Welcome to the NEW William Byrd Middle School website! We have changed some links around so please feel free to look around.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

"Wonder" by R.J. Palacio




August was born with a facial defect.  He is excluded by other kids at school but he just wants to fit in and belong.  If you've ever felt left out or bullied you will enjoy this strong young man and his courgeous attitude.  I highly recommend this book! Fantastic read, I couldn't put it down.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

The Book Fair is Coming!!

Come join us for the WBMS book fair from October 29th to November 7th.  We have a great collection of books this year, including a section of young adult books. Don't forget about our All About Books contest where the winning grade will be able to witness multiple teacher dares... Mr. Watts and Carraway wearing a tutu, 6th grade teachers dressing like nerds for day, Mr. Roakes dressed in tiolet paper... and much more.  Collection containers are available in your English classrooms.  Stop by and see what we have to offer or start your Christmas shopping early.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

English Extra Credit Opportunties

There are two ways to earn extra credit in your English class. The first one is to read the 2012-2013 Virginia Reader Choice books. For each book that you read you must answer one question in essay form.  The questions are available at the circulation desk. If I am convinced that you read the book then your English teacher gives you 25 extra credit points PER BOOK.  You can read as many of these books as you'd like.  (the 8th grade now as 15 books to choose from - 5 are from the VA Reader's Choice high school list)

Your second chance to earn extra credit is to attend the Pageturner's Book Club at the Vinton Library. The books change monthly and meetings are held the first Thursday of the month at the Vinton Library.  The meetings run from 4:00 to 5:15 and if you bring a note you can ride but 106 or 79 to the library. 

More information is available in the library or by talking to Mrs. Balsley. hbalsley@rcs.k12.va.us

Terrier Mart

Come visit the Terrier Mart for all of your school supply needs. Terrier Mart is open for business every morning from 8:00 to 8:20 in the library. Our items include: pencils, pens, highlighters, poster board, folders, 1" binders, rulers, floppy disks, notebooks, graph paper, protractors, glue, hole protector sheets, markers, colored pencils, scissors, and much more!

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

The 2012 school year comes to an end!

The WBMS library has had a great but busy 2nd semester!  We did Iditarod Research with the entire 6th grade. Our 6th graders read over  59,000 pages in the IditaREAD two week contest. Way to go!!  The 6th grade science classes also came to the library to do a weather lesson using QR codes and Ipads.  Our 7th graders completed research on historical topics relating to their history class.
Our brand new summer reading program titled “Hot Reads for Cool Treats” was presented to all students in 5th grade (our incoming students), 6th and 7th grades.  Our new reading program is linked to the Virginia Reader’s Choice contest and students can continue to read the books through next school year to earn 25 extra credit points per book.  During this school year we had over 85 books read for extra credit and 14 students read a minimum of four books to be able to vote in the Virginia Reader’s Choice contest.  Additional information is available on the library website.  (The incoming 9th grade pre-ap students also received an assignment and book list.)
Remember to keep reading over the summer! The Vinton Library has an excellent summer program were library bucks can be earned by completing a reading log and students can then bid on prizes (like a Nook,  Zombie survival kit, etc….) Sign-ups start on June 4th at the Vinton Library!
Library funding for books will not be provided to the schools next year, so the WBMS library is collecting ink cartridges for recycling to purchase new titles as they are released during the 2012-2013 school year. Please bring your donations to the library or leave in the front office. Thank you so much for your support and in helping to put books on the shelves for our readers!

Saturday, April 14, 2012

I just finished reading all of the 2012-2013 Virginia Reader's Choice book for our summer reading.  We have some great selections to choose from this year! Elementary presentations start on April 16th and the middle school presentations on April 17th.  The summer reading is called Hot Reads 4 Cool Treats!! Watch for the pamphlet coming home soon! It will also be available on the WBMS libray website.



Over 50 kids attended our Hunger Games Trivia Party in March!!  We had several winners who enjoyed copies of the Hunger Games Companion book, movie gift certificates, and other Hunger Games treats.  Bakery items were provided by Mellark's Bakery. (if you've read the book you know who owns the bakery) We can't wait for the next movie!!!

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Hunger Games Trivia Party - Sign ups open till 3/15

The library is sponsoring a Hunger Games trivia party on March 21st during all three lunches. Come watch the movie trailer with us and share in the Hunger Game excitement! Prizes will be given to winners, in addition to door prizes.  Participants can pack their lunch, buy, or purchase pizza. See Mrs. Balsley or Mrs. Johnston in the library for more details.  Tickets will be handed out on March 20th!

The book Ashes, Ashes by Jo Treggiari is fantastic!  In this story set in the future there are few survivors of an epidemic and those that do survive are being taken by the 'Sweepers'.  Lucy decides to join a group of other survivors after living for several months on her own in Central Park, New York City.  Adventure, with a little bit of romance, make for a great read!!