Bucktail MS/HS

It is hard to believe that Spring is almost here! I have been enjoying my time back at Bucktail. The students and staff are wonderful! In an effort to make Bucktail even better, we are going to be focusing on our PBIS program for the remainder of the year in an effort to cut down on the disrespectful behaviors that are happening at school. I would appreciate your support and taking some time to remind your student the importance of being respectful. This is not only a school expectation but is a workplace expectation in the "real world".

I look forward to working with everyone!

Justin Evey - Interim Principal

February 27-March 3 - Read Across America Week

March 2 - 6:30pm School Board Work Session

March 9 - 6:30pm School Board Voting Session

March 10 - Act 80 Day

March 12 - Daylight Saving Time starts (move clocks ahead one hour)

March 13 - In-Service Day (AM Senior Projects/Parent Conferences, PM Building In-Service)

March 17 - St. Patrick's Day

March 29 - End of Marking Period Qtr. 3

March 31 - 3 hr. Early Dismissal/In-Service

With winter moving into unpredictable spring weather, there will be days when we may need to delay the start of the school day, call an unexpected early dismissal or have a remote learning day. Please be sure to sign up for Bloomz, our new messaging app, so you don't miss any important information.

As schools that receive federal funds, we are required to hold meetings at least once per year to involve our families and community in making decisions about how federal funds are spent, share and receive information about all aspects of school improvement, and to give our families and community members a voice of influence within the school setting. Each school team will reach out to the group that helps to write their school improvement plans and other individuals to join them for their spring meeting.

At all school levels, we use Title IV federal funds to purchase incentives for PBIS (our positive school-wide behavior supports) rewards, and we emphasize the goal of following school rules in all schools.

All elementary schools within the district are Title I schoolwide schools and receive Title I federal funds to support the positions of Interventionist and Title I Associates.

Required documents for families:

Right to Request Qualifications of Teachers (see Annual Notices and Policy Review button above) - if you wish to request a paper copy, please contact rmurty@kcsd.k12.pa.us .

Note: If your child is taught for four or more weeks by a teacher who is instructing in a content area for which they are not currently certified, the district must notify you. Four-week notification letters will be added here if that becomes necessary.

Non-Discrimination Statement (see Annual Notices and Policy Review button above) - if you wish to request a paper copy, please contact rmurty@kcsd.k12.pa.us.

Title I District Parent Policy - Policy 918

Coaching Newsletter for Families - How We Teach Reading

Title I Complaint Procedure

School Improvement Plan

Help make school attendance a priority

• Talk about the importance of showing up to school every day.

• Help your student maintain daily routines, such as finishing homework and getting a good night’s sleep.

• Try not to schedule dental and medical appointments during the school day.

• If your student must stay home because they are sick, or in quarantine, make sure they have asked teachers for resources and materials to make up for the missed learning time in the classroom.

The faculty and staff of KCSD encourage parents to ensure that students attend school everyday in order to achieve academic success!

If you are concerned about your student's attendance, please reach out to your student's school counselor.

If you are concerned about a student for any reason, you can make a SAP referral. The SAP referral can potentially lead to any needed services and/or supports the student may need to be successful.

March is Music in our Schools Month, which has been celebrated since 1985! The celebration of music in schools actually began a bit earlier when the National Association of Music Education created a day to celebrate music education on March 13th, 1975. Actually, even before this, the state of New York started celebrating teaching music in 1973. Music in our Schools Month encourages schools to create music education programs for children of all ages because there are countless benefits of learning about, playing, and enjoying music.

Source: Music in Our Schools Month

Please send a photo of your child or your child with your family enjoying music to pr@kcsd.k12.pa.us so we can share it out on our social media accounts to celebrate Music in Our Schools Month with the community!

If your family speaks a language other than English, the district has access to translators and interpreters that can accompany you in meetings with teachers and school members. If you would like to be connected with a translator or interpreter please reach out to your child’s teacher or the school guidance counselor. The accessibility features in the top right corner of this Smore allow you to translate this page.

During middle school, students experience changes, such as transitioning into adolescence, balancing multiple classes/assignments, dealing with peer pressure, developing new friendships, caring about what others think/fitting in and/or personal situations. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) may contact one of our counselors with any questions or concerns they may have regarding their student's academic, career, behavior and/or socioemotional well-being.

A counselor is someone to talk to, who will listen without judgment. A school counselor can assist in short-term counseling and if needed arrange long-term counseling and the SAP (Student Assistance Program) and Tier II support. Counselors can teach students tools to improve and cope with different situations, especially because sometimes it's hard to figure out where to start. Students may be want to see a counselor for the following reasons:

• Want to share an experience/feelings
• Feel depressed and/or lonely
• Have thoughts of self-harm
• Feel stressed and/or anxious
• Feel angry and/or frustrated
• Want to improve grade(s)
• Talk about college/careers
• Relationship/peer issues/conflicts
• Personal issues (divorce/separation, loss of a loved one, etc.)

To learn more or to schedule a meeting, please contact your student's school counselor.

Dr. Billie Miller: Grade 5 School Counselor

Phone: 570-893-4900 x3086

Email: bmiller2@kcsd.us

Coming Soon: Grade 6 School Counselor

Phone: 570-893-4900 x2960

Email:

Denise Taylor: Grade 7 School Counselor

Phone: 570-893-4900 x2957

Email: dtaylor@kcsd.us

Phil Williams: Grade 8 School Counselor

Phone: 570-893-4900 x2953

Email: pwilliams@kcsd.us

Are you interested in helping out as a game worker for our Central Mountain events!?? If so see the flyer for more information.

Keystone Central School District has School Resource Officers throughout our district for safety and security.

Officer Scott VanGorder - Central Mountain High School

Officer Cory Beaver - Bucktail High School & Renovo Elementary

Officer James Knarr - Central Mountain Middle School

Officer Mike Fetzer - Elementary district-wide and District Attendance Officer

Officer Todd Brian - District-wide

(Megan will add info)

Did you know the Keystone Central School District offers a full cyber program to students K-12?

Please use the following link to read the the up coming events and information for the month of March.

https://www.smore.com/3dme6

Spring becomes a busy time for both state and local assessments. Assessments play an important role in curriculum, instruction and interventions for student learning.

State Assessments

Spring PSSA Window - April 24-May 12

Spring Keystone Exam Window - May 15-May 26

Local Assessments

Spring Aimsweb and NWEA MAP Window - May 10 - May 17

Act 35 Civics Exam Window - May 22- May 26

Please contact your child's teacher for information and updates on your child's progress.

NWEA Family Toolkit

NWEA FAQ

About Aimsweb

Need to register for the SAT, find out testing locations, dates and registration deadlines!

Many questions can arise concerning your child's laptop, internet access, busing information or maybe you'd like to volunteer in your child's school. These links below can help you get answers or point you in the direction of who to speak to.

Add building level info