Bauxite Public Schools

Parents, all immunizations or exemptions must be up to date no later than Nov. 1. Students will be unable to attend school and will accrue unexcused absences after Nov. 1 if immunizations or exemptions are not up to date. Beginning next year, students whose immunizations or exemptions are not current will be excluded from school on Oct. 1.

Although the school year has gotten off to a smooth start, Bauxite Schools would like parents and families to know the district is continually striving to improve security at all campuses. The district is increasing the number of armed Commissioned School Security Officers (CSSOs). The CSSO program has been in place since 2018, and this year several additional staff members are joining the program. The district’s School Resource Officer (SRO) Bobby Shell has also been speaking to classes at multiple grade levels to discuss what to do in case of an emergency. Parents and students have been very appreciative of the way he shares his message with each grade level in a non-frightening way. Officer Shell has also ensured lockdown drills are being conducted at all campuses. In addition, efforts are also being made to prevent students from propping open outside doors, and the school board recently approved the purchase of guest access panels to help school staff screen outside visitors before they enter the building. The district is also proud of the See Something, Say Something program, which allows students to anonymously text threats or concerns to staff after hours (text 423-780-1180). All of these efforts, along with other safety measures, are designed to make Bauxite Schools as safe as possible. The safety of our staff and students will continue to remain a top priority of the Bauxite School District. If you have suggestions or concerns about school safety, feel free to email our SRO Bobby Shell at shellb@bauxiteminers.org.

Parent Teacher Conferences will be Oct. 25 for grades 6-12 and Oct. 27 for grades K-5. Both days are early release for all grade levels at 1:30 p.m. There is no school on Oct. 28.

The federal USDA waiver that allowed school districts to provide meals at no cost to all students has expired. We understand this change may cause a financial impact for many of our families. We encourage everyone to fill out a Free & Reduced Application. The application is available online this year. http://bauxiteminers.org/mealapp

If your student was absent from school due to Covid isolation/quarantine during the 2021-2022 school year and qualified for free/reduced lunch, you are eligible for a $7.10 per day meal benefit by completing the following link: https://bauxiteminers.org/pebt. This benefit only applies to the dates the student was absent due to COVID. The deadline to complete the form is Friday, July 29, 2022. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Kristy Ammons at 501-557-2238.

Please click the link to read a letter from our child nutrition director regarding potential student meal price increases for the 22-23 SY. https://docs.google.com/document/d/13iGcGyQDtpxmn_psPQ7z1dv80JzZtDYZ/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=109565583504245202361&rtpof=true&sd=true

Parents, while we believe onsite learning is best, we recognize the need for some students to learn remotely. if you would like to apply for virtual learning for the 22-23 school year for your student, please fill out the following form. A student accepted into virtual learning will not be allowed to transfer to onsite learning until January 2023. Applying for virtual learning does not guarantee acceptance. Grades and success with virtual learning in the past will be considered. The deadline for applying is May 1. Notification of the district's decision will occur before the end of the current school year. https://forms.gle/key5SuGkRXf5wAGd8

Parents of 9th and 10th graders, we are ACT Aspire testing tomorrow and Wednesday mornings. Please make sure your students are well rested and have a charged Chromebook both mornings. Also, please encourage them to do their best on the test! Breakfast is free for all students.

Click the link to view the 2022-2023 Bauxite Schools Calendar https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13n1oOBdp1eHQvFZLS-cYhoJgCavhvNzG/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=109565583504245202361&rtpof=true&sd=true

Sign up for free after school ACT Aspire tutoring for grades 3-10 at the link below. We will have 6 sessions from 3:30 until 4:30 on April 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, & 27. Snacks and transportation provided! https://forms.gle/2i9rbkVWWwj5eY3Z9

Bauxite parents, Just a reminder that Thursday, March 17, is an early dismissal day (1:30 p.m.) for students currently in grades Pre-K through 8. For those grades, beginning at 2 p.m. and continuing until 7 p.m., we will have face-to-face Parent-Teacher Conferences. We invite you to make arrangements with teachers for a phone conference if you are unable to attend. For students currently in grades 9-11, we will have CAP conferences on March 17 from 7:30 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Students must attend their CAP conference in order to be counted present for the day. Seniors will be excused that day. For all students and staff, we will be closed Friday, March 18. We would also like to let the parents of current students grades 3-10 know that we will be offering two days a week (Mondays and Wednesdays) of ACT Aspire Academy after school in April (six sessions). This free ACT Aspire Academy will help students prepare for the ACT Aspire test, which will be given in late April/early May depending on grade level. Snacks and transportation will be provided. We will be sending a sign-up link for this out soon, and we invite you to take advantage of this free opportunity for test preparation for your student!

Parents of juniors, All juniors will be taking the free ACT tomorrow at school. Scores are reportable to colleges. Please ensure they get a good night's rest. We will have a free breakfast and snack for them at school. Encourage them to do their best!

The lockdown has lifted. Everyone should be going to class now.

Bauxite Schools is in lockdown. There is an active shooter in Shannon Hills and local law enforcement agencies have asked us to be on lockdown as a precaution. We will send out more information as soon as it becomes available.

As of now, Bauxite Schools will be open Friday, Feb. 25. Our transportation department will drive bus routes at 4 a.m. tomorrow, and if the routes are not clear, we will make a decision about a delayed start or an AMI Day. Parents, we know a decision the night before is optimal for childcare arrangements, but that is not always possible. Be prepared for all possibilities. If we are delayed or using an AMI day, you'll receive a text as soon as that decision is made. Otherwise, we will see you in the morning! Stay warm and safe, Miners!

Due to inclement weather, Bauxite Schools will be closed Thursday, February 24. This will be AMI Day 3.

Miner families: Due to deteriorating road conditions, we will be dismissing at 12:30. Buses will be running at that time.

Miners: With the threat of inclement weather, we are monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of our students and staff. At this time, conditions within the district do not appear they will cause our schools to dismiss early today. However, please be aware that if circumstances change, early dismissal remains an option. In that event, we will notify families as soon as possible.

Miners: Just a reminder that Bauxite Schools is closed Monday, February 21 in observation of Presidents’ Day.

Bauxite Families, Due to continued wintry weather and poor road conditions, Bauxite Schools will have AMI Day 2 Friday, Feb. 4. Stay safe out there, Miners!