The Compass | Smore Newsletters for Education

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First Day of School!!

The information below is for 1st-5th Grade

On Monday, August 28, we will welcome students to the 2023-2024 school year! It is an exciting day and we can not wait to greet our students.

Arrival procedures will begin at 8:30 on Monday throughout the first week of school. Opening a little earlier will help to alleviate traffic as everyone readjusts to a new routine.

We request all students begin walking independently to their classrooms for security and parking reasons. We will have staff members available to provide direction for students. If families were not able to attend Meet the Teacher, you may accompany your child to class but we ask that you do so quickly.

Preparing for Carpool Dismissal!!!

One area that we already know will be a challenge during the first few weeks of school will be our carpool dismissal. The number of cars during carpool will most likely be our highest number ever due to our increased student enrollment.

Over time this will work itself out as everyone settles into the routine. However, we would like to remind everyone of a few things and put temporary protocols in place while we begin to settle in.

To reduce the number of cars arriving at school at the same time, we are requesting (not requiring) families stagger the time they arrive to carpool to pick up students.

o Families with the last name beginning with:

A-G: 3:45
H-N: 3:55
O-S: 4:05
T-Z: 4:10

· Here are a few other things that you could do to assist.

Please remember, this is a request (not required). However, our hope is that staggering pick up time will alleviate traffic backing up on to Honeycutt Road.
Please help your child memorize their carpool number
Move car seats or other items to the driver’s side of the car to allow student to enter from the passenger side.
If your child needs help with a seatbelt, pull forward to a parking space to assist them
Pull up to the car in front of you. Leaving large gaps takes space and backs traffic up even further

Please feel free to exit the school utilizing the bus driveway. This will reduce the congestion at the carpool entrance.

Teacher Calls!

On Monday, August 21, our 1st-5th Grade teachers will begin making phone calls to families and welcome them to their classrooms! This will take several days and we ask for everyone to please be patient.

If you do not hear from your teacher or they are unable to reach you, simply stop by the office during Meet the Teacher and we will be happy to provide you with your class assignment.

TalkingPoints!

Our classroom teachers will begin utilizing TalkingPoints this year as the main tool for teacher-parent communication. Here is a brief overview of the tool.

Please take a moment to download the app and follow this guideline on how to set up your account.

Parents can also change the language on TalkingPoint. Follow this guide to learn how to change the language.

Help Wanted!!

We are still working to hire a few members of our Crew. Right now, we are specifically looking for a 1st Grade Teacher. Please email Dr. Simons if you, or someone you know, would love to work in an amazing school community, collaborate with dedicated educators, and be part of changing the lives of students.

dsimons@wcpss.net

Join our PTA

As we prepare for back to school, our BCES PTA board is busy working to make this a successful school year.

It's time to renew your annual BCES PTA membership! We would love for you to please consider joining our BCES PTA. Annual Individual Memberships are $15 and Annual Family Memberships are $25. *PTA membership is annual so must be renewed each school year.

Joining our PTA with your membership is a great way to show your support for our school as a portion of your membership goes directly into the BCES PTA budget!

Just click on the link to join:

https://buckhorncreek.memberhub.store

PTA website: http://www.buckhorncreekpta.com

-membership

-rent the rock

-fundraisers

-volunteer opportunities

Rent The Rock!

The Buckhorn Creek Elementary Spirit Rock is a great way to send a message for all to see! Congratulate your favorite student on an accomplishment, wish a student a Happy Birthday, show appreciation to your favorite teacher or staff member, celebrate a team win or let everyone know how much you love our school! The rock is available for rental to families and staff of BCES for their use and enjoyment. Reserve the Spirit Rock for only $20.00 per half week! The half week consists of Sunday- Wednesday noon & Wednesday noon-Saturday. All proceeds will go directly back to BCES through our PTA.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E48A5AD2DA5FDC16-bces1

Safety & Carpool

This year we will require that any student being dismissed through carpool have a Buckhorn Creek Carpool tag.

We will not call students by name. Cars without a Buckhorn Creek issued Carpool tag will be required to pull forward, show ID, and we will verify that students can be released to the person picking them up. You will need to add anyone that is allowed to pick up your child to the emergency contacts during Meet the Teacher.

Please make sure you have your carpool tag or have requested additional carpool tags before the first day of school.

Please request a new or replacement carpool tag by following this link.

Anyone that will be a walker must follow a different process that must be completed In-Person. Please do NOT complete this survey. Please come to the school during one of our Forms Days.

Kindergarten!

Please take a few moments to review the BCES Kindergarten Website. The website is full of helpful information for families.

As a reminder, Kindergarten students will only attend one day of school during the 1st week of school.

Kindergarten teachers will contact families by the end of the day on Thursday, September 1 to welcome students to their classroom.

We will host a Kindergarten Meet the teacher on Friday, September 1 from 8:45-10:15am.

Meet the Teacher!

As of now, we are scheduling Meet the Teacher on Thursday, August 24 from 4:30pm - 6:30pm.

Our goal is to have teachers reach out to families prior to meet the teacher to welcome students to their class.

Students will be able to bring materials to their classroom during meet the teacher.

We know parking will be tight. Thus, we are asking for you to try and arrive for Meet the Teacher by assigned time. However, we know this may not be possible due to family schedules and you are welcome to come at another time if this is the case. However, we ask that you do try your best to come during your assigned time.

Last Names:

A-G - 4:30-5:15pm
H-M - 5:15-6pm
N-Z - 6:00-6:30pm

Sign Up for Transportation

Please make sure you have signed up for transportation if you wish to utilize this service at the beginning of the school year. Follow this link for more information.

Bus Routes will be published the week prior to school starting and posted on our website. We will communicate with families once the information is available.

Volunteer Registration

The new Volunteer Registration Process is now open! Please take a moment and complete the registration process. You may begin the registration process today!

You must be registered as a volunteer if you are planning to support any of the below activities.

Tutor (in person or online)
Field trip chaperone
Helping with the front office
Activity/club sponsor
Room parent
Field day worker
Regular/recurring readers for classrooms
PTA members assisting in volunteer activities

Kindergarten!

Please take a moment to review our BCES Kindergarten Website.

As a reminder, Kindergarten students will only attend one day of school during the 1st week of school.

Kindergarten teachers will contact families by the end of the day on Thursday, August 31 to welcome students to their classroom.

We will host a Kindergarten Meet the teacher on Friday, September 1 from 8:45-10:15am.

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