PLA @ Bellingrath Bulletin
Buccaneer Bulletin
BE THE CHANGE - MAKE IT HAPPEN
Mission
to ensure that each of our scholars meet high academic and social standards, and thrive as leaders at home, in their communities, and in the world.
Vision
Our ultimate goal is that our scholars master key academic skills, and demonstrate strong character as exhibited by: honesty, service to others, a superior work ethic, and a strong vision for and belief in their futures.
Character Trait of the Month
Dedicated
part of speech
- adjective
meaning
- a feeling of very strong support for or loyalty to someone or something: the quality or state of being dedicated to a person, group, cause, etc. It took a lot of hard work and dedication, but we managed to finish the project on time
PLA Instructional Strategy of the Month
New Faculty & Staff
PLA @ Bellingrath Middle School's faculty and staff continue to welcome new family members. We are delighted to have each of them as valued members of Buc Nation. We look forward to working with them throughout the school year.
Elizabeth Whaley
Math Teacher
Elizabeth Chappell
History Teacher
Kimberly Speed
ELA Teacher
EXTENDED DAY
Extended Day Starts Monday January 22, 2024
The Extended Day Program is an extension of the regular school day that helps meet childcare needs of families. Each school offers a unique combination of activities, which can include homework assistance, tutoring programs, and enrichment activities. Extended Day Programs begin at the conclusion of the regular school day and last until 5:00 P.M. The program is in operation Mondays - Thursdays, excluding holidays, faculty/staff in-service days, and early release days.
Scan the QR code or click the button to register for the extended day program.
January Family Engagement Activity
January 24, 2024
PLA believes strongly in offering Family Engagement opportunities each month. Providing opportunities for families to come into the school and engage with staff and other families provides them with a true sense of belonging in the school. This month's family engagement will be centered around Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) Testing.
ACAP is an online assessment designed to provide students, parents, teachers, administrators, and Alabama residents with information regarding student progress toward mastery of the Alabama Course of Study Standards. There are four performance levels for the ACAP Summative: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4. Performance Levels and Scale Score Ranges for the full set of performance levels and cut score ranges for each performance level for each content area.
PLA @ Bellingrath Counseling Topics
PLA @ Bellingrath's school counselors play a vital role in supporting students' academic and personal development. They provide individualized guidance to help students create academic plans, navigate career choices, and address personal challenges. In January our counselors will be address the following counseling topics:
- Anger Management
- Self-Esteem
- Conflict Resolution
- Violence
Engaging Our Stakeholders
Title I Parent Surveys & Cognia Accreditation Inventories
Federal Programs and the Accreditation team continue to standardize the annual survey process which supports the development of system and school level data trends.
Middle School Student Survey
Your school wants to know what you think. There are no right or wrong answers. Please read each item carefully before answering. Click on the button below to complete the survey. Thank you for your support.
Family Survey
Your child's school wants to hear from you. This survey is to help institutions understand the quality of services provided to learners and their families. The survey results can be used to support the continuous improvement process. Your responses are anonymous, and no individual results are reported. Click on the button below to complete the survey. Thank you for your support.
Parental Engagement Needs Assessment
This survey was designed by the Office of Parental Engagement to gauge the areas in which you may need assistance or want additional information. Your responses will help provide input for future programs. There are 5 categories: Education Career Development Financial Literacy Health, Wellness & Fitness General Assistance Click on the button below to complete the survey. Thank you for your support.
Extracurricular Activities
PLA @ BMS Softball Tryouts
Any female student in grades 7th and 8th interested in playing softball should sign-up with Coach Sims. Tryouts will be held on Tuesday, January 9th starting at 3:30 at Gateway Park
BUCCANEER BASKETBALL
Come out and support our 7th grade boys, girls and 8th grade boys basketball teams as they compete each week.
School Intake, Dismissal & Bell Schedules
Scholar Intake & Dismissal
No scholars are allowed on campus before 7:15 am. All scholars must be off campus by 3:00 P.M. unless they obtain permission from a teacher or administrator.
Bell Schedules
We normally operate on an eight period schedule. In certain circumstances, we adhere to a block schedule (White/Odd or Green/Even Day)
Electronic Devices
Cell phones will be taken up at the checkpoints every morning and returned to scholars during their last class period. Cell phones will be collected by designated school personnel each morning. The designee will have yonder pouches and last period rosters to keep track of the cell phone he/she receives. Each day the designee will initial the roster showing whose cell phones were collected. Each student will place their cell phone in a yonder pouch. They will be labeled with the student’s and last period teacher’s name. The yonder pouches/phones will be placed in a storage bin labeled with their last period teacher’s name. When the checkpoint closes, the storage bins will be delivered to the administrators for locked storage for the day (6th grade – Assistant Principal, 7th grade – Dean of Culture & Climate, 8thgrade – Assistant Principal). Students who check in late will turn in their phones/yonder pouches to the front office. These phones will also be labeled. The label will include the student’s name, grade and last period teacher’s name. Each morning at 9:15 AM the aforementioned administrators will 2023-2024 Bell Schedule pick up any phones turned in by students who were checked in due to late arrival. These phones will then be locked in the designated areas with the phones collected from checkpoint. During the last class period, storage bins containing cellphones will be delivered to the students’ last period teachers. Any students who checked in after 9:15 A.M. will have to retrieve their phones from the front office after school. After school, all teachers will return storage bins to the designated area to be used the next school day. If a student checks out early they will retrieve their phone from their administrator or the front office.
Consequences:
Pouch Damage / Lost Pouch / Using Phone During School If a student damages their Pouch or is caught on their phone, the following consequences will be implemented.
- First Offense - Administration will collect the phone/Pouch and call home for a Parent Pick up. Phones will be held for 24 hours and released only to the parent/adult listed in PowerSchool. (Weekends do not count)
- Second Offense - Administration will assign the student to In-School Suspension and: Phones will be held for 24 hours and released only to the parent/adult listed in PowerSchool. (Weekends do not count) (Code 9 Defiance Disrespect and Opposition to Authority)
- Third and Subsequent Offense - Administration will assign an Out of School Suspension incompliance with the district policy. Phones will be held for 24 hours and released only to the parent/adult listed in PowerSchool. (Weekends do not count) (Code 10 Disobedience: Persistence/Willful)
Dress Code (Uniform) Procedures
Attire that is considered disruptive or that seriously distracts from the learning environment or that could present a health or safety problem is not appropriate in an educational setting. With this in mind, the following rules concerning dress and grooming are mandatory for all students attending Montgomery Public Schools.
All PLA @ Bellingrath Middle School students are required to wear uniforms. Students are required to have their student ID badge worn on a lanyard. Colors of uniforms (top and bottom) will be determined by each school. Only one belt may be worn with attire. Standard belt buckles only (no over sized belt buckles) Shorts skirts and skorts must be no higher than knee length from the crease in the back of the knee. Slits in skirts and dresses must meet the knee length regulation. Skirts that zip down or button down the front will not be permitted.
Students must wear shoes that cover their feet. Athletic shoes in the colors of white, black, or a combination of white and black are preferred. Each school may permit other colors of shoes as deemed appropriate. No bedroom slippers, flip flops, crocs, stilettos, slides, boots with chains, steel toes or other metal reinforcement, thigh high boots or athletic slides will be allowed.
Hats, caps, sweatbands, bandanna, visors, sunglasses and hoodies must be removed and placed in the locker or designated area and remain there during the school day (except for health and/or religious reasons, which must be approved in advance by the administration). Students are not to wear jewelry, ornaments, or accessories which distract from the learning environment. Facial and/or tongue jewelry is not allowed for males or females. For safety reasons, visual piercing jewelry is limited to ears only. Hoops larger than one inch will not be allowed. Jewelry which includes long necklaces, accessories with spikes or chains, heavy medallions, removable dental grills, heavy bracelets and large finger rings will not be allowed.
Students must wear clothing that fits properly and is clean. Pants must be worn at the waist and may not be sagging. Oversized or undersized clothing, including pants, skirts, blouses, dresses, pants, or shirts, will not be allowed. Pant legs must be uniform length and may not drag on the floor. No pajamas or sleepwear are allowed. Clothing may not be shredded or with open holes. No clothing shall be worn inside out. Suspenders/braces shall be fastened, and belts buckled. Students are not to wear clothing that reveals the body in an inappropriate manner. Examples include clothing, which is too tight, too short and bare at the midriff. Undergarments must be worn in an appropriate manner and not be visible.
All students are expected to be well groomed and always exhibit proper hygiene in efforts to promote and maintain a clean and sanitary learning environment. Tattoos, insignias, and buttons which promote alcohol, tobacco, drugs, vulgarities, violence, illegal activity, or are demeaning to other persons may not be worn at school. Students shall not be permitted to wear clothing, accessories or regalia that conveys membership or affiliation with a “gang” or other similarly oriented group or association prone to violence or criminal acts.
Backpacks/Bookbags are no longer permitted at PLA @ Bellingrath Middle School. If girls carry a purse, it must be clear.
The uniform guidelines of the school coincide with MPS dress code, but can be more detailed and specific for individual sites.
- Bottom:
Khaki Scholars are to wear clothing that fit properly. B Pants must be worn at the waist (no sagging). Only one belt may be worn with attire. Shirts must be tucked in at all times. Girls Shorts, skorts, skirts should not be more than 2 inches above the knee.
- Top:
6th Grade - Black collar shirt
7th Grade - Hunter Green collar shirt
8th Grade - White collar shirt
Plain pullover collar polo style shirt (without logos, emblems or markings preferred) Scholars may wear a plain sweatshirt (the same color as their grade level collared shirt) on top of their grade level uniform shirt.
All coats/jackets must be solid black. Coats/Jackets must zip or button down completely.
Shoes: Athletic shoes
Scholars must wear shoes that cover their feet. Athletic shoes are preferred. No bedroom slippers, flip flops, stilettos, slides, thongs, mules, clogs, crocs, etc.
CONSEQUENCES FOR DRESS CODE VIOLATIONS
- First violation:
Parent/guardian will be contacted and required to take corrective action. The parent will be asked to bring appropriate apparel/shoes or ID card to school.
- Second violation:
Student will receive one-day in school suspension. The parent/guardian will be asked to bring appropriate apparel/shoes or ID card to school.
- Third or subsequent violations:
will be upgraded to B10: Persistent/Willful Disobedience and consequences will be issued accordingly.
Join Our Parent Teacher Organization
Please become a member of our Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). The PTO gives parents and teachers the opportunity to work together to supplement and enrich our scholars' educational experience. The mission is for teachers and parents to work together to enhance the quality of education to help make the students’ dreams a reality. This partnership will help create committees to work on several different projects to enhance each student's educational experience to assist with achievements in the future.