• Monday, September 20th - PTO Spirit Day - Vecchia or Moss Rock Taco
• Thursday, September 23rd - Wear Purple for Kindergarten Colors
  
• Thursday, September 30th - Wear Orange for Kindergarten Colors
• Saturday, October 2nd - National Custodian Appreciation Day
• Wednesday, October 6th - Walk to School Day
• Thursday, October 7th - Wear Brown for Kindergarten Colors
• Friday, October 8th - End of 1st Nine Weeks
• Monday, October 11th - Teacher Work Day; No School for Students
• Tuesday, October 12th - Fall Individual Pictures
• Wednesday, October 13th - 1st Nine Weeks Report Cards Go Home
• Thursday, October 14th - Wear White for Kindergarten Colors

If your child has ANY symptoms of illness, please keep him/her at home until you can determine the cause of the symptoms. If your child has symptoms and they have been tested for COVID-19, they must remain home until the COVID-19 test results are reported to you. Per the ADPH Back to School Guidance, if your child has symptoms and has a negative covid test result, the child should stay home for 10 days UNLESS a healthcare provider issues an alternate diagnosis. We don't need to know the specific diagnosis, but we need to know there is a diagnosis other than COVID-19 to explain the symptoms. When students report to school with symptoms of illness and subsequently test positive for COVID-19, they have exposed countless others, creating multiple close contact individuals and additional COVID positive cases. Please refer to the ADPH Back to School Guidance pages numbered 13 and 15, or your personal Healthcare Professional if you have questions. https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/covid19/assets/cov-school-guidance-073021.pdf

Yearbook pre-sale has started on myschoolfees.com. To guarantee your child has a yearbook, it is best to purchase one now. There will be a limited number of extras and no guarantee that your child will get one in May if you wait to purchase.

It's been a great start of the year in the library! It is wonderful to see how many books have been checked out so far. Students can have books checked out for 2 weeks at a time. If they need it longer, they can also renew. Please help me remind them to bring their books back when they are done. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at adolan@hoover.k12.al.us Let's keep them reading! Mrs. Dolan

It’s that time of year again! Students will be able to participate in the Kids Mercedes-Benz Marathon on February 12, 2022. Your student will be running every Friday to complete a goal of running/walking 25.2 miles. If they register for the event, they will complete their last mile of the marathon on February 12th at Linn Park in downtown Birmingham. Registration for the Kids Mercedes-Benz Marathon is only online at https://runsignup.com/Race/AL/Birmingham/BHKidsMercedesMarathon. Online registration is $20 plus a small service fee from Run Sign Up. Price increases after November 15, 2021 at 11:59pm CST. More information will be given through the BPES Newsletter or sent home with your student!

Payment of school fees for the 21-22 school year are now available to pay online at https://secure4.myschoolfees.com/. Please click here 21-22 School Fee Sheet if you would like to see a detailed description of the fee sheet. You will need your child's 10-digit student ID number that begins with the numbers 19........ or 20........ If you do not know the number you may call the office at 205-439-2800, or email the bookkeeper at choneycutt@hoover.k12.al.us. Student fees include donations, PTO dues, yearbook, grade level specific fees, and the HCS device protection plan (this has a firm deadline to pay by 9/30/21). As a reminder, no field trips will be paid until a field trip is actually planned. The field trips are listed on the fee sheet for informational purposes only and are subject to change.

Students in Grades 3-5 only: The final deadline to pay for Device Insurance for students in Grades 3-5 is September 30th. You will not be able to pay for Device Insurance after 9/30/2021. You may pay registration fees online at https://secure4.myschoolfees.com/. If this is your first time to login you will need your child’s 10-digit student ID number that begins with the numbers 19…….. or 20…….. If you do not know the number you can check with your child’s teacher, or email the bookkeeper at choneycutt@hoover.k12.al.us. Student registration fees include donations, PTO dues, yearbook, grade level specific fees, and the HCS Device Protection Plan. As a reminder no field trips will be paid until a field trip is actually planned.

Hoover City Schools is now accepting applications for Substitute Teachers!

Do you enjoy the energy of schools? Do you enjoy being around children?

Come join our team of dedicated substitute teachers to continue the

learning process for our students when classroom teachers are absent.

The work locations and days are flexible!

Want to apply? Visit https://www.hoovercityschools.net/ and look for the Human Resources tab under Departments. You may also contact Sharon Pierson at spierson@hoover.k12.al.us 205-439-1093 for additional information.

Current substitute teacher pay rate:

$85 per day (with valid substitute license)

$90 per day (with Alabama valid teacher certification)

$95 per day (retired HCS teachers only)

We believe it is important for children to develop good habits at an early age and to learn that school is important. Parents, please help us by having your child here on time. Every minute counts! This is a reminder that students not in their seats by 7:50 a.m will be counted tardy. Our academic schedule begins at 7:50 a.m., and therefore, we need all students and staff members ready to go at 7:50 a.m. The first bell rings at 7:40 a.m. The tardy bell (third bell) will ring at 7:50 a.m. If the “your child is now late” sign is out, you will need to park and check your child in at the front desk. For the past week, we have closely monitored carpool and from 7:00 a.m.-7:30 a.m. there is little to no line. If the line is backed up to the road, it takes approximately five minutes for the car at the turn-in to make it to the unloading location. If weather or other extenuating circumstances slow down the carpool process, we will make an exception. Also, please be sure to only drop students off at the designated area. Thank you for your support.

Please click here if you would like to sign your child up to say the Pledge of Allegiance over the intercom in the morning. Be sure to complete the form separately for each child you would like to sign up.

All absence excuses (whether parent, doctor, or court notes) may be submitted electronically. Please save this email address for your convenience: BPESAttendance@hoover.k12.al.us. Parent notes MUST include parent signature - we cannot accept just a straight email with no handwritten signature. In addition, notes should include the student's full name, teacher name, dates of absence, and reason for absence within 3 days of the student's return to school. You may take a picture of a handwritten excuse and email it to this address. Thank you for your cooperation in this attempt to keep us healthy!

Further, if you student is going to be absent for a reason other than those listed as approved by the Hoover City Schools Code of Conduct (e.g., family trip), you may request that the days missed be coded as excused by submitting an Anticipated Absence Form at least three (3) days in advance of the absence. This can be for full day or partial day absences. You can find the form on our school website or by clicking here.

Common Sense is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. We are in the process of completing our Common Sense Recertification, which is a symbol of Bluff Park Elementary School’s and Hoover City Schools’ dedication and commitment to helping students think critically and use technology responsibly to learn, create, and collaborate. More information regarding Common Sense Media can be found at: commonsense.org. During this recertification process, teachers are engaging in professional development opportunities and students are learning more about digital citizenship! Over the next few months, I would like to share some information with you as well! The first being the Family Media Agreement; which highlights key areas that can be used as conversation starters with your child(ren). You do not have to sign and return this agreement; however, please take some time to review these points with your family.

Gifted/enrichment students are those who perform at or who have demonstrated the potential to perform at high levels in academic or creative fields when compared to others of their age, experience, or environment. These students require services not ordinarily provided by the regular school program. Students possessing these abilities can be found in all populations, across all economic strata, and in all areas of human endeavor.
Teachers, counselors, administrators, parents/guardians, peers, self, or any other individuals with knowledge of the student’s abilities may refer a student. Additionally, all second grade students will be observed as potential gifted referrals using a gifted behavior checklist.
For each student referred, information is gathered in the areas of Aptitude, Characteristics, and Performance. The information is entered on a matrix where points are assigned according to established criteria. The total number of points earned determines if the student qualifies for gifted services.
To make a referral, contact the enrichment teacher at your child’s school: Meg Copeland at macopeland@hoover.k12.al.us.

SPIRIT NIGHT is NEXT Monday, September 20th! Feed the family AND support the school AND get house points??? Yes please! Bring your family for a meal out to Vecchia or Moss Rock Taco next Monday to do all these things! Be sure to mention Bluff Park School, and save your receipt for house points. Come during lunch and/or dinner, and if you want to order a large family meal to go- please do so a day in advance. Click here for more information.

WALK TO SCHOOL DAY! Save the date for Wednesday, October 6th, for Walk to School Day! More details to come.

BECOME A PANTHER PAL TODAY! Do you want to support our school AND promote your business? BPES is offering a new year-long sponsorship opportunity that does just that. See the PTO website for more information! And please email us with any questions about this program or how to send our letter to your friends and family with local businesses! The kids LOVE seeing how their community supports them- don’t miss this opportunity! Sponsorship deadline is Sept. 24! Click here for more information.

BUSES

• If your child rides the bus, please remind him or her that masks MUST be worn at all times while on the bus.

CARPOOL

Please practice having your child get in and out of the car by him or herself. This may include buckling and unbuckling seat belts and getting in and out of the vehicle independently. Please have students gather all their materials (backpack, lunchbox, jacket, etc.) so that they can quickly get out of the car in the morning.This will be extremely helpful at carpool in order to help keep the line moving swiftly. Please be sure to display your carpool tag.

Click here to access the breakfast and lunch menu.

Click here for more information on applying for a Free or Reduced priced meal.

Click here for information on MySchoolBucks. You can also check out the website here - https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/getmain?requestAction=home

Due to manufacturing supply shortages and food/supply distribution disruptions, the menu will be subject to change each day. The entree menu may also be limited to only (1) hot choice instead of (2) at times, but we will always offer a variety of vegetables and fruits and provide the USDA required food components. Thank you for your understanding during this nationwide food industry challenge.

YMCA Afterschool Academy - click here for more information.

The 58th Annual Bluff Park Art Show will be setting up on Thursday, September 30th and Friday, October 1st, at the Shades Cliff Community Park. The park will be marked off for the Artist on Thursday and Artist will move in on Friday. If there is anyway to assist the Bluff Park Art Show set up process and limit parking and interaction at the park during this time, they would greatly appreciate it and hope it does not cause any inconvenience.
The show is Saturday, October 2nd. They will have great art, food trucks, ice cream, and live music! See you at the show!

Join the HHS Cheerleaders for a cheer clinic and pre-game performance at the Hoover High School vs. Hewitt High School Varsity football game on Friday, October 1st, 2021. Click here for more information.

Hoover City Schools is pleased to announce that the USDA has extended free breakfast and lunch to all students during the 2021-2022 school year.

As always, our Child Nutrition Program staff will continue to offer a variety of entrée options, featuring a wide array of fresh fruit and vegetables.

(Notice of Nondiscrimination for all Mass-Distributed Publications/Mass Communications)
Updated 2018

EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

(Board policy, 6.6) No student will be unlawfully excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any program or activity offered or sponsored by the Board on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, disability, creed, national origin, sex, immigrant or migrant status, non-English speaking ability, or homeless status. All career and technical education opportunities are offered to all students regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, or disability. The district also provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

Mrs. Claire Jones-Moore, IDEA Coordinator
Mrs. Anna Whitney, Section 504 Coordinator
Dr. Debra Walker Smith, Title I Coordinator
Dr. Autumm Jeter, Title II Coordinator
Dr. Debra Walker Smith, Title III Coordinator
Dr. Tera Simmons, Title IX Coordinator

Hoover City Schools
2810 Metropolitan Way
Hoover, AL 35243
(205) 439-1000

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

(Board policy, 5.14.1) The Board is an equal opportunity employer. Personnel actions and decisions will be made without regard to factors or considerations prohibited by federal or state law (as such laws may from time to time be amended), including but not limited to race, gender, age, disability, national origin, citizenship, and religious preference. Subject to the limitations set forth in 4.6.2, the general complaint (grievance) policy (4.6.1) may be used to present any complaint alleging unlawful discrimination or harassment. Inquiries regarding compliance and complaint procedures can be directed to:

Mary Veal, Equal Opportunity Employment Coordinator
Hoover City Schools
2810 Metropolitan Way
Hoover, AL 35243
(205) 439-1000