The Pirate Report (8/18-8/24)

Belton High School Families,

Thank you for joining us for Back-To-School Orientations last week. We enjoyed getting to meet with you and prepare for the 2025-2026 school year. If you were unable to attend, please review the 2025-2026 Orientations Presentation.

Everyone at BHS is so excited to for the first days of school. See you Monday, August 18th. The building opens to students at 7:25 AM. Students will have access to breakfast until 7:34 AM. Class begins at 7:39 AM! Arrive on time. Students may pick up a copy of their schedules on Monday morning in the Aux. Gym from 7:25-7:34 AM.

Here at Belton High School, we all belong to One ship One CREW. The principles of CREW are Character, Respect, Excellence, and Worth. We will work to use these principles in what we do to navigate toward our common goal: the growth and achievement of our students. The entire BHS team will commit to supporting all students using the principles of CREW.

Through this newsletter, The Pirate Report, we will share updates, important dates and information, upcoming events, and opportunities to get involved. Prior newsletters will be linked at the bottom of the page.

Please read the newsletter below for important information about the upcoming week and back-to-school.

Thank you,

Mr. Kensinger

High School Principal

25-26 BHS Bell Schedule

25-26 BHS Purple/Gold Calendar (Printable)

Parent/Teacher Conferences will be October 23rd and 29th. More information will be sent beginning in late September.

Dear BHS families,

This year, there is a new policy impacting how students are allowed to use their phones (and other devices, like smart watches, earbuds, etc.) while at school. Under the new policy, no personal device can be used by students at any point in the school day, from arrival to dismissal. This includes passing periods and lunch time. This rule applies to “personal electronic communication devices”, any portable item used to initiate, receive, store, or view communication, information, images or data electronically.

This update ensures BSD #124 is in alignment with a Missouri law that was recently passed, Senate Bill 68, Section 162.207. Students can keep their device with them, but it must be out of sight and cannot be used at any time. However, there is an exception to this rule in case of emergencies, or for some other special circumstances. Our school handbook has been updated to reflect the changes, please take some time to familiarize yourself with our policies: beltonschools.org/family.

Please join us in embracing the new policy and help make our classrooms places of deep learning where all students can concentrate.

Students, help us make this a great start to the year by showing up ready to learn on Monday!

BHS Personal Device Policy

Students driving to Yeokum must obtain a BHS Parking Pass (See below)
Student drivers cannot allow other students to ride in their vehicle
All traffic laws must be obeyed
Students not abiding by the expectations and traffic laws will be subject to a disciplinary referral and/or driving privileges to Yeokum revoked
Students are to go straight to/from Yeokum. Students not traveling directly to/from Yeokum will lose driving privileges.

Expectations

Students driving to and parking at Belton High School or any of the Belton School District properties must have a parking pass registered with the school district.
It is the responsibility of the student and parent(s)/guardian(s) to notify the school when a student begins to drive to school.

Procedure

Review the Student Parking/Driving Policies & Procedures
Complete the BHS Student Driving/Parking Application

After the application has been verified and approved by the BHS office, a $40 charge will be placed on the student's account. (Students can pay the fee online on MySchoolBucks.)

Parking passes will be enforced beginning August 25th.

Reminders:

You cannot purchase a parking space until the BHS Student Driving/Parking Application has been completed and approved.
Students may not have other students in their vehicle at anytime during the school day, including when driving to/from Yeokum. Violating this policy will be an automatic suspension from driving on school grounds.

Arrival Times

Bus Riders: will be dropped off at Door #1 (Main Entrance). Doors will open at 7:15 AM and students will remain in the commons until 7:25.
Car Riders: should be dropped off at Door #5 (East Entrance by baseball fields). Doors will open at 7:25 AM. Please do not drop students off early.
Student Drivers: must park in assigned parking space and enter at Door #20 (Fieldhouse Entrance). Doors will open at 7:25 AM.

Dismissal Time

The last block of the day ends at 2:45 PM.
Students should be off campus or waiting outside for their bus/ride by 2:55 PM.
After 2:55 PM, students must be under the supervision of BHS Staff for a sanctioned purpose (event, practice, game, tutoring, Student Success Center, etc.)
Parents/Guardians contacting the attendance office to dismiss their student must do so prior to 2:30. After 2:30, the student will be dismissed at 2:45 by the bell.

This first week of school will be Anchor Schedule each day. Academy Town Hall Meetings will occur during Academy blocks.

Monday - Freshman Academy
Tuesday - Science & Industry Academy
Wednesday - Business & Technology Academy
Thursday - Human Services Academy
Friday - Back to School Assembly

Path to Graduation!

Do you know the requirements for graduation? 26 credits.
Do you know how many credits your student currently has? Ask your counselor or academy assistant principal to print you a work copy of your transcript to review.

Attendance Matters!

Students must maintain 90% attendance to be eligible for course credit.
When students fall below 90% attendance, they must complete make up sessions in Student Success Center (SSC).
Students who do not complete their make up sessions may be assigned No Credits (NCs) on their transcript. See Student Handbook.
Attendance checks every 30 days. Make up sessions assigned if below 90% attendance.
Must have 90% overall attendance (per semester)