Summer Knight News






BSS Announces a New Communication Tool-OptionC
BSS has a new communication system, OptionC.  OptionC replaces JupiterGrades, School Reach Call Alert System, and Plan Book (our faculty lesson plan software) so that all of our tools are now in ONE system!   Next week each family member should receive a detailed letter via mail with a user name and password.  Families with parents or guardians living at separate residences will receive log in information as will each parent or guardian residing in the same household.


After receiving your letter, we ask that you log in, update your password and check the phone number and email that is selected as the primary means of communication.  We have cross checked for each family that has submitted an Emergency Form but if your family has not submitted a form, the information in the system is what rolled over from last year.  


THURSDAY, AUGUST 11th a TEST email will go out from the OptionC system.  This will go to the ONE primary email that we currently have on file.  


The sender is OptionC Parent Alerts and the subject line will contain the word Test.  


Many of our internal test messages have landed in Spam/Junk folders so if you have not seen an email by the end of business day on the 11th please check your Spam/Junk folder.
 
Please submit those Emergency Forms!


Our faculty and staff are excited about our new communication tool!  We ask that you remember that we are also learning this system so please have patience as this is new to ALL of us!  We expect a few snafus along the way but we know this is a much better way to communicate in the long run!


Technology Update
Thanks to generous donations at our auction our One to One for Everyone is taking steps forward! We are excited to announce we were able to purchase Chrome Books for the 7th and 8th grade students. Seventh and Eighth graders no longer need to bring their own devices to school. Everyone in Middle School will be under the umbrella of Blessed Sacrament School. Thank you for making this possible!








Fall Athletics Information
It is time to prepare for our fall sports.  Please sign up if your child is interested in fall soccer (5th-8th), volleyball (5th-8th), tennis (5th-8th), cross country (4th-8th with stipulations), or running club (K-8th).  We know that many of you have signed up via the One Form but please add your names to the sign up genius as well since we are still processing One Forms.


Soccer (5th-8th grade): Practice on Monday & Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the BSS field
Practice begins Wednesday, August 24
Coaches: Elon students Emma Boniche & Grace Robertson


Volleyball (5th-8th grade): Practice on Tuesday (Varsity from 3:15-4:45 p.m. and JV from 4:30-5:30 p.m.) at The Burlington School Davis Street campus
Practice on Thursday (JV from 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. and Varsity from 4:15-5:30 p.m.) at Burlington Sporting Goods
Practice begins Tuesday, August 23
Special summer practice Monday, August 15 from 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. at The Burlington School Davis Street Campus
Please arrive at 8:50 for Warm Up and Stretches
Please have a water bottle, knee pads and a snack!
Coaches: Jennifer Lee and Rodney Amick  


Tennis (5th-8th grade): Practice on Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Burlington Tennis Center.  Matches are on Friday afternoons at 4:00 p.m. at BTC, Alamance Country Club, and Olde Forest Racquet Club.
Coaches: Tim Hackman and Chad Brasington 


Cross Country (4th-8th grade and must be able to run a mile without stopping and have the maturity to run on the sidewalks/streets): 
Team will run on Mondays immediately following dismissal and pick up is 4:30 p.m. on the back. field.
Coaches: Jennifer Klein, Keith Rugh, and Tara Hackman


Running Club (K-8th grade) At this time, we do not have coaches for our Running Club. In order to have our fall running club we must have two committed coaches along with weekly parent or grandparent volunteers.  Contact me at ceggleston@bssknights.org for more details!  We would like for Running Club to train on Mondays to coincide with Cross Country.


Thank you!
Coach Eggleston


Swap Shop
The Swap Shop is now located in the second floor conference room (former room of Mrs. Schmitt. Mrs. Schmitt has relocated to the other end of the hall). The Swap Shop will be open on the following days and times:


August 19th, 22nd, and 23rd from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Week of October 31st-November 4th daily from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Week of March 27th-31st daily from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.


Summer Drop Off June 5th-15th during summer office hours


Summer Help
Thank you to all of the families that helped at the August 3rd Volunteer Night.  Your service to our school is GREATLY appreciated!!




Summer Basketball Shirts due to BSS
Thank you to the families who have returned their shirts to BSS.  If you have not yet done so, please drop off your shirt to Mrs. Hackman's attention and she will get it to the Athletic Department.
 



Recruitment Opportunity at the Burlington Carousel Festival
Blessed Sacrament School is participating in the 2016 Carousel Festival and we need YOUR help! We are asking faculty, students, parents, grandparents, and friends of the school to consider taking a one hour shift at our table during the weekend of the Carousel Festival September 17th and 18th.


Shifts are available between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.  We need everyone's help to make this event a success!


Please sign up HERE to help!




Don't Miss the All School Picture!
Friday, August 26th is our annual All School Photo.  This year York Photography will take our picture and have them available to purchase.  ALL students in K-8th will wear the summer uniform that day and we request that Little Knights Preschool and PreK students wear white.


NOTE: If you have requested on the Emergency Form that your child not appear in photos on social media please note they will be kept out of the all school photo.  This picture is used frequently in social media posts.  If you'd like to change your permissions for this particular photo please contact Tara Hackman at thackman@bssknights.org to update your Emergency Form.  Or, if you have not yet submitted your form please make that notation on the form that you approve of the "all school photo" for social media use for your child.




Welcome Back to School Mass at Blessed Sacrament Church
ALL students and families are invited to attend a Back to School Mass at Blessed Sacrament Church on Sunday, September 11th at 10:30am.  Fr. Paul has requested that all families that attend Blessed Sacrament Church come to the 10:30 Mass that weekend.  Students from all faith backgrounds are invited and asked to attend as well so that we can celebrate as a school family.  Students will walk in together in their school uniform.


Students who attend will receive a dress down day the following day (Monday, September 12)






Physical/ Immunizations Requirements for rising Kindergarten, 6th, or 7th Graders
If you have a rising Kindergarten, 6th or 7th grader, please review the physical/immunizations requirements for the 2016-2017 school year.


Kindergarten
- A physical is required. The NC Kindergarten Assessment Form will be mailed the week of June 13.
-Polio Vaccine the booster (4th dose) is required on or after the 4th birthday and before entering school for the first time.
-Varicella Vaccine-2 doses administered at least 28 days apart
   a) Second dose before entering school for the first time


6th or 7th Grade
-Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) -Tdap
  a) Booster dose of Tdap for individuals who have not previously received it and are entering 7th grade
      or by 12 years of age whichever comes first.
-  Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV)
   a) One dose for individuals who are entering 7th grade or by 12 years of age whichever comes first.
 
Please remember that students that do not meet the NC requirements shall have 30 days from the start of school-August 24 to meet the requirements. Any students that do not have the physical/vaccines will not be able to return to school after September 24, 2017, until the requirements have been met. If you have any questions please consult your physician. 


   Summer Class Gatherings!
Thank you to the Weske family (rising 2nd), Monahan family (Rising Preschool), the Andress family (rising 3rd), the Segura/Arce family (rising PreK), the Dappen and Sioussat families (rising 7th), and the Fitzgerald family (rising K) for our recent pool parties, play dates, and movie nights!!
Summer Reminders!


Summer Office Hours
Summer office hours end August 16th.  During this time the school office is open from 9:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.  The office will be closed Thursday, August 18th while our faculty attend a retreat.
 
Is your paperwork past due?
Please remember that students may not stay for the first day of school without an Emergency Form on file! It is critical that we receive these forms prior to the start of school as it takes a great deal of time to cross check every family's contact information with what we have on file.


Having the papers on file also allows us to know and prepare our faculty and staff prior to the first day of school to know who requires medication, who does and does not have parent permission to be on the internet, and photo parameters for each student.


We appreciate your attention to our due dates!


2016-17 Internet Use Policy (Preschool-8th Grade)




Save the Date
Thursday August 11: New Family Orientation
6:00pm Little Knights Preschool & PreKindergarten
6:40pm Elementary
7:20pm Middle School


Thursday, August 18:  Building Closed-Faculty & Staff Retreat


Friday, August 19: Back to School Pool Party, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Olde Forest Racquet Club
(200 Pinedale Drive, Elon)


Monday, August 22: Little Knights Back to School Play Date/Unpack and Peek, 
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Unpack, Peek, and Connect for students in grades K-8th from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
HSA Volunteer Fair, from 5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. in the Multi Purpose Room
Fall Sports Meeting for 5th-8th Grade Parents, 6:30 p.m. in the Multi Purpose Room


What is UnPack and Peek?
Unpack and Peek is a time when our students unpack their school supplies and peek into their classrooms!  It is meant to be a brief visit to say hello to teachers and friends.  A longer Back to School Night is held in September where a "State of the School" message is presented followed by time in the classroom for parents when teachers will speak and answer questions.


Little Knights Preschool and PreK students may stop by anytime with a care giver between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. to unpack, peek, and spend time playing on the playground.  If you are unable to attend the morning session you may drop by that evening or bring supplies on the first day of school.  Little Knights parents are also invited to come back between 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. if you are interested in attending our Volunteer Fair and learning more about HSA (Home School Association which is the Catholic School version of PTA!)


K-8th grade students should plan to stop by between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to Unpack and Peek.  Parents of students in 5th-8th grades are encouraged to attend the fall sports meeting if your child is participating in a fall sports.  The meeting will take place in the Multi Purpose Room at 6:30.


Please also stop by the HSA (Home School Association which is the Catholic School version of PTA!) Volunteer Fair between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to see what committees are under the HSA umbrella and the various volunteer opportunities available to parents.




Wednesday, August 24: First Day of School
HSA Back to School Parent Breakfast, 7:45 a.m.-8:30 a.m.
  

2016-2017 Information
2016-17 School Calendar -Updated 6.21.16
MyHotLunchBox school lunch program
2016-17 Uniform Guidelines--NEW UPDATES for 2016-17!
 
How to order uniforms from Land's End


 
Uniform Updates for the 2016-17 School Year
You asked and we answered!  After countless parent requests to make Land's End our vendor for the PE Uniform, we are excited to announce that our PE uniform shirt is now only available through Land's End.  We will now have a shirt that stays looking new, longer.  PE shorts are also available in the LE store.  PE shorts must be plain navy athletic shorts.


The Blessed Sacrament sweatshirt and hoodie is no longer an option in the school uniform.  For the 2016-17 school year ONLY the 8th grade class may wear the BSS sweatshirt or hoodie.


The Land's End PE shirt does qualify for free logo promotions.


ONLY middle school students may wear their previous year's Field Day shirt on one of their PE days with the gold shirt worn on the other PE day. Elementary students always wear their gold PE shirt.


PE Uniform-Note
All students, (except 8th grade) should have the new PE shirt for the 2016-2017 school year.






Middle School Chorus students will need black pants and a white button down (boys) or a black skirt and white blouse (girls).  Students will need this outfit throughout the fall and spring for performances and competitions.




 


Blessed Sacrament School | 515 Hillcrest Avenue | Burlington | NC | 27215