Knight News
September 4-9, 2023
Home of the Purple Knights!
Welcome to the 2023-2024 School Year
First Day of School
Tuesday September 5, 2023
VERY IMPORTANT: Please make sure that you are registered prior to the first day of school. If you are not registered, you will not have access to your schedule. Registration is done through your parent's Family Access account in Skyward. If your parent/guardian does not know their login information, please contact us so that we can send your parent/guardian an email to access their Skyward account.
Entering the School:
September 5th is the first day of school.
At 7:30am, the main office doors will open for anyone who wants breakfast. You will go to the cafeteria immediately and will not have access to other parts of the building until Breakfast is dismissed. At 7:45am, the field house doors will open. After 7:45, all students may enter through the main office doors. The first warning bell rings at 7:50am. You must be in your first block classroom by 7:55.
Bell Schedule For September:
Block 1: 7:55 - 9:25 am
Block 2: 9:30 - 10:50 am
Block 3:
Lunch A: 10:55 - 11:25 am
Class A: 11:30 am - 12:25 pm
Class B: 10:55 - 11:50 pm
Lunch B: 11:55 am - 12 25 pm
Block 4: 12:30 - 1:55 pm
Block 5: 2:00 - 3:30 pm
Early Release Schedule ( Our first Early Release is Wednesday, Sept 20th):
Block 1: 7:55 - 9:05 am
Block 2: 9:10 - 10:50 am
Block 3:
Lunch A: 10:20 - 10:50 am
Class A: 10:55 am - 12:00 pm
Class B: 10:20 - 11:25 pm
Lunch B: 11:30 am - 12 00 pm
Block 4: 12:05 - 1:15 pm
Block 5: 1:20 - 2:30 pm
Student Arrival & Dismissal Procedures
Student Arrival:
Students that would like to have breakfast before school will enter the school through The Main Entrance doors. The Main Entrance doors will open at 7:30 for breakfast. Students will enter the building and proceed directly to the cafeteria, where they will stay until the 7:45 bell rings, and then head to class.
Students may enter through the Main Entrance or the Athletic Entrance at 7:45.
Student Dismissal:
At the conclusion of the school day, students should use the closest set of stairs to their classroom room and exit the building using the nearest exit.
Students are expected to leave school promptly unless they are under the supervision of a teacher, coach, or advisor.
Students Leaving Early
If your student must leave during the school day:
- PLEASE send a note with them in the morning to be dismissed at the time they need to leave.
- You MUST come in to the Main Office and sign them out to leave. Only a parent/guardian that is listed in Skyward may sign out the student.
Our School Hours
- Start Time: 7:55 am
- Dismissal Time: 3:30 pm
- Early Dismissal: 2:30 pm
This Week at BMHS
Monday, September 4th
NO SCHOOL - LABOR DAY!
Tuesday, September 5th
First Day of Classes for All Students
Wednesday, September 6th
Var Boys Volleyball @ St Catherine’s
Thursday, September 7th
Girls Golf vs. Burlington (1:00 pm)
Var/Jv Boys Soccer vs. Racine Horlick (4:30 pm)
Boys/Girls Cross Country @ Burlington (4:30 pm)
Var/Jv Girls Volleyball vs. North Boone (5:00 pm)
Jv/Var Girls Swim @ Jefferson (3:00 pm)
Jv Football @ Union Grove (6:15 pm)
Friday, September 8th
Challenge Day (See more information below)
Var Football vs. Union Grove (7:00 pm)
Saturday, September 9th
Var Boys Volleyball @ Waukesha North (8:30 am)
Var Girls Volleyball @ Sauk Prairie (9:00 am)
Jv Boys Soccer @ Harvard (9:00 am)
Var Girls Swim @ Elkhorn (10:00 am)
Challenge Day for All Students
On September 8th, 2023, BMHS will be hosting a Challenge Day Assembly in the Auditorium! Because of the capacity of the Auditorium, there will be two assemblies.
The goal of the Challenge Day Assembly is to build community and to help stop the teasing, violence, and alienation that is deeply a part of the school experience for millions of young people every day. The Challenge Day Assembly introduces the Challenge Day experience to all students and shares the concepts and language of empathy, compassion, and authenticity that are taught in the full-day Challenge Day. Like a Challenge Day workshop, an Assembly features high-energy, interactive learning activities, music, and the powerful life stories of our facilitators.
Parents and guardians can choose to opt their student(s) out of the Assembly if they so choose. Please call Ms. Barreau at 608-361-3318 or email her at cbarreau@sdb.k12.wi
If you would like to learn more about Challenge Day, please go to www.challengeday.org/.
Important Dates to Note
- Early Release - September 20th - 2:30 pm
- Picture Days (During Academic Lab) - September 19th, 21st, 22nd
- Term 1 Parent-Teacher Conferences - September 21st (5-7 pm)
- Homecoming Week - September 25th-30th
***Student/Parent Calendars were handed out at our Back to School Night on August 30th. If you were unable to attend, please stop in the Main Office to pick up your wall calendar.
Student Schedules
Our school’s master schedule is based on student's needs, interests, requests, and available class space. Student schedules are completed and final. Only in rare situations will changes in a student's schedule be considered. All changes to student schedules will be handled through a formal process that includes parents, student services, and school administration. It is important
to note that some courses may be denied because of limited space or the need to complete prerequisite courses. Students are expected to follow the schedules that have been created for them.
Academic Lab
The purpose of Academic Lab is to meet our school’s ACP (Academic Career Planning) requirement in a small learning community environment focused on student engagement, social-emotional learning/skills, test prep & test-taking strategy learning, and academic and career readiness. Students receive different support on each day Monday through Friday.
Monday: Community & identity building - build and enhance community and relationship building through the use of Restorative Practices and identity-building activities.
Tuesday: 7 Mindsets - This is a comprehensive Social Emotional Learning platform that transforms school culture and provides training, feedback, and support for students and staff.
Wednesday: ACP (Academic and Career Readiness). We use Xello to provide students with specific lessons around career exploration and readiness.
Thursday: Test prep & test-taking strategies
Friday: Grade Checks, goal setting, & FLEX sign-up. Teachers will review student grades and missing assignments, and students will work on missing work.
Flex Time
FLEX time is a 40-minute period in the day where students engage in targeted intervention or high-engagement enrichment. FlexiSCHED links students to their classroom teachers and those teachers schedule the students to attend either an intervention period if they need the extra time and support or an enrichment offering if they are in good standing. Teachers can request/require a student to attend a specific “Flex Period”, or students can have the opportunity to self-select the intervention and/or enrichment they need; creating personalized learning pathways.
Students will sign up for their FLEX selections the Thursday before the following week. Teachers have the opportunity to “hard schedule” students into their intervention offerings. All teachers and student services staff will be required to provide an offering during FLEX time, and all students will be required to participate. Attendance for FLEX time is mandatory and absences will be treated like a class period absence.
Attendance
Beloit Memorial strives to prepare all students to be college and career ready. In order to do so, it is important that all students attend all of their classes, everyday!
1st Block Attendance
Students are allowed to enter the building starting at 7:30. Classes begin at 7:55. We recommend that all students be in the building by 7:45 so that they have enough time to go to their lockers and make it to their classrooms on time!
Excusing Attendance
If your student is absent for any reason, please let us know right away! You can excuse attendance through any of the following, however email is preferred:
1. Voicemail: 608.361.3000 (Prompt #1)
2. Email:memorialattendance@sdb.k12.wi.us
3. Note: Send a Signed Note with the Student's Name, Date of Absence and Reason for Absence.
Parents/Guardians are allowed to excuse up to 10 days per year. If a student misses for medical or legal reasons, a note from a doctor or court official can be provided and the absence will not count towards the 10 days.
Appointments/Leaving Early
If you know that your student needs to leave school early for any reason, including pre-arranged appointments, then please send them to school with a signed note and the time that they need to be released. Students can submit these to the main office in the morning and get their pass to leave class at the designated time.
Attendance Support and Transportation
If you are in need of any additional support or have questions about transportation, please reach out to your student’s Assistant Principal or Counselor!
BMHS Backpack Policy
No backpacks in the classroom is a safety protocol that will be in place at Beloit Memorial. Students should plan to put their backpacks in their lockers when they arrive, and get what they need from their lockers for class before 1st block begins, during passing time, and at lunch time. The only exception that will be considered for this expectation is a clear (see through) or mesh backpack.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What do I do if I don’t have a clear or mesh backpack?
Students are only required to carry a clear or mesh backpack if they are choosing to not use their locker. Students must purchase their own clear or mesh backpack.
Am I allowed to carry a pencil pouch or lunch bag in my clear or mesh backpack?
Yes - students are allowed to carry pencil pouches in their backpacks. Students are encouraged to keep their lunches in their locker and retrieve them at their designated lunch period.
What if I don’t have enough time to go to my locker between each of my classes? What should I do?
Students should organize and manage when it’s most convenient to make a stop at their lockers. For example, a student may need to access their locker before school, take what they need for 1st & 2nd block, then visit their locker again midway through the day, and get materials needed for the remainder of their classes.
What if I need to carry personal items for medical, hygiene, learning, or other health reasons?
Students who need to carry special items to accommodate health, hygiene, or learning needs are encouraged to keep those items in a small pencil pouch inside their clear or mesh backpack.
Additionally, all students have been provided with a carrying case for their Chromebooks. These carrying cases have pockets that can hold special items to accommodate health, hygiene, or learning needs, and are allowed to be carried into the classroom.
Athletic Events Protocols
BELOW ARE THE ATHLETIC PROTOCOLS TO BE FOLLOWED
WHEN ATTENDING AN ATHLETIC EVENT:
NO ENTRY AFTER THE START OF HALFTIME/INTERMISSION
NO RE-ENTRY POLICY
MUST WEAR YOUR ENTRY BAND AT ALL TIMES ($5 FOR ADULTS, $3 FOR STUDENTS, 60 AND OLDER $2, 5 AND UNDER FREE)
NO BACKPACK OR BAGS ALLOWED (PURSES AND DIAPER BAGS WILL BE CHECKED AT THE GATE)
NO PETS
NO ALCOHOL/DRUGS/TOBACCO PRODUCTS
NO OUTSIDE FOOD/DRINK
Any middle and elementary school age student must have a supervising adult with them at all times.
*STAY POSITIVE, CHEER FOR THE PURPLE KNIGHTS, RESPECT THE OFFICIALS AND VISITING TEAMS*
Athletic Eligibility
Eligible students in athletics or activities in the School District of Beloit must pass all classes each grading term.
Students with 1 F or incomplete in a grading term will be ineligible to compete in any contests for the first scheduled contest week. The student will regain eligibility after the first week of competition and academic eligibility is re-established. The student is able to practice during the ineligible period. Students with 2 or more F's or incompletes in a grading term are ineligible to compete in any contests for the first third of the season based on WIAA allotment of games. The student will regain eligibility after the first third of the season is over. (AD RECOMMENDS) Students having been identified with Exceptional Education Needs will follow their Individual Education Program. ELL students will meet the criteria set forth by any modified educational plan.
A student may erase ineligibility status following the last grading term of the school year through summer school courses (including correspondence courses) at the same or some other school, provided the course(s) made up are equivalent to the one(s) that caused the ineligibility and are approved by the principal.
Fall Exception Rule:
Any student with one F or incomplete for the Spring grading period shall be ineligible for the first 14 days of competition beginning with the first scheduled contest. For example, if football practice begins August 4, the first official game is August 21st; the student would be eligible to play 14 days after August 21st or September 4th. Any student who receives more than one F or incomplete for the last grading term and participates in a fall activity, will automatically be suspended from competing in the first 1/3 of the regular scheduled season/activity unless ineligibility status has been erased through summer school. After this 1/3 suspension is served, the student will be eligible to compete again. However, when 1st term progress reports are due, the student must be passing all classes in order to continue participation. If any failures are present on the progress report, the student will be removed from the activity for the remainder of the grading term.
Final Term Grades:
If a student receives one failing grade at term, that student is ineligible for a minimum of 5 scheduled school days and nights, but not less than one contest. After five scheduled school days and nights a grade check will be performed. If the student is passing ALL their classes at that time they will become eligible. If the student is failing ANY class at the 5-day grade check, they remain ineligible for another five scheduled school days and nights and then proceeds with another grade check. This process will remain in place until the student is passing ALL courses.
If a student receives two or more failing grades at term, the student is ineligible for a minimum of 15 scheduled school days and nights. After 15 days, a grade check will be performed. If the student is passing ALL their classes at the 15-day grade check, they become eligible on the 16th scheduled school day. If that student is failing ANY class at the 15-day grade check, they remain ineligible for another 5 scheduled school days and nights at which time another grade check is performed. This process of checking every 5 scheduled school days will remain in place until that student is passing ALL classes.
Midterm Grade Check:
Students who show up on the midterm grade check with one or more F's will be called to the athletic office for a meeting. At this time the student will be put on academic probation and will have one week to get their grades up. At this time they are still able to practice and compete.
If after that week the student still has one or more F's showing on the grade report, that student will become academic ineligible until they are passing all their classes. They are still able to practice during this time, but cannot compete. Said student will regain eligibility once passing all their classes.
2023-24 Grade Check Dates:
Mid-Term - Week of October 2nd
Term 1 - November 3
Mid-Term - Week of December 4th
Term 2 - January 26
Mid-Term - Week of February 26th
Term 3 - April 8
Mid-Term - Week of May 6th
Term 4 - June 7
Visitors & Volunteers
Visitors and volunteers are an important asset to our school community, and we welcome them.
All visitors must report directly to the office upon arrival in the school building and must obtain a visitor’s badge through Raptor. If a person wishes to confer with a member of the staff, they should call for an appointment prior to coming to the school, in order to prevent any loss of instructional time.
Visitor access to classrooms and instructional activities are subject to reasonable restrictions and limits. Visitors who have a pre-arranged appointment in a classroom with a teacher must be escorted to and from the classroom. Teachers must plan to meet their pre-arranged visitors in the Main Office and escort them back to the office at the end of the visit.
The School District of Beloit embraces and values the work and commitment of our Volunteers.
As a School District of Beloit Volunteer, you become part of our SDB family supporting the success of our students. Volunteers must abide by the Board Volunteer Policy and follow all School District of Beloit Board Policies. The School District of Beloit requires all volunteers to complete a volunteer application and submit to a background check. For more information please visit our SDB Volunteers web page at https://www.sdb.k12.wi.us/domain/1125.
Visitors to All School District Buildings
The safety, security, and well-being of our students, families, and staff is our number one priority.
In 2020, the School District of Beloit began using the Raptor Visitor Management System. The Raptor system allows us to better monitor visitors, contractors, and volunteers who enter our schools. Upon entering any district building or school, all visitors will be required to sign in and present a picture ID. Acceptable IDs include, state-issued IDs such as a driver's license, a passport, or a consular card. The ID will be scanned into the Raptor software system.
This security protocol follows Board Policy 860, Rule 1 that states, "any person other than a student or district employee is regarded as a visitor" and must report to the building's main office for authorization before going anywhere in the school building.
MAIN OFFICE PROCEDURES FOR STUDENTS & VISITORS
The following Main Office procedure is to support visitors and students who need to come and go during the school day. These new procedures will be in place to increase the safety and security of our students, staff, and visitors.
FOR VISITORS:
When you approach the main entrance doors, press the intercom button and our office staff will greet you. They will ask for your name and the reason for your visit before letting you in.
If you are at the school to pick up your student, the main office staff will verify you are identified on Skyward as someone who is able to pick the student up. If you are not listed in Skyward we will need prior permission from the student’s parent in order to release the student to you.
Students will meet you at your vehicle.
If you are at the school because you are a volunteer, the main office staff will verify that your volunteer application is approved. You will be asked to present a picture ID. Acceptable IDs include, state-issued IDs such as a driver's license, a passport, or a consular card. The ID will be scanned into the Raptor software system, and you will be provided with a visitor’s badge to wear while in the school.
If you are at the school because you have an appointment; the main office staff will verify your appointment with the staff member you are meeting with. You will be asked to present a picture ID. Acceptable IDs include, state-issued IDs such as a driver's license, a passport, or a consular card. The ID will be scanned into the Raptor software system, and you will be provided with a visitor’s badge to wear while in the school.
FOR STUDENTS:
If you are coming to school after 7:55 am you will be required to sign in at the main office.
When you approach the main entrance doors, press the intercom button and our office staff will greet you. They will ask for your name and the reason for your visit before letting you in.
The main office staff will verify that you are a BMHS student, and you will sign in at the Kiosk
If you are coming from an appointment, please be sure to give the main office staff your excused note.
If you are leaving school early you are required to leave the building through the Main Office and “sign out” in the student sign in / sign out book.
All students signing out early must have documentation from a parent stating the reason you are leaving. Students who do not have a note will not be allowed to leave.
Any student who leaves campus early because it is built into their schedule (college classes, shortened schedule, work release, apprenticeship, internship, etc.) will be required to exit the building through the main office. Students who leave for these types of reasons will have a special pass that indicates they are able to leave. Please be sure to have your pass on you and ready to show office staff when you “sign out.”
Parking & Parking Passes
Parking permits may be purchased in the Main Office. The cost of a permit is $100 for the full year and $50 for half of the year. Only those students who have applied for, qualify, and receive a parking permit are eligible to park in the student lot. All cars in the lot must have a parking permit. Cars parked in the lot without a permit are subject to being ticketed by the City of Beloit.
Student attendance at school is mandatory, and students are expected to be in school all day. Therefore, students are not to leave school, be in any parking lot or vehicle, or drive vehicles during the school day. Once student drivers bring their vehicles on school grounds, the vehicles must remain there until the end of the school day. Students must obtain specific permission from the main office prior to going to their vehicles or driving off school property. This expectation includes lunch periods. Students who violate the closed campus policy may be subjected to school disciplinary action.
If you are a licensed driver who will be driving to school this next school year - student parking is by permit only. Students must complete a permit application and turn into the Main Office.
School Resource Officer (SRO)
BMHS is fortunate to have a School Resource Officer present on the campus daily. Our School Resource Officer’s name is Terell English. Officer English is a visible member of our school community and assists students in many ways including classroom presentations, assemblies, assisting with school achievement initiatives such as attendance and social emotional learning, and aids to the safety of our students, staff, and school environment. Officer English is available for you to contact for matters of concern at tenglish@sdb.k12.wi.us or 361-3018.
Grading Procedures
All graded work in BMHS classes are classified into two categories - “Formative” or “Summative” assessments.
Formative Assessments:
Formative assessments help the teacher monitor student learning at the current point in a lesson or unit of study to give them feedback on how to direct further instruction.
Summative Assessments:
Summative assessments measure the overall level of learning of the course's learning targets or outcomes. They measure the student’s level of mastery of the course content standards and skills.
It is important to note that not all student work is graded. There will be assignments that are designed for practice or review, which do not have to be counted as part of the cumulative grade.
Grades will be based on mastery of standards and skills being assessed.
Gradebooks will be weighed to reflect 80% summative / 20% formative.
Gradebooks will be consistent for all teachers who teach the same class and should primarily consist of common formative and summative assessments.
Formative and summative assessments will be entered into Skyward by the day they are assigned.
Grades for your formative and summative assessments will be entered into Skyward and feedback provided to students 1 week after they are due.
Late Work Policy
Making up Missed / Late Formative Assessments:
Students who are absent from school for any reason are expected to make up all Formative Assessments missed in each class. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain all make-up work from every teacher immediately upon return to school.
Formative assessments can be turned in prior to the summative assessment or end of the unit for full credit.
Formative assessments completed after the summative assessment will serve as a learning opportunity and will not be awarded points toward the overall grade. Students are expected to complete formative assessments to guide the learning, hence completing prior to the summative is encouraged and expected.
Teachers are expected to provide feedback to students on late formative assessments that will help guide their further learning.
Grades will be entered as a zero until the Formative Assessment is completed to ensure students and parents know the effect of the missing grade.
Only in unique cases of extended absence will more time be granted, after the summative for completion of work missed.
Making up Missed Summative Assessments:
Students who are absent from school for any reason will be required to make up all Summative Assessments missed for each class.
It is the student’s responsibility to schedule make-up summative assessments from every teacher upon return to school.
It is the teacher’s responsibility to ensure that students have every opportunity to make up missed summative assessments. Students should never be denied the opportunity to take a missed summative.
Only in unique cases of extended absences will more time be granted for the completion of summative assessments past a grading term.
Teachers are allowed to give alternative summative assessments for students who are absent, but in the same format as the original assessment.
Teachers will allow students at least the same number of days they were absent to make up all summative assessments.
Summative Assessment Retakes & Corrections
Teachers will provide students an opportunity to demonstrate new learning of curricular standards and content objectives through retakes of summative assessments.
Within one week of a Summative Assessment being graded and returned to students, students may initiate a request to have an opportunity to demonstrate new learning by working out a summative retake plan with their teacher.
The retake plan may include prior formative assessments.
The students shall complete the retake plan within one week of its creation.
All formative assessments must be completed before a summative retake can be taken for that unit.
Students are expected to complete formative assessments to guide the learning, hence completing prior to the summative retake is encouraged and expected.
Teachers are expected to provide feedback to students on late formative assessments that are part of the summative retake learning plan.
Grade calculation: Teachers have the discretion to administer a full retake or a portion of the summative assessment in order to best assess students’ new learning. Students will receive full credit for all summative assessment retake opportunities. If completing only a portion of the assessment, points will be added back to the student’s original score. The highest of the two scores will be accepted.