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Getting ready for the first day of school 2024!

We can’t wait to see all our South Bulldogs at school tomorrow morning! Classrooms are being made comfortable and welcoming, teachers are setting up lessons and seating charts, and summer shipments are being distributed across the building. There is a buzz of excitement and eager anticipation throughout South!


Student schedules will be viewable on Aspen later today for those who are curious. All student schedules will be provided tomorrow morning during an extended homeroom session. Students can see their Guidance Counselor for any schedule issues. 

At this time, students can find their homeroom on ParentSquare. 5th grade homeroom teachers will meet their students in the Cafeteria tomorrow morning after arrival, to lead students to their classroom.


GETTING TO & FROM SCHOOL

Student arrival begins at 7:40 AM and students must be in homeroom by 8:02 AM. 7th & 8th graders report to the large Gym and 5th & 6th graders report to the small Gym daily. TOMORROW ONLY: 5th graders will report to the Cafeteria for arrival. 6th, 7th, and 8th graders will report to the small Gym (Town voting equipment will still be blocking the large Gym, so this is only for tomorrow!)


BUSES

  • Families who registered and paid for bus transportation should have received your child’s bus assignment, bus stop, and time of pick up. Please be aware that some bus assignments and stops may have changed from last year. Questions regarding bus transportation can be emailed here: bps.transportation@braintreeschools.org

DRIVING/CARPOOLING

  • The lower lot is reserved for bus drop off and pick up. Please use the front driveway loop if driving your child to school and pull all the way up to unload. 

  • Stay to the right & unload by the curb. You may pull through to the left slowly when you have unloaded, but please yield to cars on the right & be watchful for students crossing.

  • If you are removing items from the trunk, taking photos, etc. please pull through the lot to find a parking space and walk down. 

  • Please be considerate of our neighbors; do not park in neighboring streets to walk through other entrances to the South campus. 

  • In the afternoon, drivers may choose to park at the old South building and have your child walk across the field to meet you.

WALKERS, BIKE RIDERS, ETC.

  • Students may choose to walk or ride to school and can come in the front or rear entrance. In the afternoon, they may also leave through the rear doors by the gym entrance or the side door by the field.

  • Please stay off neighbors’ property and always use crosswalks when available.

  • Anyone riding a bike (etc.) must wear a helmet to and from school. Bike racks are available to lock up your bike.


FOOD SERVICES

  • All students are entitled to one breakfast and one lunch per day, free of charge. Students will still need to punch in their ID number to “purchase” a free meal, because we need to track usage and ensure nobody receives a meal that they have an allergy/sensitivity to. If a student wants a second lunch/breakfast or any of the snack items, they will need to pay for those. Student accounts may be paid through MySchoolBucks.com. On early dismissal days, lunch will not be served, but Food Services will send out a link for families to preorder a complimentary Grab-N-Go lunch if you would like.

  • Students may not share food, trade, or purchase items for a classmate. This presents an allergen risk, but can also present a risk of bullying or coercion, and thus is forbidden.

  • The monthly menu is available on the District website.


UPCOMING EVENTS & CALENDARS

Attached to this message are some helpful calendars: the District calendar, the Middle School Term Dates for grade reporting, and the Middle School “Day of the Cycle” calendar to tell you what day it is at South. 

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

  • Tuesday, 9/10, 7:00pm - PTO Kickoff meeting

  • Friday, 9/13 - School Picture Day at South

  • Thursday, 9/19, 6:30-8:00pm - Back to School Night (more information to follow)

EARLY DISMISSAL DAYS 2024-2025

Early Dismissal is at 11:45 AM for Middle Schools

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31

THURSDAY, MARCH 27

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21

THURSDAY, APRIL 17

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27

THURSDAY, MAY 29

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19

THURSDAY, JUNE 12

THURSDAY, JANUARY 30

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18 (or last day of school)

Lunch will NOT be served before dismissal, but you may order a Grab-N-Go lunch in advance. Food Services will provide a link for ordering lunch before each Early Release Day.

 

NO SCHOOL DAYS 2024-2025

COLUMBUS DAY/INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY – MONDAY, OCTOBER 14

ELECTION DAY/TEACHER WORKSHOP – TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5

VETERANS DAY – MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11

FALL THANKSGIVING BREAK – NOVEMBER 28 - 29

WINTER HOLIDAY BREAK – DECEMBER 23 - JANUARY 1

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY – MONDAY, JANUARY 20

FEBRUARY WINTER BREAK – FEBRUARY 17 - 21

GOOD FRIDAY – FRIDAY, APRIL 18

APRIL SPRING BREAK – APRIL 21 - 25

MEMORIAL DAY – MONDAY, MAY 26

JUNETEENTH – THURSDAY, JUNE 19


There are two public calendars which you may choose to add to your personal Google calendar, iPhone, etc.

In the event of school cancellation due to inclement weather (or other events), the Day of the Cycle calendar does not change. That day is simply skipped an teachers will make up for lost time the next time your classes meet.

 

RULES WE LIVE BY

In the opening days of school, we will have an assembly to review rules & expectations so all students can have a successful start to the school year. Some important rules to consider for the first days of school:

  • Cell phones - students are not expected to have cell phones. All mobile devices (cell phones, smartwatches, etc.) must be turned off and put away for the day. These may be secured in lockers or left in backpacks, but should not be used during the school day. Classrooms are equipped with phones for emergency use or for calls home when the teacher determines it makes sense to do so.

  • Dress code - see attached middle school dress code

  • Locks & lockers - every student will be assigned a lock and a locker. You are expected to keep your locker locked. Outside locks are not permitted. Lockers are school property and are subject to search at any time for the health and safety of all in our community. Lockers may be decorated on the inside only & only with magnets or decor that is easily removed without marking the locker.

  • Visitors - anyone coming to the school must report to the Main Office and sign in. We have a closed campus during school hours. Anyone who is at South for approved business will be issued a badge at the front door and every member of our community is asked to report to the Main Office immediately if there is an adult in the school or on school grounds without a Visitor badge or a school staff ID.

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