Blythewood Middle School
“Frequently Asked Questions” to Keep You “Charged” & In the Know…
What time does school start and end?
Students should be in their class ready to learn at 7:30. After 7:30, students are marked tardy. Student dismissal begins at 2:25. All car riders must be picked up by 3:00 p.m. Students remaining on campus after the 3:00 pickup time will be sent to our “Charger Pride” aftercare program to ensure adult supervision. Students sent to “Charger Pride” will be charged a daily rate of $15 - the first visit to “Charger Pride” is at no cost.
What is the earliest that students can arrive on campus for morning drop-off?
Supervision begins at 6:50 a.m. Students cannot be dropped off prior to 6:50 a.m. Students arriving at 6:50 should be dropped off in the front of the school and must remain in their vehicle until a staff member is there to receive them. Please do not leave students unattended on the benches in front of the school - this is for your child’s safety.
What is the procedure for morning car rider drop-off?
Students may arrive no earlier than 6:50 a.m., and must remain in their car until a member of the faculty/staff arrives to receive them. Students arriving at 6:50 MUST be dropped off in the front of the school only. The back bus loop area may be utilized after 7:00 am for student drop-off. Drop-off in the back bus loop area ends at 7:20. Parents/guardians dropping students off in the front of the school should pull up as far as possible. Parents/guardians should follow the flow of the traffic and loop around the gym parking lot as traffic patterns dictate so that we can better ensure a smoother flow to the car rider line.
In the front, we ask that students remain in their cars and do not get out until they move up to the electronic marquee. If a parent/guardian is stopped behind the electronic marquee, we ask that parents/guardians please wait until the vehicles that are ahead of them move forward before allowing your child(ren) to exit the vehicle. This allows students to exit the vehicle in an area that is more visible by the faculty members that are on duty. In order to further ensure student safety, we ask that students exit the vehicle on the side closest to the building and away from oncoming traffic. If students will need to unload items from the trunk, or are in need of other supervision, as a result of crutches, etc… parents/guardians are asked to park so as not to hold up the car rider line - the car rider line is intended to be smooth flowing. Please note that the area just in front of the door is a small crosswalk. We ask that parents/guardians please be mindful of the crosswalk to ensure safety. Finally, parents/guardians are asked to continue to follow the blue line/flow of the traffic until you split to exit the campus.
Where do students that arrive before 7:30 a.m. go until it is time for class?
Students that arrive on campus prior to the official start time are supervised by staff beginning at 6:50 a.m. Students remain separated by grade level during this time with 6th grade students reporting to the cafeteria and 7th and 8th grade students reporting to the gym and sitting on opposites sides of the bleachers based on their grade level.
Where is afternoon car-rider pickup?
The 6th grade car rider pickup line is in front of the school. Seventh and eighth grade car rider pickup is in the back of the school. A 6th grade student that has a sibling in 7th or 8th grade or that is carpooling with a student in another grade can elect to be picked up in the back of the school or, the older sibling may choose to report to the front of the school with his/her younger sibling. All other students must adhere to the specified grade level pick up location. Beginning at 2:40 p.m., and based upon the amount of traffic, students in the back will move to the front of the building.
What are the procedures for early dismissal/sign out?
If a parent wishes to check out his/her child from school during the day because of a doctor/dentist appointment or other valid reason, the parent is requested to report to the receptionist area in order to properly sign the child out of school. Parents/legal guardians must present a valid state or federal issued ID - the individual must also be listed as the parent/legal guardian in our PowerSchool system. Parents/legal guardians that desire to have another individual sign their student out in a non-emergency situation must ensure that a written release is provided to the school each time the individual will be picking up the student - the written release may accompany the individual or may be emailed. Please note that school personnel may have to call to verify the release of the students. At all times ALL persons signing students out for early dismissal must have a proper state or federal issued ID upon arrival. Parents/Guardians may write a note to maintain on file giving permission for an individual to pick up their child - this note is void after the school year. Please note that 2:00 is the latest that a student may be signed out for early dismissal.
Can I send medication to school with my student?
District policy JLCD states “the district will provide the authority for an eligible student to self-monitor and self-administer medication as prescribed by the student’s health provider unless there is sufficient evidence that the unsupervised self-monitoring or self-administration would seriously jeopardize the safety of the student or others. The district will grant permission to self-monitor and self-administer medication based on appropriate written authorization, according to the district’s administrative rule from the parent/legal guardian and a written statement from the student’s health care practitioner who prescribed the medication verifying that the student has a medical condition and has been instructed and demonstrates competency in self-monitoring and/or self-administration of medications.” All other medications must be given to the school nurse with appropriate documentation for administration.
What is the dress code at Blythewood MIddle School?
Blythewood Middle School follows the dress code/guidelines of Richland School District Two. Our goal is to create an atmosphere where teaching and learning takes precedent; as such, clothing should not be a distraction to the learning environment. Please see our agenda book and the Richland School District Two parent handbook for more guidelines on dress code. We ask that you help us to continue to create an atmosphere where teaching and learning remains at the forefront and continue to assist the administrative team when calls are made that your child may not be meeting the dress code.
What does my Computing Device (Chromebook) Insurance Plan cover on my student(s) device?
The Computing Device insurance covers any first reported incident. This includes damage or theft. Loss of your device is not covered by your insurance and will require full cost of replacement. Any additional incidents are not covered and costs are based on the schedule labeled within the RUP agreement you signed through InfoSnap.
How are students expected to transport their Chromebooks around school?
Students are expected to carry their device in their District issued cases when coming to school and when moving from class to class in the hallways. Having Chromebooks in their cases will protect the device from damages during transport.
What happens if my child loses his/her charger for their Chromebook?
If your child loses their charger they will need to purchase a new one. The cost for a new charger is $25.00. See more for payment plan and replacement cost at this link.
How do I renew my library books or see if they are almost due?
Students can renew their library books by going to the media center desk with their ID or they can renew them on-line by going through DestinyQuest at this link.
Is there a parent log-in for Google Classroom?
There is not a parent log-in or add on yet for Google Classroom but the hope is by early Fall this feature will be added to Google Classroom so parents can get notifications. In the meantime, parents are advised to have their student(s) log-in so they can view work and information in Google Classroom. As a parent/guardian, please note that you can ask your child for your his/her passcode.
Advisory is a daily twenty minute class when teachers meet with a group of students for the purpose of advising them on topics such as academics, social issues, organization, character education, and/or planning for the future.
What is the cost of a school ID and when/where do students go to get a replacement?
Students are issued an ID in August, free of charge. The cost for a replacement ID is $5(ID only) $6(ID and new lanyard). Students may purchase a new ID in the Media Center from 7am-7:25am daily.
Do I have to buy a lock for my child’s locker?
No all locks for lockers are supplied by the school. Students may not bring locks from home due to the school’s need to be able to maintain the safety and security of the school at all times. If a student should lose his/her school issued lock, a replacement lock is $6.
How can I stay informed about what is going on at BMS?
Instead of a newsletter, Blythewood Middle School has a blog. When you sign up for the blog, any new information that is posted to the blog, comes right to your email inbox that evening - you must subscribe to the blog for this feature. The blog also has links for bus routes, forms, a school calendar, and lots more. Check us out at http://chargingintothefuture.blogspot.com/. Remember to subscribe if you would like to have the email notification.
Our PTO also has a Facebook Page: Blythewood Middle School PTO
