Parents, please remember to check your child’s attendance on PowerSchool weekly, or after you have sent in a note. We have a very small window of time for making corrections, and we want your child’s attendance record to be 100% accurate. Sometimes notes don’t make it to the Attendance Office for one reason or another.
Emails (to vmoser@bartlettschools.org, jtaylor2@bartlettschools.org, or jmcdonald@bartlettschools.org) are always a good way to send a note or follow-up on a written note. Weekly checks will hopefully prevent situations at the end of the grading period, the semester, or the year, where we have inaccurate information and lack the ability to make changes.
Students, you can also monitor your attendance on PowerSchool and let us know about errors. This is good practice for second semester when you want to remain eligible for exam exemptions at the end of the year.

Second Semester Exam Exemption Policy: Freshman may be exempt from 2nd semester exams if they meet all three of the following requirements:
- Students must have a 87 semester average for each class in which
they want to be exempt;
- Students must have three or fewer absences for the semester for
each class in which they want to be exempt;
- and all absences must be excused absences.
Exam exemption is determined on a class by class basis, and check-ins and check-outs can affect some classes with out affecting others.
There are No Exceptions to this policy.

Parents, if you have visited the Academy recently, you may have noticed more questions when you ring the doorbell to come in, even if we know you well and see you all the time. Please know that these questions are designed to provide greater security for access to our building. We are not trying to be less friendly, but we want visitors to know that we take the safety of our students, teachers, and staff members very seriously. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.

In addition to the established tutoring schedule (see below), some additional sessions are being added:
Mr. Simpson will tutor Algebra Tues & Thurs from 2:15- 3:15;
Ms. Wooten will tutor Algebra Mon & Wed from 2:15 – 3:15.

Parents,

There have been a number of concerns lately about the length of the Car Rider line. While I can’t tell people when to drop off students in the morning, I can tell you that students can get into the building at 6:05am. The Car Rider line tends to get backed up between 6:30am and 7am. If you want to drop off between 6:05am and 6:30am, you may find that the line is either non-existent or moves more quickly. Students should come directly to the cafeteria where they can work on homework or talk to friends. The breakfast line usually opens about 6:40am. Students are tardy if they arrive to 1st Period after 7am.

Parents and students, all car riders must be picked up and dropped off in the back of the school. The south parking lot near the front of the school by the park is for teacher parking only, not for student drop off and pick-up.

Parents, during this Holiday Season, things can get pretty hectic at times. It is important to take time to slow down, especially in the traditional Holiday traffic. I always like to take this opportunity to remind people about Car Rider Safety, particularly during drop-off and pick-up. Our students’ safety (and yours) is our foremost concern every day. Lines can get longer and move slower than usual.

I remember when I used to drop off my child at middle school in the mornings, and we would be in line behind another car, slowly moving up to the drop-off point. There didn’t appear to be much conversation going on in the car in front of me…until we got to the drop-off point. Then there would be a conversation for a few minutes before the child got out of the car. I made it a point to use our time in the car rider line to talk about things that were important - lunch money, homework, after-school plans, etc. That way, when we got to the drop-off point, she was ready to go.

As frustrating as a slow line can be, it is important to remember basic safety rules. First, never pass another car (or cars) because they are too slow; you don’t know when a child may suddenly exit the car, not expecting anyone to be coming by. Second, always have students exit the car on the passenger side; chances of encountering traffic are far more likely on the driver side. Third, drop your child off at a designated spot; these spots are likely designated as drop-off spots because they are safe. Finally, alway encourage (and remind) your child to look for and be aware of other vehicles when they exit your car.

Pick-up time tends to be less hectic, but it can be frustrating at times. The same general rules apply. Never pass another car (or cars) because they are too slow; you don’t know when a child may suddenly run out to another car, not expecting anyone to be coming by. Always have students enter the car on the passenger side; chances of encountering traffic are far more likely on the driver side. Pick up your child at the designated spot; these spots are likely designated as pick-up spots because they are safe. Finally, alway encourage (and remind) your child to look for and be aware of other vehicles when they approach your car.

I hope everyone has a happy and safe Holiday Season. We care about you and your child, and want the best for you. Thank you for your attention to safety and for your patience. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at 373-2654, or <jmcdonald@bartlettschools.org>

Congratulations to Tara Smith and Linda Crossett. Tara Smith was recognized as the Academy's Teacher of the Year for 2017-2018. Linda Crossett was recognized as a Technology Teacher of the Year for 2017-2018. Thanks to BCS and the Department of Teaching and Learning for organizing the banquet. It was wonderful, as usual.

Last Friday, the choirs traveled to Colonial Middle School to compete at choral festival. The General Choir received an Excellent rating in Performance and a superior rating in Sight-Reading. The Female Honors Choir received a Superior rating in both Performance and Sight-Reading, and the Honors Mixed Choir also received a Superior rating in both Performance and Sight-Reading.

The National Awards list combines writing and visual art, so I had to look carefully. Here is a link: (we are on page 176)
https://www.artandwriting.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/2018-National-Medals.pdf

Here is a link to what he does next – not sure if it will load on your screen
https://www.artandwriting.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Notifications_Part_1_2018_N_NextSteps.pdf?636566107759929362

I suspect Nickolaus will start receiving lots of mail and even offers from art colleges!

Congrats to our students who won Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for their entries: Andrew C, Appling; Katherine D, Maria G, & Nicklaus K from our Bartlett Ninth Grade Academy. These students were recognized at our Bartlett City Board of Education meeting last night. #BCSFineArts

Each year, The University of Memphis’ Art Education department has a unique art exhibit featuring the work of Art Educators and their students. Teachers submit one of their own artworks, and an artwork of a male student and a female student, that represent the concept of “Reflections”.

I chose Claire’s self -portrait to represent us in the exhibit, and she won BEST IN SHOW out of 18 schools represented!!! I plan to share this news today in class.

There is a reception and ceremony to honor Claire and all students who participated. The reception is this Tuesday afternoon at 4 pm at the University of Memphis’ Fogleman Gallery. Your family and friends are all invited to attend.

The Gallery is located inside the Art and Communications building, which faces Central Avenue. You can park in the student lot across the street, or in the garage (for $3 an hour), which is located on Innovation St., right off Central.