BHS Bucks Principal's Update
September 2021
Dear BHS students and families,
The first couple weeks of school have been amazing! Students have transitioned nicely into the school setting and have been fantastic and excited to be here! The weather has cooperated fairly well for starting the school year earlier than normal and students have been prepared by wearing appropriate clothing, staying hydrated, and carrying a positive attitude with them wherever they go. I don't know why I don't ever get used to our kids being so amazing, but every year, every day I am so thankful to be at Buchanan, serving the students and families who have been so incredibly supportive, respectful, and polite! I love hearing stories from visitors to our building who comment on exactly the same thing, "You have such great kids here!" Yes, yes we do!!
It’s always a great time to be a Buck!
Mrs. DeMaio
No Missing Assignments
Ketchup Solution passes (shown in the picture below) were passed out Friday afternoon during ICE. Students who received an invitation must come to Ketchup Solutions and complete work (or prove that their work was completed and accepted by the teacher). If a student needs more time to finish up, our academic interventionist, Mrs. Southwell will be contacting parents to let you know that your child will be required to stay after school to finish. We do provide transportation home for those who normally ride a bus. Students should notify coaches of the mandatory session. I assure you that all coaches want their athletes to be academically successful and will encourage the extra support. Our mission is not to be punitive, but to get kids the help they need before the hole is too big to climb out of. Thank you for all of the amazing support and encouragement for this program.
Standards Based Mindset
Myth 1: Standards-Based Grading Makes It Easier for Students
Buchanan High School has done extensive research and looked at our assessment data to determine what standards are essential for every student to learn, and how we assess those standards. Although every new implementation has it's wrinkles to iron out, we are working to ensure that student grades reflect their learning.
Mediocrity is not acceptable. Teachers will not accept substandard work, and they will not accept work turned in "just to be turned in". We feel that work should be ready for grading. Learning at Buchanan is not an option and those teachers who refuse to accept mediocrity promote continual growth by asking students to keep trying and learning in order to bring thier assignment up to an acceptable level with continuous support and interventions. We do that because we care enough about our student's learning to not give up on them. That's not easy.
Failure is still possible. Although we will try to do everything in our power to ensure student success, teachers require students to show a sufficient amount of evidence (at a proficient level) to justify a passing grade. If a student has not submitted enough evidence or has not reached the designated proficiency goal, the student does not pass. This is where we are working the hardest to ensure that students complete work to submit as evidence of learning, and we can provide students with the help they need when they need it. To help in this goal, we have created our Ketchup Solutions program that you read about above.
PowerSchool and Parent Communication
Buchanan High School uses PowerSchool to enable students and parents to view current data: grades, attendance, contact information, the Daily Bulletin for student announcements, etc. You are encouraged to check PowerSchool often! If you need assistance logging in to PowerSchool please contact the High School office, or email acantu@buchananschools.com and someone will be able to assist you. Parents should be vigilant in reading communications sent from the high school.
Students at Work!
8th Grade Science
Building Assessments
8-11 graders will be taking the PSAT Suite of Assessments in October. We use these results to determine how well our students are being prepared for taking the SAT (college entrance exam) to determine if they are college or career ready by the end of their junior year. This data helps us meet the specific needs of our students. We also use these results to help us determine course placement and schedules. It is very important to us that students perform to the best of their ability on these assessments.
12th graders who wish to take the SAT again this fall will be contacted to sign up for the test this coming week. Seniors should look for that email and respond ASAP.
SAVE THE DATE!!!
- September 22 - Half Day (Hours 1-6) Dismissal at 11:00am
- October 4 - 8 - Homecoming Week
- October 13 - Half Day (Hours 1-6) Dismissal at 11:00am
- October 18 - Picture Retake Day
- October 19 - NO SCHOOL
- October 27 - Half Day (Hours 1-6) Dismissal at 11:00am & Parent/Teacher Conferences
- October 28 - Parent/Teacher Conferences
- November 3 - Half Day (Hours 1-6) Dismissal at 11:00am
- November 24 - Half Day (Hours 1-6) Dismissal at 11:00am
- November 25 - 26 - NO SCHOOL (Thanksgiving)
- December 1 - Half Day (Hours 1-6) Dismissal at 11:00am
- December 16 - Half Day Exams 1-3, Dismissal at 11:00am
- December 17 - Half Day Exams 4-6, Dismissal at 11:00am, End of First Semester
- December 20 - 31 - Winter Break
- January 3 - Second Semester Begins
- January 17 - NO SCHOOL
- February 2 - Half Day (Hours 1-6) Dismissal at 11:00am
- February 21 - NO SCHOOL (President's Day)
- March 9 - Half Day (Hours 1-6) Dismissal at 11:00am
- March 16 - NHS Induction & Academic Letter Awards
- March 17 - Half Day (Hours 1-6) Dismissal at 11:00am , Parent/Teacher Conferences
- March 21 - 25 - Spring Break
- April 6 - Half Day (Hours 1-6) Dismissal at 11:00am
- April 15 - Half Day (Hours 1-6) Dismissal at 11:00am
- May 4 - Half Day (Hours 1-6) Dismissal at 11:00am
- May 27 - Commencement
- May 30 - NO SCHOOL (Memorial Day)
- June 7 - Half Day Exams 1-3, Dismissal at 11:00am
- June 8 - Half Day Exams 4-6 Dismissal at 11:00am
Buchanan High School
High School: 695-8403
(option #2) Stacey DeMaio, Principal
Abby Cantu, Administrative Assistant
(option #1) Brian Pruett, Assistant Principal
Anna Smith, Administrative Assistant
Miranda Capron, Attendance & At-Risk Interventionist
Donna Southwell, Academic Interventionist
(option #4) Student Services
Brandon Flowers, Counselor
Sue Lentz, Administrative Assistant
(option #3) Mark Frey, CTE Director
(option #5) Karin Falkenstein, Special Education DirectorEmail: 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