rising 6th grade parent Information...Dress Code • Black, grey, or khaki bottoms (pants, shorts,...

rising 6th grade parent Information

Topics ▪ Introductions▪ Typical School Day▪ Academic & Connections Classes▪ Agendas and Lockers▪ Discipline▪ Dress Code▪ Spirit Wear▪ Transportation▪ Cell Phones▪ Athletics▪ Clubs▪ BMS 101

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Introductions

Hello!

• Laura Beth Short, Principal• Chad Cole, Assistant Principal• Brandon Manders, Assistant Principal• Amy Perkins, Assistant Principal• Kathy Childers, Counselor (7th & 8th)

• Lisa Winter, Counselor (6th & 7th)

6th Grade Teachers• Gina Allen• Emily Baker• Stacey Baldwin• Marcia Barnes• Lindsey Dodrill• Coby Durden• Abbey Goldin• Jake Green• Jenny Holland• Temple Holland

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• Sandy Hughes• Cristi James• Anna Misley• Leadaire Peay• Jennifer Rogers• Kina Tatum• Leighann Triplett• Shelly Upshaw• June West

What is a school day like at BMS?• School begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 2:40 p.m.• Four academic classes (70 minutes each) everyday.• Two connections classes (35 minutes each) everyday.• Flex (25 minutes ) everyday.• Lunch will be during 3rd period.

Sample Schedule7:00-7:15 Gym or Breakfast in Cafeteria7:15-7:30 Lockers, Homeroom, Announcements7:30-8:45 First Period - Academics8:45-9:10 FLEX Time9:15-10:25 Second Period - Academics10:25-12:15 Third Period - Academics (Lunch is 25 minutes during

this class)12:17-1:30 Fourth Period - Academics 1:30-2:40 Fifth Period - Connections

1:30-2:05 1st Connection class2:05-2:40 2nd Connection class

2:40 Dismissal

Academic Classes• English/Language Arts• Math (some Accelerated)• Science - Earth & Space• Social Studies - Latin America, the

Caribbean and Canada, Europe, & Australia

See Learning Resources tab at www.bufordms.orgor GA LDS in PowerSchool when school starts

Connections• Chorus and Band are YEAR LONG CLASSES

(and a 3-year commitment).• All others will randomly rotate each 9 weeks,

potentially exposing students to 8 different classes.

• Students will repeat PE throughout the year 2 - 3 times.

• To request for your student to have PE every quarter, email cassia.anthony@bufordcityschools.org

Connections Classes• Art• Band• Business & Technology• Chorus• Consumer Math• Family & Consumer Science

• Health• Math/ELA Enrichment• Physical Education• Problem Solving/Research Skills• Computer Science• Spanish

How do I register for Band or Chorus?• Go to www.bufordms.org• Look in the top of the page

Band & Chorus Registration

Hurry, spots fill up quickly!Deadline is May 17

Does your child need an agenda?• YES!• Agenda and locker fee is $20.

Why does your child need an agenda?Students use agendas:

• To keep track of assignments.• To review the school’s policies and rules.• For communication between teachers & parents.• To keep track of behavior & organization marks.• As a hall pass.

Lockers• Students will be assigned a locker alphabetically

according to last name. • No book bags are allowed during the day.• Locker breaks are built into the day.• Students will have a grace period the first two

weeks of school to get used to opening lockers before tardies will count against them.

Expectation…

Reality…

lockers & Agendas?• Visit www.mypaymentsplus.com to purchase

locker and agenda for $20.• Your child will receive his/her agenda and locker

during BMS 101, if they have been purchased (and bring a copy of the proof of payment).

• You may also send money in during BMS 101 or pay during Open House.

• These are NOT “punishment” marks.• They are an accountability tool.• Typically, ALL students, at some point in the

year, get a mark.

Organization & Behavior Marks

How many students get Organizational and behavior Marks?

• 2019-2020• More than 85% of the entire 6th grade class never

received 5 organization marks.• Only 4% of the entire 6th grade class received 10

organization marks.• More than 77% of the entire 6th grade class never

received a behavior mark.

How Can my student keep track of organization Marks?

• Students will receive a new organization chart each quarter.

How Can my student keep track of Behavior Marks?

• Students will receive a new organization chart each semester.

Dress Code• Black, grey, or khaki bottoms (pants, shorts, capris, or

skirts) worn at the waist and belted.• Shirts must be solid green, yellow, white, black, or grey. • Emblems/Logos must be integrated into the fabric of

the shirt and no larger than 3 inches in diameter. • Shirts may be collared or crew neck. • No undergarments should be visible.

Spirit Wear/Jeans• Students may wear jeans on Fridays.• Spirit Wear (Buford T-shirt, hoodie, etc.)may be

worn throughout the week.• Jeans day is a privilege and not a guarantee.• Jeans day is earned by having no excused or

unexcused checkouts, tardies, absences, or dress code infractions for the week.

Car Riders• Students are expected to look for parents

(no car tags).• Students & parents are asked to refrain

from cell phone use during car riders.• More detailed information will be available

at Open House and on our website (Parent Resources).

Bus Riders• Bus route includes BMS & BHS students on

the same bus.• Information will be available on the BMS

website and at Open House.

Cell Phones• Students are NOT required to have a

cell phone, despite popular 5th grade belief

• Cell phone must be turned OFF before entering the building & will remain in your child’s locker.

• Consequences are consistent for anyone violating this policy.

Athletics• Fall Sports

• Cross Country• Girls Volleyball• Comp Cheer

• Winter Sports• Boys and Girls Basketball• Cheerleading

• Spring Sports• Boys and Girls Soccer• Boys and Girls Track

Athletics• Must have a current physical on file.• If a student brings in a doctor’s note stating that they cannot

participate in a PE connection, then they are ineligible for after school athletics, Color Run, and field day.

• Students must be counted present during the school day in order to participate in extracurricular activities that day.

• Questions? Contact: Brandon Manders• Brandon.Manders@bufordcityschools.org• See website or student agenda for more info.

Clubs• Band of Wolves• Choral Program• Chess Club• Craft Club• FCA • Student Leadership

• Junior Thespian• Yearbook Staff• Career Tech Organizations:

• FBLA• FCCLA• TSA

Wolf Pack• Available on school days until 6:00PM• By registration ONLY - form must be submitted

prior to student attending• Please use the BMS form (NOT BA)• Registration forms available at

www.bufordms.org • Pick up will be at the bus lane entrance near the

tennis courts

First 9 Weeks Growing Pains…• Organizational Marks will happen, & that’s OK.• Grades - no re-testing; late work policy.• Homework

• Expect your child to have homework each night.• Handling multiple teachers and academic periods.• Agenda signing is a student and parent

responsibility for each week.

Current 6th Grader Feedback

14%

19%67%

Current 6th Grader Feedback

Advice from Current 6th Graders

Hey, Don’t forget to…

I Wish I’d have known…

For students…• Be prepared for more work.• ALWAYS do your homework.• Use your agenda every day.• Stay organized.• Have Fun! You will survive.

Hey, Don’t forget to…

For Parents…• Check their agenda every night & sign it each week.• Help with homework.• Encourage & support them.• Help them be prepared.• Listen.• Always communicate

concerns to the teacherfirst.

Hey, Don’t forget to…

BMS 101• Free summer session to help

students transition to middle school.• Tuesday, July 28th

9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.• Registration information will be

sent out later this summer

Parent ResourcesPlease visit the BMS Counseling Department website for helpful resources relevant to middle school and parenting:

https://www.bufordms.org/counselors.html

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Are there any questions ?Email: Lisa.Winter@bufordcityschools.orgChad.cole@bufordcityschools.org