• February is Teacher Appreciation Month by our PTO! We LOVE our teachers!
• MyOn Reading Challenge Begins - information below

• Tuesday, February 15th - SRO Appreciation Day
• Wednesday, February 16th - Kindness and Pink Shirt Day
  
• Wednesday, February 16th - Collection for the Humane Society for Kindness Day
• Monday, February 21st and Tuesday, February 22nd - No School for Students
• Monday, February 28th - Friday, March 4th - Read Across America Week
• Thursday, March 3rd - Vocabulary Parade (info. below)
• Thursday, March 3rd - Sack Lunches
• Tuesday, March 8th - Spring Pictures - Individual and Classroom Pictures
• Friday, March 11th - End of 3rd Nine Weeks
• Tuesday, March 15th - PTO Spirit Night - Chick-fil-A Patton Creek Drive Thru ONLY 5-8; tell them you are with BPES
• Wednesday, March 16th - 3rd Nine Weeks Report Cards Sent Home
• Monday, March 28th - Friday, April 1st - No School - Spring Break
• Saturday, April 9th - PTO Spirit Day - Bluff Park Ice Cream - ALL Day; tell them you are with BPES

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)

Dear Families,

We have created a fun reading challenge to encourage student(s) to read this winter, and we invite you to support their participation. To be sure all students have access to quality, appropriate reading materials, all students have accounts on myON—a digital reading platform with thousands of books and articles written for them. Through their myON accounts, students can find books and articles that match their interests, grade, and reading levels. They can access these digital reading resources anytime and anywhere they have an Internet connection. Students can download up to 20 books at a time for offline reading, too. Instructions for downloading and using free myON mobile apps are located at https://help.renaissance.com/myON/myon-apps. There is no limit to the number of times your student(s) can read the same book or article on myON, and no limit to where or when your student(s) can read on the platform. It is always on, 24/7, so they truly have unlimited opportunities to read. Please review the information about our winter reading challenge and encourage your child to read on myON as much as they can during this challenge and all year long!

Erica Adams

BPES LiteracyCoach

The Knight School is returning this spring to Bluff Park Elementary School! These exciting, high-energy chess parties are a blast for kids K-6th. Chess classes will be conducted in the school library every Friday from dismissal-4:15. Tuition is $90 per month and includes all lessons, all prizes, a chess team T-shirt, each child’s own personal USCF tote, pieces and mat, and everything else! Membership also includes interfacing with our sister chess team in the Hoover, plus the chess teams of every single Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, and Homewood elementary school, public and private, To join our fantastic chess network and get really devastating at chess, just go to www.theknightschool.com and we will see you after school this coming Friday in the school library!

Click here to learn more.

We at Bluff Park would love to have more males around the school, and are hoping to do this through D2 (Dudes on Duty). This group was originally formed in 2019 and we are so excited to announce that D2 will be coming back in action! D2 is a group of dads, grandfathers, uncles, etc. that assist in a variety of ways and allow a male presence at Bluff Park. If you would like to sign up to receive emails from this group about opportunities in the future to help with school activities, please click here to provide your name and email address.

The opportunity for D2 to assist in carpool during the month of February has been added.

Click here to sign up if you would like to assist.

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.

We ask that you report a COVID-19 positive diagnosis to your School Nurse.

COVID-19 positive individuals must meet the following criteria before returning to school/work:

• Isolate away from others for at least 5 full days after symptoms first appear

• And have at least 24 hours fever free without the use of fever reducing medications at the end of 10 day period

• And have general improvement of all symptoms

• Wear a well fitted mask Day 6 through Day 10

Currently, Hoover City School does not force exclusion for those students exposed to COVID-19 illness and are not experiencing symptoms. However, if your student develops any symptoms of illness during the 10 day monitoring period, please keep them home, notify the school nurse and have them evaluated by a healthcare provider.

If your student is sent home with Covid-19 symptoms and able to see a health care provider and given an alternative diagnosis, they can return to school if they have a release to return to school from a physician and fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medications on board.

If your student is sent home with Covid-19 symptoms and unable to see a health care provider, they will need to quarantine at home for 5 full days from onset of symptoms (Day 0-Day 5).

If you have any questions or concerns, please email Nurse Melanie at mjourdan@hoover.k12.al.us or call 439-2830.

Please stay up to date with BPES PTO via our Instagram page and our Facebook page!

In an effort to improve reading outcomes for students across Alabama, the Alabama Legislature passed the Alabama Literacy Act, which became law on June 10, 2019.

This legislation extends comprehensive information and other guidance for educators to focus concentrated and systematic efforts to improve the reading skills of all public school students in early literacy so that every student is reading at or above grade level by the end of the third grade.

To learn more about the Alabama Literacy Act, click the links below:

Alabama Literacy Act - full text (PDF)

Alabama Family Guide for Student Reading Success (PDF)

Alabama Family Guide for Student Reading Success (Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Korean, and Vietnamese translations)

At home Resources:

Promotion Based Decisions (PDF)

Kindergarten Booklet - My Child Can!

First Grade Booklet - My Child Can!

Second Grade Booklet - My Child Can!

Third Grade Booklet - My Child Can!

Thank you so much to all of those who were able to join us for the Literacy Act Lunch and Learn. If you were not able to attend or had a spouse that you would like to share this information with, I have included a video here. I also wanted to share a list of resources with you that were discussed at the conclusion of our meeting. We look forward to our continued partnership with you! -Mrs. Adams

Alabama's Voluntary Pre-K Program - Hoover City Schools Pre-Registration Information - English

Alabama's Voluntary Pre-K Program - Hoover City Schools Pre-Registration Information - Spanish

Parent Pre-Registration Guide - English

Parent Pre-Registration Guide - Spanish

First Priority Kids Club meets every Friday at 7:00 am for grades 3-5 in Mr. Keyton's room. Permission must be given online via the link where you can also read more! We will provide a breakfast snack. Email kristimerritt2@gmail.com with any questions. https://www.prioritykids.com/sign-up-your-kid/

This month, celebrate the rich spectrum of Black history with your family. Common Sense Media has curated excellent entertainment picks and learning resources that feature something for families and kids of all ages. They highlight the diverse cultures, achievements, and experiences of Black people and the powerful voices that have shaped history. Click here to get Common Sense Media’s top picks for movies, TV shows, books, and more to enjoy together as a family.

For more Screen-Time Tips, consider subscribing to the Common Sense Tech Balance text message program. This is a FREE program from Common Sense; however, message and data rates from your mobile provider may apply.

Staying Mentally Healthy During the Holiday Season

w/ special guest Leigh Cohen Long, LICSW

In this episode of the Roots and Wings podcast, we clarify the differences between Mental Health and Mental Illness. Also discussed was how to observe signs and symptoms and when, where, and how to ask for professional help for ourselves and/or our children. Most importantly, practical ways to take care of yourself and your children are provided.

The podcast can be found here

or under the Student Services tab of the Hoover City Schools' website.

Anchor.fm https://anchor.fm/kandace-vanwanderham

Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/roots-and-wings-podcast

Google: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8zZDlhZDUzNC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==

Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/jf1cmh02

Radio Public https://radiopublic.com/roots-and-wings-podcast-WDEbPA

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1hPKeO4h4onYaut7MiFkzO

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.

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

YMCA Afterschool Academy - 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 Mass-Distributed Publications/Mass Communications)
Updated 2021

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, gender, sexual orientation, 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. Debra Walker Smith, Title II Coordinator
Dr. Debra Walker Smith, Title III 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, gender identity, age, disability, national origin, citizenship, religious preference, pregnancy, genetic information, political affiliation, military service, sexual orientation, or other non-merit based factors. 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:

Mrs. Mary Veal, Equal Opportunity Employment Coordinator

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