Buckeye Parent Newsletter

Good evening,

We are one week away from our first parent teacher conferences of the school year and only 3 weeks away from the end of 1st quarter! Time flies when you are busy and having fun. Last week, our students learned about the Houses of Amistad and Aulturismo. This week they will learn about the houses of Isibindi and Protos. Next week we will learn about our final two houses, the houses of Reveur and Solevere. The excitement and anticipation surrounding our house sorting pep-rally on October 15th is mounting!

Want to know more about the RCA House System coming to Buckeye? More information can be found here! House systems are shown to increase students' sense of belonging. The Panorama data from last year showed that our students felt they belonged at a much lower rate than the parents and teachers believed. This data is used to make decisions such as implementing the house system. Have you filled out your Panorama Survey yet? If not, please click on the link below!

As a reminder, in-progress grade reports were sent home with students this past week. If you have not seen your students' in-progress grades report, you can also see their grades on your Parent Portal. NOW is the time to check grades for the quarter while there is still time to make up any missing work. Please reach out to the main office or your child's teachers if you would like to set up a conference. I sent out a sign up link on talking points last week and the grade level teams are also sending out information to specific parents they would like to touch base with in regards to academic concerns.

On Thursday of this week we will be doing a mid-quarter PBIS Reset with our students. This reset will focus on hallway behaviors that are resulting in the same students repeatedly not getting to class on time as well as dress code and phone violations. We will be reiterating expectations to the whole school and then the administration will pull small groups and individual students who are the repeated offenders of these violations. The whole school reset is done following lunch to protect loosing instructional minutes to correct behaviors.

Principal Emerson

jemerson@columbus.k12.oh.us

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀!

Families and students are sharing their feedback through our Panorama Surveys. Last year, your feedback helped shape changes that strengthened support and belonging across our schools.

Now, it’s time to hear from you again! Share your input and help us continue building stronger school communities for CCS students.

𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗧𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗬 𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗩𝗘𝗬 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘: https://tinyurl.com/4nabxbxp.

There have been multiple parent concerns recently regarding the school restroom and hall pass policy. Every Monday, Buckeye students receive a hall pass on a bright colored piece of paper. The hall passes are to be hole punched and in their student binders which it is an expectation that the students are carrying to be prepared for class. The hall passes have an AM and PM pass for the students to use daily. Students are not required to use a pass to go to the restroom before school or at lunch. Thus they have 4 times a day they are able to go to the restroom without an escort. If a student does not have a pass, they must have a security escort to use the restroom. If your child has a medical reason that they need to have access to unlimited passes, please provide Nurse Moore with a doctor's note and she will coordinate a plan with the staff.

In compliance with Ohio House Bill 250, signed into law in May 2024, Columbus City Schools Board of Education has adopted Policy 5136.02 that prohibits student cell phones or any personal electronic devices that function like cell phones at all times during the instructional day. The objective of this policy is to increase the focus on learning, cultivate a strong foundation of knowledge, and foster a sense of community within our schools while eliminating distractions within the learning environment.

To comply, Buckeye Middle School will implement the following:

• Students will NOT be allowed to have cell phones or any personal electronic devices with them during the instructional day.

• Upon arrival to 1st period, students will place their cell phone into lock boxes provided by the school.

• Lock boxes will remain secured until the end of the instructional day. Students will be able to retrieve their cell phone prior to dismissal.

• Exceptions will only be made for documented health needs (see school nurse).

• Violations of this policy will result in progressive discipline.

• WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LOST OR STOLEN CELL PHONES OR OTHER ELECTRONICS (i.e. EAR BUDS/PODS, HEADPHONES, SMART WATCHES, ETC) THAT ARE NOT TURNED IN DURING 1st PERIOD OR UPON ARRIVAL TO SCHOOL.

We appreciate your support in helping us create a distraction-free, inclusive environment aligned with the state law and board policy!

Join Columbus City Schools for the Connect & Thrive Disability Resource Fair on Saturday, October 3 at Mifflin High School!

𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗬: https://tinyurl.com/468cps2u

Saturday, October 3

Mifflin High School

3245 Oak Spring St., Columbus, OH 43219

Check-in begins at 10 a.m.

Connect with other CCS families, explore valuable community resources, take advantage of free health stations, and cheer on student-athletes competing in Special Olympics championship games.

The YMCA Afterschool Program is still accepting applications! Complete the application online using the QR code below or have your student pick-up a paper copy in the school main office.

Hello! My name is Shanina Jones, and I am proud to serve as a Family Ambassador with Columbus City Schools. My goal is to help strengthen the connection between our families, schools, and community by making sure parents and caregivers know they are not alone when challenges arise.

I am available to help families navigate and connect with community resources for food, housing, shelter, clothing, utilities, and other basic needs. I understand that sometimes families simply need someone who can listen, point them in the right direction, and help them identify resources that may be available.

If you or your family are experiencing a need and are unsure where to begin, please feel free to reach out to me by email sjones8@columbus.k12.oh.us.

Hello, my name is Sarah Moore and I am the School Nurse at Buckeye Middle School. I am in the building Monday-Friday, here to assist your student with medical needs. If your child needs medical services at school, please contact the me via the main office or email smoore5@columbus.k12.oh.us. I look forward to a healthy year!

Columbus Public Health is partnering with your Buckeye MS to offer a flu vaccine clinic onsite. This vaccine clinic will offer the flu vaccine at NO COST to all eligible students.

A completed consent form is required to have your child vaccinated. The form can be submitted by paper at the school or online. This onsite vaccine clinic will enable your student to receive disease-preventing vaccines at school, minimizing disruptions to their school day and/or your workday. Staying up to date on your students’ vaccines is the best way to keep them safe from preventable diseases. Consent forms will be sent home with your child or go to the online consent link below. Please have consent forms completed and returned to Nurse Moore by October 8th.

https://redcap.columbus.gov/surveys/?s=JXKJT87XRHHYEMKE

As part of the Health Services of Columbus City Schools, and in fulfillment of Ohio Law 3313.69, school nurses conduct periodic student health screenings. The screenings include height, weight, vision, hearing, and dental. The school nurse performs various screenings for all 7th grade students, all students new to the district and in special needs.

Health screenings have begun and continue through the end of the school year. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the screening, please contact Nurse Moore

The Nationwide Children’s Hospital School Based Health Clinic is returning to Buckeye. They will be in the building weekly on Mondays and Tuesdays. Please reach out to Nurse Moore if your child needs an appointment. See attached flyer for services provided and QR Code to Online Consent.

Students will be reviewing our school-wide expectations this week during their lunch period.

Thursday, September 30 - PBIS expectations review

Thursday, October 15 - House Sorting for Students

Thursday, October 15 - Fall Festival

Thursday, October 15 - End of Quarter 1

Friday, October 16 - Professional Development Day (students not in attendance)

Monday, October 17 - Teacher Record's Day (students not in attendance)

October 26-30 - House Spirit Week

Tuesday, November 3 - District PD Day @ Buckeye (students not in attendance)

Friday, November 20 - Career Fair 10:30-2pm

November 23-27 - Wellness Week (all schools closed)

Thursday, December 10 - Holiday Band, Choir and Art Show