The Buccaneer Bulletin
Principal Newsletter - August 14, 2023
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Buccaneer Families,
I could not be more excited to start off this school year after the success of Buc Games and Round Up on Friday! HBMS staff welcomed over 250 incoming 6th graders during Raider Relays on Friday. Students had the opportunity to tour the building, walk their schedule, and hopefully, reconnect with friends and make new ones.
As a reminder, we have time set aside today, August 14th from 4:30-6:00pm for those who were unable to make it to Round up to tour the building. Please note that staff will not be available during this time. This is simply an open house for students to walk their schedule in order to be prepared for the first day of school.
2 days until our Buccaneers are back in our hallways! We are ready!
Sincerely,
Laura Keogh, Principal
Open House for Families
- Out of consideration for families who cannot attend Round Up, we will host an Open House of families on the evening of August 14th.
- Families can walk around the school on a self-guided tour.
- Walk your student's schedule and locate his/her locker if in 6th grade.
- Student schedules will be available in Skyward. Printed copies of schedules will not be provided.
- Staff will not be available during this time. It is simply an opportunity for families and students to walk schedules and tour the campus.
LTISD MS Cell Phone & Personal Mobile Device Policy
Students are allowed to possess and/or use cell phones or personal mobile devices during:
- Before and after school hours
- Lunch
- Passing periods
Principal approval will be required when the teacher’s lesson plan calls for the use of smartphones, personal mobile devices, apps, etc. as a tool for specific educational activities.
Any and all use of a cell phone or personal mobile device must fall within the expectations outlined in the LTISD Student Code of Conduct and the LTISD Acceptable Use Policy (Appendix A).
Student Expectations:
Classroom/Learning Environment
- The phone must be kept on silent mode and not on the person.
- Students are not allowed to call or text during class time. Any parent communication will occur through district channels, ie, teacher phones, front office, etc.
- Be advised that the teacher or other LTISD personnel will confiscate the phone or personal mobile device at any time to prevent disruption of the learning environment. District personnel are not responsible for lost or damaged phones or devices. – LTISD Student Code of Conduct
During School or at School-Related Event
- The use of electronic devices in locker rooms, restroom areas, or other areas of student privacy while at school is strictly prohibited. The school is not responsible for damaged, lost, or stolen items.
- The District prohibits unauthorized audio or visual recordings, or transmission of audio or visual recordings, of other students or staff.
Violation of Expectations Discipline Process
- Each offense, including the first: the teacher will collect the phone or personal device and bring it to the office for the rest of the school day. The phone or personal mobile device can be retrieved by the student from the front office at the end of the school day.
- Violation of Acceptable Use as defined by the Student Code of Conduct: Phone turn-in protocol will be enforced for 20 school days, and parents will be contacted by the Assistant Principal.
LOCKERS
- This year, only 6th grade students will be automatically assigned a locker and combination in Skyward.
- If you are a parent of a 6th grade student, locker information will go live when schedules do on the evening of August 10th.
- 7th and 8th Grade students will be assigned a locker by request only. Historically, a very small percentage of our older students use a locker, so this will be by request only.
- If your 7th or 8th grade student would like to be assigned a locker, please use this Form to request one.
- There will also be a station set up at Round Up to request a locker that day.
- If you have further questions, please contact Assistant Principal Clark Fredrickson.
Arrival/Dismissal Procedures
Morning Drop Off
CAR RIDER DROP OFF
- All HBMS students (grades 6-8) are to be dropped off at the Main Entrance in the front of the school illustrated by the Green route on the map ONE LANE ONLY (near curb).
- Parents, as you curb at the front entrance, please pull as far forward as possible in order to allow as many vehicles into the front loop at one time.
- DO NOT drop your student off in the faculty and visitor parking lot. HBMS does not have staff available in the morning to monitor the crosswalk for safety.
- Please have students be ready to exit the car prior to stopping.
- Pull as far forward as you can to allow for multiple simultaneous car drop-offs.
- All car riders should be dropped off from the car rider lane only.
- The car loops are one way at all times, both morning and afternoon.
Thank you for your cooperation in this process and keeping students safe in the morning.
Afternoon Dismissal
There are 4 dismissal options:
- Car Riders
- Bus Riders
- Walkers/Bike Riders
Car Riders
- All car riders must be picked up at the main front entrance.
- Cars will be directed into BOTH LANES of the loading zone for afternoon dismissal.
- Pull as far forward as you can to allow for multiple simultaneous pick-ups.
- The car zones are designated as “Inner” and “Outer”, and will fill in simultaneously, but be released one at a time by supervising staff members.
- Students are to watch for their car and move down the sidewalk anticipating where they will stop, loading cars only when all cars stop.
- The first group of cars is usually released at about 4:14pm.
Bus Riders
- ONLY buses pick up at the back of the school building.
- Please do not enter the bus lane at the back of the school.
- Bus riders will exit the back doors of the main hallway.
- Buses will transport ONLY eligible riders with SMART tags ready upon entry.
Walkers/Bike Riders
- Exit out of the back doors immediately. Do not go to the front porch.
- Please be aware of cars and buses, as there is no crossing guard.
Dress Code & Items That Do Not Belong in School
District Dress Code Prohibits the Following:
- Exposed undergarments, chest, midriff, or buttocks
- Crop tops, strapless tops, halter tops, backless tops, and shirts with spaghetti straps
- Shorts, skirts, or dresses that expose any undergarments or private areas of the body
- Clothing advertising tobacco, alcohol, illegal drugs, violence, or material that is offensive
- Spandex or form-fitting attire that does not cover buttocks
- Pajamas or other bedtime attire (unless for a "dress up day" approved by principal)
- Hats inside the building (unless for a "dress up day" approved by principal)
Items That Do Not Belong at School:
- Weapons, including pocket knives
- Tobacco, tobacco products, and electronic cigarettes
- Drugs, alcohol, or drug paraphernalia
- Skateboards, rollerblades, or shoes with wheels
Wearing school-issued Smart Tag ID card on a lanyard is an expected part of the dress code. Students must wear their ID card over the front of their clothing (not on their backpack) and must have this to purchase lunch, check out library books and get assistance at the Tech Depot. This is critical to the safety and security of our building. All staff and students must wear their IDs during the school day. We appreciate your assistance reminding your students of this important requirement. Should they lose their badge or need a replacement, these can be purchased at the front desk anytime during the school day or before school.
For a more detailed list, see the LTISD Secondary Student/Parent Handbook.
HBMS Leadership Team
Principal
6th Grade
Assistant Principal: Tatiana Chavez
Counselor: Surita Scholla
7th Grade
Assistant Principal: Clark Fredrickson
Counselor: Dana Page
8th Grade
Assistant Principal: Brian Gill
Counselor: Kendall Sealy
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Hudson Bend Middle School
Website: ltisdschools.org/HBMS
Location: 15600 Lariat Trail, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-533-6400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ltisdschools
Twitter: @HudsonBendMS