BHS Bucks Principal's Update

Spring is approaching and we can certainly use some sun! We are mid-way through winter sports, and spring sports will be starting soon. This is the time of year when we start planning for our end of year activities. Unfortunately, things don't seem to be changing regarding our COVID protocols and what we will be allowed to do. We have to plan based on what we know today, not what may happen in the future. Like most of the events this year, traditional end of year activities have to be rethought or redesigned. Be looking to future Principal's Updates for more information regarding graduation and other senior events.

Our 8th graders were given their NWEA assessment results and should have brought them home to share with you.

Spring assessements will be taking place in April. All students (except seniors) will be taking one of the three SAT/PSAT tests. 8th graders will also be taking the third and final NWEA test.

The Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) conducted a survey of schools around the state to see how widespread the failure rates are due to our COVID closures and learning modalities. Buchanan High School has very similar results as most schools around the state. We have seen a large increase of failure rates from across grade levels, and with the exception of mandatory closures per MDHHS, we have been utilizing in-person instruction. Results are still grim. Students have suffered, academically, socially, and emotionally around the state due to living through a pandemic. Click HERE to view the survey results.

Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 14, 2021 at 2:00 A.M. On Saturday night, set your clocks forward one hour (i.e., losing one hour) to “spring ahead.”

Buchanan High School has started a clothes closet for students who need freshly laundered clothes. We recognize that not all students have the same resources and want our kids to look and feel their best. Anyone with a need can contact a guidance counselor or Mr. Froelich to access the free clothes closet.

If you have any clothes that you would like to donate to our Bucks Closet, please send in freshly laundered items to the high school. All sizes, styles, shoes, etc are welcome. Also if you have any clothing racks, shelves, or hangers that you are able to donate, we would welcome those as well. We are also accepting personal hygeine items.

Parent-Teacher Conferences have been scheduled for Wednesday, March 10 from 3:00 - 7:00, and on Thursday, March 11 from 12 - 3:00. Conferences will be scheduled using the following page of links. Please click on the teacher link you would like to speak with and select the time available that works for you. You will receive an email confirmation of your time. If you select a Google Meet conference, the teacher will create a link in the calendar invitation after your time has been scheduled. If we experience any technical difficulties, we will call on the phone. If you find there are no time slots available, pleae email that teacher directly. This is the first time we are using this setup as a school, so we'd like your feedback after conferences to tell us how the process went.

Click here to view the teacher links to schedule a conference time.

It's not going to be the normal Winterfest, but we are making the best of it! Students will be able to participate in the traditional dress up days of the week. Our student counsel and HERD have planned to show another video and have created a dance-off competition for all grade levels. Winterfest week is March 15 - March 19.

Our 8thgrade students spent some time taking a tour of each of the CTE programs we offer at BHS. Students were able to see first hand what students learn in our Culinary, Auto, Digital Design, and CISCO programs. Thank you to Mr. Froelich and Mrs. Warmbein for sharing your students. Thank you to Mr. Frey for leading the tour.

Two of our CTE students were highlighted in the Berrien County Career Tech News! Click the link below to view short interviews highlighting the Sports Medicine (A. Fisher) program as well as the CISCO (C. Cole) program. LINK TO NEWSLETTER HERE

If any studnet is interested in participating in a CTE program, please contact Mark Frey (mfrey@buchananschools.com)

Laura is an 8th grader in Basic Art this year. She has a natural gift for working in watercolors and creating pleasing color schemes. This is her latest artwork that features math in art. Way to go Laura!

A few Buchanan high school students took advantage of the opportunity to be involved in a focus group with the City of Buchanan that helped open up the dialogue about "what could be" in Buchanan. The discussion was helpful, insightful, invaluable and relevant to the project underway.

Due to lack of student participation, unfortunately, we have had to cancel our Senior Trip. Not enough students signed up and paid the down payment for us to continue to plan this trip. If your student paid a down payment, a partial payment, or even the entire cost, a reimbursement check will be sent to your student. The check will be made out to the student since he or she was the one who paid in person. Expect the check soon.

Senior shirts have arrived and are being passed out to students. Students should see Mrs. Hess during non-teaching hours to pick theirs up.

March 10 & 11 - High School Parent/Teacher Conferences by appointment only

March 12 - Half Day: BCS Staff COVID Vaccinations

March 19 - Half day for students (hours 1-6) for staff Professional Development

April 2 - No School: Staff half day Professional Development

April 5 - 9 - No School: SPRING BREAK

May 31 - No School: MEMORIAL DAY

At Buchanan High School, we strive to prepare students for life outside of the academic setting. We are always looking for partnerships within our community to bring real world life experiences to our students. Please reach out to us if you have an idea you'd like to discuss to help our students become successful.

If you call our office, our phone menu has changed, please listen carefully to the new option. Please check out our new Facebook page and like us!

Email: sdemaio@buchananschools.com
Website: www.buchananschools.com
Location: 401 West Chicago Street, Buchanan, MI, USA
Phone: (269) 695-8403
Facebook: facebook.com/BuchananHSBucks
Twitter: @BHS_Bucks