August 22, 2023
Dear WTB Families,
I am excited to begin my third year as the principal of Walter T. Bergen Middle School. A core belief of mine has always been that the education of your child is a team effort. Successful teams work together, learn from each other and are driven to reach the established goals. I will do those things alongside the students, teachers, administrators, parents and key community members in order to provide a school culture and climate based on learning and respect for others. Another core value of mine is the importance of educating the whole child. It will be important that the students of Walter T. Bergen Middle School not only learn the academic skills and knowledge that will prepare them for high school, but that they also grow socially and emotionally.
There is a lot to be excited about at Walter T. Bergen Middle School in 2023-24. We will be starting school in a much more “normal” or “traditional” manner than in September 2021. We will also be working in year two of our best practice, middle school class schedule. A committee of teachers and I met throughout the last school year to assess our new schedule, and we have made some slight improvements. One of the adjustments is that the 5th grade will have Academic Advisory time in their schedule every day. I am excited for the flexibility and opportunities that this will bring to meet the needs of all of the 5th grade students. Students in grades 6, 7 and 8 will continue to have Academic Advisory time in their schedule every day. Also, our 8th grade students were provided new opportunities and choices for their cycle classes. The 8th grade Art program now runs courses specific to painting, drawing or sculpting. Our 8th grade Technology program will run 3D Modeling, Electronics and Coding and Technology/Engineering. Those Technology classes, and the Technology classes for all grades, will take place in a new, updated and modern WTB Makerspace. The construction for the room was completed over the summer. Lastly, the science rooms for grades 6, 7 and 8 have been updated from wall to wall.
Communication between the school community and families is very important to me, and vital to the success of a school’s mission. We will use many forms of communication to inform families. The Genesis Parent Portal is a great source of information for families. Also, be on the lookout for emails and texts via School Messenger. You can follow Bloomingdale Public Schools on Twitter for important information and exciting news on school events. I will send out a monthly newsletter, the Bobcat Bulletin, to families as well. Of course, always feel free to contact myself or the main office at WTB for any questions or concerns.
Respectfully,
Mr. Jon Deeb