The 2012 Read, Write and Win program, sponsored by the Crystal Lake Rotary Dawnbreakers in conjunction with School District 47 and McHenry County College, enrolled 160 students in grades 3 through 8 to read a book and write a new ending.  The books chosen were Bronte’s Book Club by Kristiana Gregory, The Fantastic Secret of Owen Jester by Barbara O’Connor, Holes by Lois Sachar and Trash by Andy Mulligan.  The talented winners took home prizes of $25, $50, $75 and $100 for Fourth, Third, Second and First places, respectively, at an awards ceremony held April 23 at Hussman School in Crystal Lake, and all entrants received commemorative t-shirts.  More than 200 participants and family members enjoyed the ceremony, which was written up in Triblocal, the details of which can be found here: http://triblocal.com/crystal-lake/2012/04/25/library-announces-contest-winners/.  
 
Richard Bernotas Middle School, had 3 students participating.  One winner from Bernotas was Sarah Y.  Congratulations to Sarah!  The Crystal Lake Public Library was thrilled with this year’s participation levels, the highest yet, and are already planning Read, Write & Win 2013. 

Honors’ Assembly will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. on Monday, June 4.  At that time sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students will be recognized for their achievements during the year.

Eighth grade students will be dismissed after the Honors' Assembly at 10:15 a.m., with transportation available for bus students.  Sixth and seventh graders will remain in school and be dismissed at 2:14 p.m. - their usual dismissal time.

The eighth grade Honors’ Night program will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 4th.  The purpose of this program is to honor all eighth grade students who have earned recognition during the school year.  In addition, eighth graders will receive their certificates of promotion that night.  They will be finished with school after this program.

Due to limited seating in our main gymnasium, each eighth grade family will receive two tickets for the Honors' Night program.  These tickets will be distributed to eighth grade students on Friday, May 18th.  Unused tickets should be returned to our office.  Extra tickets will not be available this year.  As in the past, our program will be televised via live, closed circuit TV that evening.  No tickets are needed for closed circuit viewing and it has been our experience that this option is best suited for younger family members and other relatives who plan to attend.  If you should have any questions or concerns, please contact Bernotas Middle School.

Tuesday, June 5th, will be the last school day for sixth and seventh graders.  On that day sixth and seventh grade students will attend school on an abbreviated schedule.  Students will arrive at 7:40 a.m. with all buses running regular routes.  The day will finish at 9:30 a.m. with bus transportation provided for bus students.  Report cards and miscellaneous items will be distributed to students on this day.

This year's book fair will run the week of May 7-11.  We could use volunteers every day, as well as on Thursday, May 10th from 6:30-8:00 pm for Open House.  Each day is divided into 2-3 hour shifts, from 8:00-11:00 am and 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Please let Amy Wittenberg know at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it which of these shifts you could work.

Open House is coming soon.  The faculty and staff of Bernotas Middle School cordially invite you to the Annual Spring Open House on Thursday, May 10th, 2012 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.  Students are invited; however, we are asking that they be accompanied by their parents.

We hope you will be able to take advantage of this opportunity to visit and view the class work of your students that will be displayed in all rooms.  The teachers and I look forward to visiting with you.

Recognizing the number of vehicles that will be involved, we suggest you use North Elementary School and St. Thomas Church parking lots when Bernotas Middle School’s parking lot becomes full.  Please do not use Park Place as they have an event that evening and you will be ticketed if you do park in their lot.

For more information, please click here.

This fall, students entering sixth and ninth grades will be required to provide proof of Tdap vaccination along with the school physical forms that are also required for these grades.
Click here for all information pertaining to Tdap.

Report Card Rewards!

Lately, with the days getting shorter and drearier, I have noticed my son getting into a little of a “school rut.”  I figured that our school parents might be seeing the same thing.  So, with midterms right around the corner, be sure to check out this fabulous list provided by Family Circle Magazine. 

The list gives information on over twenty different corporate chains that offer some kind of report card incentive for kids.  The prizes range from free pizza to free ceramics at Color-Me-Mine.  It is a fabulous list, and just what the doctor ordered to get our kids out of that rut!

For more information, check out
www.familycircle.com/academicrewards