Byron Middle & High School Updates
August 2022
Welcome to the 22-23 school year!
There were a few changes that are significant to our handbook. We wanted to make sure that everyone was aware of these changes.
No Cell Phones in classrooms
Students are allowed to have cell phones in their lockers and they can be used during passing time and at lunch. Cell phones should never be used in the bathrooms or locker rooms. This policy is not new, but has been relaxed during the past few years. Now that the district has purchased a chromebook for every student, we are considered a 1-1 device to student district. In light of this, students will be expected to take their Chromebook to class and this shall serve as their only device in class. This means that cell phones are to remain in their lockers during class time.
Dress code policy
As you are aware, schools across the US are always looking to make their schools as safe as possible. As such, no backpacks are allowed in classrooms. Each student is issued a locker in which to keep their belongings. Students have 5 minutes of travel between classes. Please encourage your student to use their time wisely during class transitions. It is the responsibility of the student to check their apparel before they leave home to make sure it is school appropriate in all regards.
Eligibility policy
We will no longer be using D+, D, or D- to evaluate eligibility. If you have an F in any class, then you are ineligible for the following week. Eligibility will run from Sunday to Sunday. Grade checks are pulled on Friday mornings. For example, if you have an F as of Friday, August 26th, you can still compete Friday (the 26th) and even Saturday (the 27th). However, you will not be able to compete from Sunday to Sunday of the following week (August 28th - September 4th). We will not be utilizing the "point system" any longer. If you have an F, you can not compete. Please do not misunderstand, if you are ineligible you are still expected to practice.
Attendance Policy
We want to clarify that we are not an open campus. This means that from 7:30 am - 2:30 pm you should be in class and on campus. There are times when students do take classes off campus, but once you arrive, you should be here throughout the duration of the school day. In the past, online students were allowed to check-out during their online class time. This is no longer the case. All online students will be assigned to a teacher for attendance purposes and are expected to be in that teacher's classroom for the duration of the online class. If you need to leave school, you can not return without a doctor's note. We understand that some appointments need to occur during the school day. We only ask that you bring a doctor's note back with you upon returning to class.
If you arrive after 7:30 am or need to leave before 2:30 pm, you MUST sign in and out with the office. Knowing who is in the building and where is a very important part of our school safety plan.
Once a student has reached 10 absences, they will lose credit for that class. They will have the opportunity to appeal this decision. Any student receiving a 78% or better on their semester exam will be given credit for that class. Attendance = success in school! Once students have missed 10% or more of school, they are considered truant and may be turned over to the county truancy officer.
Please keep in mind that you can sign up for PowerSchool alerts. This will allow you to track not only your child's attendance, but their grades as well.
Please give staff 24 hours to respond to communications. Please keep in mind that weekends are designated for family time unless there is an emergency. Our staff will do their best to respond promptly to communications.
Below you will find the link for (2) fliers: one regarding the Open House and one regarding the Adopt-a-Door fundraiser. Our PTA is sponsoring both activities. Although you may associate the PTA more with the Elementary level, we appreciate their connection and willingness to support ALL grades levels. We are excited to see you at the Open House and hope you can make it.
Please understand that your child's education and safety are our top priorities. Many districts, as you may have seen in the news, are going back to policies that were in place pre-pandemic. With your support in these areas, we are excited and hopeful for a wonderful 22-23 school year.
Mrs. Lake and Mr. McLennan
MS/HS Administration