August 16, 2010
Dear BCS Students and Parents:
Welcome back for the 2010-2011 school year! I hope that you have had a great summer vacation, and have spent valuable time with family and friends. The BCS faculty and staff have been working hard to prepare for your return. We are all very excited to get started, and hope that you are also energized and ready to start another great school year!
Tuesday, September 7 is the first day of classes for all students in grades Pre-K – 12. Upon entering the building, students in Grades K – 5 should report to the second floor elementary classrooms. The Pre-Kindergarten program begins at 9:15 AM and runs until 1:30 PM. Pre-K students will be greeted as they get off the bus and escorted to their classroom. Students in Grades 6-12 must report to the cafeteria until it is time to report to first period classes. The school day begins with a bell at 8:00 AM, and first period starts promptly at 8:05 AM. Students must be in school and in their first period class on time.
An additional twenty-six minute enrichment period has been added to the bell schedule this year for students in grades 6-12. The enrichment period will allow students to receive extra-help, make up missed assignments and participate in Academic Intervention (AIS) Services. We are excited to provide students with additional time and access to their teachers during the regular school day. The new bell schedule now has an extra period, with a final bell at 3:00 PM to end the academic day (Period 10).
Students will receive their academic schedules and locker assignments during extended homeroom on the first day. If you have questions regarding your student’s schedule, please contact the Guidance Office. Guidance Counselors will be available during the last week of the summer, Friday 8/27 through Thursday 9/2, to answer questions and make any final schedule changes.
On Thursday, September 9, there will be an assembly in the gym for students in grades 6-12. Mr. Ciccarelli and I will greet the students and discuss academic programs, review the code of conduct, and share our plans for what will be a very successful school year. We look forward to meeting the students and setting goals for the year. Camfel Productions will be presenting a multi-media character building assembly program entitled, Trust Me. This program is both an engaging and motivational guide to responsible decision making, with positive character education themes embedded throughout. On Friday, September 10 @ 1:00 PM, there will be an assembly for students in grades PK-5. Chris Johnson will present his “I Love to Read” program, which incorporates music, magic and audience participation to keep students focused on the joys of reading and learning.
Students who attend BOCES will begin their career and technical education programs on Tuesday, September 7. Students who are attending the Myers Center in Saratoga, or the Southern Adirondack Center in Hudson Falls, will be transported directly from home. BOCES students are not allowed to drive their own cars to either center.
An important relationship exists between school attendance, achievement, learning and responsibility. Please make every effort to schedule appointments before or after school hours. Students who are absent from school must provide written documentation upon their return to school. Any student arriving late should report to the Entry Office for a tardy pass. The Code of Conduct outlines additional responsibilities regarding tardiness.
Open House for grades 6-12 has been scheduled for Monday, September 20 at 6:30 pm. Parents will follow an abbreviated version of their child’s schedule and have the opportunity to meet teachers. A separate “Back to School Night” for grades PK – 5 has been scheduled for Thursday, September 30 at 6:30 pm. Parents will have an opportunity to meet both classroom and specialty area teachers. Additional information regarding both programs will be sent out in a future mailing.
We are all very fortunate to have such a professional and caring staff, dedicated to providing the best education possible for our students. Our goal is to build upon previous successes and continuously evaluate and improve our overall programs. I look forward to working with all of you this year. If there is anything we can do to help along the way, please do not hesitate to call me @ 644-2400. Let’s have a great school year!
Sincerely,
Mr. Switzer
Principal
