2021/2022 Academy Handbook
I. Academic Procedures
1. Canvas is the school district’s grade program.
Canvas is also the primary communication link between faculty and students and parents.
We recommend that every parent and student check Canvas a minimum of twice a week.
2. The Academy will maintain a website for Academy data, information and photos.
www.buchananbioengineering.com
Twitter
Instagram.
3. BASS (Buchanan Academy Support and Success)
a) BASS is designed to provide motivation for students to complete assignments on time and for additional tutoring/support.
b) If a student’s grade drops below a “C” they may be given mandatory Bass.
c) If a child cannot attend BASS alternative help will be found.
3. BASS (Buchanan Academy Support and Success)
d) BASS Time: 8:30 am – 9:15 am
* No BASS on Tuesday
e) Students are not to be dropped off before this time.
* Unless a walker/bus rider – Parent/Guardian MUST walk the student to the classroom they are attending.
f) Students who violate the above listed conditions, can have BASS privileges revoked.
4. Late work policy:
a. Students are expected to complete all assignments on time.
b. Students are responsible for obtaining any assignments that they were absent for within three (3) days of their return to school.
c. Failure to communicate will result in the following:
1. Student work will be viewed as late one day after the due date.
2. Late student work will be assessed a 10% penalty, per day
5. Binders/Notebooks:
a. Will be used in accordance with school policy.
b. Will be organized with each teacher within the first two weeks of school.
c. Will be checked individually by teacher.
6. Research Format:
a. All Academy students will utilize APA or MLA format for all research
citations.
b. Students may not use Wikipedia for research projects.
7. Handwriting:
a. All Academy students must submit legible assignments. If assignment is deemed illegible, the student will be given one day to resubmit the assignment in legible form for full credit.
b. If the assignment is not resubmitted the next day, the late work policy will go into effect.
II. Academic Requirements
1. Grading Scale - Standard in Hillsborough County:
a. Academic – A = (90% - 100%) B = (80% - 89%) C = (70% - 79%) D = (60% - 69%) F = (0% - 59%)
b. Conduct – A = (0 – 3 Conduct Cuts) B= (4 – 6 Conduct Cuts) C= (7 – 9 Conduct Cuts) D= (10 – 12 Conduct Cuts) F= (13 + Conduct Cuts)
2. Canvas Accounts:
a. All students are required to have an active Canvas account
Parents are strongly encouraged to have a “Parent Account” to monitor student progress, daily assignments, grades and communication.
b. Assignments and Submissions
All assignments will be made available to students daily and students will use Canvas based on teacher expectations.
3. Students must maintain an overall “C” average per semester in each class. Once a student’s grade falls below 70% in any Academy class, the following interventions will begin (in no particular order) :
a. Student conference
b. BASS (Buchanan Academy Support & Success)
c. Parent contact
d. Peer tutor/mentoring
e. Notify Guidance and/or Assistant Principal
f. Scholarship warning – will be given out on Weeks #3, 6 and 8 of each grading period.
g. Parent/team conference
h. Program probation
i. Administrative/team/parent conference
j. Dismissal from Academy
4. Exit Policy:
a. Should a student remain below a “C” average for a second consecutive semester, the student may be exited from the Academy.
b. Should an eighth-grade student not pass the mid-term exam in one of the three high school level classes (Introduction to Physical Science- IPS, Algebra I Honors or Engineering Technology I), the District requires that the failing grade remain on the student’s high school transcript.
III. Behavioral Interventions
1. Most Academy discipline will be handled by the team:
a. Time out will be utilized as needed to preserve academic momentum.
2. Conduct cuts:
a. One conduct cut will be given per infraction, except as noted in section VII below.
b. Will be calculated per class.
3. Tardies – students must be in their seat when the tardy bell rings. Conduct cuts will be issued for each unexcused tardy:
a. First and second are verbal warnings.
b. Third is a parent contact. This contact could be a phone call, e-mail or Canvas message.
c. Fourth is a Guidance referral.
d. Fifth unexcused tardy and all tardies afterward are referrals to the Student Affairs Office.
4. Hall Passes – will be administered on these conditions:
a. Not during the first and last ten minutes of class.
b. Until the last test is turned in.
c. Good for only five minutes.
d. Not given during direct teacher instruction.
e. Students are required to have their planner in order to obtain a Hall Pass
5. Food, Drinks, Gum – PROHIBITED
a. If caught, a conduct cut will be issued, and object will be confiscated and/or thrown out.
6. Field Trip behavior:
a. Bioengineering Academy polo shirt is required attire on all field trips.
b. When on a field trip, Academy students are representing Buchanan Middle School and the Academy. Therefore, exemplary behavior is required.
c. Interventions for students that misbehave on a field trip are:
1. Student conference.
2. Removal from activity.
3. Assign student to a faculty chaperone.
4. Conduct cut(s) upon return to school.
5. Major misbehavior could result in Student Affairs referral upon return to campus.
d. Students that misbehave while on academic field trips may be ineligible to attend future field trips for the remainder of the academic school year.
e. Students with less than a “C” in conduct may also be ineligible to attend field trips.
7. Cell phones:
a. Buchanan Middle School is a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) campus. Occasionally, cell phones or tablets will be used in an academic environment or activity.
b. District policy states: during the school day, cell phones must be turned off and out of sight. Therefore, students whose cell phone is turned on and in use will face confiscation of the cell phone and will be given conduct cut(s).
c. Texting is a separate behavioral issue, and therefore, two conduct cuts will be issued.
d. If the phone is on and in use during a test, it will be assumed that the student is cheating. The test and the phone will be confiscated, and consequences will be determined.
e. Cell phones will always be sent to the Student Affairs Office.
f. Cell phones are disruptive during instruction. While on campus, the district prefers that all communication be routed through the school site. THEREFORE, parents, please, refrain from calling and texting your child during the school day.
8. Dress Code:
a. Academy will follow school uniform policy.
b. Academy polo shirts are required for all Academy field trips.
1. The main purpose is for student safety and to aid the teachers/ chaperones to keep track of the students.
2. It also gives a professional look when out in public.
3. The cost of the shirt is approximately $20 and orders will be placed in August.
9. Academic Integrity:
a. All students are required to submit original course work to ensure academic integrity.
b. Plagiarism or copying from peers will result in a zero and/or a reduced score.
IV. Common Practices and Procedures
1. Entering the Classroom:
a. Students will enter classroom quietly.
b. Get necessary class materials from backpack.
c. Place backpack in assigned area.
d. Sharpen pencils, if needed.
e. Sit in assigned seat.
f. Begin assignment.
2. Heading for papers:
a. Must include in the upper right hand corner: first and last name, date, subject/ period, assignment name.
b. If not submitted correctly, assignment will not be graded and will be returned to student with “Re-submit”. Student has one day to correct heading and turn in the assignment. If the assignment is late, the late work policy will take effect.
3. Students who finish their assignment prior to the end of class can do one of these options:
a. Read
b. Work on homework
c. Work on assignments missing/due for other classes
d. Pass out papers for teacher
e. Ask to help teacher
4. Emergency Procedures:
a. Student closest to the exit door will lead the class out, in single file, per teacher’s instructions.
b. Move quickly and quietly.
c. Go to designated area.
d. Stay with teacher at all times. Roll will be taken at the designated area and anyone absent will receive disciplinary action.
5. Lunch Procedures:
a. Line up outside the door, silently and in single file when the teacher tells you to go.
b. Walk with teacher to the southeast entrance of cafeteria.
c. Proceed to assigned lunch table.
d. Follow lunchroom procedures during lunchtime, including clean-up.
e. Wait for dismissal from lunch table.
f. Wait in line in designated area on patio for teacher to pick you up. If you must use the restroom, do so quickly and return back to line.
g. Follow teacher back to class.
h. If student does not return with class, student will be considered tardy.
6. Class dismissal:
a. Pick up all materials from floor.
b. Return materials to their appropriate location.
c. Check around desk for trash and belongings.
d. Remain seated until teacher dismisses class.
e. Do not start packing up until teacher allows.
V. Academy Rules
1. All students must wear their BioEngineering Academy team polo shirt on all field trips
2. Have fun!
3. Stay focused
4. Be reflective
5. Teacher dismisses the class, not the bell.
VI. Miscellaneous
1.The Academy is requesting an annual lab fee/donation of $40 in order to provide additional experiences for the Academy curriculum.
2.Team Contact Information – all Academy faculty can be reached through their Canvas account and via e-mail.
3. Electives
a. In addition to the five core classes (Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Math and Bioengineering), all Buchanan students have two (2) elective classes.
b. Sixth graders will have a modified “Wheel” of electives that provides every sixth-grade student with the exposure to all electives.
c. Eighth graders could earn an additional high school credit by selecting Spanish I or Agriculture Foundations.
4. Curriculum – the Academy faculty follows state-mandated curriculum maps per academic discipline. Students will be provided with a course syllabus per class in August.
5.Annual Financial Cost – the Academy team plans for at least one field trip per grading period. The annual cost with polo shirt, including the field trips, is approximately $300/per student. We look for ways to minimize this expenditure on your part. Scholarship opportunities per field trip are generally available.
VII. Classroom Etiquette
1. Classroom Rules:
a. Students are expected to be seated in their assigned seats when the tardy bell rings.
b. Bring all required materials to class.
c. Raise your hand to speak. Wait patiently for the teacher to recognize you before talking. Please, do not call out the teacher’s name.
d. Gum, candy, food, drinks and straws are not permitted in class.
e. Keep hands and feet to yourself.
f. Show respect to your classmates and your teacher. Examples of violations are:
1. Disrespect
2. Inappropriate language
3. Off-task
4. Writing / passing notes
5. Out of seat without permission
6. Throwing anything in class
7. Dress code violations
8. Not returning signed materials from parent
2. Bullying:
a. Buchanan follows the district’s “No Tolerance” policy toward student bullying. If your child feels bullied, they must report the incident to a faculty member as soon as possible.
I. Academic Procedures
1. Canvas is the school district’s grade program.
Canvas is also the primary communication link between faculty and students and parents.
We recommend that every parent and student check Canvas a minimum of twice a week.
2. The Academy will maintain a website for Academy data, information and photos.
www.buchananbioengineering.com
Instagram.
3. BASS (Buchanan Academy Support and Success)
a) BASS is designed to provide motivation for students to complete assignments on time and for additional tutoring/support.
b) If a student’s grade drops below a “C” they may be given mandatory Bass.
c) If a child cannot attend BASS alternative help will be found.
3. BASS (Buchanan Academy Support and Success)
d) BASS Time: 8:30 am – 9:15 am
* No BASS on Tuesday
e) Students are not to be dropped off before this time.
* Unless a walker/bus rider – Parent/Guardian MUST walk the student to the classroom they are attending.
f) Students who violate the above listed conditions, can have BASS privileges revoked.
4. Late work policy:
a. Students are expected to complete all assignments on time.
b. Students are responsible for obtaining any assignments that they were absent for within three (3) days of their return to school.
c. Failure to communicate will result in the following:
1. Student work will be viewed as late one day after the due date.
2. Late student work will be assessed a 10% penalty, per day
5. Binders/Notebooks:
a. Will be used in accordance with school policy.
b. Will be organized with each teacher within the first two weeks of school.
c. Will be checked individually by teacher.
6. Research Format:
a. All Academy students will utilize APA or MLA format for all research
citations.
b. Students may not use Wikipedia for research projects.
7. Handwriting:
a. All Academy students must submit legible assignments. If assignment is deemed illegible, the student will be given one day to resubmit the assignment in legible form for full credit.
b. If the assignment is not resubmitted the next day, the late work policy will go into effect.
II. Academic Requirements
1. Grading Scale - Standard in Hillsborough County:
a. Academic – A = (90% - 100%) B = (80% - 89%) C = (70% - 79%) D = (60% - 69%) F = (0% - 59%)
b. Conduct – A = (0 – 3 Conduct Cuts) B= (4 – 6 Conduct Cuts) C= (7 – 9 Conduct Cuts) D= (10 – 12 Conduct Cuts) F= (13 + Conduct Cuts)
2. Canvas Accounts:
a. All students are required to have an active Canvas account
Parents are strongly encouraged to have a “Parent Account” to monitor student progress, daily assignments, grades and communication.
b. Assignments and Submissions
All assignments will be made available to students daily and students will use Canvas based on teacher expectations.
3. Students must maintain an overall “C” average per semester in each class. Once a student’s grade falls below 70% in any Academy class, the following interventions will begin (in no particular order) :
a. Student conference
b. BASS (Buchanan Academy Support & Success)
c. Parent contact
d. Peer tutor/mentoring
e. Notify Guidance and/or Assistant Principal
f. Scholarship warning – will be given out on Weeks #3, 6 and 8 of each grading period.
g. Parent/team conference
h. Program probation
i. Administrative/team/parent conference
j. Dismissal from Academy
4. Exit Policy:
a. Should a student remain below a “C” average for a second consecutive semester, the student may be exited from the Academy.
b. Should an eighth-grade student not pass the mid-term exam in one of the three high school level classes (Introduction to Physical Science- IPS, Algebra I Honors or Engineering Technology I), the District requires that the failing grade remain on the student’s high school transcript.
III. Behavioral Interventions
1. Most Academy discipline will be handled by the team:
a. Time out will be utilized as needed to preserve academic momentum.
2. Conduct cuts:
a. One conduct cut will be given per infraction, except as noted in section VII below.
b. Will be calculated per class.
3. Tardies – students must be in their seat when the tardy bell rings. Conduct cuts will be issued for each unexcused tardy:
a. First and second are verbal warnings.
b. Third is a parent contact. This contact could be a phone call, e-mail or Canvas message.
c. Fourth is a Guidance referral.
d. Fifth unexcused tardy and all tardies afterward are referrals to the Student Affairs Office.
4. Hall Passes – will be administered on these conditions:
a. Not during the first and last ten minutes of class.
b. Until the last test is turned in.
c. Good for only five minutes.
d. Not given during direct teacher instruction.
e. Students are required to have their planner in order to obtain a Hall Pass
5. Food, Drinks, Gum – PROHIBITED
a. If caught, a conduct cut will be issued, and object will be confiscated and/or thrown out.
6. Field Trip behavior:
a. Bioengineering Academy polo shirt is required attire on all field trips.
b. When on a field trip, Academy students are representing Buchanan Middle School and the Academy. Therefore, exemplary behavior is required.
c. Interventions for students that misbehave on a field trip are:
1. Student conference.
2. Removal from activity.
3. Assign student to a faculty chaperone.
4. Conduct cut(s) upon return to school.
5. Major misbehavior could result in Student Affairs referral upon return to campus.
d. Students that misbehave while on academic field trips may be ineligible to attend future field trips for the remainder of the academic school year.
e. Students with less than a “C” in conduct may also be ineligible to attend field trips.
7. Cell phones:
a. Buchanan Middle School is a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) campus. Occasionally, cell phones or tablets will be used in an academic environment or activity.
b. District policy states: during the school day, cell phones must be turned off and out of sight. Therefore, students whose cell phone is turned on and in use will face confiscation of the cell phone and will be given conduct cut(s).
c. Texting is a separate behavioral issue, and therefore, two conduct cuts will be issued.
d. If the phone is on and in use during a test, it will be assumed that the student is cheating. The test and the phone will be confiscated, and consequences will be determined.
e. Cell phones will always be sent to the Student Affairs Office.
f. Cell phones are disruptive during instruction. While on campus, the district prefers that all communication be routed through the school site. THEREFORE, parents, please, refrain from calling and texting your child during the school day.
8. Dress Code:
a. Academy will follow school uniform policy.
b. Academy polo shirts are required for all Academy field trips.
1. The main purpose is for student safety and to aid the teachers/ chaperones to keep track of the students.
2. It also gives a professional look when out in public.
3. The cost of the shirt is approximately $20 and orders will be placed in August.
9. Academic Integrity:
a. All students are required to submit original course work to ensure academic integrity.
b. Plagiarism or copying from peers will result in a zero and/or a reduced score.
IV. Common Practices and Procedures
1. Entering the Classroom:
a. Students will enter classroom quietly.
b. Get necessary class materials from backpack.
c. Place backpack in assigned area.
d. Sharpen pencils, if needed.
e. Sit in assigned seat.
f. Begin assignment.
2. Heading for papers:
a. Must include in the upper right hand corner: first and last name, date, subject/ period, assignment name.
b. If not submitted correctly, assignment will not be graded and will be returned to student with “Re-submit”. Student has one day to correct heading and turn in the assignment. If the assignment is late, the late work policy will take effect.
3. Students who finish their assignment prior to the end of class can do one of these options:
a. Read
b. Work on homework
c. Work on assignments missing/due for other classes
d. Pass out papers for teacher
e. Ask to help teacher
4. Emergency Procedures:
a. Student closest to the exit door will lead the class out, in single file, per teacher’s instructions.
b. Move quickly and quietly.
c. Go to designated area.
d. Stay with teacher at all times. Roll will be taken at the designated area and anyone absent will receive disciplinary action.
5. Lunch Procedures:
a. Line up outside the door, silently and in single file when the teacher tells you to go.
b. Walk with teacher to the southeast entrance of cafeteria.
c. Proceed to assigned lunch table.
d. Follow lunchroom procedures during lunchtime, including clean-up.
e. Wait for dismissal from lunch table.
f. Wait in line in designated area on patio for teacher to pick you up. If you must use the restroom, do so quickly and return back to line.
g. Follow teacher back to class.
h. If student does not return with class, student will be considered tardy.
6. Class dismissal:
a. Pick up all materials from floor.
b. Return materials to their appropriate location.
c. Check around desk for trash and belongings.
d. Remain seated until teacher dismisses class.
e. Do not start packing up until teacher allows.
V. Academy Rules
1. All students must wear their BioEngineering Academy team polo shirt on all field trips
2. Have fun!
3. Stay focused
4. Be reflective
5. Teacher dismisses the class, not the bell.
VI. Miscellaneous
1.The Academy is requesting an annual lab fee/donation of $40 in order to provide additional experiences for the Academy curriculum.
2.Team Contact Information – all Academy faculty can be reached through their Canvas account and via e-mail.
3. Electives
a. In addition to the five core classes (Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Math and Bioengineering), all Buchanan students have two (2) elective classes.
b. Sixth graders will have a modified “Wheel” of electives that provides every sixth-grade student with the exposure to all electives.
c. Eighth graders could earn an additional high school credit by selecting Spanish I or Agriculture Foundations.
4. Curriculum – the Academy faculty follows state-mandated curriculum maps per academic discipline. Students will be provided with a course syllabus per class in August.
5.Annual Financial Cost – the Academy team plans for at least one field trip per grading period. The annual cost with polo shirt, including the field trips, is approximately $300/per student. We look for ways to minimize this expenditure on your part. Scholarship opportunities per field trip are generally available.
VII. Classroom Etiquette
1. Classroom Rules:
a. Students are expected to be seated in their assigned seats when the tardy bell rings.
b. Bring all required materials to class.
c. Raise your hand to speak. Wait patiently for the teacher to recognize you before talking. Please, do not call out the teacher’s name.
d. Gum, candy, food, drinks and straws are not permitted in class.
e. Keep hands and feet to yourself.
f. Show respect to your classmates and your teacher. Examples of violations are:
1. Disrespect
2. Inappropriate language
3. Off-task
4. Writing / passing notes
5. Out of seat without permission
6. Throwing anything in class
7. Dress code violations
8. Not returning signed materials from parent
2. Bullying:
a. Buchanan follows the district’s “No Tolerance” policy toward student bullying. If your child feels bullied, they must report the incident to a faculty member as soon as possible.
REC PreEngineering Certification
High school students in the academy have the chance to earn the REC Foundation Pre-Engineering Certification. Buchanan is the only middle school with students earning pre-engineering certifications.
- These certifications were designed by a team of accomplished professionals composed of engineers, college professors, and high school teachers.
- The REC Foundation Certifications Program is a response to a global need for more students in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
Helpful Links and New Stories:
Hillsborough County Choice
Buchanan Middle School
Gaither High School: Tribune scholars profiles and essays
Chamberlain High School: Tribune scholars profiles and essays
TBO News Story- BioEngineering
TBO News Story- Robotics
TBO News Story- Iron Artist
Buchanan Middle School
Gaither High School: Tribune scholars profiles and essays
Chamberlain High School: Tribune scholars profiles and essays
TBO News Story- BioEngineering
TBO News Story- Robotics
TBO News Story- Iron Artist
Students Invited to the National Youth Leadership Forum: Explore STEM-
Joanna Bodo
Christa Guevara
Justin Hill
Elizabeth Johns
Arseniy Korniyenko
Ligija Maksvytis
Jason Smolka
Sebastian Denboer
Cyenna Ison
Panayiota Laliotis
Ishaan Patel
Christa Guevara
Justin Hill
Elizabeth Johns
Arseniy Korniyenko
Ligija Maksvytis
Jason Smolka
Sebastian Denboer
Cyenna Ison
Panayiota Laliotis
Ishaan Patel
Former Students Invited to the NYL Forum:
|
Marijus Maksvytis
Shannon Stahl Sherry Zheng Lauren Whalen Own Waugh Jacob Staman Cyenna Ison Joanna Bodo Rylee Blocher Elizabeth Johns George Keith Katalina Magro Kayla Roy Jasmine Schmidt Braden Smith |
Aniyah Betancourt
Devin Connerny Nicholas Sabol Arisbe Delgado-Alarcon Ian Farmer Raven Pascua Sarah Roberts Abigail Snyder Grace Quam Bryanna Murray Jessica Harris Thaiz Medina Jessie Nwokoye Anthony Gavula |
