BHS Bucks Principal's Update

We're rolling through HOMECOMING 2020 with lots of spirit! This week, students and teachers alike have dressed in their Tiki clothes, pajamas, dressed up like a teacher, and of course in their Buchanan spirit wear. Our Student Council members created a pep video to share with the entire student body (including Middle School and Elementaries). It's our first ever virtual pep assembly, and it was all made possible because our students are positive, creative and willing to do new things. We have the most amazing students at Buchanan!!

I hope you enjoy the pictures (taken by our yearbook and building staff) of what's happening at the high school, and find the information below useful and informative. As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Together, we are #BUCKSTRONG! Happy Homecoming 2020!

Sincerely,

Mrs. DeMaio

Parent Teacher Conferences are rapidly approaching. (October 7 & 8) Our district has decided to not hold face to face meetings this year. Teachers will be contacting parents to set up a phone call meeting. If you would like to speak to a teacher specifically, please reach out to that teacher to set up an appointment time by Wednesday of next week. Teachers only have 65 time slots in the two days allotted for calls, so if you do not get a communication from the teacher, please reach out via email to get a personalized appointment. Once a time has been scheduled, please be sure to answer your phone at your scheduled time. We understand this is not ideal, and we would welcome any ideas for future virtual conferences to make this process better.

This week marks the end of our first session of Diagnostic testing. All students, grade 8-12 take an ExactPath Diagnostic test that provides us with valuable information regarding what gaps in learning students may have, what gaps in teaching we have, and helps us to identify any student who may be inappropriately placed in a course. After the diagnostics are complete, students are placed in an individual pathway to help them fill in learning gaps and raise knowledge and skill levels. We use this test to help us inform our teaching practices, help students learn things that may have been missed in previous years, and guide students to a successful SAT test that can be used for college admissions. These diagnostic tests are given three times per year.

Our 8th graders also finished this week taking the mandated NWEA test in Math and Reading. Students and teachers will be conferencing about results and determinig goals for the year to improve learning. Those results will also be shared with parents when they are available.

Coming up in the next few weeks are the SAT/PSAT assessments. This year, seniors will take the SAT while juniors will take the PSAT/NMSQT test. Sophomores and freshmen will take the PSAT 9/10. Those results don't usually come back until winter.

On testing days, it is important for students to get a good sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and limit their screen time a week prior to the test. It is also important to start students on a positive path on their way to school. Your words and actions matter:)

This year in unlike any we have experienced, and the health and safety of our students is our top priority. To help identify students in need of additional suppport services, all students will be administered a brief wellness survey at least once per semester. Survey responses will be used to connect students with the appropriate resources, including school health professionals (such as a school social worker or counselor), who may offer additional screening to determine specific concerns. During these unprecedented times when the safety of our students is critically important, we will not seek your permission for each student survey. If you do not want your child to participate in school wellness screenings, please speak with your child about not completing it.

Mrs. Lentz's students in 8th grade Earth Science class learned about topographic maps this week. They formed teams and selected national park maps to use as examples for determining elevations, contour intervals and points of interest. They compared the elevations of places like El Capitan in Grand Teton National Park and Checkerboard Mesa in Zion National Park to the elevation of Buchanan.

Athletes in Golf, Tennis and Cross Country do not have to wear masks while competing. They must wear them while not competing.

Athletes in Soccer, Football and Volleyball must wear masks at all times.

Athletes must provide their own water.

Athletes must social distance while on sidelines and attempt to limit physical contact celebrations.

All spectators must wear masks at all events.

All spectators must have a ticket to enter the event. Two tickets are given to each athlete prior to the event. No additional tickets will be given if those tickets are lost.

All spectators must sit socially distant. Marked off sections will be provided to be sat on.

Please click this link to view the BCS Conference Expectations.

Ms. Southwell and Mr. Pearson will be available Tuesday - Thursday after school to help students with their academic needs, with class work, credit recovery, a friendly chat or with any issues students may be having. Students may sign up with Mrs. Southwell. ASA is available until 3:45 Tuesdays and Thursdays, and until 3:15 on Wednesdays.

October 7 - Count Day! Please make sure every effort is made to have students present in school, or working on their classes remotely from home. This count is crucial to our district's funding.

October 7 - Evening Parent-Teacher conferences will take place virtually

October 8 - 1/2 day for students (hours 1,2,3). Students will be offered a "grab and go" lunch as they leave the building. Virtual Parent-Teacher conferences will take place in the afternoon and evening.

October 9 - 1/2 day for students (hours 4,5,6). Students will be offered a "grab and go" lunch as they leave the building.

October 13 - Picture Retake Day!

October 15 - Virtual NHS Induction

October 16 - Academic Awards Breakfast

At Buchanan High School, we strive to prepare students for life outside of the academic setting. We are always looking for partnerships within our community to bring real world life experiences to our students. Please reach out to us if you have an idea you'd like to discuss to help our students become successful.

If you call our office, our phone menu has changed, please listen carefully to the new option. Please check out our new Facebook page and like us!

Email: sdemaio@buchananschools.com
Website: www.buchananschools.com
Location: 401 West Chicago Street, Buchanan, MI, USA
Phone: (269) 695-8403
Facebook: facebook.com/BuchananHSBucks
Twitter: @BHS_Bucks