Free Summer Meal Program
for All Children
The Buchanan Community Schools announce the sponsorship of the Summer Food Service Program for Children.  Free meals will be made available to children 18 years of age and under, or persons up to age 26 who are enrolled in an educational program for the mentally or physically disabled that is recognized by a State or local public educational agency.  The meals will be provided without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability.  Meals will be provided at the sites listed below:

June 21 – July 29 Buchanan Middle School gym
Lunch 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (Monday – Thursday)

August 2 – 6 Buchanan Middle School gym
Breakfast 8:30 a.m. -9:30 a.m. (Monday – Friday)
Lunch 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (Monday – Friday)

July 5 – August 12 Moccasin School gym
Breakfast 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. (Monday – Thursday)
Lunch 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (Monday – Thursday)

July 13 –August 20 Buchanan High School Cafeteria
Lunch 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (Monday – Friday)

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.  To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 or (202) 720-6382 (TTY).  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

If you need further information, please contact Suzette Hendershott at 269-695-8415 (email:  shenders@remc11.k12.mi.us).

Buchanan Community Schools
Summer Programs

July 5 - August 12, 2010

Buchanan Community Schools will be offering summer school classes free for students this year. Classes will be offered in language arts and math for students currently in grades 1 through 5.  Both academic areas will be covered in one session daily. 

One of the aims of the Buchanan Summer programs is to help children maintain the gains made during the previous school year and/or provide drill and practice of skills not yet mastered.

Maintenance classes:      

• Each maintenance class is 1 ½ hours combining both Language Arts and Mathematics instruction, 4 days a week for 6 weeks.
• Classes will be held at Moccasin Elementary School. 
• Taught by two certified teachers.
• Classes begin on July 5th and end on August 12th.
• FREE of charge

Transportation is not provided. You are responsible for getting your child to Moccasin Elementary School. The teacher will contact each student prior to the start of classes with information regarding the location of the classroom at Moccasin.

Registration forms are available in the office.

Bus Information
Please watch for the Buchanan Community School’s newsletter (News & Views) that will be mailed to your home in August.  In it will be approximate bus times for your address.  Parents of Preschoolers and Kindergarteners:  For your child’s safety, an adult or other designated person must be present and visible at the bus drop off point in order for your child to be dropped off.   For more bus transportation concerns, please contact the Transportation office at 695-8402.

Preschool/Kindergarten Sign-Up

There is still time to sign-up your child for Preschool, and Kindergarten.   For preschool sign-up (child must be 4 years old on or before Dec. 1, 2010), please call Moccasin School at 695-8408.  The office staff will be at Moccasin School periodically during summer so please leave your name and phone number and someone will return your call. 

For Kindergarten sign-up, please contact Stark School at 695-8407.  Children who are 5 years old on or before December 1, 2010 are eligible.

Parents of current preschoolers or Young-5 students DO NOT need to sign-up as your child is already registered at school.

INSTANT ALERT
We hope that everyone has been receiving occasional Instant Alert messages from the school via their home phone, cell phone, e-mail, pager or PDA.  Instant Alert for Schools is an essential tool to notify parents of a school emergency, if school closes early due to inclement weather, and if school functions have been cancelled.  If you have changed your numbers or e-mail address, it is your responsibility to change your profile in the Instant Alert site.  You may access the site at https://instantalert.honeywell.com.  If you do not have internet access available to you, please contact the school office (695-8408) and a time will be set up for you to use the computers in our school library.

FREE Public Hearing and Vision Clinic If you have a preschooler or kindergartener that you are enrolling into the school system for September, this is a great time to get their hearing and vision screened.  Appointments are not necessary.  Any questions, call 269.926.7121, ext. 5292.  The following clinics will be offered 8:30-11:30/1:30-3:30 pm:

Niles Health Dept.
– Thursday, July 29

Niles Health Dept.
– Thursday, August 26

Benton Harbor Health Dept.
– Wed., Sept. 1

STUDENT SCHOOL DAY

8:10 a.m......
Stark Elementary Breakfast Students Enter
8:30 a.m......
1st Bell Rings –  Students Enter
11:50 a.m. ..
Dismissal of
Preschool/Young-5/Kindergarten
12:20 p.m....
Preschool/Kindergarten Classes Begin
3:35 p.m...... Dismissal

School Office Hours:
Monday - Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

From the Principal’s Desk..
Where did the year go? It has been a fun and exciting year. The Stark Stars did a great job of learning new skills, becoming good citizens, and great leaders. I am proud of all of our students’ accomplishments this year.  I want to thank all of our parents for their support and their involvement in the activities that took place at Stark.  You are an essential part of the educational team at Stark Elementary School.

The year concludes with the sad news of the retirement of Kathy Paturalski. Kathy has been an outstanding teacher in Buchanan for thirty three and a half years. She will be missed immensely by the staff and students.  We wish her the best of luck in retirement!

I wish the best to all of our 5th graders who are leaving us for the Middle School.  Continue to work hard, make good choices and reach for the stars! You all will be missed here at Stark.

Your child has their end of the year report card. Be sure to look it over with your child so you can celebrate their success and to plan new goals for the next school year.

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe summer.  Don’t forget to take a few minutes to work on your summer folder work so you can come back in the fall and enjoy an ice cream sundae on me!  For extra help check out the Study Island web site at www.studyisland.com.

Happy summer vacation!
Mrs. Hurlbutt

KIDKARE

Kidkare is now accepting pre-registrations for the 2010-2011 school year.  Registration forms are available in each elementary office.

Kidkare is location at Moccasin school and shuttle bus transportation is provided for Stark and Ottawa students.

For more information call 695-8437.

KidKare is a before and after school licensed, non-profit fee-based program available to school age children in grades K-5.  The program focuses on recreational and enrichment activities.  KidKare is located at Moccasin School.  Shuttle service is available for students from Ottawa and Stark.  For registration information or forms, please call 695-8437