Bucks Blast!
BCS Updates - August 2023
Welcome Back!
On behalf of the Board of Education and myself, I would like to welcome all, new and returning students, families, and staff to the 2023-2024 school year! As we venture into a new school year, we are eager to embrace the incredible opportunities that lie before us. With fresh minds, open hearts, and boundless determination, we will create a year filled with growth learning, and joy. Have a great year everyone!
See more in our Buck Bulletin linked here.
WACKY WEDNESDAYS are an early release day EVERY Wednesday!
The next one is:
School Bus Safety
Practice School Bus Safety
With the school year just around the corner, it's time to brush up on school bus safety tips to keep our children safe. The MSP encourages parents to share these essential tips with kids:
- Pick a Safe Spot: Choose a safe waiting area away from traffic and streets.
- Buddy Up: Always walk to the bus stop with a friend.
- Stay Calm: Avoid running or playing while waiting for the bus.
- Stay Visible: Never go behind the bus and stay in the driver's view.
- Wait for the Signal: Don't board until the bus stops and the driver signals.
- Cross Safely: Follow traffic signals and crossing guards.
- Be Cautious: Don't talk to strangers, and let parents know if approached.
- Stay in Sight: Never enter a stranger's vehicle.
Motorists, need to pay attention too! For drivers, it's crucial to follow the state’s school bus stop laws:
- Yellow Lights: Slow down when the bus's yellow lights flash.
- Red Lights: Stop at least 20 feet away when red lights flash. Wait for the bus to move and the driver's signal.
- Hazard Lights: Be cautious when hazard lights near the bus's headlights flash.
- Tips courtesy of Michigan State Police Community Newsletter. See more here
BCS Bus Drivers Completed Defensive Driver Course Training
Buchanan Community Schools Bus drivers went to Eaton Proving Grounds in Marshall for the Defensive Driver Course. They participated in behind-the-wheel training exercises in small groups with other school bus drivers across the state.
The exercises include:
•Serpentine (Forward and Backward)
•Evasive Maneuver (instructed to go left or right last minute and bring the bus back into the driving lane)
•Straight Braking (brake without locking brakes up)
•Off-Road Recovery ( half and full bus off curb and to bring back up over curb)
•Skid Control (bus put in a full spin on wet pavement and the driver has to bring the bus out of spin)
All these exercises were performed going 25-35mph.
The Education Benefits Form
The Michigan School Meals Program was signed into law and funds free breakfast and lunch for all public school students in Michigan grades preK-12. District families are asked to complete The Education Benefits Form and return it to their child's school.
The Education Benefits Form collects information needed to ensure the school receives state and federal funding for education programs. Without this information, Buchanan Community Schools could lose important funding for education programs that our students need. These supplemental grants and programs have the potential to offer support and services for our students including, but not limited to:
Instructional staff (ex. Academic & behavior Interventionists, Instructional coaches)
Teaching supplies and materials
Counselors and Social Workers
Professional Learning for Staff
Parent and Community engagement supplies and activities
Technology
Why is Buchanan Community Schools requesting financial information? The Education Benefits Form determines the eligibility of a student or household. The total count of eligible students is used to determine the funding amounts that will be made available to a school. The more forms returned the better.
What do I need to do? Please complete the attached form and return it to your child’s school. Only complete one form per family.
What else might my student or household be eligible for? Based on the information you provide on your Education Benefits Form, your child may qualify for other programs such as:
P-EBT benefits and programs that provide food support
Programs that provide field trip support
Programs that provide school supplies
Programs that provide holiday support
Potential household support for cable and internet
If you have any questions, please contact Becky Kaltenbach, Food Service Supervisor,
at 269-695-8415.
You can pick up and drop off the form at every school office or fill it out online. If you complete it online please contact Becky Kaltenbach, Food Service Supervisor,
at 269-695-8415.
Only one form is required per family
County-wide Strategic Goals
During the summer, district superintendents and building leaders from across Berrien County came together to develop county-wide strategic goals. By working towards these common goals, districts will be able to leverage resources and extend achievement progress to all schools throughout the county. The goals are listed below.
We are building educator capacity around common literacy standards, the Science of Reading, and the delivery of explicit foundational strategies.
We are building educator capacity around common math standards, the eight mathematical practices, and the delivery of explicit foundational skills and strategies.
- We are building educator capacity around fostering belonging and engagement, where All are connected and accepted.
MI Life In Numbers
A Busy Summer for BCS
We were busy this summer purchasing new curricula, hosting summer programs, and doing some minor repairs in our buildings. While there is much more to address, we are excited about completing these projects:
Purchased new ELA curriculum (Funding Source: ESSER and General Funds)
Completed Ottawa HVAC project (Funding Source: ESSER Funds)
Installed HS water heater replacement (Funding Source: Sinking Funds)
Repaired HS offices, classrooms, and culinary damaged by the burst pipes (Funding Source: Insurance Reimbursements and Sinking Funds)
Installed auto shop gate (Funding Source: Sinking Funds)
Repaired Moccasin front entry sidewalk (Funding Source: Sinking Funds)
Installed ADA toilets at Moccasin(Funding Source: Sinking Funds)
Repaired football field sinkhole (Funding Source: Sinking Funds)
Partnered with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest Michigan to pilot a summer program at Buchanan Middle School
Hosted our summer school program where over 160 students participated in grades K-11
Art teacher Sandra Miller and Food Service Director Becky Kaltenbach, worked with students to paint a mural in the high school's cafeteria
Students Sarah Brackett and Sutherland Philip, with advisor Melissa Frost, created a Restoration Habitat in memory of two students who passed away during the 2022-2023 school year
Do you have a question or comment about our district? See our Chain of Command
We pledge our best efforts to make Buchanan Community Schools a premier school district, and we strive to create safe, welcoming, engaging, and innovative schools that develop all students’ academic, athletic, artistic, and social growth. We take pride in our community and we appreciate the support of our stakeholders! Thank you!
But we do realize that sometimes something might not go right, or you might have a question about what we do or how we do it. We welcome that communication, and we will work to solve your issue for you as efficiently as we can.
In order to do that, we ask that you follow our Chain of Command process shown in the diagram. On the left side of the process chart, you will see the common areas of district programming, and then following to the right would be the next step(s) in the Chain of Command for that district program area. Please start by contacting the staff member listed in the second box of each program area. The contact information for our leadership staff members with responsibility for addressing concerns is listed at the top of the diagram. Other contact information for building staff is available on our website in the “Staff Directory” section of each building’s web page. It is expected that most issues should be able to be resolved at these initial steps in the Chain of Command.
About Buchanan Community Schools
Email: probinson@buchananschools.com
Website: https://www.buchananschools.com/
Location: 401 West Chicago Street, Buchanan, MI, USA
Phone: 269-695-8401
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100065665262514