BE in the Know ~Parent Edition
January 19, 2023 Update
A Community Committed to Learning!
Dear Parents,
Brrrr! We hope this e-newsletter arrives as you and your family are staying cozy warm in light of all this very cold weather! We were so glad to get the children back in school yesterday and in the routine of learning! Thank you for your flexibility with us as we navigate inclement weather, decisions for having school, and keeping the priority of safety in mind for all! YOU are much appreciated!
So you can BE in the Know, please take some time to check out all the Buchanan Elementary information below!
Important Update: Limiting Chromebook Usage Hours for Students
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring a healthy balance between technology use and personal well-being for our students, we are introducing a new practice regarding the use of school-issued Chromebooks.
Effective January 24, 2024, the use of school-issued Chromebooks for K-6 students will be limited during nighttime hours. Specifically, these devices will be inaccessible from 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM daily. We understand that technology is a valuable tool for learning, but we also recognize the importance of encouraging our students to disconnect and engage in other activities outside of school hours, such as spending time with family, reading, and getting adequate rest. *Teachers will be sending home devices with learners on January 24 as needed and pending weather projections.
We believe this change will benefit our students by promoting healthier habits and reducing the potential for excessive screen time during late hours. We appreciate your support and understanding in this matter and encourage you to discuss this change with your child.
If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know. Thank you for your continued partnership in fostering a positive and productive learning environment for our students.
Want to minimize your out of pocket costs due to damage on your child's device?
Don't forget, we have a Chromebook Protection Plan!
We believe providing your child with a chromebook allows for them to have an effective tool to help us prepare our learner for the future. While we don't use them all the time or may not even use them everyday, they are a vital learning tool.
Please help us teach your children how to care for their devices. We also HIGHLY ENCOURAGE parents to take out the $20 accident protection plan for their device. You can do this by completing the following online form. If you have multiple children, there is only a $40 max per family and this will save you TONS of $$ should your child damage their device. **You will need to ask your child their chrombook/lunch pin number to complete this form. (Attention Kindergarten parents, your child may not know this, you may have to contact your child's teacher or the school for this number)
The Survey Results are IN!
Dear Pirate Families,
Back in October, Branson Public Schools sent out a survey soliciting feedback from parents, 2nd-12th grade students, and staff centered on Safe, Supportive, and Collaborative Cultures. We greatly honor and appreciate your voice as we make important decisions for the district, our school, and your child's learning! As you may know, the results are used to shape district action plans moving forward.
Below are a few of the highlights from the parent/guardian feedback lens, scoring our building (Buchanan Elementary) on a 0-5 point scale, with 5 being the best:
Some strengths for Buchanan Elementary
The faculty and staff perceive the school environment as a safe and orderly. Scored 4.62
Students, parents, and the community perceive the school environment as a safe and orderly. Scored 4.38
Teacher teams and collaborative groups regularly interact to address common issues regarding curriculum, assessment, instruction, and the achievement of all students. Scored 4.4
Our lowest score (our only score below 4.1) and something we are considering ways to put in action plans for the future:
Students, parents, and the community have formal ways to provide input regarding the optimal functioning of the school. Scored 3.53
Again, we greatly appreciate your feedback. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and ideas with us as we continually work to make, A Community Committed to Learning, even stronger!
School Start Time/End Times & Lunch Times
8:05 a.m. Building Opens
8:40 a.m. Tardy bell rings/School offically starts
3:40 p.m. Dismissal (M-Th)/2:40 p.m. Normal Fridays (Half day dismissal is 11:40 a.m.)
Lunch Times (FYI- Parents are always welcome to join their child for lunch but are asked to sit in the parent seating section located just outside the cafeteria)
10:35-11:05 2nd grade
11:10-11:40 3rd grade
11:45-12:15 Kindergarten
12:20-12:50 1st grade
Save the Dates
February
1 PTO Meeting @ DO 9 a.m.
5-9 National School Counseling Week/Courtwarming Week (see image below for theme)
8 Board of Education Meeting @ DO 6:30 p.m.
14 Valentine Parties in classrooms (in the afternoon, times pending classroom schedule)
15 School Resource Officer Appreciation Day (Includes both Deputy Marler and Officer Thirkell)
19 NO SCHOOL- President's Day
29 2nd grade Wax Museum (in the afternoon, times pending classroom schedule)
March
4-8 - School Board Recognition Week
4-8 - School Social Worker Appreciation Week
7 PTO Meeting @ District Offices; 9:00 a.m.
7 Board of Education Meeting @ District Offices; 6:30 p.m.
8 1/2 Day Early Dismissal - Teacher Workday
10- Daylight Savings Begins
11-15 NO SCHOOL - Spring Break
21 K Circus @ 6 p
25-26 K Screening @ BE 8a-4p
29 NO SCHOOL- Good Friday
April
1 NO SCHOOL Easter Break
4 1st grade concert @ 6:30p
23 K Field Trip to Dickerson Park Zoo (Rain date is April 25)
25 2nd grade to The Meadows Theater/Rec Plex (lv 8:45, return @ 2p)
26 Junior High Beauty is a Beast Production (K & 1 @ 9a/ 2 & 3 @ 12:00a)
26 BE Block Party for families 4:30-6:30 p.m.
April 30- May 2 Bookfair/ NWEA Testing for 3rd
May
2 Business Days (2nd grade pm)
6-10 Testing Week *Please avoid appointments* (3rd grade MAP Testing/ K-2 NWEA Testing)17 Chromebook Collection Day
20 Career Day
21 Field Day
22 Field Day Make-up
23 Grade Level Celebrations (times to be worked out by leads)
24 Half day/last day of school
*Bold indicates most recently added
Want to give your children an edge by developing stronger readers?
Stay Connected with School
SchoolMessenger
Building-wide communication, reminders, and alerts to families typically come through our rapid notification system called SchoolMessenger! Please click HERE to opt into this district-wide messaging service.
Chalk Talk
Subscribe today to receive the district's weekly e-newsletter, Chalk Talk! Stay up-to-date with important district announcements, student and staff features, and community events. To subscribe, click on this link and type parent/guardian's email address and first name.
Do you use other social media platforms?
Are you following @BransonSchools on all social media platforms? Scan the QR codes below using the camera on your phone, like or follow, and stay informed of district-wide happenings!
Facebook QR Code
Twitter QR Code
Snapshots from around the building
Perfect Attendance Parties...
My shirt says it all!
Lions fans in the house!
Ronald McDonald or just ate a cupcake w/red frosting?
Contact Us!
If you have any questions, please contact our office at (417) 243-2530.
Education is a life-long journey and the cooperation between school and parents is vital to provide your child with a quality education. We have a wonderful school and district, and much of the reason why is...YOU, our supportive parents!
Sincerely yours in education,
Dr. April Hawkins
Principal