In March of every year, the Baker Middle School Choir participates in the Michigan School Vocal Music Association (MSVMA) District Choral Festival. This is a unique opportunity for our Bobcats and other school choirs to perform in front of adjudicators (“judges”), whom are vocal music educators from across the state of Michigan. This year, the District Choral Festival was held on Monday, March 11th at Dakota High School.

During the Festival, there are different levels of performances that are based on the choir’s ability, their voicing, and the level of difficulty of the music chosen for performance. Using a detailed rubric, the adjudicators score each choir on its performance. The rubric includes the following areas: tone quality, pitch elements, rhythm elements, diction (enunciation) elements, interpretation and presentation.

Continuing with the Baker Middle School Fine Arts tradition, our students took the stage with beautiful singing, stage presence and energy. You don't have to take my word for it. They received a final determination excellent rating from the adjudicator. We are so proud of Mrs. Johnson and her vocalists! They are great ambassadors to Baker Middle School and the Troy School District!

March is Reading Month at Baker Middle School

“Let Our Reading Adventure Begin!” 2019"

This was another amazing week of National Reading Month activities at Baker. Our students enjoyed a variety of guest readers in their classrooms and the door decoration competition is heating up. Students are bringing in their gently used books for the book drive and donating their time before school to join in the celebration of reading and literacy. Our students are taking the lead in motivating everyone to read more this month and the adults are joining in the fun. To see how you can support our student's efforts in their mission, please look at the information below.

March is Reading Month Fundraising Event: “Let Our Reading Adventure Begin!” 2019

We are fundraising to install book murals like the ones below

These are the locations where we will put the murals

Events throughout the month...

• Read-A-Thon: (March 27th) Students will collect donations to add book murals to our Baker Hallway. Pledges are due March 25th.
• Door Decorating: (March 27th Voting) Students will decorate their classroom doors to celebrate reading. It can be a favorite book, a book related to your content area or related to our theme, “Let Our Reading Adventure Begin”.
• Book Drive: Used book collection March 11 - 15 in the flag hallway before school. This is a great time for students to clean out their bookshelves at home and bring in books they’ve finished reading. Raffle tickets will be given for every three books donated. Prizes include Zoyo gift cards and new books! Students can drop books off before school in the flag hallway.
• Need a Book, Take a Book: Book shop March 19 & 20 in the flag hallway before school. The books collected during our drive will be displayed for browsing. Before school, students may take up to 2 (new to them) books.
• Bake Sale: March 26 & 27 in the flag hallway before school

Troyberry Madness Bracket

Pennies for Patients

The Pennies for Patients collection for the fundraiser began Monday March 4th and runs through Wednesday March 22nd. The collection will again take place during 4th hour. The money collected will go to the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society, which funds lifesaving research for the most lethal disease children face, blood cancers, and provide aid to Michigan patients and their families.

The 4th hour class with the most money raised will win a pasta lunch courtesy of Olive Garden. The Second place classroom will receive a pizza lunch. Any classes that reach a total of $500 or more will also receive cupcakes from Mrs. Traver. Our students raised $2,410 during the first week of our fundraiser! We are so appreciative of our Baker Family for caring for those fighting this horrible disease. There are still 2 more weeks to donate!

Upcoming Dates

• PJ Day Tuesday March 19th - $1 donation
• Pay to Plug will take place at lunch Wednesday March 20th - $3 donation

Baker Athletics

Sports Update

On Monday, March 11th the Baker Wrestling Team took the mat hosting a home meet against Boulan Park. Several Bobcats defended an undefeated 2- 0 record (Quinn Kelly, Ethan Obidzinski, Emilio Lourio, and Minh Giang). Connor Miller held his record of 1 - 0, Elana Sisk and Lucas Fisher moved to a 1 - 0 - 1 record, and many others now have a 1 - 1 record (Arnav Kodwani, Tim Jaycey, Jacob Lindholm, Vinny El-Khoury, and Andrew Graziosi).

On Monday, March 11th, the Girls' Volleyball teams continued their road trip playing a tough match against Smith. The 7th grade team won a game, keeping the match close with super serving lightning offense, great net play, and hustle to the end. The 8th grade team lost a close match by only 2 points despite aggressive offense and consistent serving. On Wednesday, March 13th the Girl's Volleyball teams returned home to play Hart. The 8th grade team tied their match with unstoppable serving, consistent volleys and successful setting. The 7th grade team rocked the house and bounced back from their loss with amazing volleys and athletic play making.

Washington DC Trip

Registration is open for the 2020 8th Grade Washington DC Trip. The trip is scheduled for February 14 - 18, 2020. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Macintosh zmacIntosh@troy.k12.mi.us 248.823.4689. For more information and early registration, please click on the link below.

This Week at Baker

PTO Communication

Save the Date: The next PTO meeting is scheduled for March 25th at 7 pm in the Baker Middle School Media Center.

PTO Restaurant Night

Save the Date: MOD Pizza Friday, March 22nd 4pm - 8pm

8th Grade Party

Save the Date: 8th Grade Party June 12th from 12pm to 2pm

Attention 8th grade Parents:

Well it’s hard to believe our kids are getting ready to graduate 8th grade in only 3 short months. Their journey on to High School is already being talked about with much anticipation. But before that all begins, we are going to celebrate our Graduates!! This year the party will take place on June 12th from 12pm to 2pm following the half day dismissal. We are planning a Kick off to Summer Beach Party!! The kids will enjoy games, food, music and a photo booth as they get together with their class to celebrate graduating Baker Middle School.

Wednesday, June 12, the kids will have a half day. All 8th graders will stay at school from 12-2pm for the 8th Grade Party. Lunch will be provided. We are asking for a $10 donation from each student to offset the cost of the party.

Please send your cash money in an envelope clearly marked your child’s name and 8th Grade Party to school no later than March 28th. **Please let us know, included in the envelope, if there are any dietary considerations for your child and your contact information so we can reach out to you. There will be a basket in the office for the envelopes.

This is sure to be a fun party as our graduating 8th graders enjoy their last days at Baker. More information will be coming out regarding donations needed, opportunities to volunteer both in planning and the day of the event, and about the activities being planned. Congratulations Graduating 8th Graders!!! We can’t wait to kick off the summer with a Beach Party!!!

8th grade Graduation Party Planning Committee

• Gina Miller
• Jyl Boehms
• Mary Ference
• Kristin Kennaugh

Help Needed in the Bobshop

The sign up is open for March! Please click on the link below to sign up. Spots fill up quickly. Thank you. We are looking forward to a great Bob Shop for the rest of the school year! - The Bob Shop Committee

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