
Cougar News Family Newsletter
Week 4: September 21-25
September 21-25
Instructional Delivery Choice Window CLOSES on Sunday 9/20 at 11:59 pm.
MAP Testing in Math, Reading & 8th Grade Science
Thursday, September 24th- Volleyball @ Cleburne Smith- Games start at 5pm
Lunch Line Changes
Previously, we have had 1 entrée selection at each line. This creates a situation where one line is always much longer than the others because it is the "fan favorite" meal choice.
Beginning on Monday, each line will offer all entrée selections for the day. Students just choose the shortest line since each line will have all options. We are hopeful this helps students move through the lines as quickly as possible and have more time to eat.
We are grateful for our amazing Child Nutrition staff that always goes above and beyond to offer healthy and delicious meals.
In Person Learners- TARDIES
For the last couple weeks we have been monitoring our passing periods and school procedures to ensure a safe and efficient environment. Students are doing an excellent job and have found their routines.
Virtual Learners- Cameras On!
If you are the parent of a virtual learner, please remind your student to turn on his/her camera during virtual learning.
Being able to see your student helps in a variety of ways. First of all, it helps us establish a connection with your student during class. As teachers, we want to be able to see your student to observe their work, answer questions, and check in throughout the learning process.
Additionally, teachers need to verify your student's presence for synchronous learning.
Lastly, some of our virtual learners are not staying engaged and attentive during class. They have told us their camera is off so they can leave the room, go back to bed, or play video games. This will make being successful in virtual learning incredibly challenging for your student.
Thank you for talking to your virtual learner about keeping their cameras on during class time.
If you have specific concerns, please reach out to your student's teacher(s). We are always happy to help!
Thanks for your support!
Instructional Delivery Change Window
TEA allows parents to change their instructional choice at the end of each grading period.
Students may change from virtual to on-campus or from on-campus to virtual.
The form is linked here: https://forms.gle/wx5BXCnvQ8ZKPLag6
The form closes at 11:59 pm on Sunday, September 20th.
The change take effect on October 5th, the first day of the 2nd 6 weeks. This will allow our campuses two weeks to make any adjustments necessary.
Please note, IF YOU DO NOT COMPLETE THE FORM, YOUR CURRENT LEARNING PREFERENCE WILL STAY THE SAME through the next grading period.
Students Moving from Virtual to In Person
To help ease the anxiety, we are offering a one hour window on Thursday, October 1st for the student and one parent/guardian to walk the student's schedule prior to returning to in-person learning on Monday, October 5th.
The building will be open from 4:30-5:30 pm for students transitioning to in-person learning to walk their schedule. Teachers will not be on site during this time. We will have administration present to help direct you.
For those who are unable to attend on this afternoon, we will help you when you come back to campus. We are excited to welcome you back and we will make it a smooth process for you.
We will send additional communication about this opportunity directly to our students/parents transitioning to in-person learning on September 28th.
Athletic Event Ticket Sales
We will not be selling any tickets at the door at any of our athletic events.
Guidelines for athletic events:
-Every other row must remain open
-Families can sit in pods up to 10
-Each pod must be socially distanced at least six feet from another group or individual
-Masks are expected to be worn unless you are eating or drinking
-All student spectators must be accompanied by a parent to games
Thank you for abiding by these expectations so we can continue to host athletic events and allow our student athletes to compete!
Changes to Athletic Tickets
1. Ensure a safe environment that meets the standards set by TEA, UIL & State & Local Health Authorities
2. Allow all parents to watch their children compete
Beginning on Tuesday, September 29th, we will be selling tickets by the game/match. For example, we will sell ticket to the A-team game/match, B-team game/match and C-team game/match.
This allows us to sell a greater number of tickets over the course of the evening. We respectfully ask that you leave after your child's game so we remain under the capacity threshold for each individual game.
We want to continue to offer as many tickets as possible throughout the season, but we also must ensure we are complying with required occupancy, social distancing, and other requirements.
Thank you for your help!
Welcome our Littlest Cougar to the Pride
Congratulations to the Shaw family!
Schoology Parent Resources
Dress Code Reminders
You will find the 2020-2021 BISD Student Dress code here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wg8o0xJB80HVjEd3EHKnuuHCGRH5_-QC/view
A few reminders about dress code:
-All skirts, shorts, holes/rips in pants must be below the fingertip.
-Crop tops are in style right now, but these are not allowed in the dress code. Shirts and blouses must coverthe entire torso at all times, even in movement.
-No spandex or leggings allowed. Pants are defined as having seams and pockets.
-No hats
-Pajamas and zip up onesies are not allowed
Cell Phone Policy
Our desire is for all students to be engaged in learning and connect with each other in meaningful, appropriate ways during their time at school.
We believe that middle school students are very social by nature, and we strive to provide ways for students to be social at school. We encourage students to have conversations and connect with those around them in classrooms, passing periods, and during lunches.
Students are not permitted to be on their cell phones during the school day. We understand that there are times where a parent needs to relay a message to a student, or when a student needs to contact their parent during the school day. We encourage parents to call the front office and we will deliver messages to students, or we encourage you to email your student information needed.
If there is a circumstance where a student needs to step out and call or text their parent, they just need to ask the teacher's permission and we will all them to do so.
Our cell phone policy is below. Please reach out to any administrator if you have questions about this policy.
We appreciate your help and support!
Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures
REVIEW:
We have adjusted our original drop off plan that was sent to you during the few past weeks. We are no longer allowing you to drop off your student in the second outside lane. The second lane is now designated for exiting the property. I attached a map showing the adjustments we made. I thank you for patience as we navigate balancing social distancing and kids safely exiting cars.
As a reminder of our morning drop off strategy, I have listed a few procedures that will help.-
Students should be prepared to exit the car immediately when the car stops in the drop off zone. This is different than last year. We only allowed cars to pull to the side of the school for drop off.
Unlike last year, we are using all three entrances to aid in social distancing, so students can exit the car at any time the car stops within the drop off zone.
If the student is not ready to exit, please pull around to the parking lot using the left lane.
After the student exits the car, you can pull forward to exit or move to the left lane to exit.
Healthy Practices for Healthy Cougars
If your student has a temperature of 100.4 or higher or is exhibiting COVID-like symptoms, please do not send your student to school.
Please send your student to school in a mask that covers their mouth and nose. We will have additional masks on hand for any student who needs one; however, we encourage students to wear a mask they have selected and feel comfortable in. Everyone has different preferences for design, style, and comfort.
We will also be encouraging frequent hand washing and hand sanitizing throughout the school day.
Please see the BISD Health Protocols page for more information.
Thank you for helping keep our Cougars healthy!
Teacher Hours & Response Times
Our goal is to always be prompt and responsive to your questions and concerns; however, an immediate response is not possible in most all situations.
Per BISD Board Policy, please note that teachers will respond to you within 24 hours of an email or phone call.
Setting an appointment with a teacher, counselor, or administrator is strongly encouraged to ensure the person you need to visit with is available during your call/visit. We are happy to set up virtual meetings or phone calls as well.
Kerr Middle School
Email: kalee.mcmullen@bisdmail.net
Website: https://www.burlesonisd.net/kerr
Location: 1320 East Hidden Creek Parkway, Burleson, TX, USA
Phone: (817)245-0750
Facebook: facebook.com/KMSCougars
Twitter: @KMScougars
Homecoming Information
We are pleased to announce that BHS & CHS homecoming will be on September 24 at AT&T Stadium! This is an incredible opportunity to continue our homecoming and Boot Bowl traditions at AT&T Stadium. We look forward to kicking off another great football season with students of all ages and families joining us!
Ticket sales for games this season will be made available online the week of each game.
More details about homecoming and school procedures will be available in the next few weeks. In the meantime, let’s get excited for a great school year together! We look forward to seeing you all next week - on campus and virtually!