Dear Bobcat families,
I hope this email finds you ready and excited about the upcoming school year. We have been hard at work and can’t wait to welcome kids back on campus! This email is packed with information and I hope it will help answer any questions you may have.
Changes to the BMES Newsletter this year
BMES newsletters will now be sent home biweekly this year. The first few newsletters will be sent on August 2nd and August 16th.
BMES Website
If you haven’t visited the new BMES Website, click here to find important links, information and school calendar.
24-25 Student Handbook
You can access the updated CCUSD Student Handbook HERE. Updates have been made so please make sure that you review the handbook before the school year begins.
One of the more prominent updates concerns student telecommunications and devices, including but not limited to cell phones, smartwatches, and nonmedical listening devices. Beginning this school year and beyond, students in possession of telecommunications devices will adhere to new, more stringent expectations regarding use on school grounds. Please click HERE to read through the updated policy.
Most importantly, the rationale behind this change in policy has to do with the following, which we believe will benefit our students, staff and schools:
- Enhanced Learning Environment: Telecommunication devices can be a significant distraction in the classroom. The presence of these devices can disrupt the focus of both the user and surrounding students, distracting them from their educational experience.
- Increase Social Interaction: School is a crucial place for developing social skills and forming interpersonal relationships. Reducing reliance on telecommunication devices encourages face-to-face communication and fosters a stronger sense of community.
- Eliminating Academic Dishonesty: The use of devices during instructional time can lead to academic dishonesty. Adhering to this policy helps maintain academic integrity and fairness.
- Mental Health and Well-Being: Studies have shown excessive use of telecommunication devices can negatively impact mental health, leading to issues such as anxiety, depression, and poor sleep. Limiting device use during school hours can contribute to better mental health and overall well-being.
24/25 New School Year Forms
All BMES families should have received an email this week regarding New School Year Forms that need to be completed to ensure we have accurate and updated information in our Student Information System- PowerSchool. Please complete these forms before attending Back to School Night on August 1st. Please know the process is 100% different from in years past.
If you do not have a PowerSchool account yet, please email powerschool@ccusd93.net. Click here for more information.
3-6 State Assessment Scores
In the past, test scores would be mailed home. Due to the cost of mailing hundreds of envelopes, we will not be doing that this year. Instead, all student test scores for any student who tested in 3rd through 5th grade last year at BMES may be picked up in the front office. During our Back to School Night, please swing by the front office and pick up your child’s scores. This will also include information to help you access your child’s online assessment results portal.
It’s Hot Out There
It’s hot out there! Drinking fountains are available across campus but we highly recommend that students bring their water bottles and use the fill stations instead. This will allow for easy access to clean, cool drinking water no matter when or where. Make sure to put your child’s name on any water bottle in case they leave it behind.
Cave Creek Unified School District is committed to protecting the health and safety of our students and staff. BMES adheres to CCUSD Heat Index Guidelines and Procedures. These guidelines are meant to provide a decision-making structure to promote student and staff safety when local weather may be detrimental to their health. Heat-induced illness is preventable. When excessive heat occurs, precautions are to be taken for all outdoor physical activity, including but not limited to recess, physical education classes, and field trips. During the school year, school staff will monitor weather conditions and will inform all staff of the Heat Advisory and the suggested guidelines will be put into place. These guidelines range from scheduled water breaks to limiting outdoor activities depending on the Heat Index category. Due to the combination of high temperatures and high humidity this time of year, our activities are more likely to be impacted.
School Safety
We are committed to student safety in CCUSD. Click here to visit the CCUSD safety site. CCUSD is dedicated to ensuring a safe environment for our kids. As a part of this effort, we will be requiring all students in grades K-12 to wear school IDs. You can find more information about this requirement on the school safety website above. BMES students will be given their IDs after picture day on September 13th. I will provide more details as we get closer to this date.
Signing in to the front office using Kid Account (NEW visitor management system)
In the past, visitors to BMES would sign in at the front office using Raptor, our visitor management system. With increased safety in mind, CCUSD is moving to a new, more comprehensive system this year. All visitors to Black Mountain Elementary School are required to sign in at the front office using the Kid Account Visitor Management System. All visitors will need a government-issued ID (driver’s license, Az ID card) to sign in. Please know that many parents like to walk their children into campus for the first day of school. This will undoubtedly lead to long lines. While this may take more time than wanted, student safety will always rank higher than convenience. We appreciate your understanding and support!
Voluntary Student Accident & Sickness Insurance
Information for Voluntary Student Accident and Sickness Insurance plans for purchase, including plans for athletics, can be found at https://myers-stevens.com/enrollment/
Receive SMS Alerts from BMES
Our school utilizes the SchoolMessenger system to deliver text messages, straight to your mobile phone with important information about events, school closings, safety alerts and more. You can participate in this free service* just by sending a text message of “Y” or “Yes” to our school’s short code number, 67587.
Ways To Give
Direct Donation: Donations can be made directly to Black Mountain Elementary School in any amount. These donations are separate from the Arizona Tax Credit donations but come with fewer restrictions on how the school can use the donation to support student learning. If you would like to make a donation in any amount to Black Mountain Elementary School, simply write a check out to Black Mountain Elementary School and send it to the front office. Your donation in any amount is always appreciated. Direct donations can also be made out to our PTO. In this case, please make checks payable to Black Mountain PTO.
Tax Credit: Arizona’s tax law (ARS 43-1089.01) allows families a tax credit of up to $400 if they contribute to extracurricular activities in public schools. Individuals can give up to $200. Contributions that are made on or before the fifteenth day of the fourth month (April 15), following the close of the taxable year, may be applied to either the current or preceding taxable year and is considered to have been made the last day of that taxable year.
BMES PTO
The BMES PTO does incredible work every year to provide the best learning environment and opportunities to our students. In addition to great events, the PTO supports our staff by providing resources, supplies, funds for projects, volunteer hours, and many acts of appreciation throughout the year. Additionally, our PTO works hand in hand with the administration to advance our school goals and funds the amazing Drama and Dance program that helps to set us apart. The best PTO in the world needs a lot of help to make your child’s experiences amazing. There are opportunities both large and small to make a difference. Please consider giving your time this year! Click here to see the opportunities to make a true difference.
Introducing New Members of the BMES Team
Click here to meet the wonderful additions to our team. I am thrilled to introduce the new members of the BMES staff. Please join me in giving them a big Bobcat Welcome!
Class Placements
You will receive an email from your child’s homeroom teacher by 7:00 PM on July 31st. Teacher assignments will be available for parents to view in PowerSchool on August 1st.
Please know that calling/emailing to ask for specific placements to be made will not trump the countless factors already made in a student’s placement. Student placements are made every year by our teachers. They take into account academic leveling, grades, assessments, student relationships, behaviors, special needs, scheduling of student groups, and more. They truly do consider everything they can in making the proper placements. When all is said and done, teachers have created a complex matrix of students that makes teacher requests nearly impossible. When parents ask for students to be switched from one class to another, chances are that there are 10 different reasons that the initial placement was made, and moving this one student would require shifting of many others. Thank you for your trust and understanding.
You may hear disappointment and even see tears from your child as they realize that their friends are all in a different class, they want a different teacher, or they are in class with a student they didn’t get along with in the past. School is about growth, and this includes growing emotionally and socially. Kids may be upset and want you to solve this problem for them, but this often comes at a high price. Kids learn that they will be rescued from difficult situations and will not have to face them head-on. They will also feed off of your emotions and reactions. If you try to jump in and save them, they will see that the situation is too difficult for them to deal with. It is a great lesson for them to have to navigate these situations with the encouragement and support of their parents. No matter the disappointment, help your child face the year with optimism and a smile.
Here is a short article that may help: https://community.today.com/parentingteam/post/five-life-lessons-from-teacher-classroom-placement
Dropping off Medications
Vanessa Schramm, our Health Office Assistant extraordinaire will be on campus beginning Monday, August 29th. If you have questions regarding dropping off medicine, immunizations, health plans, etc., please reach out to Mrs. Schramm at vschramm@ccusd93.net.
Immunizations
Students must have proof of immunization or an exemption form on file. Immunization requirements do change as a child ages so please keep informed about what updates your child may need. You can find more information here: https://www.ccusd93.org/all-departments/health-office/immunizations
Where do I find a supply list for my child’s class?
If you already purchased a supply kit, it will be delivered directly to the classroom. If you opt to purchase the supplies on your own, you can find the supply lists here. Please note that while name brands may be listed on this sheet, this is not a necessity. Supply costs add up, so there is no need to spend extra for a name.
Transportation
Click here to access the transportation department website. If your child rode the bus to BMES last year, they will be on the same route as last year. If you have more questions, you can contact the transportation department at 480-575-2089. A representative from the transportation department will also be available to assist you during our Back to School Night on Thursday, August 1st.
Additional Questions? If you have questions specific to Bus/Transportation, a representative from the CCUSD Transportation Department will be in the gymnasium from 3:45 to 5:45. If you have questions about lunch or breakfast accounts or systems, a representative from the CCUSD Food Services Department will be in the Cafeteria from 3:45 to 5:45. If you have questions about Bobcat Club (Before/After school program), a representative from the CCUSD Education & Community Services Department will be in the Cafeteria from 3:45 to 5:45. If you need any other assistance, our front office and health office staff will be in the front office from 3:45 to 5:45.
4th-6th Grade Parents – don’t forget to swing by the front office to pick up your child’s state assessment reports.
Have a 3-4 year old? You can swing by our Preschool rooms during this event to say hello to our awesome teachers!
What do I do if my family can’t attend this event? On Friday (8/2) morning, teachers will be sending home a video of the same presentation given to parents during the event. We hope this helps ensure that everyone can stay informed and be ready for the first day of school.
Congratulations! You made it to the end of one of the longest emails in the history of all emails. While I am hopeful that this helped you feel more informed and ready for the year ahead, please know that more information is headed your way. Next week, you will recieve information regarding drop-off and pick-up procedures and other important content. Our front office is open each day next week. Please do not hesitate to swing by or reach out if you need assistance or have any questions. I look forward to seeing you soon!
Matt Owsley
Proud Principal
Black Mountain Elementary School