Student Obligations & Expectations

• At BFMS we have a responsibility to preserve our school’s resources, materials, equipment, and facilities in such a way that these assets can be available for the use and benefit of present and future students. Our school facilities, library, athletic, and co-curricular programs are available to students at no cost and are not subject to user fees as is the case in many public school districts. In order to safeguard and care for our school’s resources, we ask that each student follow our school-wide expectations of respect for ourselves, for others, and for property. Proper care and attention needs to be shown for school items that are loaned to students. For example, sports uniforms need to be washed and returned without delay at the end of the season. Library books need to be brought back promptly by the due date or replaced if lost.  Chromebooks are also a student's responsibility and are expected to be kept in good condition and in working order.

• In addition, the school is required to have a number of important forms and permissions on file to safeguard the well-being of our students, maximize educational opportunities, and to be in compliance with state and federal statutes.  
• This includes, but is not limited to, health/emergency contact forms, technology user agreements.  School information request forms need to be reviewed, signed, and promptly returned by all students.

If a student does not meet an obligation he or she will face administrative actions that could include loss of privilege rights for participation in athletic and/or co-curricular activities as well as school-wide activities. Additionally, if the obligation remains outstanding the school reserves the right to charge the student’s family with the replacement costs for the item(s) involved.

 

SCHOOL CLOSING/DELAYED OPENING/EARLY DISMISSAL

Snow Day/Inclement Weather Protocol:

The superintendent of schools is responsible for making the decision to call a Snow Day or Inclement Weather Day; this includes Delayed Openings or Early Releases due to weather.

Decisions to cancel school will be based on weather reports, and every opportunity will be made to notify the community by 5 pm on the day before. There are times when a decision will not be made until the next morning. Those decisions will be made no later than 6 am, unless there is an emergency.

Decisions to cancel school early and send students home will be made based on weather reports and with enough notification to families.

If there are times when we do not call a snow/inclement weather day, and caregivers are uncomfortable sending students to school, we generally excuse those absences.

 

VISITORS

Parents are always welcome in all WNESU schools. Visitors, students or adults, must check in at the kiosk in the main lobby. Visitor badges will be available and must be worn. Any parent/guardian who wishes to visit a school must contact the school principal at least 24 hours in advance and sign a confidentiality form. These forms are available in the main office. Anyone may be denied visiting privileges at the discretion of the administration. 

 

ACCESS TO ACADEMIC INFORMATION

WNESU schools use a web-based program to provide parents/guardians with access to confidential web-enabled pages. Access information is sent to parents/guardians in the summer mailing prior to the start of school; it is also available on the school website.

Please note:

If you provide us with your email address, all Bellows Falls Middle School information, including report cards will be sent to your email address.  Please be sure to provide us with an accurate email address. Also, please update us on any changes to keep your email address current.

ALL quarterly progress reports and semester report cards can be viewed electronically using the PowerSchool Parent Portal. Hard copies will no longer be sent home with students.

CONTACTING TEACHERS/STAFF

You may contact teachers at Bellows Falls Middle School by calling the main office or emailing the teachers directly.  All teachers/staff have voice mail which can be accessed at any time.  

Email addresses can be accessed from our website or the standard email address is first name.last name@wnesu.com (i.e. john.smith@wnesu.com).  Faculty and staff have email capability and access.
 

Parent Involvement (PTO)

• We welcome parental involvement at BFMS!  It is no surprise that research has shown that parent involvement is a key factor in the academic and social success of students. Looking for ways to be involved in your child’s school? BFMS has volunteer opportunities for families and strongly promotes the home/school connection. Classroom teams appreciate the support of parents and guardians for chaperoning field trips, organizing class activities, and fundraising. BFMS has enjoyed an active and supportive PTO! We welcome you to be a part of the PTO, which has an open membership. We encourage parents/ guardians to attend a meeting and consider being a part of this group. 

Volunteers/Chaperones

• A volunteer/chaperone is an individual not employed by the school district who works on an occasional or regular basis in the school setting to assist the staff. A volunteer/chaperone also includes but is not limited to chaperones for field trips, dances, work study interns/students and coaching positions. A volunteer/chaperone works without compensation or economic benefit.

A volunteer/chaperone must abide by the following policies and procedures:

• Complete a background check.
• Report violations (or what they consider to be violations) of policies to the supervising staff members.
• Use appropriate and acceptable language at all times.
• Abstain from using alcohol, drugs or medications that might affect their ability to be responsible for children while on field trips. Please do not smoke around children while on a trip.
• Avoid harassing behaviors of any kind.
• Are prohibited from making physical contact intended to discipline. Any and all physical contact with a student must be reported to the building administrator. 
• Report any information of a personal nature or information that relates to child safety to the supervising staff member, school counselor or building administrator.
• Work Study Interns/Students: a student working toward a teaching or other professional credentials that is placed with a teacher at a district school.
• Chaperones: We welcome, appreciate and value your participation in our school programs. These guidelines are provided for your use and apply to all school events, all school related events and all school-sponsored events either on or off school grounds.

Lockers

• All students are assigned a locker.  
• Lockers are NOT to be shared.
• Students should only put a school purchased lock on their assigned locker. 
• Weekly locker clean out in Advisory Lockers should remain orderly and free of perishable food items.  
• Bellows Falls Middle School and the student maintain control over the locker assigned to him/her.  It is the student’s responsibility to see that his/her locker is kept closed and locked. Students may not post or hang items on the outside of their locker. Students should not share their combination with others.
• Administration has the right to open and search a student locker and to confiscate any material which may be harmful or illegal.  

Dress Code

Students are expected to wear clothing, including footwear, in a neat, clean and well-fitting manner while on school property and/or in attendance at school sponsored activities. Students are to use discretion in their dress and are not permitted to wear apparel that causes a substantial disruption in the school environment.  

• Student dress (including accessories) may not advertise, promote, or picture alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, violent behavior, inappropriate images or any political agenda.  
• Student dress (including accessories) may not display lewd, vulgar, obscene or offensive language or symbols, including gang symbols.  
• Student dress (including accessories) may not reinforce or increase marginalization or oppression of any group based on race, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, cultural observance, household income, or body type/size.
• Sunglasses not to be worn in the building during the school day. 
• Hats and hoods may be worn in the hallways and also in the classroom at the discretion of the classroom teacher. They are not permitted in the cafeteria or auditorium. 
• Hair styles, dress, or accessories that pose a safety hazard are not permitted.
• Sneakers are required for all physical education classes.  
• Clothing that is showing skin and/or undergarments may not be worn at school.  
• If there is any doubt about dress and appearance, staff may refer students to building administration and nurse who will make the final decision and may require the student to change. We as a school have extra available clothing for students in need.
• Students whose dress causes a substantial disruption of the orderly process of school functions or endangers the health or safety of the student, other students, staff or others may be subject to discipline. 

Auditorium

• No hats or hoods may be worn in the auditorium.
• No food, drink, or chewing gum allowed in the auditorium during school hours.
• No technology allowed in the auditorium.

Cafeteria

• No hats or hoods may be worn in the cafeteria.
• No chewing gum in the cafeteria.
• No technology allowed in the cafeteria.
• Students will walk at all times in the cafeteria.
• Students will maintain a quiet volume level within the cafeteria. 
• Students are expected to clean up after themselves.
• Students who are unable to meet lunchroom expectations may be given assigned seating.

Hallways

• Please walk in the hallways at all times.
• Use the right side of the hallway, forward facing, at all times.
• Maintain inside voices while walking the hallways.
• Always keep your head up, and hands and your feet to yourself.
• No technology use allowed in the hallways.
• No chewing gum allowed in the hallways.

Hall Passes

• Students may not leave the classroom without a pass. Teachers will issue a pass for students to travel to any destination. 
• Students who arrive late to class must have a pass. 
• Students who arrive late to class without a pass must return to their previous location to attain one.

Damaged/Unreturned Property

• Defacing or damaging school property is against our community values and is prohibited. All school property must be signed out through the appropriate person and returned in the same condition. 
• If the property is not returned or is damaged, the student and/or parents will be responsible for replacement. All school issued chromebooks must remain in the building and are not permitted to leave the campus.

Lost and Found

• Any items found around the school that are not clearly marked will be placed in the lost and found.  Watches, phones, and jewelry will be in the main office.  
• Any lost items that are not claimed within a reasonable amount of time will be donated to a worthy cause. 

Recycling 

Please look for recycling bins in classrooms and throughout the building. At BFMS we recycle paper, cardboard, most plastics, metals, aluminum, and glass! Please follow all posted instructions and recommended guidelines for recycling. Thank you for making a difference in our school and for our planet!