There is a lot of need-to-know information on this page, so please scroll down to review all sections or click on one of the quick links in the box on the right.

13th period: What is 13th period?

Thirteen period is an extra 41-minute time period held Monday - Thursday from 2:29-3:10 p.m. after regular school  is dismissed. During 13th period, students may meet with a staff member or teacher to get extra help, make-up missed tests or class work, or meet for a club activity. When 13th period ends, students who are not involved in another after-school activity must report to the cafeteria until the late buses arrive. Teachers may also use 13th period to assign detention to students who break classroom or school rules. In most cases, teachers will schedule this after-school appointment in writing with a letter or note sent home to the parent/guardian.

Absences: How should I report them?

If your child is going to be absent, please call the school at 872-0939 before 9 a.m. to report that your child will not be coming to school that day. There is a 24-hour answering machine at this number so you may call in at anytime. A note to the teacher explaining the reason for an absence is also required within three days of the time your child returns to school. Note: The district policy is call parents at their home or place of work to validate an absence if we have not been informed by the child's parent or guardian. This is to ensure the safety of your child. See also, district attendance policy.

Absences : What about missed homework?

It is the responsibility of each student to find and complete homework assignments -- even when absent from school. With a little planning, students can avoid falling behind. For example:

• Call the Middle School Homework Line at 872-5262 (Option 1) to find out what homework was assigned. Check out the how to access the Homework Line on the Middle School Curriculum page.

• Find a reliable friend in each class that your child can call if they have a question about homework, need to copy missed notes, etc.

• Make sure your child knows each teacher's rules (including deadlines) for making up missed homework.

Students who will be absent for several days can call BKW’s Guidance Office to get homework from teachers. Allow 24 hours before pick-up.

Bullying: How is the middle school addressing this problem?

BKW Central School District uses the nationally recognized “Bully Proofing Your School” training with all students in grades K-12. The school tackles the issue head-on by holding special assemblies and workshops, and taking decisive steps to stop bullying when it occurs. During the 2008-09 school year, the Middle School began the Bulldog Initiative, a highly successful program that recognizes outstanding traits in students each month and rewards students for displaying these traits with an award, an ice cream party and the chance to win great prizes in an end-of-the-year raffle.

Students should report any bullying to an adult if they are either a victim or witness to it. By reporting it to an adult at school, students can help stop bullying without others knowing who reported it. A lot of kids worry that "telling" will only make things worse. Parents and teachers should keep sending the same clear message: REPORTING WILL MAKE THINGS BETTER.

School counselors at BKW also teach kids strategies to help avoid being the target of bullying -- such as making eye contact, walking assertively through the halls and developing a circle of support by joining a school club or activity where they will make friends and develop valuable connections. Students who bully are subject to disciplinary action and they may also be referred for specialized counseling designed to help them examine -- and change -- their bullying behaviors. For more on bullying, visit our Parent Corner.

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Buses: Can my child ride the bus to a friend's house?

Students must ride the bus to which they are assigned. Requests to ride a different bus on any given day requires a written note with specific information (i.e. family name, address and phone number of house). This note must be approved by the main office at the beginning of the school day.

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I have concerns: How do I contact the school?

If you have a concern about your child's progress, homework, discipline or some other issue, please contact us right away. Your child's guidance counselor, in particular, can be extremely helpful in this regard.

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Detention: How is detention assigned?

Teachers may assign students to detention during 13th period (held Monday - Thursday from 2:29–3:10 p.m.) if they break classroom or school rules. In most cases, teachers will notify parents/guardians about the after-school appointment in writing with a letter or note sent home. Students who exhibit more serious or chronic behavior problems may be assigned after-school detention in the library by the principal. Late buses are provided for detentions, so transportation home will not be a problem for students.

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Directions: Where are the schools located?

Print out these directions and you'll find us with no trouble.

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Extracurricular Activities: Does the middle school offer clubs and after-school activities?

Extracurricular activities are a great way for kids to meet new friends, learn new things or give something back to their community. Best of all, studies show that student who are involved in after-school activities earn higher grades and are more successful -- both academically and socially. Details about meeting dates and times are generally provided over the morning announcements and via notices posted around the school. Parents and students should also feel free to contact their guidance counselor or club advisors for more information.

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Homework Expectations: What is the middle school homework policy?

Homework helps students practice and reinforce what they learn in class. It also teaches self-discipline, time-management skills and responsibility. According to district guidelines, middle school students should be spending, on average, one to two hours on homework and reading daily. Visit our middle school Parent Corner for some helpful articles on organization and homework.

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Honor Roll: What are the qualifications to be on the honor roll?

Four times each year, after report cards are issued, a middle school honor roll is released based upon grades received during the preceding quarter. All classes with numeric grades are counted when determining honor roll standings.

• High Honor Roll is awarded to middle school students who achieve a grade point average of 95 or higher.

• Honor Roll is awarded to middle school students with a grade point average of above 90.

• Honorable Mention is awarded to middle school students who achieve a grade point average of 85 or higher.

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Honor Society: How does my child apply for the honor society?

Membership in BKW Middle School's National Junior Honor Society is open to students in grades 7-8. To be eligible for induction, students must meet established academic criteria. Students who meet grade requirements will receive a letter inviting them to apply for membership. Application also requires participation in at least two school and/or community activities and teacher recommendations. A special induction ceremony is held each spring, and parents are invited to attend.

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Medications during the school day: Can my child take medicine at school?

For medication to be administered at school, parents must supply:

• A note from a parent/guardian stating requesting that medication be given to the student at school.

• A note from the doctor stating the specific medication, dosage and time to be given.

• Medication in a clearly labeled bottle from a pharmacy, with a current date.

Note: A parent is to bring in any medication to the school nurse. Students must never bring medication on the bus to take to school. Contact the health office for more information.

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Music Lessons: How are lessons scheduled for band and orchestra?

Students who participate in band and orchestra participate in small-group lessons during the regular school day. Lessons are scheduled on a rotating basis to avoid conflicts with any one class. Students must report to their regular classroom teacher first, before going to a scheduled lesson. Students are also responsible for completing missed classroom assignments when they are pulled out for a music lesson. Band, orchestra and choir students meet regularly to practice and perform as a group. Students are given schedules, in advance, for both lessons and large-group sessions. It is recommended that students record the dates and times to avoid forgetting. Music students are required to keep their instruments in lockers in the music room.

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Parent Conferences: Can I meet with my child’s teacher or guidance counselor?

Parents may make appointments for conferences with teachers and/or the school guidance counselor by calling BKW's Guidance Office at 872-5282 any time they have questions or concerns. School officials may also call parents to request a conference as needed.

• If a parent or a student is unhappy with a report card, a conference can help get at the root of the problem.

• A conference is a good way to set up an improvement plan -- for behavior and/or academics. In almost all instances, students will be expected to participate.

• Guidance counselors can also set up and facilitate a group conference involving one or more teachers. The focus is always on problem solving, not playing a "blame game."

• Most people, including students, say they feel relieved at the end of a conference. That's because once the nature of the problem is clearly understood, it's much easier to address it -- particularly when everyone is working together.

• Keep in mind things don't have to be desperate before parents step in. Any drop in grades is a good reason to call the school.

Passes: How do students receive a hall pass?

Student may receive hall passes from their teachers. When traveling the halls during instructional periods, students need to present the pass to hall monitors. Students who continually are found in the halls without a pass will be placed on a “no pass” list by the school principal.

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Picking Children Up During the Day: How do I let the school know my child needs to leave early?

When picking middle school students up early for doctor appointments, etc., parents are asked to observe the following procedures:

• Parents are asked to write an early-dismissal note for their children to bring to the office the morning of the appointment. This note should state the child's full name, reason for having to leave early, and the time he or she will be picked up and signed out by a parent/guardian.

• The office will then issue an early-dismissal pass that the student must show his or her teacher at the time of dismissal. The student may then report to the main office to meet his or her parent.

• Parents need to come INSIDE the school to meet their children and physically sign them out for their appointmenta. For obvious safety reasons, students are not allowed to sign themselves out of school.

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School Supply Lists: When will my child receive his/her school supply list?

School supply lists for each grade level at BKW Middle School are generally mailed home with the fourth quarter report cards the last week in June. The information is also provided online as a link off the BKW Middle School homepage during the summer months in case parents misplace the list.

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Standardized Tests: What tests will my child be taking?

Beginning in the 2005-06 school year, students in grades 3-8 take a battery of standardized tests from the state. These exams measure whether a student is on track to achieve the challenging Regents requirements in high school. Middle school exams include:

• The NYS English Language Arts Exam for grades 6-8

• The NYS Math Exam for grades 6-8

• The NYS Science Exam for grade 8

• The NYS Social Studies Exam for grade 8

• A proficiency exam in either French or Spanish for grade 8.

Parents are advised to pay close attention to their child's standardized test results. These are shared with parents annually. If a child is having difficulty -- and many are -- parents should not wait until high school to get actively involved. Academic Intervention Services are provided to students in serious academic jeopardy, but parent support on the home front is just as important. Call your guidance counselor and request a meeting if you have concerns about your child's performance or questions about what you can do at home to help your child be successful. For information on state testing visit our Parent Corner.

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Student Schedules: When will my child receive his/her class schedule?

Student schedules are not finalized until late summer each year. In general, students are notified of their schedules by mail the week before school starts.

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Student Transfers: How do I transfer my child’s records to a new school?

If a student is transferring to another school district, parents are asked to notify the child's school counselor as far in advance as possible. Early notice will help make the transition smoother for all concerned. School records must be transferred and processed and schedules need to be adapted when students leave one school for another. Whenever possible, it's best to try to time the move so that it coincides with the end of a marking period or the beginning of a new school year.

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Study Hall: What do students work on during study hall?

All students have a 40-minute study hall period during 11th or 12th period. During this time students may:

• Get a head start on homework assignments or make up past-due work.

• Receive permission from the study hall teacher to go to the library.

• Enjoy some time for free reading.

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Summer Reading: What books are on the summer reading list?

All students entering grades 6-8 are required to complete a summer reading assignment. Details about the assignment are generally sent home in June and will also be posted on the BKW Middle School homepage from mid-June until the start of the new school year.

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Telephone calls: How do I contact my child’s teacher?

To contact your child's teachers call the main office at 872-0950 and ask to be connected to his or her voicemail. For obvious reasons, calls will not be put through directly to classrooms during instructional time. Teachers are generally very good about returning phone calls to parents in a timely fashion.

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Telephones Calls – Student Use: Can my child call me from school?

The main office has a telephone for students' emergency use only (i.e., to call home for forgotten books, physical education clothes, etc.). Students should not to use this phone to make social plans or to call parents for a ride home when they don't want to wait for the late bus. Students may use a pay phone located outside of the main office. Local calls are 50 cents.

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Unplanned Early Dismissals: How do I find out about an early dismissal?

Information about early dismissals is posted on BKW’s Home Page emergency school closings and delays page. It is also released to all local TV stations and major radio stations. Parents are urged to make sure their children knows what to do if they arrive home unexpectedly and no adult is there.

Visitors: Can I visit my child’s school during the school day?

For security reasons, during school hours all visitors are required to first report to the main office for a visitor's pass. This includes parents.

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