August 23rd BOY

• General Update
• Welcome back, PreK!
• iReady this week!
• School Day Reminders
• Updated Parent Drop off & Pick Up Procedures
• Dress Code Policy
• Annual Forms & Information Update Link
• BCS Messaging App Information
• Imporant Dates

Thursday and Friday were fantastic! Staff and students were seen getting back into the swing of things. Routines were introduced and we completed our first fire drill as well as practiced other code/drills. Students were reminded of expected behaviors in the hallways, in the restrooms, within their classrooms as well as in the lunchroom and during recess. We saw new friendships and great peer interaction across the building.

As a reminder, our playground area is mulched. Close-toed shoes are recommended for recess and required for participation in PE. When it's nice both PE and recess are spent outdoors!

We are excited to welcome our PreK students back into the building and some for the first time. Please follow the drop off and pick up procedures given by our PreK teachers as it differs from K-2. Don't forget to bring your child's nap mat, backpack, and any additional supplies you are donating! We look forward to having our littlest learners with us this year.

Families, this week our First and Second Grade students will be taking the iReady Inform (previously called iReady Diagnostic). We'll be completing each subject area over the course of two days. Mon & Tues will be Reading. Wed & Thurs will be Math. Students work for about 20-25 minutes each day to complete the tasks. Families will receive a report of how their student performed in both areas at the end of September. Get a good night's sleep and encourage your student to do their best work and give their best efforts!

Start of the Day:

Doors open at 8:20 in the morning for students to enter.

The front bus loop is reserved for school buses and special education vehicles from 8:00-8:40, with drop off beginning at 8:20. Students riding BCS transportation enter the front of the building.

Parent Drop Off occurs at the side of the building nearest the staff & visitor parking lot. This also begins at 8:20. You must enter from Duke Street, park in a spot and walk your child to the side door where staff will welcome them in.*

End of the Day:

The school day ends at 3:20 with students being dismissed to buses and Parent Pick Up at that time. The front bus loop is reserved for school buses and special education vehicles from 3:00-4:00.

Parent Pick Up occurs at the side of the building nearest the staff & visitor parking lot. You must enter from Duke Street, park in a spot and sign your child out at the side door where staff will call them to leave with you.* You may not enter from the front entrance. All parent pick up enters from Duke Street.

*More details below

We appreciate your cooperation as we implement a new procedure for drop off and pick up of students whom are not riding BCS transportation. All parents vehicles will enter from Duke Street (by the water tower) and find a parking spot. Students will be escorted by a parent to the side doors and be greeted by an Opequon staff member. In the afternoon, parents will also enter from Duke Street, park, and walk to the side doors to sign their child out. Students will be called in small groups and matched with their parents.

(Effective Spring 2017) The Berkeley County Board of Education recognizes that clothing and footwear worn by students in its public schools can often preoccupy and distract students from their major purpose for being in school, which is obtaining an education. The dress code procedure shall apply to all school activities during the school day. Berkeley County Schools plans to disseminate information and implement this procedure through, but not limited to; staff development, student instruction, student/parent notification, and media/internet usage. Exception for legitimate reasons such as a medical condition, religious practice, or for specialized classes or activities will be considered and may be granted by the school administration on a case by case basis. The school administrator reserves the right to approve or disapprove any items not addressed in this procedure. Decision to approve or disapprove items will be based on the goal of providing a safe and orderly environment for the education of all students.

Clothing Shirts must be worn in such a manner so as to:

• Cover the entire back and midriff area at all times

• Cover the top of the shoulders with a minimum of 2” wide straps

• Not be see-through

• Fit modestly so that cleavage area is covered

• Cover undergarments

• Cover spaghetti straps or halters with a button-up shirt

• Not have cut out areas, muscle shirts and tank tops are considered undergarments and must have a shirt over them or under them.

Shorts, skirts, skorts, and dresses must be worn in such a manner as to:

• Cover the mid-thigh when sitting down and be at least long enough to meet the tip of the student’s longest finger when the student is standing with arms down at their sides.

• Slits must conform to the above Pants must be worn in such a manner as to:

• Cover undergarments at all times

• Not be excessively long so as to drag on the floor

• Not be excessively baggy so as to fall down or be constantly pulled up to the waist

• Not have cut, ripped or open areas above the knees

Pajamas/boxers are not considered school attire

• Schools may have volunteer dress-up days, school color days, theme days, or other dress days approved by the principal. Shoes must be worn at all times. Shoes must fit securely enough to the foot in order to allow safe movement. Trench coats are not to be worn during the school day and should be stored appropriately. Hats, bandanas, sweat-bands, and other types of head coverings will not be worn during the school day indoors. Bedroom slippers are not permitted.

• Jewelry and Accessories - Any jewelry or accessory that can be used or is perceived as a weapon is prohibited. Jewelry and accessories considered inappropriate but not limited to are:

• Jewelry with spikes, including chokers, rings or bracelets

• Chains that could cause injury or damage such as pocket chains, dog chains, etc.

• Sunglasses will not be worn during the school day indoors.

• Language, Symbols, and Messages Student appearance and apparel must not show any reference to or inference of:

Profanity or obscenities

Drugs, alcohol, or tobacco related products

Derogatory or ethnic symbols that causes a disruption

Violence, blood, gang membership, guns, knives, or weapons of any kind

Suggestive or sexual messages

Language or symbols that offend, demean, or promote hatred towards any identifiable person or group

Words or symbols deemed to be inappropriate for the school setting such as rude, disrespectful, or discourteous expressions inconsistent with civil discourse and behavior

Body piercing that causes a disruption, interferes with the educational setting, or presents a safety concern

Parents/caregivers of all Berkeley County Schools students are required to complete an Annual Forms & Information Update each school year. Please submit one update for each student, even if your information has not changed. To save time, use the "Fill Again" option at the end of the form to pre-fill information from your previous submission.

https://bcswv.jotform.com/253635646781972

The BCS app combines news, announcements, and events in one convenient location - the BCS App. Enable notifications for schools of your choice. App pushes may also be used in cases of emergency.

• August 25-26 staggered start for PreK
• September 7 Labor Day (no school)
• October 6 Picture Day

395 East Road

Martinsburg, WV 25404

304-267-3550

Karen Weigle, Principal

Kelly Comer, Assistant Principal