Bucks Blast!
BCS Updates - November 15, 2024
Introducing Bucks Blast Podcast
3rd Grade Veteran's Day Program
Moccasin Music Teacher, Ms. Prestine and the 3rd grade class welcomed local veterans to thank them for their service this week in honor of Veteran's Day. The program invited veterans for muffins and coffee, songs and celebrations. Thank You, Veterans!
Special Education - Special Kids with Special Disability Needs
Karin Falkenstein - Buchanan Special Education Supervisor 269-695-8442
Early On
Early On® is an early intervention system that provides services for children ages 0-3 years of age with developmental delays and/or disabilities. The first years of a child's life are very important, but children grow and learn at different rates. If that little voice inside your head is telling you that something isn't "quite right" with your baby or toddler, don't wait to reach out for help. Don't wait to see if your little one "outgrows" your concern. Put your mind at ease, and get your child the help he or she may need by calling today!
Program Details
Early On® is a system of services for families of children 0-3 years, who have a health condition or a developmental delay. The system includes a collection of activities, supports, services and resources provided by many different agencies and programs including schools, public health, mental health, social services and more. Early On® helps you find the individualized support that your child and family needs. If an evaluation shows that your child needs help, we'll tell you how and where to get it at no cost.
Who can receive Early On® services?
Early On® is available to any Berrien County family with a child from age 0-3 who has a developmental delay or an established medical condition.
What is a developmental delay?
A developmental delay is seen when a child’s rate of growth and learning is different from that of most children the same age.
A developmental delay may be in one of the following areas:
· Thinking
· Talking
· Hearing
· Seeing
· Moving
· Taking care of basic needs
· Responding to others
Developmental Milestones
Each baby goes through developmental stages but remember, no two children develop and grow at exactly the same pace.
The guide below lists a few things you can look for as you watch your child's growth and development. If you have questions or concerns about how your child is growing or developing, you may want to talk to your child's doctor or complete an online referral.
By 2 months your baby should...
· Hold head erect, bobbing when supported in sitting position
· Imitate or respond with occasional smile to smiling person
· Follows a moving person with their eyes
· Vocalize
· Move both legs and arms equally well
By 4 months your baby should...
· Have good head control
· Roll from side to side
· Begin reaching
· Laugh aloud
· Take objects, such as a rattle, when held near hand
· Follow moving objects when held in sitting position
· Enjoy play
By 6 months your baby should...
· Sit with a little help
· Roll from back to stomach
· Support weight; bounce activity
· Babble - more than 2 sounds
· Hold 1 toy and reach for another
By 9 months your baby should...
· Sit alone - change position without falling
· Creep or crawl on all fours
· Express affection
· Hold 2 objects at the same time
· Say mama/dada
· Show fear of strangers
By 12 months your baby should...
· Pull self up to standing - may take steps with support
· Pick things up with thumb and 1 finger
· Put toy in another
· Give toy on request
· Give affection
· Follow simple directions accompanied by gestures
· Say 2 or 3 words
By 2 years your toddler should...
· Kick a large ball
· Turn pages of a book
· Imitate housework
· Ask for items by name
· Recognize familiar pictures and know if it is upside down
· Use 2 or 3 words together, such as "more juice"
By 3 years your toddler should...
· Walk up stairs
· Stand momentarily on 1 foot
· Jump up with both feet
· Feed themselves
· Put on a coat with help
· Verbalize toilet needs
Questions?
Contact Patrick Conley
Supervisor of Birth to Three Services for Berrien County at Berrien RESA
269-471-7725 ext. 3384
Fax: 269-473-1113
Bucks in Action
BHS Drama Shows This Weekend!
Buchanan Community Schools Logo Contest Voting Information
👉Please remember, when you get to the donation portal, make sure to specify which logo # you are voting for under "additional comments."
The logo that has the highest donation amount will be the winner!
Native American Heritage Month
Happy National Native American Heritage Month!
In 1990 Congress passed and President George H. W. Bush signed into law a joint resolution designating the month of November as the first National American Indian Heritage Month (senate.gov). This month, we celebrate the rich histories, diverse cultures, and invaluable contributions of Native American communities across the United States. Let’s honor and uplift Native voices, learn from their stories, and recognize the resilience and strength that continue to inspire us all. Linked below are resources where you can learn more about Native American Heritage Month.
Smithsonian Institute Resources
Native American Heritage Month Resources
Key Dates
Did you know you can nominate a staff member at Buchanan Community Schools for our Buck Staff Appreciation staff member of the month? You can! We value the passion and efforts of our staff members in all departments who strive to make our district a great place to learn and work! Make your nomination here! https://forms.gle/LQuBE2HLfGQsxQqq6
Athletics
Current Job Openings
BCS Safety Corner
Safety Training
The purpose of the Buchanan Community Schools Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) is to guide the district and its employees in effectively identifying and responding to incidents. The plan clearly outlines the responsibilities and duties of staff, empowering them to act swiftly and knowledgeably during emergencies. Additionally, the EOP serves to educate students, staff, and other key stakeholders about their roles and responsibilities before, during, and after an incident.
To ensure preparedness, Buchanan Community Schools conducts regular trainings and drills for staff and students each year.
Staff Training: School staff participate in annual emergency training to strengthen their readiness.
Student and Staff Drills: Fire Drills: Five fire safety drills are conducted annually, with at least three completed by December 1st.
Tornado Drills: Two tornado safety drills are held each year, with at least one occurring in March.
Lockdown Drills: Three lockdown drills are conducted yearly, including one during a lunch-recess period or another time when many students are gathered outside the classroom. At least one drill takes place by December 1, and another after January 1.
These activities ensure that everyone in the school community is prepared to respond appropriately during emergencies.
2024-2025 District Calendar
Links to School News Letters
Chain of Command
Do you have a question or comment about our district? See our Chain of Command
We pledge our best efforts to make Buchanan Community Schools a premier school district, and we strive to create safe, welcoming, engaging, and innovative schools that develop all students’ academic, athletic, artistic, and social growth. We take pride in our community and we appreciate the support of our stakeholders! Thank you!
But we do realize that sometimes something might not go right, or you might have a question about what we do or how we do it. We welcome that communication, and we will work to solve your issue for you as efficiently as we can.
In order to do that, we ask that you follow our Chain of Command process shown in the diagram. On the left side of the process chart, you will see the common areas of district programming, and then following to the right would be the next step(s) in the Chain of Command for that district program area. Please start by contacting the staff member listed in the second box of each program area. The contact information for our leadership staff members with responsibility for addressing concerns is listed at the top of the diagram. Other contact information for building staff is available on our website in the “Staff Directory” section of each building’s web page. It is expected that most issues should be able to be resolved at these initial steps in the Chain of Command.
BCS Strategic Plan
About Buchanan Community Schools
Email: probinson@buchananschools.com
Website: https://www.buchananschools.com/
Location: 401 West Chicago Street, Buchanan, MI, USA
Phone: 269-695-8401
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100065665262514