Last modified 04/02/2024

 

2024-2025 School Year Changes

 

Q: Does BCS have full day TK and K program?

A: Yes, BCS TK and K will be full day starting the 2024-2025 school year.  Please refer to the bell schedule.

 

Q: Does BCS have TK and K classes separated?

A: Yes, TK and K classrooms are officially separated starting the2024-2025 school year.

 

Q: Is the 2024-2025 school year calendar available?

A: Yes. The 2024-2025 school year calendar could be downloaded here. 

 

 

General Qs

 

Q: Does BCS offer free breakfast and lunch to students?

A: Yes, BCS is providing breakfast and lunches to ALL students as part of the Universal Meals Program.  Participation in the lunch program is voluntary, but free for all who would like to order meals.

 

Q: What are some after school care options?

A: Please refer to this list of after care programs that many families at BCS have attended in the past.

 

Q: What is the BBC and why should I join?

A: The BBC is our school’s equivalent of a “PTO”, or Parent Volunteer Organization. The BBC plans school events, supports our teachers and staff, coordinates community building activities, and much more. Joining the BBC not only gives you a voice on how we should support the school, staff and students, but also what kinds of events we have, how we spend our budget, and a vote to elect our BBC Executive Board. The BBC partners closely with school administrative staff and the superintendent to ensure BCS is running smoothly and all programs are progressing our mission.

* For prospective families, you are welcome to create an account on BBC.  But please wait till July to purchase the membership for 2024-2025 school year. 

 

Q: Will I have opportunities to volunteer on campus and/or in the classroom?

A: Yes! BCS has many opportunities to volunteer on campus as well as in the classroom. 

 

On campus:

• The Hot Lunch program relies heavily on volunteers to keep the lunch procedure smooth and efficient. 
• Our Library program runs via parent volunteers as well, ensuring the library is an open option for kids to go to during lunch as well as having a wide selection of books for all readers. 
• Fundraising events that raise key dollars for our school, including our Fall Family Dinner, Winter Social event, Walkathon, Book Fair etc all need one-time volunteers to help with planning, coordinating, manning stations, decorating. A lot goes into making an event fun and memorable, and we can use all the help we can get!
• These are just to name a very select few ways in which you can volunteer on campus! Stay tuned to your Classroom Ambassador emails as well as the school’s weekly newsletter, the Bear Essentials, to learn of additional ways to volunteer.

 

In the classroom:

• Every teacher would love the help of parents throughout the year in their classrooms. At the beginning of the year (usually Back to School Night), teachers will either have a sign up sheet where you can volunteer for opportunities like party planning, centers, reading or writing groups, field trips, or they will send out emails on an as-needed basis to recruit volunteers for activities in the classroom.

 

Q: Why is it important that I volunteer?

A: Many of BCS’ unique programs are only successful because of parent volunteers (eg. Hot lunch, library, school community building events)! We need all the help that we can get, and it’s a wonderful feeling to know you’re contributing to our amazing community and also helping your students grow and thrive in our programs. Additionally, seeing your learner while you’re volunteering is a win-win!

 

Q: What’s the difference between BBC and the Foundation?

A: The BBC focuses on community engagement and staff and student support, coordinating events such as Fall Family Dinner, Walkathon, Library, Hot Lunch, Teacher Appreciation, Summer Socials, Walk or Wheel, “What to Expect” events, monthly staff room supplies, staff lounge supplies, staff luncheon program, middle school reception and socials, parent education forums, speaker series, and more.

 

The Foundation is responsible for fundraising to operate BCS. They raise funds to cover approximately 40% of the school’s operating budget, including teacher/specialist salaries, school program supplies, specialty equipment, and more. They do this by having an annual campaign, an annual benefit, count-me-in parties to name a few.

 

Q: Does BCS have school uniforms? What do students wear on Spirit Day or for school events?

A: BCS is a public school and doesn’t require uniforms. In order to demonstrate school spirit, students are encouraged to wear spirit shirts on Fridays during BCS Spirit Days or other important school wide events. Spirit wear is just one great way to develop a strong sense of school spirit (other ways are following our six character pillars). Our spirit wear is designed by parents/students, for our students! It is comfortable and fun to wear every day.

 

Q: What happens if we are late to class?

A: Tardiness is the same for all classes in all grades. The teacher/school expects your student to be at school by the bell and if they are late, they'll need to go to the office to get a tardy slip before going to class. Tardies are reflected on the report card.

 

 

TK/Kindergarten

  

Q: Where do TK/K students eat lunch?

A: TK/K students eat their lunch at tables near the TK/K playground.

 

Q: What is the schedule on the first day (plus drop off/pick up)?

A: Schedule is the same on the first day of school. We would advise to arrive 5-10 minutes ahead of the bell to ensure you can find parking and walk to the classroom. When the bell rings, teachers will instruct the students on how they want them to line up before they enter class. Then the students walk in a line into the classroom after the teacher.

  

For pickup, your teacher will bring the students out and only let your child go when they see their designated pickup person. Adults picking up can wait near the classroom, but please be mindful of other classrooms that are in session that may see or hear from their open doors and/or windows. 

 

Q: What should we pack in their backpacks?

A: We have seen Kinders pack these items on the first day of school:

• Snack
• Water bottle
• Lunch (if they choose to opt out of the free lunch program)
• Hat and/or jacket (as needed)
• Sunscreen (or at least apply at home)

Q: Can we do curbside drop off and pick up for Kindergarten?

A: To ensure the safety at their young age, Kindergarteners cannot utilize curbside drop off and pick up. Teachers will sign them out during pickup to their permitted guardians (from PowerSchool) at the end of the school day.

 

 

Grades 1-5

 

Q: Where do kids eat lunch?

A: 1st-5th grades eat lunch at covered tables. Each class sits at their designated tables and is dismissed for lunch by their teachers.

 

Q: What should we pack in their backpacks?

A: Suggested items to include in your elementary student’s backpacks, in addition to any materials indicated by the teacher:

• Snack
• Water bottle
• Lunch (if they choose to opt out of the free lunch program)
• Hat and/or jacket (as needed)
• Sunscreen (or at least apply at home)

Q: What’s parking like during drop off and pick up?

First grade and up can leverage the curbside drop off and pick up line. It is critical you read and follow these traffic guidelines as city police patrols these regulations and you may get ticketed. 

Grades 6-8

 

Q: Where do kids eat lunch?

A: 6th-8th grades eat lunch at covered tables. Each class sits at their designated tables and is dismissed for lunch by their teachers.

 

Q: What kind of sports are available after school?

A: BCS has extracurricular groups/activities that occur after school. In previous years, these have included a marathon club, running club, etc. Note these vary by school year. 

 

Q: What is intercession?

A: Intersession occurs 3 times a year in our middle school program. During each intersession, middle schoolers engage in 2-3 week long interdisciplinary units steeped in Project Based Learning as well as Design Thinking. Learners collaborate across each grade level, receive feedback from experts in the fields they are investigating, and present their work to a broad audience at the conclusion of each intersession. The middle school team messages families quite a bit in the first few weeks of the year as to what to expect and how these experiences are structured.

  

Q: What kind of math competitions does BCS provide for its middle schoolers?

A: In the 2023-2024 school year, BCS has participated in AMC8 and Mathcounts.   

 

Q: Does BCS host AMC8 for its students?

A: Yes, BCS hosted AMC8 for middle schoolers in the 2023-2024 school year.  Moving forward, BCS will continue to offer this competition to our middle schoolers. 

 

Q: Does BCS have a Mathcounts team?

A: Yes, BCS has parent volunteer led Mathcounts team.