The Bogalusa Middle School Timberjacks consist of an excellent faculty and support team. The students of BMS excel academically and promote positive behavior! We are the Timberjacks!

OUR MISSION:

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Hello, my Name is Tonja Varnado Seal and I am excited to say that I am the Principal at Bogalusa Middle School. I would like to begin by sharing some background information about myself. This is my 15th year in education. I am dually certified in Elementary Education, grades 1-8 and Special Education, grades K-12. I have a Master's Degree in Counseling from Southeastern Louisiana University and a Plus 30 in School Administration also from Southeastern. I am also a Licensed Professional Counselor as well as a National Board Certified Counselor. I am truly blessed with two wonderful children of my own, Malarie and Coley. Malarie is in her final semester at LSU and Coley is a senior at Franklinton High School. I am married to Kevin Seal. Kevin is a correctional officer at Rayburn Correctional Center.
I would like to welcome you to a new year at Bogalusa Middle School. I am looking forward to another year of working with the students, parents, faculty and staff. I am committed to making the educational experience an enjoyable one for both faculty and students. I believe that when students...as well as faculty and staff...enjoy coming to school and work, their performance is greatly enhanced. Therefore, I want to make our school a place where everyone enjoys being everyday! I also believe that it is necessary to look at every situation as a parent, as a teacher, and then as an administrator, before making a decision. The decisions I make will always be in the best interest of our students.
We are extremely fortunate here to have a highly qualified and dedicated staff that is committed to the academic and social success of each child at Bogalusa Middle School. We are also very close and truly a "family". I always encourage and insist that the faculty and staff treat our students the way they would want their own children to be treated. 
We also have wonderful students who will reach their full potential and become successful, life-long learners. Our students are exceptional. The educational program we offer is designed with our student's academic, emotional, social, and physical needs in mind. With the support of our wonderful parents and community members, WE WILL ACHIEVE GREAT RESULTS AND MAKE BOGALUSA MIDDLE SCHOOL THE BEST SCHOOL IN WASHINGTON PARISH!
Tonja Varnado Seal, Principal
Marie Gomez Goff, M.Ed.
Assistant Principal
Bogalusa Middle School
mgoff@bogschools.org

 

A MESSAGE FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

Hello, my name is Marie Gomez Goff. It is with great pleasure that I address you as the Assistant Principal of Bogalusa Middle School.  I’d like to welcome you - new and returning families and students - to our school.   
I would like to begin by sharing a little information about myself. I am dually certified in Elementary Education, grades 1-8 and Special Education, grades K-12. I have a Master's Degree in Education from Southeastern Louisiana University, and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern Mississippi. I am also a certified Educational Diagnostician. I have been married to my high school sweetheart, Josh Goff, for eleven years. Josh and I have a five year old son named Leo.
Bogalusa Middle School staff members and I are very excited to work with each one of you this school year.  I feel very lucky to work with a staff and community that values education and positive character and that works as a team to help students reach their full potential. 
Our caring staff, great students, fantastic parents, and fine community make Bogalusa Middle School the school it is. The faculty, staff, and administration have a strong commitment to create a climate in which all students feel safe and become life-long learners. This commitment is demonstrated through our communication between staff, students, parents, and the community. It is through this communication that we provide opportunities for our students to learn and grow throughout their middle school years.
I hope everyone enjoys their days at Bogalusa Middle School, however, it is important to remember that no one’s “fun” should infringe upon what we consider to be the “basic rights” of all students:  to feel and be safe while on campus and to learn in an environment that is free from distractions.  Good decision making and appropriate behaviors are equally important to note-taking and studying for tests if students are to be successful in school. 
It is in middle school that children begin the sometimes stormy transition to becoming young adults.  It can be chaotic, confusing, and complicated for kids - and the adults in their lives!  Although you may not be thanked for many years to come, take an active role in your child’s personal and academic growth throughout the year. At Bogalusa Middle School, we encourage respect not only for others, but for one’s self and one’s goals in life.  With help from you at home, it is our hope that students use these character traits at school, in our community, and in their personal lives. 
Your child is becoming more independent yet still needs your support as much as ever. While you may decide to allow your child more autonomy in some areas, be sure to stay actively involved in your child’s education. Research shows that children whose parents are involved in their education are more likely to achieve academic success. Here are some excellent ways for getting involved in your child’s middle school learning experience:

• Get to know the teachers. It’s a good idea to meet each of your child’s teachers throughout the school year. Ask about their expectations. Find out how much time your child should spend on homework each night. Find out whether there will be regularly scheduled tests and if so, when. Mrs. Ellen Bailey, our Parent Facilitator, will be happy to schedule parent teacher conferences for you.
• Find a place for yourself at your child’s school. Unlike in the lower grades, middle school classrooms don’t need extra adults on hand. But you can volunteer in other ways. Being in the school is a great way to get a feel for what goes on there. Please contact Mrs. Ellen Bailey, our Parent Facilitator, about volunteering.
• Do behind-the-scenes work. If you can’t be in school during the day, ask teachers and other school personnel to pass along some work that you can do on your own.
• Go to school meetings and events. Attending meetings and other activities is a great way to become familiar with your child’s school community. There is a school newsletter sent home each month that includes upcoming events at the school. These activities and other important information will also be posted on our school’s website.
• Find out about homework assignments and school tests. Your child was provided with a school planner at the beginning of the school year. This is a great tool for you and the teacher to communicate.
• Talk to your child about school. Ask specific questions to draw out your child. Ask “How do you think you did on the math test?” “What did you eat for lunch today?” “What did you do in PE today?”
• Give your child a quiet place to study and do homework. Find an area in your home that is free of distraction where your middle school student can concentrate on homework. Be available to help if your child has a question.
• Check your child’s homework, but don’t do it for him or her. Offer to check math problems, proofread written papers, and look over spelling words. If you find a mistake, point it out to your child and help him or her figure out the correct answer.
• Post a family calendar in a central place. Write down important school dates, including parent meetings, due dates for projects, and tests. Encourage your middle school student to add to the calendar and to check it daily.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any comments, questions, concerns, or if I can assist you in anyway. My email address is mgoff@bogschools.org and my phone number is (985) 281-2232. I look forward to a fantastic year and thank you in advance for supporting our efforts in making your child’s educational experience meaningful and successful.

Sincerely,

Marie Gomez Goff, M.Ed.
Assistant Principal
Bogalusa Middle School

 

Bogalusa Middle School is located at 1403 North Avenue in Bogalusa, Louisiana

BMS houses grades 5-8, with an educational focus on curricula, extracurricular activities, nutrition and safety. We have a "NO" bullying policy and a well-designed Positive Behavior Support intervention plan. Our faculty and staff members are diversed and highly qualified to meet the educational needs of the Bogalusa Middle School students!