Bartlett City Schools
Information
Thank you for responding with your choice for how your child will be returning to Bartlett City Schools. This information is critical as we finalize plans for a safe re-opening of schools. There has been significant interest in our BCS Virtual platform. As we prepare for the beginning of our 2020-2021 school year, Bartlett City Schools will be adjusting our students’ return date to Monday, August 17. This will allow the District extra time to ensure we are prepared to provide effective instruction across multiple platforms as well as finalizing student schedules, create new transportation routes, just to name a few. This will not impact the date for the end of the year or other scheduled school breaks as we have built in stockpiled days for inclement weather.
We appreciate your flexibility and understanding during these uncertain times. Based on feedback from our parents, community and staff surveys, along with recommendations from the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE), Shelby County Health Department and other health officials, Bartlett City Schools is continuing with our BCS Reopening Plan as released on July 15, 2020.
Our mission remains to provide a safe learning environment for our students, teachers, and staff. It is our hope that the safety restrictions can be less restrictive as the situation improves over the course of the school year. The local impact of the COVID-19 pandemic remains fluid, and necessary additional changes to our plans will be communicated as they are made.
Frequently Asked Questions for Students & Families
The COVID-19 pandemic has raised many questions regarding how the district will complete the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. This FAQ document will help answer many of those questions. Specific school-related answers will be released by your child’s school as their plans are finalized. We appreciate your flexibility and understanding during these uncertain times.
• Given the current situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, and guidance from our local and state health officials, we will not be able to hold our traditional graduation ceremony on May 11th as scheduled. However, we are committed to finding a way to honor our Seniors for their hard work over the years. We are exploring all options and will be releasing information as soon as plans are finalized.
• Yes. Bartlett High School will issue a full refund for any student who purchased a prom ticket for this year.
• Yes. Beginning the week of May 4th, Bartlett High School will have student’s cap and gown available for pick up at a day and time assigned to them from the school.
• Bartlett High School will also provide information to students who do not wish to receive their cap and gown.
• Seniors may email Jana Radford at jradford@bartlettschools.org for more information on transcripts. Bartlett High School will be providing information on when students can order final transcripts.
• Some fees will be returned to families. Individual schools will be reaching out to each student and family regarding any refund of student-related fees.
• Bartlett High School will refund Senior fees and will provide additional refund-related information to students.
• Spring sport fees that were collected by the school will be refunded. Schools will be reaching out to affected students and families directly regarding refunds.
• Yes. Beginning the week of May 4th families will have the opportunity to pick up their items. Each school will provide instructions and a specific day and time where families can retrieve items.
• Schools will also provide additional information on when you can pick-up/drop-off other items such as yearbooks, spring pictures, medications, library books, textbooks, instruments, etc.
• Students returning to BCS for the 2020-2021 school year will have the option to keep their laptop over the summer. If students decide to keep their laptop, students and parents are required to complete the online agreement form linked here: https://tinyurl.com/BCS2020SummerLaptop. Each school will also be providing additional detailed information.
• Any student not returning to Bartlett City Schools for the 2020-2021 school year is required to return his/her district-issue device on the day and time provided by their school.
• For students opting to return their laptop, your child’s school will provide additional instructions on when laptops can be returned.
• Seniors will be required to return their district-issued device. Additional instructions will be provided by the school along with certain days and times when laptops can be returned.
• Final report cards will be available in the parent portal after May 22nd. More details will be shared when the report cards have posted. Parents may also contact their child’s teacher for immediate information.
How do students receive their attendance letters for their driver’s permit?
• Students may request attendance letters from their child’s attendance operator or grade level administrator.
• Yes. We will continue to provide online learning resources for all students K-12 on our website at: www.bartlettschools.org. Weekly opportunities will be posted each week. This coursework is optional and intended to reinforce the instructional learning students received before school was closed.
Will BCS still provide the free meal program?
• Yes. BCS will continue to provide our free meal pick-up program through May 22nd. Students are eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch meals through the end of the school year. Pick-up will be Monday-Thursday from 11:00am-1:00pm in the front drive at Bartlett High School (5688 Woodlawn). This is a drive through pick-up and no one is allowed to stay and eat on site. Also, since there is no pick-up on Fridays, those Friday meals will be given out each Thursday.
April 15, 2020
BCS Families,
Today, Governor Lee announced his recommendation that Tennessee schools be closed through the end of this school year. As a result of Governor Lee’s guidance, Bartlett City Schools (BCS) will remain closed through the end of our scheduled school year.
Our students have done an outstanding job engaging with our online learning resources. We encourage our students and families to take advantage of these learning opportunities to reinforce what they have already learned this school year.
More information will be shared as soon as decisions and plans are made. Please continue to follow our BCS social media platforms and check your email regularly.
We appreciate our BCS students, families, staff, and stakeholders for their support and flexibility during this unprecedented time.
For ongoing information on COVID-19 and what we have been communicating to our BCS families, visit our special website at: https://tinyurl.com/BCSCOVID19.
April 06, 2020
• On the report card screen, select the report card link under the Archived Report Cards section.
• Select File then Print from your internet browser to [Print], or to save an electronic copy to your computer by selecting the [Save as PDF] from your printer menu.
If you are having trouble logging in, please contact your school’s administrator.
Don’t forget that learning opportunities start today at 10:00 a.m. on our local PBS station WKNO. There are also lessons that will air overnight, so set your DVR!
April 02, 2020
BCS Families,
The Tennessee Department of Education is launching its partnership with PBS Monday, April 6. This partnership will deliver two hours of programming with high-quality instructional content from 10 a.m. to
12 p.m. CST. Four hours of content will also be streamed overnight, which viewers can watch live or record. This content will be available locally through WKNO. We are excited because this meets a critical need to ensure all students have access to high-quality learning opportunities, regardless if their home has internet connectivity or capable devices.
BCS began distributing packets this week to families during our meal distribution hours as a way to provide resources to students without internet or appropriate devices. We will continue to distribute packets through Monday, April 6 or while our copies last. We appreciate your patience and flexibility as we address this unprecedented event and protect the health of our community.
Please continue to follow the guidance from our local, state, and federal health officials.
For ongoing information on COVID-19 and what we have been communicating to our BCS families, visit our
special website at: https://tinyurl.com/BCSCOVID19.
March 31, 2020
Bartlett City Schools Families,
March 27, 2020
UPDATE: Extended Dates for our Free Meal Program
BCS remains committed to providing free meals to students in our community while protecting the health and safety of our students and families. We have made the decision to continue our free meal pick-up program through our extended school closure of April 24.
Breakfast and lunch meals will be available for pick-up at Bartlett High School (5688 Woodlawn) Monday, March 30 through Friday, April 24 (there will be no meal pick-up on Friday, April 10 due to the Good Friday holiday).
Meal Pick-up Information:
* Drive thru service at the main entrance of Bartlett High School
* Please use the front drive off of Woodlawn
* March 30-April 24 (Monday-Fridays only) from 11:00am-1:00pm
* Menu for the week of March 30-April 3:
* Monday/Wednesday/Friday: cold sandwiches | Tuesday: hot chicken patty sandwich | Thursday: hamburger
Please note that any student 18 or under may obtain free breakfast and lunch at the location mentioned above or at any other school meal location within Shelby County. This program is for meal pick-up only and is not to be consumed on site.
March 24, 2020
BCS Families,
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, we have been in ongoing discussions with our local and state government and health officials. Just today, Governor Lee has encouraged all schools in Tennessee to extend their closure through April 24. Therefore, Bartlett City Schools will follow the guidance provided from Governor Lee and we will extend our school closure through April 24. During this closure period there will be no school sponsored activities or events.
This extended closure will provide opportunities for continued social distancing and other recommendations made by our local and state health officials. We ask that families continue to follow the warnings of our health experts and limit your social interactions during this time to help prevent the spread of the virus.
In the coming week, we will communicate our plans regarding our remote learning resources to our students and parents. Thank you for your continued support and patience as we navigate these challenging circumstances.
For additional information on the coronavirus and what we have been communicating to our BCS families, visit our special website at: https://tinyurl.com/BCSCOVID19.
March 20, 2020
BCS Families,
Bartlett City Schools continues to closely monitor the unfolding situation related to the COVID-19
pandemic. BCS’s first priority is the health and well-being of our students, families, and staff. After considerable deliberation and input from stakeholders, Governor’s office, TN Department of Education (TDOE), and our local and state health officials, we have made the several decisions which are outlined below.
School Closure
BCS is following the guidance provided by Governor Lee and the TDOE that all schools in Tennessee should be closed through March 31. During our closure period there will be no extracurricular or sporting events, nor will IEP meetings be held. Please understand that this situation is changing rapidly and further closures may be necessary.
We are using this extended period of school closure like snow days (stockpiled days). Therefore, regular instruction will not occur. Teachers will be using this time to plan for remote learning activities if needed. If our closure period is extended we will provide additional information regarding our remote learning resources to students and parents.
Work Schedules for Principals & Central Office Employees
BCS will continue to allow our principals and Central Office employees to work remotely during normal
operating hours during our school closure period. Please know that these employees are still available to help
you via email or phone.
We ask that families do not simply view this as an extended Spring Break or additional vacation time. Families should heed the warnings of health experts and limit your social interactions during this time to prevent the spread of the virus.
We appreciate your understanding and patience as we continue to work through these unique circumstances. We will continue to seek the advice of health professionals as developments occur and make updates as necessary.
For additional information on the coronavirus and what we have been communicating to our BCS families, visit our special website at: https://tinyurl.com/BCSCOVID19.
March 19, 2020
Breakfast and lunch meals will be available for pick-up at Bartlett High School (5688 Woodlawn) beginning Tuesday, March 24 through Friday, March 27 (additional updates will be provided if dates are extended).
Meal Pick-up Information:
• Drive thru service at the main entrance of Bartlett High School
• Please use the front drive off of Woodlawn
• March 24-27 from 11:00am-1:00pm
Please note that any student 18 or under may obtain free breakfast and lunch at the location mentioned above or at any other school meal location within Shelby County. Also, each student must be physically present in the vehicle to receive the meals. This program is for meal pick-up only and is not to be consumed on site.
March 13, 2020
BCS Families,
Information Regarding: Coronavirus-related Cancellations
The COVID-19 pandemic is rapidly evolving, and we have been closely monitoring the situation. After serious and considerable deliberation and input from many stakeholders, the six municipal Shelby County superintendents in Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown, Lakeland, and Millington have made the collective decision to cancel classes, extracurricular activities, and sporting events through the week following Spring Break.
At this time, we are closing schools through Friday, March 27th. This will provide opportunities for social distancing, thorough disinfection of schools and buses, and contingency planning in case prolonged closures are required at some point in the future. We ask that families do not simply view this as an extended Spring Break or additional vacation time. Families should heed the warnings of health experts and limit your social interactions during this time to prevent the spread of the virus.
Thank you for your support as we navigate this challenging situation. We will continue to seek the advice of health professionals as developments occur and make updates as necessary.
For additional information on the coronavirus and what we have been communicating to our BCS families, visit our special website at: https://tinyurl.com/BCSCOVID19.
March 12, 2020
The six municipal Shelby County superintendents in Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown, Lakeland, and Millington are aware of the decision of Shelby County Schools to cancel classes starting Friday, March 13th through March 30th. At this time, neither the Shelby County Health Department nor the Tennessee Department of Education have made recommendations to close schools to contain the spread of the coronavirus or COVID-19. As such, there are not plans to close municipal schools at this time, though the situation is fluid and we will make decisions on school closures as new information emerges. We will continue to consult with the Shelby County Health Department and the Tennessee Department of Education to make decisions that are in the best interest of our students and staff.
March 11, 2020
BCS Families,
This week the Shelby County Health Department confirmed the first case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Shelby County. As concerns grow, we want to assure you that Bartlett City Schools (BCS) continues to take guidance from the Shelby County Health Department (SCHD), the Tennessee Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The Shelby County Health Department has advised us that there is no immediate risk to the general public in Shelby County, and there is no expected risk to school-age children at this time. However, BCS remains proactive in our precautionary response plan for all of our schools. We continue to work with our Coordinated School Health department, school nurses, and custodial crews to ensure proper protocols are happening at each of our schools in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus.
Our goal remains to keep our students, families, and our staff safe. We are taking steps to ensure that our schools are properly prepared. These steps include the following:
• Working with our custodial crews to continue properly cleaning each school every night;
• Ensuring all bathrooms are stocked with soap and paper towels and we continue to encourage students
and staff to wash their hands frequently;
• Working with our Coordinated School Health department to ensure principals and school nurses have
the resources needed to detect and report symptoms exhibited at school and provide approved health
guidance for any affected individuals;
• Forming an internal Health Response Team comprised of multiple BCS departments, selected by the
Superintendent, and continuing to follow our BCS Emergency Operations Plan;
• Ensuring that our classrooms and schools are thoroughly cleaned over Spring Break;
• Working with Durham Bus Services to ensure all our buses are thoroughly cleaned every day;
• Continuing to gather resources for our remote learning resources in the event we are required to close
schools;
• Continuing to review all out of town school-sponsored field trips, athletic events, and performances on a
case by case basis; and
• Working in close partnership with the SCHD to update our protocols as the situation evolves.
Presently, there is no guidance from any health expert to close schools. The decision to close will not be taken lightly and will only be made after BCS has consulted with our local and state public health officials. We also wanted to make you aware that on March 10th our Bartlett City Board of Education, in a special called meeting, suspended the excused attendance portion for final exam exemptions.
As we monitor the situation, we will continue to follow the guidance of our local and state health officials. We also want to remind our students and families the importance of following the recommended guidelines from the local health department:
• Stay home when you are sick. Stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching an illness. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, please contact your healthcare provider for guidance.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Cover coughs and sneezes. Use a tissue to cover coughs and sneezes, then dispose of the tissue. When a
tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into your elbow.
• Avoid wearing masks and gloves while at school. The CDC only recommends wearing face masks or
gloves if you or your child is sick. Masks and gloves can also raise the level of concern and anxiety among
other students and families.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces or objects. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work,
and school, especially when someone is ill.
• Wash hands for 20 seconds. Washing hands often under clean, running water can help prevent the
spread of germs. For more guidance see the CDC: When and How to Wash Your Hands https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html If you cannot wash your hands, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60-95% alcohol.
• If you travel over Spring Break be cautious. After travel, if you are not feeling well, seek medical attention, and tell your principal where you traveled. Continue to follow all CDC travel guidelines: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html.
We appreciate your understanding and patience as we continue to work through these unique circumstances. We are providing consistent communication to all of our school leaders to ensure they have the latest facts in case any questions arise. Please know, BCS will continue to collaborate with the SCHD and the Tennessee Department of Education and will update parents as more information becomes available.
For additional information on the coronavirus, visit our special website at: https://tinyurl.com/BCSCOVID19.
