Bucksport Middle School - Policies
The
following information is for new students and parents as well as
to remind past students and parents of some of the expectations,
procedures and schedules here at Bucksport Middle School.
ATTENDANCE
Students may not enter the building until 7:40 am. Students being
dropped off should be dropped off at the 1st entrance area to the
school (on the left as you approach the school) no earlier than 7:40
am. Please do not park in this area as Spec. Ed. buses will be dropping
students off as well as picking up students at the end of the day in
this space. Attendance is taken at 8:00 am and students that arrive
after that time will be marked as tardy. All tardy students are
required to sign in at the office with a written excuse, unless a
parent/adult is signing the student in. NOTE: A student with
three tardies will be expected to serve an after school detention. If
your child is absent from school, please call the office. Phone calls
are made in regards to absent students and if we are not able to reach
a parent/guardian, the absences are unexcused. Also please be aware
that a New Middle School Attendance Policy is being drafted and may be
adopted for this school year.
BREAKFAST/LUNCH PROGRAM
Breakfast and lunch are available to all students at BMS. Both
breakfast and lunch are available in the regular meal form as well as
additional a-la-carte items that may be purchased. Vending machines
with milk, juices, bottled water as well as healthy snacks are
available to students prior to the start of school, at lunchtime, and
after school.
Bucksport Middle School uses a computerized breakfast and lunch program. Pre-payment of estimated meal costs for at least two weeks is suggested. Students are encouraged to take their breakfast/lunch money directly to the dining room upon arrival at school (teachers do not collect lunch money). Checks should be made payable to Bucksport School Lunch Program. Student account balances are available from the Food Services Program. Please remember that charging of meals is not allowed. Weekly menus are given to students on Friday for the following week.
MEDICATIONS
If your
child requires medication during school hours, and a
doctor has prescribed it, you may drop prescription medication off at
the school one week prior to school starting. The quantity of
medication accepted at a time can not exceed two weeks in quantity. The
medication must be in the original container and accompanied by a
doctor’s written order.
Over the counter medication must be in the original container with written instructions for administering the medication from the parent and/or guardian. Forms for both of these types of medication are available from the office or clinic. Students are not permitted to transport medication on the bus or to school themselves with the exception of inhalers.
SPORTS AND AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
Students should make after school arrangements with parents/others
prior to arrival at school. Students that have a change in where they
will be dropped off via the bus, will be walking somewhere specific, or
will be staying after school for an activity should bring a written
note stating that change. You may also call the school to verbally make
a change. A change in destination slip will be given to students at the
end of the day to confirm the new plans.
BMS policy is that students go home the same way they came to school unless the school is otherwise notified. If there is a change in or cancellation of an activity or sporting event it will be recorded on the BMS phone system. Just push option # 4 on the phone menu.
COMMUNICATION
Please do not hesitate to contact the BMS office at 469-6647 (menu
option #5) with your questions/concerns. Teachers have a phone in their
classrooms but we strive to keep classroom interruptions to a minimum
during the school day. If you have access to e-mail that is an
excellent way to communicate directly with your child’s teacher(s).
- The school newsletter is mailed home once a month.
- Student athletes are given practice/games schedules by their coaches. Athletic game schedules are posted on the school district’s web site. Select the Athletics link.
- The school calendar and district dress code policy will be posted on the Bucksport School System District Calendar that is available at the this website.
- If you have concerns or questions in regards to busing, contact the First Student Bus Company at 469-7673.
CELL PHONES
Cell
phones are not permitted at BMS in backpacks, lockers, etc. If
your student should need one because of communication needs for an
after school activity they must leave it in the office and pick it up
at the end of the school day. Noncompliance will result in
detention and suspension for multiple offenses.
Bucksport Middle School
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Maintaining high standards of attendance creates opportunities for
greater levels of success. Research clearly indicates that
students having poor attendance tend to also demonstrate poor academic
performance. Some work missed during absences can be made up with
relative ease yet quite often when students are absent they miss the
context, the richness and the depth of discussions and instruction that
enhance students' learning. The School Board feels strongly that
parents and students must take an active role in monitoring school
attendance and making it a high priority.
In accordance with Maine State Law, students are required to attend school until the age of seventeen, unless specifically listed conditions under the law are met. Local school committees have the option of adopting local policies that can be added to the basic state regulations. The following recommendations are in addition to the Maine State attendance laws.
In accordance with Maine State Law, students are required to attend school until the age of seventeen, unless specifically listed conditions under the law are met. Local school committees have the option of adopting local policies that can be added to the basic state regulations. The following recommendations are in addition to the Maine State attendance laws.
18 ABSENCE RULE
- A student that accumulates in excess of 18 absences for the school year which is a rate of greater than 10% absenteeism will be required to successfully complete a summer school session. Failure to successfully complete a summer school session will result in a student remaining in their same grade for the next year.
- Absences for the sake of this policy occur cumulatively throughout the school year and are not distinguished as being "excused" or "unexcused" but rather are simply viewed as absences.
- Realizing that medical or dental appointment times are now often a matter of health care providers' schedules as opposed to parents' wishes, these missed classes will nonetheless be included as part of the policy. Absenteeism as a direct result of personal illness will also be included under this policy subject to the same consequences as outlined in this policy. Most reasons for absences will also fall into the same affected category including, but not being limited to, general illness, appointments of all types, extra vacation, truancy and unforeseen circumstances. Missing more than 18 days within a school year is excessive and will result in a student having additional time to improve the skills that were missed during the regular school year due to absences.
EXCEPTIONS
- The only exempted circumstances, in other words those not affected by the policy, include an illness or injury that incapacitates a student and is accompanied by a physician's note. This note must state the exact day(s) that the physician excuses the student for. Also, absences that result from ongoing or perhaps chronic medical problems when accompanied by a doctor's note will be waived.
- School planned trips or activities which require that students miss classes, will not be counted as absences.
NOTIFICATION PROCESS
- Students who have been absent, upon returning to school, should provide a note from a parent indicating the reason for the absence if the office was not contacted on the day(s) of absence(s). The school will make every effort to contact parents the morning of their son's/daughter's absence.
TARDIES
It is
extremely important for students to be on time for the beginning
of their school day. Tardiness is disruptive to the student
because it creates a hurried mindset involving "catching-up" on missed
work and information. It is disruptive to fellow students and
teachers who are already engaged in the learning process.
Existing procedures require student athletes to be in full attendance
each school day in order to participate in practices or games.
Additionally, students who are tardy three times must serve after
school detention. Being on time at school prepares students for
the expectation of being on time for the many aspects of day-to-day
life. (Please note that the principal may waive a tardy that
results from unavoidable, scheduled medical appointments as long as the
office receives a copy of the verified medical appointment.)
APPEAL PROCESS
Parents of a student who exceeds the absence limit may appeal their
case by meeting with the building principal. The principal will
give fair consideration to the proposal. A denied appeal may then
be appealed to the Superintendent of Bucksport Schools. If that
appeal is denied, the appeal may then be scheduled on the agenda of the
next school board meeting at the parents' request. Parents or
guardians will be expected to be present with the student at this
hearing.
Revised
9-6-06
9-6-06