Q: What days do 4th and 5th graders have their OAA tests?
A: OAA tests for grades 3 to 8 will be given on April 22 through April 26. The make-up week will be April 29 to May 3.
Q: Why are we paying these teachers to teach are kids when we have to do it when they miss too many days? Let the kids go into the summer. Do you know how many parents work and then they have to do all of this homework with there kids when they miss. I agree safty is important but add extra days at the end of the year.
A: Bryan City Schools do have make-up days scheduled at the end of this school year if more than 8 days are cancelled due to weather issues. As of today, BCS has closed 6 days total. Days 7 and 8 will be considered Blizzard Bag days as well.
This is the first time that Blizzard Bag assignments have been used for our students. Many of the other schools in Ohio and in Williams County have used these lessons in previous years. The teachers have put in many hours creating these lessons and will spend additional time assisting the students and grading the assignments. The teachers and staff will make improvements to the Blizzard Bag process; this first day helped to identify some of those necessary changes.
A survey for additional parent input has been created using Survey Monkey. The link is posted on the school website. Please take some time to answer the questions to ensure that improvements can be made.
Q: What is being done to deter the theft issue within the school and field house?
A: Students and staff utilizing the facilities at the Field House should protect themselves from theft by locking up any money and/or other valuables in the lockers provided onsite. If a theft does occur, the student or staff member should report the theft to the supervisor onsite. If the supervisor is not available, then the theft should be reported to the Superintendent’s Office. All reports are filed with the Bryan Police Department. The best deterrent is to leave all valuables at home or to ensure that the valuables are locked safely in a locker.
Q: I am currently deficient in credits, and I am wondering what the dates are for this years summer school?
A: Summer school registration letters will be mailed on Monday, April 1, 2013. BCS will be offering Physical Education, Oral Communication and Health classes. The classes will begin on Monday, June 3 and continue through Friday, June 28.
Anyone interested in enrolling in summer school can contact the high school office or the Superintendent’s office after April 1. The cost of each class is $90.00.
posted 3/19/13
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Q: How many cancellations can we have without having to have makeover days or blizzard bags?
A: The State of Ohio allows every school five (5) calamity days that can be used for inclement weather, electrical issues, etc. To date, Bryan City Schools have used four (4) calamity days this school year.
BCS applied and was granted a waiver to use an additional three (3) days as Blizzard Bag days. Once the five calamity days have been used, the three Blizzard Bag days will begin. Students will be told which assignments to complete when school is closed for a Blizzard Bag day.
If BCS were to use all 5 calamity days and all 3 Blizzard Bag days, then students would need to make-up the days at the end of the school year.
Q: Hi, Can you please explain how rehiring retired employees saves money over hiring new employees at the low end of the payscale.
A: Whenever an employee who has retired and is then rehired by the school system, cost savings are realized. The school system is allowed to set the amount of pay for the retire/rehire position. This pay level is often set at the same level of a new employee. These positions are filled on a yearly basis; there is no guarantee or expectation of continued employment. This also provides the school system with more flexibility.
From the school’s perspective, this type of hire allows the school system to keep an employee with years of valuable experience at the cost of a new employee. This type of hire also allows the school to hire employees in positions that are sometimes hard to fill with the proper certifications and/or licenses.
Although the retire/rehire process is sometimes criticized, in every instance at BCS, it has provided a cost savings, flexibility in filling positions, and a benefit to our school system.
Q: Hi I heard the school might be having guns. Is that true?
A: No, this is not true. The school system is not looking at changing any current policies related to weapons on school grounds.
Q: How can a school that offers no busing to children inside the city limits have school when it is 17° below zero. Many parents work and their children are forced to walk in this freezing weather if they have school. I for one do not understand this. I am home to take my child today but many are not. This seems very unsafe and cruel. Isn't there a better way for the district to save money and bring busing back for all our children to have safe transportation to school?
A: Bryan City Schools offers bussing to students who live outside of the city limits. Within the city limits, BCS offers shuttle busses that travel from building to building for students who walk.
With the colder temperatures this winter, the school has delayed or cancelled school. Students waiting at the shuttle stops are allowed to enter the buildings to avoid additional exposure. Parents can assist by ensuring that children are dressed for the temperatures. If families are in need of assistance, please contact the school offices.
Q: I would like to know what progress has been made on the safety of our schools. Pulaski locks it's front door and has a door bell that rings into the office. You could pick them up at Wal-mart. Why can't we do the same at least a cheap door bell could keep our kids safe until you figure out what needs to be don?. At any point, because of where the offices are located in each school, you can walk into the building and around the halls UN-noticed and sadly never questioned by any teacher or member of staff. I got the voice mail about the schools being safe but I don't understand how they can be that way if the front door is unsupervised or unlocked all day.
A: Bryan City Schools is in the process of obtaining pricing and determining the type of security systems needed at each building. Once these quotes are finalized, they will be reviewed and final decisions will be made. It is our hope to have some of the security upgrades in place prior to the end of this school year.
Q: My son was recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. We now have to look at the lunch menu everyday and count carbs. In doing this I have noticed that fruit consumes the largest portion of his count because it isn't sugar-free. More and more kids/adults are being diagnosed everyday with this awful disease and it can be difficult to be away from home and supplement their diets. Sorry for the rambling, my question is, how hard would it be to provide sugar- free fruits in our school? It would be wonderful if we could at least give our kids that option. Thank you for your time.
A: Many new Federal and State regulations impacted the Food Service department this school year. BCS has addressed those mandates with new menu items and changes to serving sizes for students at all levels. Other requirements addressed this year include choosing a variety of vegetable types, calorie limits, whole grain requirements, milk options, and the upcoming sodium restrictions. Next year, BCS will need to make significant changes to our breakfast program.
In order to remain self-supporting and not rely on general fund tax dollars, BCS uses government food subsidies in order to stretch our purchasing dollar. BCS serves a fresh fruit once a week, a juice or frozen fruit option; however, the remainder of our fruit is canned and provided by the government. Unfortunately, some of it is canned in "heavy syrup" rather than "fruit juice".
To date, the Federal Government has not added any sugar requirements to school menus. This would assist in changing the government subsidies and our ability to offer healthier choices at a reasonable cost. BCS would love to be able to serve fresh fruit everyday, but it is not a option that can be afforded financially at this time.
posted 2/25/13
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Q: How do I get signed up for instant alert? I was on the Honeywell system but I am no longer notified.
A: As long as you have a student within the school system, you will be able to create a new PowerSchool Announcement account. Please go to the school website at www.bryan.k12.oh.us. Then, click on Power School Public Portal (located on the menu bar on the left side). This link will allow you to create a new account. You can receive phone calls, emails, and/or texts.
Q: As I have always been greeted by unlocked doors and no safety checks when picking up my children at their schools, I want to know what safety protocols, if any, are in place at the various Bryan schools to prevent a person(s) that intended the children harm access to the buildings? Also, what safety protocols will be put into place given the current lack of security? I ask in the wake of yet another shooting tragedy that occurred in an elementary school.
A: Every morning, all school door buildings are locked and secured. The one exception is for the front door of each building. The front doors of the school buildings remain open for parents and visitors.
Given the recent tragedies that have happened in Newtown, all schools are examining the safety plans in place and looking at how to improve school security. BCS is no exception. Throughout the remainder of the school year, BCS will be reviewing our safety plans and procedures to determine what, if any, improvements should be made.
Q: Is it still possible to buy bricks at the Isaac field house? if so, how?
A: Yes, I believe that it is still possible to buy bricks for the Isaac Field House. Please contact Brian Arnold, High School Athletic Director, or the Athletic Booster group.
Q: I received your voicemail and have looked at the website to review security at the schools. While I am sure the intentions are good, I don't see that our children our any safer in our schools than the children were in the schools that have had shootings. I do believe we need to have stricter gun control in this country and am not crazy about the idea of allowing authorities in the schools carry guns...2 guns do not make a right! However, I am wondering has the school system ever considered a security system...this would stop everyone at a point from just entering the school, they would need to be 'screened' before entering. I realize that would mean students, parents, teachers...everyone but I am fine with that. We have to scan a card at work to enter the building, why are we just letting anyone into our schools?
A: Safety is a top priority at Bryan City Schools. Since the tragic incident in Newtown, BCS has been reviewing our building security and examining where we can make improvements. There are safety procedures currently in place; the safety plan is filed with Columbus as required by law. Every year, BCS practices a lockdown drill in every building. This year, this lockdown drill was a cooperative effort between the schools, the Bryan City Police and the Williams County Sheriff’s office.
Safety is one of the talking points shared with community members during the school bond issue and levy campaign. Our school buildings do not have the access systems and security systems that are built into the newer school facilities. These systems are being reviewed for use within our district. However, the older school buildings do not provide for an easy solution to school security issues.
BCS will be reviewing our safety plans and procedures to determine what, if any, improvements should be made. As changes are made, students, staff and parents will remain informed.
What happened in Newtown is devastating, however, the staff and students knew what to do and how to perform in that situation. Although we can hope that there will never be another Newtown, BCS will continue to plan and prepare for such a disaster.
posted 1/2/13
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Q: Why are 3 hour delays a good idea? My son has to be at work at 4 and will not get out of school until 3:45.
A: Three-hour delays are sometimes necessary due to the foggy conditions that exist in Northwest Ohio.
Three-hour delays can only be used on fog-related weather issues. This delay schedule will allow the school to remain in operation and meet state requirements.
Q: If a 3-hour delay is in place, does early-bird Spanish meet in the morning?
A: If a three-hour delay is in place, early bird classes begin at 10 am at the high school.
Q: Will there be information sent out to parents of students that will be 3rd graders during the 2013-2014 school year to better understand the "Third-Grade Reading Guarantee"?
A: Yes. BCS will be sending information to those parents affected by the new Third Grade Guarantee in Ohio.
The Third Grade Guarantee is a new mandate for all Ohio schools. The Ohio Department of Education is currently releasing both Information and procedures to all school districts.
In Bryan, the administrative team and teachers are working together to both understand the new law and determine the best course of action for our district.
A parent informational meeting will be held both this spring and in the Fall, 2013.
Q: Why is Lincoln School the only school that does not give out some sort of "Achievement" award?
A: Lincoln Elementary is recognizing students for their achievement with the Character traits. This year, the students at Lincoln are completing Character Cards. On the card, there is a section for each month and the corresponding character trait. Each month, the students meet individually with the School Principal and discuss his or her character qualities. Students are rewarded with a sticker for each month. At the end of the year, the cards will be laminated and the students will take them home to keep.
posted 12/5/12
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