Bobcat Blitz

The weekly newsletter from Whiteford MS/HS - 9/15/23

zoom_out_map

MS/HS Handbook

zoom_out_map

School Calendar

zoom_out_map

Bell Schedule

SCHOOL PICTURES

School pictures for our MS/HS students is scheduled for Monday, September 18th. We will be using schoolpictures.com this year. Below is the flier with packages and prices. You can order by visiting www.schoolpictures.com and use Keyword AA4702Fall23. We will also have hard copies available at Open House and in the office.

Here are the times per grade, which are important for our Juniors and Seniors who may leave on College Prep Periods:

6th - 8:00 AM

7th - 8:30 AM

8th - 9:00 AM

9th - 9:35 AM

10th - 10:05 AM

11th - 10:35 AM

12th - 11:05 AM

Last Call - 11:30

IMPORTANT: MEAL MAGIC UPDATE

We are asking families to update their Meal Magic accounts as some students have “holds” in place for their children. These holds do not allow students to purchase breakfast and/or lunch. Both are free this year, so we encourage students to take advantage of these free meals. You can access the Meal Magic Family Portal here. If you have any questions regarding your account or process in removing a “hold”, please contact Cathy Machcinski at: cathy.machcinski@whiteford.k12.mi.us.

Free/Reduced Applications - Please Us Secure At-Risk Funding

For the 2023-2024 school year, the district will participate in the Michigan School Meals Program, which will allow all students to receive one free breakfast and one free lunch each day. We still need your household to complete the Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application if you believe you might qualify. The Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications can be completed electronically using https://whiteford.familyportal.cloud/. Search for Whiteford School District, then click on “Apply for Benefits.” If families would prefer to print a paper copy of the application for free and reduced meals, they can do so by clicking on this link. You may also pick up a copy in either school office. Please complete the paper application and return to either school office.

If families don’t complete this application that might qualify, we risk losing At-Risk money provided by state and federal grants. We have seen a decline in applications being completed during the past two school years, so we encourage families that think they may qualify for Free/Reduced meals to please complete the application. These grant monies help provide student assistance through our academic interventionists at the elementary and remediation classes at the middle school.

Pick-up/Drop Off Reminders

Athletic Events

6th Grade Newsletter

zoom_out_map

Digital Payments = Infinite Campus Fees

Chromebook Fees, "Pay to Play" fees, sports pass fees, field trips, and other school expenses can now be paid through the "Fees" tab on the Infinite Campus parent portal.

School meals are free this year, but students who wish to purchase additional lunch items will still have to fill out envelopes with cash/check, as in years past.

Student Grades and Attendance Reporting

Infinite Campus Parent Portal: Student Registration, marking period and semester grades, credits, and attendance are always visible in the Parent Portal throughout the school year. An app can be downloaded to your phone, or you can click HERE for the web version. Students will also have their own login so they can see their information at any time.

Schoology is our learning management system that teachers utilize to upload and distribute content/curriculum, track day-to-day grades, and to communicate with students/parents. Please click HERE to access your parent account; if you are experiencing problems with Schoology, please contact Corey Mills (mills@whiteford.k12.mi.us).

1:1 Technology

Students will be supplied a Chromebook and a charger for the 2023-2024 school year, and will not be able to access our WIFI network with a personal device. Chromebooks will be distributed on Monday, August 28 from 5-8 PM, and Tuesday, August 29 from 9 AM - 12 PM. Insurance for Chromebook is $20.00 for the year; students/parents who elect not to purchase insurance will be responsible for paying for any damage to the Chromebook. The insurance form and payment can be made through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.

Medication

If your student will be taking medication during the school day (including over the counter meds) there are forms that need to be completed and turned in to the office. All medications are stored in the MS/HS office. Students are not permitted to keep any medication, including over the counter, in their locker. Parents must drop medicine off at the MS/HS office, as students are not permitted to do so. The office will be open at Registration Day and Open House to receive any medication that is accompanied with the appropriate forms, which can be accessed by clicking HERE and scrolling to the bottom/right of the page.

zoom_out_map

Updated Cell Phone Policy

Please be advised of the following policy changes regarding cell phones and other wireless communication devices:

Middle school students are prohibited from using cell phones and other personal devices during classes or passing times. Middle school students may use devices before school, after school, or during lunch only.

High school students may possess their device or store it in their locker during class, but the device must be powered off. If possessed in the classroom, the student is prohibited from using the device unless given express and direct consent from the teacher, dean, assistant principal, principal, or other school personnel. High school students may use devices during passing times, before school, after school, or during lunch.

Air Pods, headphones, or other wired/wireless listening devices are prohibited in hallways and classrooms unless given express and direct consent from the teacher, dean, assistant principal, principal, or other school personnel.

Students who need to communicate with parents in regards to matters of illness, safety, transportation, etc., should communicate through the school office so administration is aware of any visitors to the building, medications, or potential illnesses/safety concerns.

Cell Phone Discipline Protocol

First offense - Device is confiscated by school personnel. The administrator will return the phone or device in question at the end of the day. The parents will be informed. The phone or device may be prohibited from school for a period of at least two weeks, and may be prohibited for the remainder of the semester/school year, depending on the nature of offense. The infraction will be documented.

Second offense - The device is confiscated by school personnel and delivered to the office. The parents will be informed and the student will be assigned a detention, restorative action, or other disciplinary action will occur. The phone or device will be returned at the end of the school day; the phone or device will be prohibited from school for a period of one-to-two weeks and may be prohibited for the remainder of the semester/school year, depending on the nature of offense. The infraction will be documented.

Third and successive offenses - The device is confiscated by school personnel and delivered to the office. The parents will be informed and the student may be subject to a one-day in school or out-of-school suspension. The phone or device in question will not be returned until a parent comes in to pick it up. The phone or device will be prohibited from school for a period of at least two weeks, and may be prohibited for the remainder of the semester/school year, depending on the number and nature of previous offenses. The infraction will be documented.