From the Desk of Mrs. Smith
Wiley H. Bates Middle
Snacks and Candy at School
We appreciate your support in helping us maintain a positive and focused learning environment. Recently, we’ve noticed that large bags of chips and candy have been causing disruptions during the school day. To minimize distractions, we kindly ask that students bring only individual-sized portions of snacks to school.
Your cooperation will help us ensure a smoother and more productive school day for all students. Thank you for your partnership!
Interims Coming Soon
Keep an eye out for interims coming next week. This is the perfect time to review your students' grades and assist them with any eligible missing assignments.
Below are the passing requirements for promotion to the next grade.
Promotion of Students
A middle school student must pass three of four Core courses (Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies) in order to be promoted to the next grade. In addition, a student may fail no more than one Encore class if taking fewer than four Encore courses. If taking four or more Encore courses a student may fail no more than two Encore courses. If a Core course is failed, it must not be in the same subject area failed in a previous year. Students who fail two courses in the same subject area will have to take summer school coursework to demonstrate content mastery.
Middle School Spring Soccer (Girls and Boys)
Deadline has been extended. Turn in by FRIDAY, February 28
AACPS will offer boys and girls soccer this spring and expand offerings in other middle school athletics beginning next fall. Student-athletes must meet academic eligibility requirements to participate. Eligibility for spring soccer will be based on final second marking period report card grades. More information on eligibility criteria can be found here.
Packet for Middle School Athletes & Parents and Physical Form - We also have extra packets at the front office if you need one. Please turn in completed packets to Wiley H. Bates Middle School front office no later than Friday, February 28.
More information about AACPS athletics programs can be found here.
Cougar Calendar
February
24 Attendance Challenge begins (see flyer below)
25 Incoming 6th Grade Parent Information Night - 6pm (6:45pm Spanish session)
26 No APEX+ classes
27 2nd marking period Honor Roll Celebration
27 CAT South application support night (see below flyer)
28 Last day to turn in middle school soccer application packets (extended date)
28 Last day to donate to the #LiftLA Campaign
March
1 Out of Area Requests may be submitted through March 1-May 1 (see below for more information)
4 PTA Spirit Dining - Wendy's (See flyer below)
5 APEX+ Session 2 Class #10
12 APEX+ Session 3 Class #1
13 ArtsFest - 5:00-7:00pm (more info to come)
13 PTA Meeting (in person after ArtsFest)
18 Two-hour early dismissal - Unity Day - Wear Orange
27 Two-hour early dismissal
28 Two-hour early dismissal - End of 3rd marking period
Inclement Weather Information
We have reached the limit of our three allotted snow days for the year. Moving forward, any additional days off due to weather will transition to virtual learning. If your student still needs a computer for home use, please don’t hesitate to contact the front office at 410-263-0270. We are here to help ensure a smooth learning experience for everyone!
Attention 8th Grade Students
Order your Panoramic Class Photo NOW
Wiley H. Bates Middle
Class of 2025
-----------------------------------------------
Order Your 2025 Class Panoramic Today!
Only $15
Questions?
(800)869-9515
Thank You!
Attention 6th Grade Families
Mrs. McFadden will be going into science classes on 2/24, 2/25, & 2/27 for students to choose their encore class requests for 7th Grade.
This will be done via a Google Form that will be posted, on the day of Mrs. McFadden visits, in their science teachers’ Bright Space page. Forms can be resubmitted for changes through March 1st.
Please contact Mrs. McFadden at cmcfadden@aacps.org with any questions.
Incoming 6th Grade Information Night
February 25th 6pm (Spanish Session 6:45pm)
Wiley H. Bates Cafeteria
Attention Bates Families!
Do you have a student who will be a 6th grader at Bates next school year? Do you have a neighbor or friend whose student will be a 6th grader at Bates next school year? If so, please join us for our Incoming 6th Grade Parent Night on Tuesday, February 25th at 6:00pm in the Bates cafeteria with Mrs. Barnett. This will be followed by a presentation in Spanish at 6:45pm. Please help us spread the word!
Attention 7th Grade Students
Ms. Weiss visited math classes on 2/20 & 2/21 for students to choose their encore class requests for 8th Grade.
This was completed via a Google Form that is currently posted in your student's math teachers’ Bright Space page. Forms can be resubmitted for changes through March 1st.
Please contact Ms. Weiss at dweiss@aacps.org with any questions.
Attention 8th Grade Families
CAT South Application Support Night
February 27th 5:00-7:00pm
Attendance Challenge begins February 24!
T-Shirt Drive - Earn Bates Bucks
Now until February 26
Donate any unwanted t-shirts and sweatshirts to SGA! These students will be working hard to create dog toys for the ASPCA. Turn in shirts to your advisory teacher to receive your Bates Bucks! We will be collecting them now until February 26.
#LiftLA CAMPAIGN TO AID STUDENTS, FAMILIES IMPACTED BY DEVASTATING WILDFIRES
Wiley H. Bates Middle School will be collecting donations to support #LiftLA. Our SGA students will be selling bracelet making kits for $1 at lunches to raise money, see the below flyer for more information.
There will also be donation jars during lunch and in the main office, collecting both cash and checks. Checks can be made out to the Education Foundation of Anne Arundel County Public Schools with the notation #LiftLA in the memo line, and online donations can be made at www.aacps.org/liftLA.
The campaign runs through February 28, 2025.
7th Grade Penny Wars
Through February 28th, see if you can save loose change to donate to the 7th grade class for our field trip!
The advisory class that brings in the most change will earn a Dress Down Day in March!
We will collect change on Friday, February 14th and Friday, February 28th.
Out of Area School Requests
March 1 - May 1
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) seeking an Out of Area Transfer for the school year 2025-2026 must complete and submit an Out of Area form along with all supporting documentation to the principal of the school your child is requesting to attend for their review between March 1 and May 1, 2025.
This includes ALL CURRENT out-of-area students as they too must be competed and submitted along with the supporting documentation each year.
All requests submitted After May 1, 2025, will need to be submitted directly to the Department of Pupil Personnel with an explanation for why it is being submitted late.
If your child is an 8th grader and you are considering submitting an Out of Area Request for a high school other than your zoned high school, you will need to submit an Out of Area request to the high school principal of the requested school.
*The daycare option is not valid at the high school level.
Forms and full details regarding requirements for a request for Out of Area can be found HERE on the AACPS website (under the Students & Families tab/Assistance for Families)
Read FAQ section prior to submitting as Incomplete Out of Area requests & those lacking accompanying documents will not be accepted
PTA News
PTA Spirit Dining Day
Tuesday - March 4
Join us in supporting Wiley H. Bates Middle School PTA at our upcoming fundraising dining day! Take a night off from cooking and head to Wendy's at 1949 West St, Annapolis, MD. A portion of the proceeds will go directly to our PTA—just mention Bates Middle School or show this flyer when you order. Your support makes a difference! See you there!
PTA Meeting (In Person)
March 13
Mark your calendars now for our March PTA meeting, which will be in person on March 13th for our annual Dessert Fest following Arts Fest. We will also be having an awards ceremony for our Reflections Arts Contents Winners and will have a presentation by Ms. McFadden (6th grade counselor) and Ms. Weiss (7th grade counselor) on Social Media and Teens. We hope to see you there!
Join the PTA
Scan QR code or visit join.batespta.org
SAVE THE DATE
ARTSFEST
Congratulations to our Spelling Bee Winner!
Congratulations to Axel Portillo Rivera! He is the Wiley H. Bates Spelling Bee Champion! This year, 43 students competed, and Axel secured his victory in Round 5. He will now advance to the AACPS Spelling Bee on March 8th!
Join us in celebrating Axel’s achievement and wishing him the best of luck in the next round!
Yearbook Sales
Order by April 18
Yearbook Sales:
Deadline to order yearbooks will be April 18th.
Cost: $28.13
All orders must be placed online at: https://shop.yearbookmarket.com/wileyhbatesmiddle
Yearbooks will arrive to our school in June.
Once ordered, you will receive an email receipt.
NO EXTRA YEARBOOKS WILL BE ORDERED, so please get your orders in!
Uniform Donation Fund
As a uniform school we sometimes have families who cannot afford uniforms for the week. Donations through this fund will support the students in need of grade level polo shirts, uniform compliant bottoms along with sweatshirts during the colder months.
Please scan the QR code below if you would like to make a monetary donation.
For more information, please contact Shauna Rykiel, School Social Worker srykiel@aacps.org. Thank you for your willingness to help others in our school community.
Counselor's Corner
Counselor Information
6th Grade Counselor
Ms. McFadden cmcfadden@aacps.org
7th Grade Counselor
Ms. Weiss dweiss@aacps.org
8th Grade Counselor
Ms. Barnett cmbarnett@aacps.org
LOCAL RESOURCES
Anne Arundel County Crisis Response System
410-768-5522
Anne Arundel County Department of Health Adolescent and Family Services Clinic
410-222-6785
Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency
410-222-7858
Anne Arundel County Be Well
https://www.aahealth.org/bewellaa
Anne Arundel County Public Schools Social & Emotional Supports
https://www.aacps.org/page/social-emotional-crisis-resources
Children’s Mental Health Matters!
https://www.childrensmentalhealthmatters.org/find-help/parents-families/
Crisis Text line
741-741
https://www.crisistextline.org/
Healthy Anne Arundel Coalition
https://www.healthyannearundel.org/
Mind Resilience
https://www.mindresilience.org/
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Anne Arundel County
443-995-2222
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
988
Network of Care
https://mentalhealth.networkofcare.org/annearundel-md
National Resources
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
https://afsp.org/chapter/maryland
American Psychological Association
https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience
Healthy Children
https://www.healthychildren.org/english/healthy-living/emotional-wellness/Pages/default.aspx
Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Around the Community
Health Clinic at your School Survey
Teacher Recruitment Job Fair
Saturday, March 29th
Severna Park High School
8:00am - 12:00pm
Registration opens February 12th
Join us for our in-person Teacher Recruitment Job Fair! Candidates will be able to connect with principals and learn about AACPS programs and initiatives!
Candidates invited to attend this job fair include:
Professionally certified educators*
Licensed Speech Language Pathologist
Candidates with a bachelor’s degree interested in pursuing a career in teaching
Licensed Trades professionals (i.e. plumbing, electric, mechanics, HVAC, etc.) interested in teaching a trade
*Please note that Student Services positions (i.e. School Counselor, School Psychologist, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker, Pupil Personnel Worker, etc.) have separate interview processes and are not eligible to attend this event.
Registration is required for this event.
ALL CANDIDATES FOR THIS JOB FAIR MUST ALSO COMPLETE AN ONLINE APPLICATION FOR A TEACHING POSITION WITH AACPS.
YOUR JOB FAIR REGISTRATION WILL BE APPROVED AFTER WE CONFIRM THAT YOU HAVE SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION FOR A TEACHING POSITION.
THIS IS AN IN-PERSON EVENT ONLY. THERE IS NO VIRTUAL OPTION TO ATTEND!
Anne Arundel Peace Action Writing Contest
Money prizes available
Maryland middle school writing contest focusing on themes of peace and social justice. Click HERE for more information on how to participate. All entries must be postmarked no later than May 31, 2025.
Job Opportunities
Wiley H. Bates is hiring - TSA and Cafe Staff!
If you are looking to work at Wiley H. Bates Middle School, we are hiring for a couple of positions:
Temporary Support Assistants that will work as extra support for our students. If interested, you may apply through the link below. TSA application
We are also looking for help in our cafeteria. Please click HERE if interested in joining our cafeteria staff.
2nd Annual Multicultural Festival
Join Us for a Night of Culture, Flavor, and Fun!
Save the Date: Thursday, April 3rd, 2025
Where: Severn River Middle School, Arnold, MD
Celebrate the beauty of diversity at our 2nd Annual Multicultural Festival!
What to Expect:
Live Performances: From a vibrant Polish folk-dance performance to high-energy hip-hop, Indian traditional moves, a dazzling Chinese dragon dance, Latin American cha-cha, Polynesian rhythms, and so much more!
Cultural Exhibits: Explore fascinating cultural tables with artifacts and crafts from around the globe.
Delicious Food Trucks: Savor international flavors that’ll delight your taste buds.
Family Fun-Raiser: Support a great cause while having an unforgettable evening!
All Families of Anne Arundel County Public Schools Are Invited!
Last year was a hit, and this year promises to be even better. Don’t miss it!
Admission: FREE! Bring your family and friends!
Let’s celebrate the many cultures that make our community shine. See you there!
Mobile Food Pantry
Broadneck Pantry
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have questions about transportation?
Please forward any questions to our administrator, Mr. Walker at jewalker1@aacps.org
Do you have questions about your student's attendance?
Please contact Christine Clark at cclark3@aacps.org.
Do you have specific student concerns, ie. behavior, scheduling, academic performance, etc. please contact your grade level administrator or counselor:
6th Grade
Administrator: Ms. Adkins ktadkins@aacps.org
Counselor: Ms. McFadden cmcfadden@aacps.org
7th Grade
Administrator: Mr. Walker jewalker1@aacps.org
Counselor: Ms. Weiss dweiss@aacps.org
8th Grade
Administrator: Ms. Milburn lmilburn@aacps.org
Counselor: Ms. Barnett cmbarnett@aacps.org
Do you have an emergency concern (after hours)?
Please contact our Principal, Katie Smith, at 302-314-6146.
Wiley H. Bates Middle School
Katherine Smith, Principal
Christine Clark, Editor
We are better together!
Email: cclark3@aacps.org
Website: www.aacps.org/o/wileyhbatesms
Location: 701 Chase Street, Annapolis, MD, USA
Phone: 410 263-0270