Welcome Back Eagles!!

Dear BCJ Families,

Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year! As we prepare to begin another exciting chapter, we are proud to introduce this year’s schoolwide theme:

Soaring Together as a Community

This theme reflects our deep belief that when we come together, each of us bringing our strengths, hopes, and commitment, we create a school environment where every child can truly thrive. Whether it’s in the classroom, at home, or through community partnerships, every member of our school family plays an essential role in helping our students soar.

The first day of school is a joyful and meaningful milestone, full of excitement and new beginnings for both students and caregivers. As we kick off the new school year, we want to make sure your child feels confident, supported, and ready to thrive.

Below are a few helpful reminders to ensure a smooth and successful transition back to school. Staying organized and informed can make a big difference in creating a positive experience for your child, right from day one!

We’re looking forward to a fantastic school year filled with growth, learning, and strong partnerships with our families. Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s educational journey.

Warmly,

BCJ Adminstrative Team

National Night Out & Back-to-School Rally – August 5 at Centennial Commons

Please join us for our annual National Night Out & Back-to-School Rally (NNOBTSR)—a free, family-friendly event celebrating community, connection, and safety! Hosted in partnership with the University City Police Department, this special evening brings us together to kick off the school year with joy and unity.

Note: This year’s new location at Centennial Commons supports ongoing Prop U school renovations while keeping our back-to-school excitement going strong.

We look forward to seeing you there!

📅 Date: Tuesday, August 5, 2025
🕔 Time: 5:00 – 7:00 PM
📍 New Location: Centennial Commons
7210 Olive Blvd, University City, MO 63130

An immunization clinic will be held on Tuesday, August 5 at Centennial Commons to help families prepare for the upcoming school year. All students must have up-to-date immunization records or provide approved exemption documentation before they are able to start school.

If you have any questions, please contact Nurse Mayfield at lmayfield@ucityschools.org.

Upon entry into the building, students who are eating breakfast will proceed to the cafeteria. Students will be sent to class as they finish eating.

No students will enter the cafeteria after 8:45 a.m. due to instruction begin promptly at 8:45 a.m.

We would love to help you celebrate your child’s milestones and request that you abide by our birthday celebration expectations.

• No food items. We want to ensure no student is excluded from a celebration due to food allergies. This is inclusive of ordering pizza at lunch for a celebration.

• Our entire staff is committed to bringing joy and cheer to your child. We will ensure they are recognized by their peers.

• We welcome goodie bags that do not have candy, chips, and drinks. Balloons will be kept in the office until the end of the day. If you need help with ideas, please contact us.

BCJ students who are eligible to ride the bus are assigned to bus U2, U6, U7 or U15. All bus information can be found in Infinite Campus. Families should have received bus information from the following email address: https://ucityschools.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/parents/universitycity.jsp

• Bus students in grades K -1 will be released with older siblings who ride the bus and/or to their caregivers at the bus stop. K-1 students will be returned to BCJ in the event that a caregiver is not at the bus stop.

• Bus students in grades 2 - 5 will be permitted to leave the bus stop even if no escort is present.

• Students who miss their bus or are waiting to be picked up by a parent/guardian are to report to the cafeteria when called. Adults must present a photo ID prior to signing a student out of school.

• Parent/guardians are responsible for reviewing the school calendar and to comply with all school dismissal times and procedures.
• Any student leaving before regular dismissal must be met in the main office by a parent/guardian or person authorized to act on his/her behalf as designated on the emergency information. All authorized persons must show a photo ID to office personnel prior to signing a student out of school. Parents are asked to limit these early dismissals for emergencies and appointments only and not on a daily basis.
• Students in grades 2 - 5 who are not eligible for district-provided transportation shall be permitted to leave the building unescorted unless the parent/guardian provides prior written notification to the school of any arrangements for students requiring an escort. Students must be picked up by 3:45 p.m.
• Bus students in grades 2 - 5 will be permitted to leave the bus stop even if no escort is present.
• Students who miss their bus or are waiting to be picked up by a parent/guardian are to report to the cafeteria when called. Adults must present a photo ID prior to signing a student out of school.

For safety, we are unable to receive verbal dismissal changes from students. We also cannot accept students sharing text communication from parents/caregivers about dismissal. Without written communication, the school will follow the child’s normal procedures.

Car Rider: A student whose primary mode of transportation is by car, truck, or van.

• Car riders will be released from the 82nd Street doors under the direction and supervision of staff.
• The parent/guardian will proceed to pick up through the car line and remain in their vehicle.
• A staff member will call students by car order.
• Placard will be sent home with all students by Friday, August 15, 2025. Placards should be placed in your car window.
• Should you get out of your vehicle, you may have a longer wait as we will service all families who are following the expectations first.

• Students will be released to the designated UP staff member and proceed to the cafeteria.

• Students will be released to UP at 3:40 p.m.

Walker: A student whose parent/guardian meets them in the designated pick-up location on foot. This is inclusive of parents who park and walk to retrieve students.

• Walkers will be released from the cafeteria doors.
• The walker side is not a holding place. Students are expected to leave within 5 minutes of dismissal.

Breakfast and lunch will be served free of charge. Students will be required to learn and enter their PIN numbers in the cafeteria. We will send the PIN numbers home during the first week of school so they can practice. Menus will be available on the district website

Parents must call the school at 314-290-4361, to report their child’s absence or tardiness from school as soon as possible. Every attempt will be made to notify parents by 10:00 a.m. if a child is absent and the school has not been notified. A note is required on the day the child returns to school and a medical note is required after three consecutive days of absence.

Unleashing Potential

Unleashing Potential Update - No Before Care for the 2025-2026 School Year

Unleashing Potential will not be offering a before-care program for this school year. Please plan accordingly if you require AM childcare before our school day begins at 8:30 a.m. There is no adult supervision of students at Barbara C. Jordan before 8:30 a.m. We understand the impact that this presents for our families and will share information about any available before-care program options in the U-City area if/when they become available to us. Aftercare is still being provided by Unleashing Potential. Please contact them if you have any questions about signing your student learner up.

District-issued Chromebooks are provided for educational purposes only, and students agree to adhere to the SDUC Acceptable Use Policy for District Computer Systems at all times. Students are responsible for the general care of the Chromebook they have been issued by the Barbara C. Jordan Elementary School. Please use this link to complete the BCJ Chromebook Agreement.

• Aug. 5 - Back to School Night/Immunization Clinic (Centennial Commons)
• Aug. 14 - Meet the Teacher
• Aug. 15 - Immunization Clinic (Jackson Park Elementary, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)
• Aug. 18 - First day of classes
• Sept. 1 - District Closed, Labor Day
• Sept. 2 - BCJ Fall Picture Day
• Sept. 9 - BCJ Open House, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
• Sept. 19 - No School - District PD

Don’t forget, all families need to register online in the Infinite Campus Portal before the start of school. Now is the time to log in to the Parent Portal to verify and update your information. This process includes verifying that your household information is correct and updating several forms, including medical information, permissions, and waivers. If you have forgotten your password, please click the “forgot password” option to reset it. For further help, contact parentportal@ucityschools.org. You can also call the main office (314-290-4361) for onsite registration support. We are happy to assist you.

Access your (or your child's) schedule, grades, assignments and attendance data using the Infinite Campus Portal. if you need assistance with Infinite Campus or bus routes. Please reach out to me at dadams@ucityschools.org. I'm here to help and ensure everything is set for a smooth start to the school year.

First Day of School Visiting Guidelines

• All families will be asked to exit the building by 9:00 a.m. We would love to begin our community building activities by 9 a.m. Thanks for understandings!

• Enjoy a self-guided tour and we ask that you are mindful that others are doing the same thing.

• NO photos in the building due to the privacy of our entire school community.

• Please do not have in depth conversations with teachers as they need to be attentive to all students entering their classrooms.

• Please do not block parking lot entryways and our neighbor's driveways.

• Create a first day memory with the BCJ community!