Welcome Back to school!

Join Us for

9th Grade Parent Night!

Back to school info

Dear BFA Students and Families,

Welcome to BFA! I hope you had a restful and fun summer and are ready to embark on the new school year. A new school year brings about so many emotions, some being excitement and nervousness. The teachers, staff, and administration are here to support you and to ensure that your high school experience is welcoming and engaging.

Here at BFA, we are committed to providing a well-rounded education that equips students with skills needed in a rapidly changing world. A well-rounded education is more than handing in assignments and taking quizzes. It is about communicating and engaging with others while problem solving and learning. That is why attendance is so important. Our data supports that when attendance is increased, proficiency and social emotional factors increase as well. We are committed to making BFA safe and welcoming so that everyone can access their education.

As principal, I believe in high expectations with support in place so that we can all meet the expectations that lay before us. It is our goal to make sure those expectations are clearly communicated. Some expectations, among others, that I plan to discuss during the first few days of school are: Cell phones, and other Personal Electronic Devices (PED) are off and away in either student’s bags or in the cell phone holders provided in classrooms (see policy and explanation on page 4 of this letter ) and Students are not to use, or be in possession of, Tobacco, Alcohol, or Drugs on school grounds (please MRUSD/BFA Handbook page 36-38). This year, we will be utilizing Vape Detectors in our bathrooms. Again, I believe high expectations should include high support, so if anyone is in need of support, please reach out to us.

BFA communicates information in a multitude of ways, such as the BFA Webpage, www.maplerun.org/o/bfa, where you can find Daily Announcements, Student/Parent Handbook, Events, News, Administrative Newsletter/Blog, as well as a link to our BFA Facebook page. You will be receiving an email from the BFA Information Technology Department with your Powerschool Login information. Once you have received this Login information, you can access all the necessary forms needed for the start of the year. There is a tab titled, “Start of Year Info” that provides any instructions you might need in order to access and complete the forms. If you need paper copies of these forms, we will be happy to send them to you, so please let us know if needed.

While the school year is fast approaching, there is some essential information relevant to the beginning of school. Please take the time to read through this letter as it contains many details.

9th Grade Orientation is on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 5:00-7:30pm

Orientation is designed to have students and families:

Meet with Advisors, staff, and teachers and tour building
Understand BFA expectations and the support to reach them.

The first day of school for 9th grade is August 26th.

9th Grade students will be the only students in the building on this day.

Below is a schedule for the first week of school

10th, 11th, and 12th graders arrive on August 27, 2024

Bus Schedules (Click on link to see detailed schedule)

BFA Schedule

The school day is from 8:10am- 2:50pm. Please note Call Back which is described at the bottom of the schedule. If students enter the building before 8:00 am, they are to wait in the cafeteria and enjoy breakfast. Students are to enter through the Connector and may exit at the end of the day through the Connector, Main Office exit, and Principal’s Office exit.

Lunch

The State of Vermont has enabled schools to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students. For Cafeteria information, click the link. Students are expected to follow the cafeteria rules outlined in the MRUSD/BFA Handbook.

Lockers

Lockers will not be assigned but may be requested on an individual basis. Students, or families, may contact Peg Goldsbury in the main office.

Guidance Office

If you need any forms, or need to schedule an appointment, please visit BFA’s Guidance Department page on the website. Counselor assignments are based alphabetically by last name.

Guidance Secretaries Contact:

Stephanie Gagnon BFA - sgagnon@maplerun.org 802-527-6571
Martina Newell - mnewell@maplrun.org 802-527-6570

BFA Cell Phone and Other Personal Electronic Devices (PED) Expectations

Cellphones and other PED’s have become an integral part of communication in our world; however, they lead to significant distractions in the classroom and other educational settings. Watch this short video of “ What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains” to understand why we are limiting interactions with Cell Phones and other PED’s. If you would like more information or resources regarding learning research and Cell Phones, please reach out. Violation of these expectations will result in disciplinary consequences.

Cell Phones/Personal Electronic Devices (cellphones, smartwatches, and bluetooth earphones) Expectations

(MRUSD Student Cell Phone C53P) Grades 9-12

Personal Electronic Devices are only permitted during scheduled passing and lunch times.

Cell phones, and other PED’s’ are off and away in either student’s bags or in the cell phone holders provided in classrooms.

Teachers have the right to ask students to turn in their phones, or place them in a backpack, at the start of the class.

During Advisory, faculty and staff may use their professional discretion as to when cell-phone use is appropriate.

Cell phones are permitted for use in classrooms for instructional purposes only with explicit direction from the teacher.

Air Pods (or any other bluetooth enabled headphones) With teacher permission during independent work time

A failure to comply with the above expectations may result in a disciplinary action.

*Taking pictures, videos and/or sound recordings of other students and/or staff without their consent is prohibited.

**Taking pictures, videos and/or sound recordings of other students and/or staff and posting to social media is an invasion of privacy and will result in loss of personal electronic devices

**Exceptions:**

Exceptions to this policy may be granted for students who require the use of a cell phone due to a medical condition or other extenuating circumstances. In such cases, students must provide documentation and receive written approval from the school administration.

All schools in the Maple Run Unified School District use the same School Year Calendar.

Click the link to see the calendar or visit the BFA Website.

Important Contacts

Main Office

802-527-6555