Panther Tails
A Newsletter From Bel Air Middle School July 26, 2023
Welcome Back to Bel Air Middle From Our Principal, Dr. Karl Wickman
I was instantly impressed by the warm welcomes, smiling faces, exciting things going on and most importantly, by the kindness and caring nature of the people in the school and the community. It is my hope and goal that you experience this same feeling of caring and sense of belonging that I did as you begin the 2023 - 2024 school year at BAMS.
This is the first newsletter of many you will receive throughout the school year. We will do our very best to keep parents and students informed of all the amazing happenings at our school. You will find helpful information in this newsletter, but as always, should you ever have a question please do not hesitate to contact us here at the school at 410-638-4140.
We look forward to seeing our 6th grade students at Panther Prep and our returning students at Open House (Details below in this newsletter)
Sincerely,
Dr. Karl Wickman
Open House and Back To School Night Dates
Open House for all BAMS students will be held on August 24 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.. Open House is a chance for students to see their schedules, walk the building and say hello to teachers and staff.
Back to School Night programs for parents will be held on the following evenings:
6th Grade – September 12 from 6-8 p.m.
7th and 8th Grade – September 14 from 6 – 8 p.m.
We Welcome Assistant Principal Suzette Attah to BAMS!
July 20, 2023.
To the parents of our Rising 6th grade students:
Greetings and welcome to Bel Air Middle School, the home of the Panthers.
It is with great joy that I write this letter of introduction as the new 6th grade Assistant Principal of the Bel Air Middle School. I am honored to join this amazing and talented team of professionals, who work in unison to ensure that the educational needs of all students are met.
This academic school year (2023-2024) will be my 20th year in public education where seven of those years were spent serving in the largest public school system in the Country- New York City Department of Education. The remaining have been in the Harford County Public Schools as Special Education Department Chair/Teacher for Special Education. I was then promoted to Assistant Principal for Swan Creek School, and now a part of the Bel Air Middle School Family.
I endeavor to promote and support an environment that is safe and nurturing for your students. I welcome your partnership for us to work together to support the academic achievement and social emotional development of our learners.
On August 15th, we will host our Panther Prep Event, which gives our 6th grade students the opportunity to peruse the school building and get familiar in the learning environment that they will begin the next chapter of their lives. The link is included at the bottom of this letter for you to register if you have not already done so to attend this event that is especially organized for your son/daughter.
In closing, I look forward to our years together, learning, growing, and supporting each other in this amazing community. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at (410) 638-4140 ext. 404 or email at Suzette.Attah@hcps.org.
Respectfully,
Suzette Attah
Panther Prep Registration
6th Grade Parents - Regarding Vaccinations Needed Prior to Grade 7
Dear Parent or Guardian,
Maryland immunization requirements will impact your student in the school year 2023-2024.
· All students entering 7th grade must have had one Tdap vaccination and one
Meningococcal vaccination.
You should work with your child’s doctor to get his/her immunization record documenting these vaccines or receive the required vaccinations if needed. Please email, fax, or mail a copy of your child's updated immunization record documenting the Tdap and Meningococcal vaccines.
According to Maryland School Immunization Regulations (COMAR 10.06.04), to be allowed in school, students must be immunized according to the Maryland Recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule. A child has up to 20 days from the start of school to show proof of vaccinations. Your child may not be allowed in school without these vaccinations.
If you have questions about immunizations that are required for school, please call your child’s health care provider or the school nurse. If you have recently provided new immunization documentation to your school nurse, kindly disregard this letter.
Sincerely,
Mary Nasuta, RN, MS, NCSN
Supervisor of Health Services
You can reach the School Nurse at BAMS at 410-638-4140