Burr Oak Community Schools

On November 9, the Burr Oak Board of Education adopted a new athletic handbook. Points of interest include: 1)New eligibility policy; 2)Due process system for coaches and athletes; 3) Parent/Spectator Expectations; 4)Revised Code of Misconduct Consequences; 5)Disciplinary Procedures and Chain of Command in Reporting; 6)Alignment of violations to better match the student handbook which was also revised and adopted in 2020. A copy of the handbook can be located under the Parent Resources tab/Athletics on the school website: burroakcs.org

If interested or if there is a need...

Here is your friendly weekly reminder: Please keep your child home for remote learning when they are sick. Guiding symptoms: Fever or chills (100 degrees F) Cough New loss of taste or smell Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Fatigue Muscle or body aches Headache Sore throat Congestion or runny nose Nausea or vomiting Diarrhea We acknowledge that these symptoms cover a wide range of illnesses in addition to COVID-19. We are continuing to do our part at school by cleaning daily, wiping down surfaces often, reminding students to wear their masks appropriately and to social distance, and mitigating by classroom. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our school healthy!

JUNIORS and SENIORS ONLY: CTE students in the following programs. There will be no IN-PERSON Agriscience or Med Occ classes until Nov. 16. CTE instructors will be contacting students to arrange for remote instruction and assignments for the next two weeks. BACC students will be remote through November 16. All BACC students are expected to attend their program’s specific Google Classroom during their session. Attendance is required. The AM Session will begin at 8:15 am, and the afternoon session begins at 11:50 am. Students are required to complete all coursework as determined by their teacher. Students can call the BACC to contact their teacher at 517-279-5721 if they have any questions or if they are having issues logging in to their Google Classroom.

Please take a minute and read the update from our local Superintendents.

Just a friendly reminder to keep your child home for remote learning when they are sick. Guiding symptoms: Fever or chills (100 degrees F) Cough New loss of taste or smell Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Fatigue Muscle or body aches Headache Sore throat Congestion or runny nose Nausea or vomiting Diarrhea We acknowledge that these symptoms cover a wide range of illnesses in addition to COVID-19. We are continuing to do our part at school by cleaning daily, wiping down surfaces often, reminding students to wear their masks appropriately and to social distance, and mitigating by classroom. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our school healthy!

On October 13, 2020, the Branch Area Careers Center inducted 38 new members to the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS). The NTHS is a non-profit, educational organization, founded in 1984 to reward excellence in technical and career education. Only those students who are recommended by the faculty and exhibit the qualities of skilled workmanship, honesty, responsibility, leadership, citizenship, and scholastic achievement are selected for membership. Students are required to have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA at their home school, as well as have no more than 5 tardies or absences per semester. Also, students are required to have a 3.5 or higher cumulative GPA at the BACC, as well as have no more than 5 tardies or absences per semester. These students were nominated by their BACC teachers in September of 2020 and must be members of their respective youth clubs. The candle lighting ceremony incorporated the seven attributes of membership. These attributes are exemplified by the following students who were selected by the BACC as the newest inductees. From Burr Oak High School: Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management: Cynthia Gutierrez

We finally received clearance to begin our mandatory benchmark testing. On site students will begin testing Monday at 8:15. It would be helpful to have students that come two to three days each week to come Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday to complete testing. Thursday will be a makeup day. OFF SITE VIRTUAL students: You are welcome to come beginning Monday morning and test away from other students OR call/email your kids' to make afternoon arrangements. This test is MANDATORY for ALL students per Public Act 149-2020. There is NO school Friday so it is imperative that you contact teachers ASAP. The testing will be the mandatory work for the last week of the marking period.

If your student is out ill, please contact the school and let us know of any signs or symptoms your student may be having. This is especially important as we approach cold and flu season. Thank you.

Follow the link for the emergency order issued by Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339--541440--,00.html

Parents: First: We have begun to see progress with many students finally understanding routines and off campus expectations, BUT there are still some that are not using their time wisely. In most cases, students cannot get all of their classwork done at school. You should see them doing school work at home daily. Second: Athletes are students first. Eligibility is checked on Wednesday and students must have their grades up by Friday if the AD pulled ineligible grades for them on Wednesday of the same week. Keep in mind, if an athlete waits until 3 p.m. on a Friday to turn in work, there is no guarantee that a teacher will grade it before Monday of the next week. Third: We have been lucky thus far in regard to having no COVID-19 cases. Please stay the course and remind your kids to keep their masks on, wash their hands often, and maintain 6 to 10 feet of distance from others. Thank you all! ~ Mrs. Owens

We are in need of a varsity bowling coach. https://burroakcs.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=18

We are currently seeking to fill the position of Kindergarten teacher. Please follow the link to apply and share this exciting opportunity. https://burroakcs.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=17

FREE fresh food, Monday September 14th from 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

Community Effort: We have had to talk to kids here at school about not throwing their trash on the ground outside. As well, I made an announcement today regarding not throwing trash on the ground around town. Parents, if you would also have this talk with your students I would appreciate the effort. Let's all take pride not just in our school, but also in our community and hold each other accountable. Thank you! Mrs. Owens

IMPORTANT for PARENTS and STUDENTS 1. Compulsory education laws: While many Burr Oak MS and HS students are communicating with their teachers and doing their assigned work, about 1/3 of them are NOT communicating and/or not doing work. a) Those not doing their work can legally be considered truant. We do NOT want this. b) The pandemic learner LAWS require 2-way communication twice a week. PLEASE check with your students to ensure this is happening. Start with them and if they are confused, email the teachers. Emails are posted on our website. burroakcs.org 2. ATHLETES: Academics first. If you are failing 2 or more classes you cannot play in a match/game. Some coaches might have higher standards. Games begin next week - read your handbook. Thank you for attending to this matter quickly. ~ Mrs. Owens

SPORTS PHYSICALS: 9 a.m. this Saturday, September 12 in the gymnasium - $15. Send the student in with their signed forms, parents wait in the parking lot. Masks mandatory. Students can pick up forms from Mr. Hughes.

GSRP Update: We still have at least one, possibly two openings for preschool. If your are concerned about safety, we have taken measures to hopefully alleviate some of that fear. We will have a maximum of eight kids on site, extreme daily cleaning measures will take place, and it will be from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. each day. Mrs. Lemley has put together individual toy containers that get cleaned each day. Many learning activities will be outside, weather permitting, and you are welcome to keep your children home on bad weather days. Feel free to set up an appointment and come talk with the teacher (269-489-2213). She can help you get started on the paperwork if you decide it is the right situation for your child. We just don't want to see spots stay empty if there is any interest.

Parents: It is VERY IMPORTANT that you have your middle school and high school students answer their emails and/or complete their communications with their assigned teachers for the week. All students were sent a specific Google Form this week. This form is what is used for attendance. They must discuss subject specific material (ex. science, English, Math, Soc. Studies) with their teachers. If they do not check their email and do not fill out that form on time, it could become a truancy issue for you. I would suggest that you have your children show you this COMPLETED form each week regardless of whether they are on campus everyday, two days, or 100% virtual. It is a state requirement and will be checked by our attendance auditor from the ISD.

We need all of our orange emergency slips turned in by Tuesday, September 8th. Only one form per family is required. If you still need a blank copy please contact Mrs. Laurali Gates at 269-489-2213 ext. 207