Our mission as a middle school is to offer learning opportunities that are developmentally appropriate for the intellectual, physical, emotional, and social needs of early adolescent students. Because of the great diversity among children at this level, emphasis is placed upon instruction that allows each student to develop according to his/her own potential.
The BMS curriculum is designed to stimulate the academic achievement of all students, challenging each student to explore and develop his/her individual abilities and talents. In addition to the various academic disciplines, students are provided with a balanced program of enrichment experiences and service opportunities with emphasis on personal growth, development of values and responsibility, exploration of career possibilities, and opportunities to pursue special interests. Therefore, the school program is organized to include a core block of time for academic subjects as well as time for exploratory courses, fine arts, related arts, physical education, and health.
Practices at the middle school level are child-centered. Teachers have adopted practices that consider the developmental nature of the children as well as guide students toward a desirable level of responsibility. At each grade level, students are assigned to a “team” of teachers for their core academic subjects. Each sixth-grade team has one Math/Science teacher and one Language Arts/Social Studies teacher. Seventh grade has both two-teacher teams (as in grade 6) and four-teacher teams in which each teacher teaches one of the four core subjects. Eighth grade has four-teacher teams only.
Teams provide a “family” learning environment for students. Team teachers work together to provide consistency and unity to the students assigned to them. Teaming encourages good relationships between teachers and students, and enhances teachers’ effectiveness at helping students to be successful. Teaming in this way also facilitates collaboration, interdisciplinary cooperation, closer monitoring of student behavior, and more efficient communication with parents/guardians.
ADVISORY/FLEX
In addition to their seven periods of classes, students meet daily with their Advisory (grades 7 & 8) or Flex (grade 6) group. Students are assigned to a teacher within their team who serves as an advisor and advocate. These teachers offer assistance and support throughout the school year as well as organize group activities, serve to coordinate team activities, and allow for the planning of times to help individual students meet with success and enjoy their school year.
The school day officially begins at 7:50 AM for all BMS students. The sixth grade operates on an eight-period day, beginning the day with a first period class and ending the day with Flex. The seventh/eighth grade operates on a seven-period day, beginning the day with Advisory and ending the day with a seventh period class. Sixth graders change classes at different times during the school day and usually are not in the halls at the same times as seventh and eighth graders.
The Montgomery County School Board has established a minute of silence each day in all schools, as required by law (division policy, 6-1.5). At BMS, this minute of silence is observed in Advisory (grades 7 & 8)/First Period (grade 6), immediately following the morning announcements. During this minute, students must remain seated and engaged in a silent, non-disruptive activity.
The daily schedule includes three different lunch periods in order to accommodate the large number of students at BMS. Sixth graders eat lunch together in the first lunch period (A), separate from the seventh and eighth graders. The second lunch period (B) is reserved almost exclusively for seventh grade students and the third lunch (C) for eighth grade students.
There are no bells during the school day. Teachers release students according to set beginning and ending times for their grade level. A copy of the daily schedule for each grade level is provided in this handbook.
SCHOOL
CLOSINGS, DELAYED OPENINGS & EARLY RELEASES
Inclement weather or other emergencies may necessitate a delay in the opening of school, the release of students from school early, or the closing of schools for one or more days. The division superintendent makes such decisions, and they typically apply to all schools in the county.
Area
radio and television stations are notified immediately and will make frequent
announcements and updates regarding this decision. You also may call 382-5102 to hear a recorded
message from MCPS on school closings and delays. Unless an official announcement is made to
the contrary, schools will operate on a regular schedule and according to the
MCPS calendar.
Parents/Guardians should have a plan in place for what they want their children to do after school on scheduled and emergency early release days.
An “Inclement Weather Make-up Day Plan” is printed on the school calendar.
ATTENDANCE
“Regular class attendance is considered by the School Board to be essential to the educational process and to the satisfactory completion of the requirements of any class and subject offered” (division policy, 7-2.3). Excessive absences and tardies jeopardize a student’s progress in class. It is expected that parents/guardians will cooperate with school personnel to ensure satisfactory attendance for their child.
The Montgomery County School Board has set into policy that “a student must not exceed eighteen (18) total absences per school year or nine (9) total absences for a semester course.” In addition, per school board policy, three (3) check-outs are equal to one (1) absence towards the maximum number allowed. Absences for each six-week grading period will be reported to parents/guardians on the report card. In addition, parents/guardians will be notified in writing when a student’s total absences reach ten (10) days. A second letter will be made when the total number of days absent reaches fifteen (15). A final letter will notify parents/guardians when a student’s absences have exceeded eighteen (18) days and will explain the procedure to appeal any action taken because of exceeding the maximum number of days absent (division policy, 7-2.3).
Student Absences - When a student is absent from school, we make every effort to telephone the parent/guardian to verify their awareness of their child’s absence and obtain an explanation for the absence. Parents/ guardians who wish to avoid being disturbed at home or work should telephone the school office by 9:00 AM on the morning of the absence. If for any reason a student will need to be out of school for an extended period of time, parents/guardians should notify the school of the dates and circumstances of the anticipated absence.
Returning to School - On the day of their return to school from an absence, students must report to the attendance office for an admit slip. A note of explanation will be required to officially document any absence. The note must include the date(s) and cause(s)/circumstance(s) of the absence(s), and the parent’s or guardian’s signature. Per division policy (7-2.3), absences are not considered as excused or unexcused. Instead, all absences will be identified as documented (note received) or undocumented (no note received) on an admit slip.
Make-up
work will be provided for all absences, including absences caused by
On the second day of an absence, parents/ guardians can request, through the guidance office, that their child’s teachers compile work that has been missed. This work is picked up in the guidance office after 2:30 PM on the day of the request, provided the request is made prior to 9:00 AM. It is the students’ responsibility to request any missed assignments, schedule make-up tests, quizzes, labs, etc. the day of their return to school.
All make-up work must be satisfactorily completed and submitted for credit within five (5) school days of the student’s return to school.
Typically, assignments due on the date of an absence are due the first day of the student’s return to school unless they did not receive advanced notice due to other absences. Likewise, students who are absent on the day of a test or quiz should be prepared to take the test or quiz on the first day of their return to school unless they did not receive advanced notice due to other legitimate absences (division policy, 7-2.3).
The teacher or administrator may extend the
time limit for make-up work due to extenuating circumstances.
ARRIVAL
& DEPARTURE
Arrival - Students should plan to arrive at BMS between 7:20-7:40 AM. Teachers and administrators supervise students during this time in the cafeteria (breakfast eaters and all 7th and 8th grade students) or the auditorium (6th grade students). Those who wish to may eat breakfast while in the cafeteria.
Once a student is dropped off at school, he/she may not leave campus for any reason without following the check-out procedure. Students who leave the building/grounds without permission are subject to disciplinary action.
Students are not permitted in any area of the building except the cafeteria before 7:35 AM without prearranged written permission of a staff member. Seventh and eighth grade students will be released from the cafeteria at 7:35 AM. Sixth grade students will be released from the auditorium at 7:40 AM. First Period/ Advisory begins at 7:50 AM.
Bus
Transportation - Students will be informed whether their bus is a
“first load” or “second load” bus. Buses drop off students by 7:45 AM at the
bus loading/unloading area at the rear of the building. No cars are allowed in this area; there is a separate drop-off area for
cars at the Community Entrance.
Personal Transportation - Students arriving at the student drop-off area before 7:35 AM should proceed to the designated area (6th grade students to the auditorium, 7th and 8th grade students to the cafeteria) for supervision. Please note that the line of cars to drop students off at school grows significantly by 7:20 AM. Parents should plan for up to ten (10) minutes for student drop off. Parents are encouraged to carpool. In addition, parents are expected to obey all traffic laws when entering and exiting school grounds.
Students may walk or ride a bicycle to/from school with permission of their parent/guardian. Students may not ride bicycles on any of the sidewalks or blacktop areas of the campus. Upon arrival to campus, students should walk their bicycle to one of the bike racks and secure it with their own lock.
Dismissal/Departure - The school day ends at 2:20 PM. All students who ride “first load” buses or provide their own transportation home are released at the 2:20 PM bell. Students who ride a school bus should report to the bus loading area promptly; other students should arrange to meet their ride at the student pick-up area/community entrance. Walkers must exit the main building through the bus community entrance doors and should leave campus immediately.
Students who ride the second load buses will return to their advisory/Flex teacher at this time to receive assistance with their schoolwork until dismissal, at 2:45 PM.
Walkers
will leave campus across the path connecting the Kipps and BMS campuses. Upon reaching Kipps, middle schoolers will
bear right along the Kipps track until reaching the walking path leading from
Kipps to Hethwood neighborhoods of Foxridge,
BMS
students may not stay at Kipps Elementary without prior written permission from
the Kipps principal.
Students who remain after school must be involved in an approved, staff-supervised school activity such as athletics, clubs or student organizations, drama or music program practice, tutorial assistance, or detention. All other students must leave the building and school grounds by 2:45 PM.
Any change in the way a student normally leaves school requires written permission from a parent/guardian. Students will not be allowed to ride any school bus other than their regularly assigned bus without written permission from a parent/guardian and the authorization of an administrator. Written requests to ride a different bus and notes describing any changes in departure plans must be submitted to the appropriate administrator the day of the intended change in plans. Approved bus notes will be signed by an administrator and returned to the student.
Students must present this note to the bus driver(s) involved in the change. Bus drivers will not allow students to ride a different bus or get off at a different bus stop without a properly authorized note.
Students are not permitted to return to the
school building or grounds once they have left (unless for an approved
after-school activity).
Arriving Late - Students who arrive to school late (between 7:50 and 8:00 AM) should report directly to their advisory/first period class. The teacher will record the tardy and send any documentation to the office. Any students who arrive at school after 8:00 AM must check in at the attendance office for an admit slip and sign the check-in sheet. Students accompanied by a parent/guardian or who bring a note of explanation for their late arrival will have their tardiness documented by attendance office staff.
Leaving Early - If it is necessary for a student to leave school early, the student should bring a note from a parent/guardian to the attendance office before 7:50 AM on or before the day requested to receive an early dismissal slip. When it is time for the student to leave school, he/she must provide this slip to the classroom teacher who will initial it. The student then must report to the attendance office to meet a parent/guardian for check out.
Parents/Guardians, who wish to check their child out from school without such prior arrangements, must do so through the attendance office as well.
Only those adults who have legal custody or the written authorization of a parent/guardian may check a student out of school. Individuals wishing to check out a student will need to bring a picture ID to the attendance office.
A note regarding any student’s checking in or out must include the parent’s or guardian’s signature along with date(s) and reason(s) for the student’s late arrival or early dismissal.
As was previously stated, three check-outs counts as one absence and 18 absences is the maximum number allowed by the Montgomery County School Board (division policy, 7-2.3).
Illness
at School - If a student becomes ill or otherwise needs to check out,
he/she must report to the main office. A
student may be permitted to remain in the clinic for one class period due to
not feeling well. An office personnel
will contact the student’s parent/guardian to arrange for the student to leave
school, if necessary. Parents/Guardians are required to provide a
reliable daytime telephone number for this purpose. An emergency contact person also should be
identified in case a parent/guardian cannot be reached.
For any early dismissal, a parent or guardian
must sign out students. The check-in
check-out sheets in the attendance office must be
signed before leaving school grounds.
Students leaving without authorization are considered to be skipping
school. Any student who has checked out
must leave campus promptly and shall not return to the grounds without officially checking back into school.
Grade-level administrative responsibilities include curriculum issues, student discipline, parent/guardian contacts, teacher evaluations, special education, and guidance.
Administrative assignments are as follows:
Grade 6………..…...Jones, Koebel,
& Vestal teams/Honeycutt; Distler, Goforth & Rossi teams/Byrd
Grade
7………….....John “Bo” Honeycutt, Jr.
Grade 8……………..David Byrd
GUIDANCE & COUNSELING
The services provided by the Guidance & Counseling Office are central to the school’s philosophy and goals. Assistance is available in planning and scheduling classes, working through problems and concerns, and arranging parent conferences.
For middle school students, the availability of a concerned listener is an important factor in the development of a positive self-image as well as in acquiring attitudes, knowledge, skills, and appropriate behavior necessary for wholesome interpersonal relationships with peers, adults, and society as a whole. Counselors offer crisis prevention and intervention as well as make individual and group counseling available to students.
Parents/Guardians are invited to call or schedule an appointment to meet with their child’s guidance counselor to discuss concerns about their child at any time. Consultation with a guidance counselor concerning a variety of issues is offered to parents/guardians. Assessment and appropriate referral information about available community resources are among the services provided to parents/guardians upon request.
To facilitate communication and comfortable working relationships, students are able to
work with the same guidance counselor throughout their middle school experience. Guidance counselors are assigned to the following grade-levels for this school year:
Grade 6 .................…Laura Poff
Grade 7 .................... Tamara Heft
Grade 8 .................... Michele Parker
Please Note: Ms. Poff works at
Heft - last names A-L
Parker - last names M-Z.
Except
for emergencies, students will not be allowed to go to the guidance office from
class without an appointment or pass.
Students are encouraged to make appointments by stopping by the guidance
office before or after school or during lunch.
Parents/Guardians may telephone the BMS Guidance & Counseling Office
directly by calling 951-5803.
FAMILY SUPPORT AND COMMUNICATION
Our goal is for all children to enjoy successful school experiences at BMS. We hold high expectations for our students, and we welcome the opportunity to work cooperatively with parents/guardians as part of our team. The support of family and community is important to school success, and parents/guardians are
encouraged to take an active role in their children’s education.
Parents/Guardians are invited to participate in school functions and to join the PTA. Parents/Guardians are also encouraged to participate in the variety of opportunities to volunteer in our school. These opportunities are generally coordinated through our PTA, or may be arranged with individual teachers.
Parents/Guardians
are free to call or email teachers, guidance counselors, and administrators to
ask questions or share concerns.
Parents/Guardians are encouraged to contact individual teachers or
schedule appointments with their child’s team through the guidance office to
discuss individual student progress or specific student concerns. To facilitate this communication, team
teachers have a daily team-planning period during which conferences may be
scheduled.
SCHEDULE CHANGES
We welcome input from parents/guardians in planning the best possible middle school experience for their child. We encourage parents/guardians to share with us their insights about their child as a learner and the type of learning environment in which their child experiences the most success. Because scheduling is dependent on extensive program planning as well as the availability of personnel and resources, schedule changes are discouraged once the school year has begun. Team changes are not considered unless there are significant concerns that cannot be resolved in other ways. Extenuating circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Requests for schedule changes may be initiated through the guidance office, but a change requires the approval of the appropriate administrator.
HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT
High school credit courses are taught at BMS for those students whose academic abilities and achievement allow them to pursue areas of interest and strength. Courses currently offered at BMS for high school credit include Algebra I, Geometry, French I, Spanish I, and Latin I.
These courses are taught with the pacing and workload of courses taught at the high school. All policies regarding attendance, grading, mid-term and final exams, and dropping the course(s) apply. We encourage careful consideration regarding students’ academic abilities as well as their overall readiness before pursuing one of these courses in middle school. The following is important information about the policies associated with these courses:
Attendance - Teachers will maintain period attendance in high school credit classes. Students who miss more than eighteen (18) days of a full-year high school credit course will not earn credit for that course. Parents/Guardians will be notified in writing of loss of credit when their child’s absences exceed 18 days and will be informed of the procedure to appeal the loss of credit.
Exams
- Mid-term exams are
mandatory in all high school credit courses at the end of the first
semester. However, students with an “A”
or “B” average through the week preceding the end of the second semester with
no more than six (6) total absences in the class for the year are eligible for
exemption from the final exam. Only
absences preceding the day of the exam will affect exemption status; students
who qualify for exam exemption will not be required to take an exam even if they
are absent the day of the exam or any day(s) following the exam date. Any assignment to
If a
student who meets the exam exemption requirements chooses to take the final
exam, the exam grade will count only if
it raises the final grade for those students who otherwise would qualify for
exemption according to the division exam exemption policy (6-6.2).
Dropping a Course - Students may drop any high school credit course within the first ten (10) days of membership in the course with no grade penalty. If the course is dropped after the tenth day, the grade will be recorded on the high school transcript as a “WF” for the year (computed as an “F” for high school GPA). Once the course is dropped, the student will remain in the class until an appropriate placement can be arranged. Levels in a subject (i.e. dropping to a lower level math course) may be changed at any time with principal approval. All such requests should be made in writing (with a parent/guardian signature) to the appropriate administrator (division policy, 6-6.2).
Removal of High School Credit while in Middle School - Parents may request that credit for any high school credit course taken in middle school be omitted from the student’s transcript and the student not earn high school credit for the course.
Such a request must be made (on the appropriate form) to the middle school principal by July 1 following the year in which the student completed eighth grade (division policy, 6-6.2).
GRADES & PROGRESS REPORTS
Grading practices at BMS are consistent with middle school philosophy and goals. The nature of children at this level will be considered in the evaluation process. Per division policy (6-6.2), teachers will send home a mid-term report during the third week of each six weeks grading period. At the end of each six weeks, the student’s report card grade will be based on various assessments such as written evaluations, homework, class participation, teacher observation, and other appropriate criteria.
Per division policy (6-6.2), middle school grades, including final average, will be assigned according to the following numerical scale:
A 90-100
B 80 but less than 90
C 70 but less than 80
D 60 but less than 70
F Below 60
All
courses will use the above numerical scale with letter grades recorded on the
report card to indicate performance.
Plus and minus designation after the letter grade shall not be used on
report cards or permanent records. Report cards are issued each six weeks and
are sent home with students five (5) school days after the grading period
closes. The last report card is mailed
home with the final course grade, SOL scores, and advancement to the next grade
level indicated. Teachers calculate the final course grade. Promotion, placement, or retention is the
decision of the principal with teacher input.
Recommendations
for participation in summer academy are also indicated on the last report card.
Students may be required to attend summer academy due to failing a core
subject; others may be recommended to attend for SOL remediation purposes
and/or to strengthen weak skills. A
middle school student must attend and pass summer academy if either language
arts or mathematics is failed, or if both science and social studies are failed
(division policy, 6-3.14). These
students will be required to enroll in the Middle School Summer Academy
Program, which focuses primarily on language arts and math skills while
utilizing content area materials and resources.
So they may meet the registration deadline, parents/guardians will be
notified in writing about any required or recommended summer academy for their
child before receiving the last report card.
Information regarding summer enrichment programs offered by the school
division and other enrichment opportunities is available in the Guidance &
Counseling Office.
SOL TESTS
Standards of Learning (SOL) test scores are used as part of the multiple sets of criteria for determining the advancement and retention of students. The appropriate instructional team will determine the mode and extent of any required remediation programs for students not passing any portion of the SOL battery of tests. Promotion, placement, or retention will be the decision of the principal with staff and parent/guardian input at the conclusion of the remediation program (division policy, 6-4.2).
Virginia Department of Education regulations require
students to take Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments in middle school. In
Additionally, students who enroll in a high school credit-bearing course with an accompanying SOL assessment, such as Algebra I and Geometry, must take the SOL assessment upon conclusion of the course. Students who do not pass one of the SOL assessments at the high school level will be considered for remediation programs and will be given the opportunity to retake the SOL assessment at each available opportunity.
*Subject to change by the Virginia State Board of Education
LIBRARY
The BMS library serves as a media center with a variety of print and non-print resources available to students. One of the major responsibilities of the media center is to assist students in becoming information-literate and technologically proficient.
While students may browse and self-select books and other printed materials for pleasure reading or research, classes often visit the library as part of some research effort or other assignment. Assistance is available to students in locating information using electronic and traditional means. Computer, CD, and laser disc resources are available for student use in preparing multimedia presentations of their work. Internet access is available for student use under certain conditions (division policy, 6-3.13).
In
addition to being used throughout the school day, the library is opened before
and after school for students to use with teacher permission. Library entrance passes, allowing students
into the library before 7:35 AM, may be obtained from the librarian the day
before.
Fines
will be assessed for overdue and lost or damaged library books. This obligation must be taken care of before
a class schedule for the following school year can be mailed home in the
summer. Library privileges for the
following school year (at BMS or BHS) may be revoked if books are not returned,
paid for, or fines are not paid.
CAFETERIA
AND
LUNCH ROOM CONDUCT
Nutrition is an integral part of the school’s curriculum. Consequently, our cafeteria promotes good health by offering well-planned and nutritionally balanced meals at reasonable prices. Students are encouraged to participate in the school nutrition program, which serves breakfast and lunch.
Information regarding free or reduced breakfast/lunch is provided to all students in the beginning of the school year and is available in the main office throughout the school year.
The prices for the this school year are as follows:
Breakfast .................. $1.00
Reduced Breakfast ... $ .30
Lunch ....................... $1.90
Reduced Lunch.…… $ .40
Milk (½ pint).........… $ .45
Second Milk (½ pint).$ .35
Students may substitute a chef salad for the lunch entree and/or purchase a la carte items to supplement their regular lunch. Ice cream, pretzels, and other snack items are available for purchase in the cafeteria during all three lunch periods.
Students are expected to report to the cafeteria for their assigned lunch period and to arrive on time. Students may bring food items from home, but they are not permitted to leave school grounds or have food brought to them from a restaurant. Carbonated soft drinks and glass containers are not permitted in the cafeteria or anywhere else in the school.
Students are expected to adhere to the following rules of conduct in the cafeteria:
· Find a seat in the cafeteria and wait to be invited to enter the serving area by a teacher.
· Students are not permitted to save seats for other students.
· Remain seated in the same seat throughout the lunch period except to discard trash/return trays or purchase additional food items.
· Students must wait until everyone has had an opportunity to go through the serving line before purchasing additional food items.
· Socialize with friends in an orderly manner.
· Consume all food and beverages while in the cafeteria. Students may not take food or drink from the cafeteria to any other area of the building.
· Dispose of trash and recyclables in the appropriate containers; trays and utensils should be returned to the appropriate area by the student who used them.
· Tables and floors around the area where they ate should be kept free from food and trash.
· Custodians will provide cleaning towels during the last five (5) minutes of the lunch period to clean/sanitize lunch tables for the next group of students. Floors should be swept as necessary as directed by lunch duty teachers.
· Remain in the cafeteria until dismissed by one of the lunch duty teachers.
Sixth
grade students and students new to BMS will be assigned a PIN to access their
cafeteria accounts. Parents may pre-pay any amount for lunches, which the
students will access using their PIN.
Parents may also dedicate a particular amount for a la carte items.
Students may not “charge” a lunch with the promise of reimbursing the cafeteria
the next day. Students also will not be
permitted to exchange any unused portion of their account for cash. Checks should be made payable to
STUDENT FEES
There are no textbook rental or library fees. However, students are responsible for lost or damaged books, and any assessed fines or replacement costs must be paid before the end of the school year. These obligations must be taken care of before a class schedule for the following school year can be mailed home in the summer.
HEALTH
& PHYSICAL EDUCATION
All BMS students will have Health/PE as part of their daily class schedule. Dressing-out and active participation are essential for physical development and success in the physical education program. If a student is unable to participate in PE because of illness or injury, a note from his/her parent/guardian is required to excuse the student for up to three (3) days. A note from a physician is required if more than three (3) days will be missed.
Girl’s Uniform...........$18.00
Boy’s Uniform...........$20.00
Individual uniform items and gym bags are available for purchase. Gym uniforms and shoes are to be kept in a locked gym locker while at school and should be taken home to be laundered regularly. A combination lock is built into each locker.
Health Education is part of the PE curriculum and will be taught by the PE staff. PE classes alternate when they meet in classrooms for health instruction. Family Life is taught as part of the Health curriculum. Further information and a copy of the Family Life curriculum are available in the main office and the BMS library.
SCHOOL INSURANCE
All BMS students will be given the opportunity to purchase school insurance. Various levels of coverage are available at exceptionally reasonable rates. Forms will be sent home the first day of school, and insurance may be purchased within the first three (3) weeks of the school year.
INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS
BMS has interscholastic athletic programs in football, basketball, volleyball, wrestling, cheerleading, track, and soccer. Participation in these sports is open to all 7th and 8th grade students. Information on how to become a member of these school teams is announced in advance of scheduled tryouts. The coaches select team members based on ability and interest. A current physical (after the May 1 prior to school year in which student would participate) is required for participation in interscholastic sports and cheerleading.
Students
are encouraged to take advantage of other sports opportunities available for
children of all ages through
SPORTS
EVENTS
Students and their families are encouraged to show their school spirit and support of student athletes by attending BMS sports events. Admission cost for all sports events is $2.00 for BMS students and $3.00 for adults and guests.
Spectators are expected to demonstrate good sportsmanship and behavior that positively reflect on our school and community. Students are reminded that the Code of Conduct applies to all school-sponsored activities and that inappropriate behavior may result in disciplinary action, including removal from the sports event and school grounds.
Students who plan to attend athletic and other school-sponsored events that do not begin immediately after school, must leave the building and grounds and return closer to the event’s start time unless they have pre-arranged to be supervised by a staff member.
Students who leave the gym or stadium without permission before an event is over will not be permitted to re-enter. Parents or Guardians should pre-arrange transportation for their child to get home after the game.
INTRAMURALS
Students at BMS may engage in age appropriate, noncompetitive sports activities through participation in the intramurals program. Supervised intramurals are organized for grade level/teams on a rotating basis in the gyms before school. Intramurals may extend through advisory period (7th and 8th only).
AND CLUBS
Clubs
offered at BMS are based on student interest and available resources. Clubs may
be formed throughout the school year with the approval of administration and
with qualified adult supervision.
Spelling and Geography Bees, as well as various math competitions, are
also held after school.
Each
school year, students are selected to assist peers with conflict resolution
using a prescribed problem-solving process.
Known as the COAST (Creating Options And Solutions
Team) program, seventh- and
eighth-grade students work in pairs to help disputing students calmly express
their conflicts and find their own best resolutions. Disputing students may be referred to COAST by an administrator, counselor,
teacher, other students, or themselves.
Conflict management sessions are scheduled through the guidance office,
and counselors are available to provide assistance as needed. Participation in the process is voluntary and
does not influence disciplinary action.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
All students are expected to bring textbooks, assignment book, paper, pen, pencil, or any other appropriate materials to class daily. Individual teams at each grade level will create a supply list regarding specific materials needed for the core academic classes. These supply lists will be mailed home to students with their class schedules in the summer and will be posted at local retail stores that carry school supplies. Additional materials may be required in exploratory or elective courses.
It is strongly recommended that each student purchase a 3-ring binder in which to keep the student handbook, code of conduct, and other pertinent school information. Each student is required to use the BMS homework assignment book (cost included in student fees).
ASSIGNMENT
BOOKS
Homework assignment books are provided to all BMS students and are used by all grade levels. These books help students organize their daily responsibilities as well as plan for long-range projects. Parents/Guardians and teachers often use these books as a way to communicate with each other and help students be more accountable. Additional and replacement books are available in the school store for $3.00 each.
The school store is located at the window next to the guidance office. Pencils, pens, notebook paper, composition books, computer disks, and other school supplies are available for purchase at reasonable prices. Other items for special projects are made available when requested by a teacher. The school store is open in the morning from 7:25 AM until 8:00 AM.
LOCKERS/PERSONAL PROPERTY
Individual lockers in the hall and gym are made available to all BMS students. Hall lockers are assigned to students the first day of school and are designed to hold backpacks, books, school supplies, and limited personal items. Students are responsible for the security of their own belongings and valuables. During PE, students should secure all personal belongings other than clothing in their hall lockers. Gym lockers are not large enough to accommodate large items (i.e. backpacks, large coats); these items should not be left unsecured in the locker room.
Students must safeguard their own belongings by locking their lockers and keeping their combinations secret. Anyone who forgets his/her combination should see his/her advisory or flex teacher. The sharing of lockers is prohibited, as students are responsible for the contents of the lockers to which they have been assigned.
Students are discouraged from bringing large sums of money or any items of value to school. Although BMS cannot assume responsibility for any lost, stolen, or damaged items, such incidents reported to an administrator will be thoroughly investigated.
Lockers are school property and remain at all times under the control of the school. They are not to be defaced by markers, stickers, tape, etc. or subjected to the use of excessive force. Students will be held financially responsible for repairs needed to their locker as the result of intentional damage or negligence. School authorities also reserve the right to search lockers when deemed necessary. Moreover, they also reserve the right to search bookbags, and other personal property when there is reasonable suspicion that property will be found that violates school policies and regulations, or may be harmful to the school or students. Students may be required to empty their pockets as well. School authorities may seize any illegal, unauthorized, or contraband materials discovered in a search.
Team lockers, located in the PE locker rooms, will be available by season to students who are on BMS sports teams.
Students may carry their belongings to and from school in backpacks. During the school day, students must leave their backpacks in their lockers, which will be in close proximity to their classroom pods.
In general, items that present potential safety concerns, or that create a distraction to other students and disrupt the educational process, should not be brought to school. Specific items prohibited at BMS include (but are not limited to) the following: card collections, lighters/matches, pocket knives of any size, radios, tape/CD players, tapes/CDs, video games, iPods/MP3, laser pointers, or other electronic devices. Students also are not permitted to bring open drink containers onto campus. Large sums of money should be kept at home. Additional items prohibited at school are addressed in the Code of Conduct. These items may be confiscated and held at the discretion of an administrator. Posting or distributing any materials requires prior approval from sponsor or administration.
Student use of cell phones is prohibited during school hours. Student cell phones should be checked in at the main office at the start of the school day.
LOST & FOUND
Students should turn in any items found to their Advisory/Flex teacher. Students who lose items should check the lost and found (in their team area) several times. Due to limited space, students should claim items as quickly as possible. The school is not responsible for unclaimed items. Unclaimed items will be donated to charity on a monthly basis.
TELEPHONES
Office telephones are reserved for office business. Students who are ill, injured, or have an emergency should report to the main office for assistance in calling a parent/guardian.
ACCIDENTS & SAFETY
Students are expected to conduct themselves in a safe and orderly manner at all times while at school. Adequate adult supervision is provided during all school-sponsored activities to ensure the safety and welfare of students as well as to make sure students behave appropriately. Every effort is made to create and maintain the safest environment possible for our students and staff. While safety is a priority, accidents will occur. Students who are injured should report the injury to a teacher or the school administrative assistant immediately. The office is equipped to handle only routine treatment of minor injuries (i.e. band-aids).
Contact with a parent/guardian will be attempted for injuries or emergencies of a more serious nature. It is important that a reliable daytime telephone number at which a parent/guardian may be contacted, and the name and telephone number of an emergency contact person, be on file and kept current for every student. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to update this and pertinent medical information as needed.
SCHOOL NURSE
A school
nurse makes regularly scheduled visits to BMS each week throughout the school
year. When the nurse is here, she will
assist the office staff with the administration of medications, investigate and
evaluate student complaints of illness, evaluate and treat injuries, and make
other health-related decisions. Students
may be referred to the school nurse for a variety of health-related
concerns. Students also may schedule an
appointment with the school nurse to ask health-related questions.
MEDICATIONS
Students may not have any type of medication (including cough drops, vitamins, etc.) in their possession while on school grounds. “Self-administration of any medication, prescription or non-prescription, is prohibited for students in grades kindergarten through eight” (division policy, 7-5.2).
All doctor-prescribed medications, as well as non-prescription (“over-the-counter”) medications, must be taken under the supervision of school personnel. If a student must take medication during school hours, parents are requested to deliver the medication to an administrator, school nurse, or the administrative assistant in the main office. A medication form should be completed according to the guidelines that follow (forms may be obtained from the main office). All medications should be in their original container and clearly labeled with the student’s name. Written permission to administer any medication must include the name of the medication, the required dosage of the medication, and the time(s) the medication is to be given. School personnel will follow procedural guidelines for the administration of medications (7-5.2). An area has been established in the main office for the storage and administration of medication.
Parents should pick up any unused
medications at the end of the school year.
Medications not picked up within one week of the last day of school will
be disposed of.
Prescription Medications - School personnel may give oral prescription medication to students only with a physician/dentist/licensed nurse practitioner’s written order and written permission from the student’s parent or guardian.
Non-prescription Medications - School personnel may give oral non-prescription medication to students only with written permission from the student’s parent or guardian. Oral non-prescription medications will be administered for no longer than three (3) consecutive days after which time a written order from a physician/dentist/licensed nurse practitioner must be presented.
Exceptions for Certain Medications - Medications needed in a medical emergency such as inhalers, epi-pens, or glucose tablets may be kept in the possession of a student and may be self-administered only with a physician/licensed nurse practitioner’s written order and written parental permission that are on file at the school.
Students who have any medication in their possession while at school in violation of the medications policy may face serious disciplinary action. Sharing, borrowing, distributing, or selling any medication (prescription or non-prescription) is prohibited.
Any student engaged in this activity will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the Code of Conduct and the Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy. Additionally, permission to self-administer prescription or non-prescription medications may be revoked if the student violates this policy. Sharing and distributing prescription medication may result in a recommendation for expulsion (division policy, 7-5.2).
STUDENT ASSEMBLIES
Throughout the school year, assemblies will be scheduled to bring educational, interesting, and informative programs to the student body. For any assembly, students will enter the auditorium quickly and quietly and will be seated with their advisory/flex teacher.
Assemblies may be held for only a certain grade level, team, or class, or may involve the entire student body. The music or drama classes, outside groups, or special guests, may present programs. Being a positive, polite, and supportive audience reflects the spirit and hospitality of BMS.
FIELD TRIPS
Field trips within the community and to other sites provide opportunities to extend learning beyond the classroom. Through field trips, students are often able to experience things to which they otherwise might never be ex