.

There is still space available in our ENCORE! Afterschool Program. The cost is $100 for the entire year. The program runs Monday-Thursday from 2:30-4:30. Bus transportation is provided home. You may pick up applications in the main office. For more information, contact Community Education at 560-3816.

Enjoy your first week of November, Dragons!

Good Evening Brogden Families. This is Mrs. Trapp with the Weekly Sunday Message for the week of October 26-30.

Please remember that Monday, October 26^th is a Teacher Workday. There is no school for students.  We’ll see students back at school on Tuesday.

8^th grade parents:  the deadline for turning in money and permission slips for the November 6^th field trip is Tuesday, October 27^th.  The cost is $15.00 and students need to bring money on the day of the trip to cover lunch.

Wednesday, October 28^th is Picture Day. Order forms and information were sent home with students last week.

Report cards will go home with students Thursday, October 29th.

 There will be a Fall Dance on Friday, October 30^th from 7-9 p.m. in the gym. Admission is $5 and concessions will be sold. Remember that all of Brogden dances are for Brogden students only.

Boys Basketball and Wrestling will hold tryouts starting Monday, November 2 through Thursday, November 5. Any student interested in trying out for the teams must have a current physical. 

There is still space available in our ENCORE! Afterschool Program. The cost is $100 for the entire year.  The program runs Monday-Thursday from 2:30-4:30. Bus transportation is provided home.  You may pick up applications in the main office. For more information, contact Community Education at 560-3816.

Have a great week, Dragons!

Students will take benchmarks in reading, math, and science on October 20-22. The benchmarks are important because we see what students have learned in the first quarter. The teachers will use the results to help them better plan instruction. Please encourage our students to do their best.

 The end of the first quarter is Friday, October 23rd. Report cards will go home with students Thursday, October 29th.

6th grade students in Band, Chorus, and Strings programs will get to show parents and guests what they have learned in a concert that will be held on October 20th at 7:00 p.m. Students who are performing need to arrive at 6:30 p.m. on that evening.

The first day of our ENCORE! Afterschool program is October 19th and our enrollment is very low. There are plenty of spaces available and the cost is $100 for the entire year. Brogden has 10 scholarship positions for which parents can apply. The program runs Monday-Thursday from 2:30-4:30.Bus transportation is provided home. You may pick up applications in the main office. For more information, contact Community Education at 560-3816.

SHODOR Organization is offering SATURDAY EXPLORATION WORKSHOPS. Fall workshop dates: November 7th – December 12th 2009 and focus on science modeling. Students work with interactive simulations to better understand different science questions. For more information please visit www.shodor.org.

October is Disability Awareness Month. DPS has joined with Durham Parks and Recreation as they celebrate their 4th annual Unity in the Community Day for disability awareness. This is not an event for EC families, but rather it is an event to promote awareness for all families. The event will be held Saturday, October 24, 2009 11 a.m.– 3 p.m. at NCCU’s Leroy T. Walker Complex on 1801 Fayetteville St.

Have a stupendous week, Dragons!

Support our Dine Out Night at Rudino’s on Tuesday October 13^th from 5-9. 

This is a reminder that 6^th graders will be going on the Renaissance Fair field trip on Tuesday, October 13^th.

Wednesday, October 14^th is a PLC Early Release Day. School will be dismissed at 12:20 p.m.

Did you know that we have a Habitat Crew at Brogden and a four-year history of being the MOST active middle school in Durham Public Schools helping Habitat for Humanity build houses in our city!

We will have Habi-Hat Day on Friday, October 16th! Beginning on Monday, students may pay $1 to their homeroom teachers to get to wear a hat on Friday, October 16^th. Your dollar will go to support Habit for Humanity.

6^th grade students in Band, Chorus, and Strings programs will get to show parents and guests what they have learned in a concert that will be held on October 20^th at 7:00 p.m.  Students who are performing need to arrive at 6:30 p.m. on that evening.

Have a wonderful week, Dragons!

Good Evening Brogden Families. This is Mrs. Trapp with the Weekly Sunday Message for the week of October 5-9.

This message will take the place of my normal Sunday weekly message.

Brogden PTA has also been taking orders for Spirit Wear.   The order forms were passed out in homeroom to students and at PTA events. If you need an order form, you may pick one up in the office.  Tomorrow, Friday, October 2^nd is the ABSOLUTE deadline for ordering. Please turn in orders to your child’s homeroom teacher. We cannot accept any orders after tomorrow.

Grandparents who are raising their grandchildren or who are offering support to help raise their grandchildren are invited to attend support and education group meetings the second Thursday of each month from 6:00 until 7:30 pm at the DPS Staff Development Center, 2107 Hillandale Road.  The next session will be Thursday, October 8. 

The sessions are sponsored by Durham County Cooperative Extension in partnership with Durham Public Schools.  Refreshments will be provided.

Future sessions will be held November 12 and December 11.  Mark your calendars now. 

The Cooperativa  Latin Credit Union is showcasing a Photo & Essay Contest for students between 13-14, 15-16, and 17-18.  Prizes will be awarded in EACH age category with $1000.00 going to the 1^st place winner, $500.00 to the 2^nd place winner, and $250.00 going to the 3^rd place winner.  For contest details, visit www.latinoccu.org, or call 919 688-9270.  Deadline for this contest is NOV. 30^th. Come on Dragons we can win this contest!!!

Students, does it seem like you just left the playground?  Believe it or not but you are at the age where you should start thinking about a career.   Would you like to interview someone who is doing what you’d like to do?  THEN plan on attending the CAREER EXPO on the 5^th of November at Northgate Mall.  It will give you the opportunity to meet people from lots of careers and ask all the questions you’ve ever had.

Have a fabulous week, Dragons!

Thanks to all of you who have supported the PTA fundraiser. Remember that order forms and money are due at school on September 28^th.  

Brogden PTA has also been taking orders for Spirit Wear.   The order forms were passed out in homeroom to students and at PTA events. If you need an order form, you may pick one up in the office.

Progress Reports will go home with students on Friday, October 2^nd.

There will be a dance for 8^th grade students ONLY on Friday, October 2^nd from 6-8 p.m. The admission is $5.00 and concessions will be sold. Remember that this dance is for Brogden 8^th grade students ONLY.  Teachers will announce the theme for this dance to students this week.

Don’t forget that there are nomination forms and a ballot box located in the waiting area of my office in Room 201 so that you can nominate Your Favorite Brogden Middle School Teacher for Teacher of the Month. You can also find the nomination form on the BMS webpage and e-mail your completed nomination form to me.  Our first teacher of the month for this school year will be announced Monday at our faculty meeting.

If your child has a health concern make sure you have notified Nurse Jordan so that she may initiate a plan of care.  If your child needs prescription or non prescription medications given during school hours, make sure that you have your doctor complete the Request for Medication to Be Given During School Hours form.  It is available in the office or on the DPS website.

Have a fabulous week, Dragons!

Good Evening Brogden Families. This is Mrs. Trapp with the Weekly Sunday Message for the week of September 21-25

If your child has a health concern such as asthma, diabetes, severe allergies, or seizures you will need to notify our school nurse so that a plan of care can be initiated.  Our school nurse is Nurse Jordan.  You may reach the nurse by calling the school office 560-3906. 

If your child needs prescription or non prescription medications given during school hours a written order by a health care provider is required. The “Request for Medication to Be Given During School Hours” form is available in the school office or on-line at the DPS website.   Thank you.

Please continue to support the PTA fundraiser. Remember that order forms and money are due at school on September 28^th.

The first Trapp’s Advisory Group will have lunch with Ms. Trapp on September 30^th.  I’m looking for students who have been exhibiting FIRE throughout the building.  Students who will participate will be announced this week! 

Nominate Your Favorite Brogden Middle School Teacher for Teacher of the Month. Monthly Winners receive a

-$50 Gift Certificate to a Favorite Restaurant or Store and

My Parking Space for One Month!

Each month, from September through May (excluding December), a current BMS teacher is recognized in a variety of ways to let him or her know they are making a positive impact on our children.  Their story will be featured the following month on the BMS website.

There are nomination forms and a ballot box located in the waiting area of my office in Room 201.  You can also find the nomination form on the BMS webpage and e-mail your completed nomination form to me at Renee.Trapp@dpsnc.net.

This week is Spirit Week. 

Monday – Hat Day (Wear your favorite or wackiest hat)

Tuesday – Wacky Tacky Day (Dress in your craziest mis-matched outfit)

Wednesday – Hippie Day (Dress up like people from the sixties)

Thursday – Nerd Day (Come to school dressed like a nerd)

Friday – Green & White Day (Show your school spirit by wearing school colors!)

Fall sports athletes will be recognized during homeroom sometime during the week and there will be free seating at lunch for students who participate in that day’s theme.  We’re looking forward to seeing lots of school spirit.

Have a wonderful week, Dragons!

Carpool parents: Thanks for helping to make carpool move much more quickly and safely. I have received lots of positive feedback on how much better carpool is moving along.

Our first PTA Meeting and School Kick-off Event was last Thursday. We had a lot of fun and had a good turnout. There were dance contests, sweet treats, and many prizes were won! Thanks to all of the parents who planned the event and to those of you who attended.

The PTA fall fundraiser kickoff was Friday. Students received their packets to bring home. Remember that about 80% of the PTA budget money comes from this fundraiser, so we would all really appreciate your support.

Does your child have an IEP? The Durham Council of PTAs has established an EC PTA program and would like to announce its kick-off open house event to be held on Tuesday, September 22 at 6:30pm. It will be held at Grey Stone Baptist Church on 2601 Hillsborough Road. Child care will be available upon RSVP. Please RSVP to Larry Coleman at 919-384-1161 or by email to durhamptaec@yahoo.com or contact your school EC Teacher for more information.

We’re happy to announce that an Encore Afterschool Program will operate this year at Brogden. The program is scheduled to begin on October 19 and will operate Monday-Thursday. The Encore! Brochure can be found on the DPS website. For more information call the Community Education Office at 560-3816 to register. Register early. Registrations will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.

Fuddruckers Dine-out Night is Tuesday, September 15th from 3-Closing. Brogden receives 10% of the proceeds from the evening. Please come out to get a great dinner and support our school.

Wednesday, Sept. 16th is our first PLC Early Release Day. School will be dismissed at 12:20 p.m.

Good Evening Brogden Families. This is Mrs. Trapp with your weekly Sunday message for the week of September 7-11. 

Carpool parents:  Please help us move the carpool line along quickly and safely by following the directions of the police officer and school staff when you are in carpool line.  Wait until you are at the end of the line before dropping off your children. Students enter the school from the far door, not the front door of the school in the morning and they will have a shorter walk to get into the building if you drop them off at the top of the parking lot which is the end of the carpool line. When you drop your children at the entrance of the parking lot, it backs the line up and makes everyone have to wait longer.  Also, please do not drop your children off in the teacher’s lot or on Leon Street. It is very dangerous for students to have to cross carpool traffic.  We all understand that your time is valuable, so let’s work together to speed up the carpool process and make it safe for everyone.  You are also reminded that students are to be dropped off no earlier than 7:10 a.m.  Supervision is not in place until that time. Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

Our first PTA Meeting and School Kick-off Event is September 10^th at 6:30 p.m. We will have a DJ and dancing, as well as special treats for all those in attendance and prize drawings for all those who purchase a PTA membership.  Teachers and administrators will be in attendance and look forward to seeing you there! 

The PTA fall fundraiser kickoff is Friday, September 11.  We will have an assembly for all students to explain the process and packets will go home that day.  80-90% of the PTA budget money comes from this fundraiser, so we would all really appreciate your support.  Look for information to come home with your child this Friday.

We’re happy to announce that an Encore Afterschool Program will operate this year at Brogden.   The program is scheduled to begin on October 19 and will operate Monday-Thursday.  The Encore! Brochure can be found on the DPS website. For more information call the Community Education Office at 560-3816 to register.  Register early.  Registrations will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis.

Durham County Cooperative Extension in partnership with Durham Public Schools is hosting a Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support and Education Group this year.  The support group for grandparents who are raising or helping to raise their grandchildren will meet the second Thursday in each month starting September 10.  The group will meet from 6:00 until 7:30 pm at the DPS Staff Development Center, 2107 Hillandale Road.  Grandparents will find this group to be a great way to share your experiences in raising your grandchildren.  To attend, please call Peggy Kernodle at the Extension Office at 560-0523. 

I’d like to invite students and parents to participate in a Kitchen Table Conversation with the Board of Education, Superintendent and the Durham Association of Educators to discuss an important topic: academic success for African-American males.  The discussion will be held on Tuesday, September 15, from 7 until 8:45 pm at W.G. Pearson Magnet Elementary School, 3501 Fayetteville Street.  Facilitators will be on hand to help with the discussion.  The Durham Association of Educators and DPS are seeking input from stakeholders toward the development of a proposal to the National Educators Association Foundation.  If funded, the grant would implement strategies for closing achievement gaps among African-American males and their peers.  Data analysis identified African-American males as an audience of most urgent need. Participants are asked to RSVP online at www.dpsnc.net by September 10.  Thank you for your support.

Enjoy your Labor Day Holiday. We’ll see everyone back at school on Tuesday, September 8^th.