Bison Notes
Bison Notes 1-19-25 -No School Monday -Upcoming Events
Good Afternoon from Buffalo Gap High School
No School Monday January 20th
Please be aware all weather related announcements will be relayed through the Office of the ACPS Superintendent via phone message, website posting and other media.
Personally Owned Electronic Devices
Parents and Students of Augusta County Public Schools (ACPS), On Thursday, December 5, 2024, the School Board unanimously voted to approve the Personally-Owned Electronic Device (PED)-Free Education policy. This policy will go into effect at the beginning of the second semester when students return to school following the holiday break. The expectation for students will be that all personally owned electronic devices are “away for the (school) day.” Administrators and teachers will be working with their students to communicate the expectations for them when they return from break. We encourage you to take some time to familiarize yourself with the policy and have a conversation with your student(s).
Student Attendance is very important each day as classes complete coursework, Performance Based Assessments, Exams and Standards of Learning Testing. When you miss school, we miss you and you miss out! Remember, every day counts!
Reminders: Front door entry only will begin at 730am (1hr prior to classes starting) for Weapon Detector clearance. Students are encouraged to streamline their belongings making sure to remove items that may alert weapons detectors including: Chromebook and other electronics, 3-ring binders, rulers, glasses cases, staplers, scissors, wired or metal containers. Thank you!
9th-12th graders are reminded to bring their fully charged Chromebook to school. Cell phones are not required for instruction and are not to be used throughout the school day. Students are expected to dress appropriately for an educational environment. Please see the ACPS Dress code and other school policies located in the Secondary Student Handbook. Thank you for your support!
Athletic/Activity Registration for 24-25
Starting the Fall of 2024 ALL students who plan to play a sport or participate in an activity need to register using the link on the right of the home page labeled Athlete/Activity Registration. The registration link is now live: https://buffalogaphs-ar.rschooltoday.com/
Updated Information from ACPS or BGHS
Please check out our Augusta County Public Schools Website and our Buffalo Gap High School Website for Updated Information for Students and Parents. Fees and Schedules will be available online through Infinite Campus. Please access the Infinite Campus portal in order to pay fees and see student schedules. Schedules will not be printed for students until the first day of school. Fees have changed this year, please pay remaining fees online through the Infinite Campus. Each Augusta County Public Schools student will have a Technology fee of $35 and each student athlete will have a $25 season Athletic fee.
Please check out all Parent and Student resources from Augusta County Public Schools on the website under the Menu/Parents and Students
Special Announcements:
Band and Choral Fundraiser
The Buffalo Gap Band & Choir programs are excited to announce a special fundraising opportunity that will allow our students to earn their way to the Kings Dominion Festival of Music this spring! Beginning 1/15, students will be selling Krispy Kreme Digital Dozens vouchers for one dozen Original Glazed donuts at the discounted price of $14, which is cheaper than purchasing in-store. These vouchers are redeemable at any Krispy Kreme location in the continental United States.
It’s a sweet and simple way to support our students while enjoying delicious donuts. If this is of interest to you, please reach out to a band or choir student!
Safety, Security and Guidance
The safety, security and well being of your students is our highest priority at BGHS. Our counselors, administrators and teachers are available for students with safety concerns or for those in need of guidance and support. At BGHS our Lockdown plans and drills will be in compliance with the Statewide Fire Prevention Code (§27-94 et seq.) We are providing through this communication notice that we will be conducting lockdown drills and fire drills on a regular basis throughout the school year.
Information regarding Weapons Detectors
Students and visitors will not have to remove things such as keys, phones, lunch boxes, or water containers from their backpacks or pockets when walking through the detectors. Student Chromebooks and large notebooks will need to be carried and passed to staff as students move through the detectors. The metal spine of Chromebooks, laptops, and large notebooks will cause the detector to alert because the shape and density of the metal spine are similar to a potential weapon. Since these items will not go through the detectors and will not be searched individually in order to ensure efficient entry into the building when the detectors are in use, students will no longer be allowed to carry zip-up binders/notebooks that could conceal a weapon.
Parents please share with your students the importance of making safe choices and the availability of guidance and counseling if needed.
Students please make good choices for your educational environment and future career success! Dress appropriately for an educational environment, use technology to support academic achievement and be positive with each other, staff and community members!
Our students will be Positive and Classy, joining our Cheerleaders, Band, Staff and Community in supporting our Bison! We encourage you to join in and cheer on the Bison as they take on our opponents! #WeAreBison #PositiveAndClassy
"Bison In Good Standing" Policy
This serves as notification of the return of policy developed in order to address student attendance and behavior issues for Buffalo Gap High School grades 9 through 12.
Description: Under the Code of Virginia, the Commonwealth Compulsory Attendance Law requires that students attend school regularly. Student attendance is vital in their academic success.
The student is considered “Not in Good Standing” if the following occurs per semester:
Unexcused and/or Suspension
Accumulates 10 unexcused tardies to school OR Accumulates 10 unexcused early dismissals OR Accumulates 10 unexcused absences or suspensions from school
Third party documentation (doctor’s notes or court subpoena) may be required for excusing a tardy, early dismissal, or absence after reaching 10 unexcused in a category.
BGHS students not in good standing may not participate in and/or attend extra-curricular activities (including dances-prom, sporting events, sport team participation, etc.). Students may lose their driving privileges to school and will not be allowed to be exempt from final exams.
Exception: students may be allowed to participate in co-curricular activities (band/choral concerts, drama productions, etc.…) as this pertains to the regular class curriculum and is a requirement for a grade.
Thank you for your attention to this matter and let's make it a great semester!
Dr. Marshall, Principal BGHS
Senior privilege and Passengers
Seniors earn a 4 min. Early Dismissal that allows them to exit the building early each day. If a sibling or other underclassmen (9-11th grade) student needs to ride with a Senior they will need a note on file from a parent.
Important for Students and Parents
Students are not to stay after school before games unless they are part of the event participants under the supervision of their coach. Students will need to exit the campus and arrange transportation for their return for the game.
New Library Notification Process
We have received many requests from parents who wish to receive daily notifications regarding the library books checked out by their children. Our librarians are diligently working to integrate these notifications into our library software. This process is time-intensive and may take several weeks to complete. We appreciate your patience as we work to fully implement this new communication at each of our schools.
If at any time, parents wish to discontinue the library notifications, please contact your school librarian at your convenience.
Athletic/Activity Registration for 24-25
Starting the Fall of 2024 ALL students who plan to play a sport or participate in an activity need to register using the link on the right of the home page labeled Athlete/Activity Registration. The registration link is now live: https://buffalogaphs-ar.rschooltoday.com/
1/20/25 BBB @ Nelson County From 1/7/25 4 6:00 PM
1/20/25 GBB Nelson Co From 1/7/25 6:00 PM
1/21/25 GBB Waynesboro 6:00 PM
1/21/25 BBB @ Waynesboro 6:00 PM
1/21/25 Scholastic Fort 5:00 PM
1/22/25 Scholastic @ Riverheads 5:00 PM
1/22/2025 Wrestling Staunton/Fort Defiance/Waynesboro Quad @ Riverheads 6
1/24/25 GBB @Riverheads 6:00 PM
1/24/25 BBB Riverheads 6:00 PM
1/25/2025 Wrestling @ PM Quad 9
1/25/2025 Scholastic Regional at Galileo Magnet 11
Our students will be Positive and Classy, joining our Cheerleaders, Band, Staff and Community in supporting our Bison! We encourage you to join in and cheer on the Bison as they take on our opponents! #WeAreBison #PositiveAndClassy
Entrance and Parking for Events at Gap
Sport fans please use the directed signed posted entrance gates. Traffic will flow will be directed in and out using the side access roads for sport activities during the 2024-2025 seasons.
PreSale tickets on GoFan
We are encouraging ALL FANS to buy presale tickets on GoFan this year to make entry into contest easier for all. There will still be a cash box as well as debit/credit card options at the gate. However, purchasing presale is much faster for all.
Please visit the link below and search for Buffalo Gap High School for event tickets. You can make it even faster by downloading the GoFan app to your phone.
Click here to get to GoFan or download the app today from the Apple App Store or Google Play!!!
https://gofan.co/app/school/VA12275
Home Viewing of BGHS Events
Here are the links to watch your BGHS events:
BISON NATION!!! We are now set up on Hudl TV!!! Click on the link below to live stream Bison Games!!! We do have a charge per game or purchase a season pass. The Hudl Viewing experience is better than past live streaming. Go to the link below and create an account today!!! https://fan.hudl.com/usa/va/swoope/organization/15535/buffalo-gap-high-school
If you would like to view these events you will need to subscribe to the NFHS Network. Please go to the following link for information on how to sign up. https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/subscribe/retail
BUFFALO GAP HIGH SCHOOL | Swoope, VA
NFHS network Buffalo Gap Athletic Events Home Page
Have questions? Contact customer support customersupport@nfhsnetwork.com
Need Bison Gear?
Check out our New Bison Store
Check out our new gear with new logos coming soon!
Buffalo Gap Sports Information 2024-25
Any student interested in participating must have a valid VHSL Physical as well as a Concussion Form and an on file to participate.
If you have questions regarding BGHS Athletics please visit our website ,call our office (540-337-6021) or email our Athletic Department:
Assistant Principal/ Athletic Director: Rod Bowers
Athletic Trainer: Samantha Cooper
Concession Stand Sign Up
If you are interested in helping in our concession stand for sporting events please see a member of our wonderful Sportsmans Club! We appreciate your support!
Student Use of Personal Devices and Social Media
Personal devices including cell phones will be put away during the school day. Students will still be able to access personal devices in the event of an emergency or during personal time before/after school.
Student use of Social Media, SnapChat, Yik-yak, Tik-tok, Anonymous Apps, X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Texting and Email: Our primary purpose at Buffalo Gap is that every student, staff member and parent should feel emotionally and physically safe every day they enter our school. Social Media, Texting and Email use that is abusive/ harassing or posting comments/photos/videos targeting students and others are addressed quickly through Administration and/or Law Enforcement. BGHS administrators have approached these matters as a learning experience for our students hoping that legal consequences could be avoided for bullying, harassment, stalking, slander/defamation, threats and other inappropriate behavior. That any BGHS student would be involved in this kind of behavior is inexcusable. Our focus has been on addressing those responsible as well as raising the issue and consequences of social media abuse with all of our students. Please take this opportunity to speak to your friends, family and students regarding the legal, social and safety consequences of using electronic media or posting/sending abusive or inappropriate comments/photos/videos.
Academic Progress of Your Student
Academic Progress of Your Student
Parents we are sending out electronic notifications regarding missing assignments and student grades are posted in Infinite Campus. We will be notifying students and parents regarding course progress. Please contact teachers with questions about your student and their progress in coursework. If you need to access our staff for questions please email or call 337-6021 between the hours of 8:30am - 4:00pm.
Please call to schedule an appointment time if you need to physically come to the building. Scheduling is necessary to ensure that we can provide the best personal experience for your family and make sure appropriate staff is available.