Bucks Blast 11-7-2025

BUCKS BLAST District Updates November 7, 2025 Dear Buck Families,  November is often a time to reflect on those things we are thankful for and to show appreciation to those around us. At Buchanan Community Schools, we are grateful for our students, families, and staff who help make this district a positive and welcoming place for all. We are not perfect, and we are constantly improving. The support we receive from this community is humbling. One of the areas we are celebrating is that last school year, we had fewer students identified as chronically absent, which means more students were in school.  We're pleased to share positive progress in student attendance at Buchanan Community Schools. Chronic absenteeism—defined as missing 10% or more of the school year (18 or more days in a 180-day academic year)—has decreased significantly over the past three years. Our Progress: 2022-23 school year: 27.1% chronic absenteeism 2023-24 school year: 23.5% chronic absenteeism 2024-25 school year: 18.5% chronic absenteeism This represents an 8.6 percentage point decrease from 2022-23 to 2024-25, or a 32% reduction in our chronic absenteeism rate. With 1,617 students enrolled in the spring of the 2024-25 school year, this improvement means approximately 139 fewer students are chronically absent compared to the previous year. While we celebrate this progress and are thankful for all of our families who ensure students are at school daily, we remain committed to ensuring every student attends school regularly. Consistent attendance is crucial to academic success, and we continue to work with families to address barriers that may prevent students from attending school every day. Thank you for your partnership in supporting your child's attendance and learning. Patricia Robinson Superintendent Buchanan Farm Fall Fest 2025 We had a fantastic time at the Buchanan Community Schools School Farm Fall Festival October 24, 2025. Families enjoyed spooky stories in the Gardner School House, fun hayrides around the farm, crafts in the portable classroom, petite pumpkin patch for picking, and attendees enjoyed free hotdogs and chips. Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate the season with us - your smiles and excitement made the day unforgettable! Learn more about our school farm at buchananschools.com/school-farm   Mark your Calendars!   We are Hiring BUS DRIVERS! Drive the future — and maybe your own child’s team, too! Join our team of dedicated bus drivers and make a difference every day. Perfect for parents and grandparents who want flexible hours and community connection! View All Open Positions Here! Local Food Resources for Families Buchanan Community Schools is committed to supporting our families both inside and outside of the classroom. We understand that access to nutritious food is essential for the health and well-being of our students and community members. One of our awesome BHS teachers put together a list of local food resources available to families in our area. You can view the resources on our website. Click here! Craft show this weekend at BHS! Have extra shoes at your house? BCS Foundation looking for board members! Bucks in Action Wanted - Ping Pong Tables The CAC Care Closet is in Need Contact Us:  4938 Niles Road St. Joseph, MI 49085 Phone: (269) 556–9640 Email: info@swmichigancac.org Donate Items on our Wish List Take a look at our current “Wish List” of items that are useful in operating our Center. We greatly appreciate receiving any of the items on the list. You may bring the items to: Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Michigan, 4938 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI 49085 Call us for more information at (269) 556-9640. Volunteer or Advocate for our Programs Give us a call at (269) 556-9640 if you wish to get more involved. We will be happy to discuss how your unique talents can support these worthy programs. Donate Charitable Gifts Consider donating stock, insurance, or in-kind donations of services and goods to the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Michigan. Contact us at (269) 556-9640 to discuss how your potential gift can have the most impact on the well-being of children. CAC Donate Link Key Dates BCS Safety Corner Audio and Video Recordings of Meetings Buchanan Community Schools values our partnership with families and embraces transparency through productive dialogue on challenging matters. Under Board Policy 5806 (available here), families may make video or audio recordings of any public meeting held under the Open Meetings Act. For all other meetings, the following guidelines apply: Video recordings are prohibited. This includes IEP meetings, parent-teacher conferences, re-entry meetings, and similar meetings. Audio recordings are permitted at IEP or Section 504 meetings if the parent provides notice at least 24 hours before the scheduled meeting date.  The district may record these meetings if the parent records. Audio recordings may be permitted with prior written approval from the Superintendent or designee. This applies to meetings such as parent-teacher conferences and re-entry meetings. Athletics   🏀⚽️🏈 Ever thought about becoming an MHSAA official? Districts are always in need of great referees! Learn more and get started by clicking below! Click for more MHSAA info! Buchanan Athletics Calendar NOVEMBER TIPS OF THE MONTH Did You Know? with Nurse Comer From the Director of Special Education, Callie Campbell We know. We have been there. We understand. It is OK to feel scared, frustrated and overwhelmed. Those are all important feelings to have when you learn that your child qualifies for special education services. The good news — you are not alone.  During the academic years of your child’s life, you will experience tremendous joys and may also be faced with challenges. Know that as you navigate your child’s special education experience, there is a network of parents, guardians, friends and others who are here to help you called the Parent Advisory Committee (PAC). The goal of PAC is to support you as you learn about the special education system and to help you become more confident about your child’s school experience. What is the PAC? The PAC is a group of parents who have one thing in common: a child with a disability. It is a peer network that allows you to take a step back from your particular situation and gain insight and valuable information to assist you and your student. Additionally, in partnership with local school districts, PAC members serve as a voice for the families whose children attend special education programs and receive special education services within Berrien County.   What we do: • Provide emotional support/listening ear through a peer network • Attend and offer parent assistance during Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings • Share experiences and resources • Offer outreach support in the community • Celebrate the accomplishments of educators who make a difference in the lives of students receiving special education services PAC Meetings: PAC representatives meet monthly during the school year. The meetings are open to the public - everyone is welcome! Meetings will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Berrien RESA Administrative Center located at 711 St. Joseph Avenue in Berrien Springs (unless noted otherwise). Upcoming meeting dates: • September 16, 2025 • October 21, 2025 • November 18, 2025 • January 20, 2026 (virtual) • February 17, 2026 (virtual) • March 10, 2026 - PAC Awards Event • April 21, 2026 • May 19, 2026 Trying to understand your child’s educational challenges along with figuring out what educators, care-providers, and experts are saying to you about your student can be frustrating and confusing. Our Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) Parents are here to help you! These are parents who have children with disabilities and have gone through exactly the same things that you are experiencing with navigating your child’s educational needs. The PAC parents in Berrien County gather together once each month for mutual support and resource-sharing. The meetings are held in person at Berrien RESA in Berrien Springs, along with a couple of virtual meetings that you can join from anywhere!   Our Buchanan PAC parents are Britney Martin (who is the PAC President) and Angela Fowler. These parents would love to meet you and help you in your child’s educational journey. To contact either Britney or Angela, email them at: Britney Martin: Britney.Martin83@gmail.com Angela Fowler: afowler@lephunt.com Educationally Yours, Callie Campbell Special Education Director  From School Resource Officer, Officer Huang Dear parents, This is SRO Huang from Buchanan Community Schools reaching out with an important update. We have observed an increase in vaping incidents, particularly at the middle and high school levels. To address this, on November 20th, 2025, Superintendent Robinson and I will be presenting a joint educational session. We will discuss the effects of vaping on youth and provide information on our new safety system, “I Love You Guys”, including guidance on how to navigate it. We encourage all parents to attend this presentation as we work together to ensure a safer and healthier environment for our students. Thank you for your support, and we hope to see you there! SRO Philip Huang  We are Hiring! APPLY NOW! 2025-2026 District Calendar BCS Google Calendars BCS Foundation Buchanan Bucks Merchandise Buchanan Promise Family Resources The Michigan Department of Education announced a new website named Family Matters. This website houses a series of fact sheets available to support families. Feel free to use this link to review this website. Homeless Liaison The homeless liaison will coordinate services to ensure that homeless children and youth enroll in school and have the opportunity to succeed. Brandon Flowers, BCS Homeless Liaison bflowers@buchananschools.com 269-695-8403 ext. *20018 Chain of Command Do you have a question or comment about our district? See our Chain of Command We pledge our best efforts to make Buchanan Community Schools a premier school district, and we strive to create safe, welcoming, engaging, and innovative schools that develop all students’ academic, athletic, artistic, and social growth. We take pride in our community and we appreciate the support of our stakeholders! Thank you! But we do realize that sometimes something might not go right, or you might have a question about what we do or how we do it. We welcome that communication, and we will work to solve your issue for you as efficiently as we can. In order to do that, we ask that you follow our Chain of Command process shown in the diagram. On the left side of the process chart, you will see the common areas of district programming, and then following to the right would be the next step(s) in the Chain of Command for that district program area. Please start by contacting the staff member listed in the second box of each program area. The contact information for our leadership staff members with responsibility for addressing concerns is listed at the top of the diagram. Other contact information for building staff is available on our website in the “Staff Directory” section of each building’s web page. It is expected that most issues should be able to be resolved at these initial steps in the Chain of Command. District Chain of Command About Buchanan Community Schools Buchanan Community Schools is a school district located in Buchanan, Michigan. In 2020, Buchanan was named the Nicest City in America and is known for its community concerts and parades. Buchanan Community Schools has over 1500 students and over 200 employees. The school district has four schools based on grade bands, Ottawa- PreK-1, Moccasin-2-4, Buchanan Middle School 5-7, and Buchanan High School 8-12. Email: probinson@buchananschools.com Website: https://www.buchananschools.com/ Location: 401 West Chicago Street, Buchanan, MI, USA Phone: 269-695-8401 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100065665262514 BCS Vision To develop responsible, resilient, creative citizens capable of succeeding in a global society.

Friday, Nov 07 2025

Bucks Blast 10-31-2025

BUCKS BLAST District Updates October 31, 2025 Have a safe and fun Halloween weekend! Local Food Resources for Families Buchanan Community Schools is committed to supporting our families both inside and outside of the classroom. We understand that access to nutritious food is essential for the health and well-being of our students and community members. One of our awesome BHS teachers put together a list of local food resources available to families in our area. You can view the resources on our website. Click here! BCS Foundation looking for board members! Halloween Candy Safety Check Station City of Buchanan's Trick-Or-Treat will be October 31st, 6pm-8pm.   Heroes Alley - Due to the construction on W. Front St in front of the Fire Department, the local fire departments and police department will be in the parking lot of the City Center/Commons area, passing out and checking Halloween candy on 10/31/25, between 6 to 8 pm.  Bucks Blast Podcast Episode Key Dates BCS Safety Corner Visitor Procedures Visitor Procedures   School visitors are allowed in buildings. All visitors are to ring the entry bell. The executive/administrative assistant will recognize the visitor and confirm the business need. If confirmed, the visitor will be allowed into the building. The visitor will: Stop in the main office Sign the visitor book Receive a visitor badge/lanyard Be escorted to their destination  Be escorted to the primary office once finished Return the visitor’s badge and be escorted out of the building. You must follow our visitor procedures to ensure we maintain a safe and secure environment for our students and staff. If there is a violation of the above procedures, you may be asked to leave and or excluded from our buildings temporarily or permanently. Athletics 🏀⚽️🏈 Ever thought about becoming an MHSAA official? Districts are always in need of great referees! Learn more and get started by clicking below! Click for more MHSAA info! Buchanan Athletics Calendar OCTOBER TIPS OF THE MONTH Did You Know? with Nurse Comer From the Director of Special Education, Callie Campbell From School Resource Officer, Officer Huang If you witness anything suspicious or any form of bullying, please speak up. Your voice helps keep our community safe and supportive for everyone. The first step starts with you saying something! You can: Tell a trusted adult Call the Herd Hotline at 269-409-1153 Use the confidential reporting tool OK2Say  Together, we can make a difference and keep our community safe. We are Hiring! APPLY NOW! 2025-2026 District Calendar BCS Google Calendars BCS Foundation Buchanan Bucks Merchandise Buchanan Promise Family Resources The Michigan Department of Education announced a new website named Family Matters. This website houses a series of fact sheets available to support families. Feel free to use this link to review this website. Homeless Liaison The homeless liaison will coordinate services to ensure that homeless children and youth enroll in school and have the opportunity to succeed. Brandon Flowers, BCS Homeless Liaison bflowers@buchananschools.com 269-695-8403 ext. *20018 Chain of Command Do you have a question or comment about our district? See our Chain of Command We pledge our best efforts to make Buchanan Community Schools a premier school district, and we strive to create safe, welcoming, engaging, and innovative schools that develop all students’ academic, athletic, artistic, and social growth. We take pride in our community and we appreciate the support of our stakeholders! Thank you! But we do realize that sometimes something might not go right, or you might have a question about what we do or how we do it. We welcome that communication, and we will work to solve your issue for you as efficiently as we can. In order to do that, we ask that you follow our Chain of Command process shown in the diagram. On the left side of the process chart, you will see the common areas of district programming, and then following to the right would be the next step(s) in the Chain of Command for that district program area. Please start by contacting the staff member listed in the second box of each program area. The contact information for our leadership staff members with responsibility for addressing concerns is listed at the top of the diagram. Other contact information for building staff is available on our website in the “Staff Directory” section of each building’s web page. It is expected that most issues should be able to be resolved at these initial steps in the Chain of Command. District Chain of Command About Buchanan Community Schools Buchanan Community Schools is a school district located in Buchanan, Michigan. In 2020, Buchanan was named the Nicest City in America and is known for its community concerts and parades. Buchanan Community Schools has over 1500 students and over 200 employees. The school district has four schools based on grade bands, Ottawa- PreK-1, Moccasin-2-4, Buchanan Middle School 5-7, and Buchanan High School 8-12. Email: probinson@buchananschools.com Website: https://www.buchananschools.com/ Location: 401 West Chicago Street, Buchanan, MI, USA Phone: 269-695-8401 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100065665262514 BCS Vision To develop responsible, resilient, creative citizens capable of succeeding in a global society.

Friday, Oct 31 2025

Bucks Blast 10-24-2025

BUCKS BLAST District Updates October 24, 2025 October Buck Staff Appreciation Winner October Nominees included: -Hillary Casey, Moccasin Media Assistant -Iesha Davis, BMS Paraprofessional & 8th Grade Volleyball Coach -Jeni Rahrig, Moccasin Paraprofessional -Jessica Walker, Moccasin Administrative Assistant -Kelly Smith, Elementary Instructional Coach -Kimberly Kepler, BHS Cook’s Help -Lisa Gregory, 2nd Grade Teacher -Philip Huang, School Resource Officer -Sandra Miller, BHS Art Teacher -Shelley Lietz, Speech & Language Pathologist -Violet Greenfield, Custodial Coordinator Did you know you can nominate a staff member at Buchanan Community Schools for our Buck Staff Appreciation staff member of the month? You can! We value the passion and efforts of our staff members in all departments who strive to make our district a great place to learn and work! Make your nomination here! Halloween Candy Safety Check Station City of Buchanan's Trick-Or-Treat will be October 31st, 6pm-8pm.   Heroes Alley - Due to the construction on W. Front St in front of the Fire Department, the local fire departments and police department will be in the parking lot of the City Center/Commons area, passing out and checking Halloween candy on 10/31/25, between 6 to 8 pm.  Bucks Blast Podcast Episode Bucks in Action Become a Registered Official 🏀⚽️🏈 Ever thought about becoming an MHSAA official? Districts are always in need of great referees! Learn more and get started by clicking below! Click for more MHSAA info! Key Dates Half Day Release Times: Ottawa at 12:05pm Moccasin at 12:10pm BMS at 10:50am BHS at 11:00am BCS Safety Corner Visitor Procedures Visitor Procedures   School visitors are allowed in buildings. All visitors are to ring the entry bell. The executive/administrative assistant will recognize the visitor and confirm the business need. If confirmed, the visitor will be allowed into the building. The visitor will: Stop in the main office Sign the visitor book Receive a visitor badge/lanyard Be escorted to their destination  Be escorted to the primary office once finished Return the visitor’s badge and be escorted out of the building. You must follow our visitor procedures to ensure we maintain a safe and secure environment for our students and staff. If there is a violation of the above procedures, you may be asked to leave and or excluded from our buildings temporarily or permanently. Athletics Buchanan Athletics Calendar OCTOBER TIPS OF THE MONTH Did You Know? with Nurse Comer From the Director of Special Education, Callie Campbell From School Resource Officer, Officer Huang If you witness anything suspicious or any form of bullying, please speak up. Your voice helps keep our community safe and supportive for everyone. The first step starts with you saying something! You can: Tell a trusted adult Call the Herd Hotline at 269-409-1153 Use the confidential reporting tool OK2Say  Together, we can make a difference and keep our community safe. We are Hiring! APPLY NOW! 2025-2026 District Calendar BCS Google Calendars BCS Foundation Buchanan Bucks Merchandise Buchanan Promise Family Resources The Michigan Department of Education announced a new website named Family Matters. This website houses a series of fact sheets available to support families. Feel free to use this link to review this website. Homeless Liaison The homeless liaison will coordinate services to ensure that homeless children and youth enroll in school and have the opportunity to succeed. Brandon Flowers, BCS Homeless Liaison bflowers@buchananschools.com 269-695-8403 ext. *20018 Chain of Command Do you have a question or comment about our district? See our Chain of Command We pledge our best efforts to make Buchanan Community Schools a premier school district, and we strive to create safe, welcoming, engaging, and innovative schools that develop all students’ academic, athletic, artistic, and social growth. We take pride in our community and we appreciate the support of our stakeholders! Thank you! But we do realize that sometimes something might not go right, or you might have a question about what we do or how we do it. We welcome that communication, and we will work to solve your issue for you as efficiently as we can. In order to do that, we ask that you follow our Chain of Command process shown in the diagram. On the left side of the process chart, you will see the common areas of district programming, and then following to the right would be the next step(s) in the Chain of Command for that district program area. Please start by contacting the staff member listed in the second box of each program area. The contact information for our leadership staff members with responsibility for addressing concerns is listed at the top of the diagram. Other contact information for building staff is available on our website in the “Staff Directory” section of each building’s web page. It is expected that most issues should be able to be resolved at these initial steps in the Chain of Command. District Chain of Command About Buchanan Community Schools Buchanan Community Schools is a school district located in Buchanan, Michigan. In 2020, Buchanan was named the Nicest City in America and is known for its community concerts and parades. Buchanan Community Schools has over 1500 students and over 200 employees. The school district has four schools based on grade bands, Ottawa- PreK-1, Moccasin-2-4, Buchanan Middle School 5-7, and Buchanan High School 8-12. Email: probinson@buchananschools.com Website: https://www.buchananschools.com/ Location: 401 West Chicago Street, Buchanan, MI, USA Phone: 269-695-8401 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100065665262514 BCS Vision To develop responsible, resilient, creative citizens capable of succeeding in a global society.

Friday, Oct 24 2025

Bucks Blast 10-17-2025

BUCKS BLAST District Updates October 17, 2025 Reminder: Half Days next week! School Half Day Release Times: Buchanan High School - 11:00am Buchanan Middle School - 10:50am Moccasin Elementary School - 12:10pm Ottawa Elementary School - 12:05pm NEW Bucks Blast Podcast Episode Congratulations BHS Marching Band The Buchanan High School Marching Band earned a Division 1 rating earlier this week at Festival in Berrien Springs. This achievement reflects the students’ hard work, dedication, and teamwork. We also extend our sincere appreciation to the parent and student volunteers who devote their time and energy to supporting the band’s success! FREE Winter Clothing & Coat Giveaway at BHS Everyone deserves to stay warm! We have coats and winter wear in all sizes — child, teen, and adult. Come browse and see what might be just right for you! Buss Pass Procedure Reminder Dear Parents and Guardians, We want to ensure all families understand our bus pass procedures to avoid any confusion or inconvenience at dismissal time. Morning Rides (A.M.) Students who need a ride to school in the morning can board the bus without prior notification to transportation or the school. The driver will ask for their name and whether they will be a regular rider, so we can verify and add them to the route if necessary. If this is just a temporary arrangement, please have your student (or yourself) mention this to the driver so we can keep accurate records. Afternoon Rides & Different Stops (P.M.) If your student needs to get off the bus at a stop other than their regularly assigned one—even if it's on the same route—they must have an office-issued bus pass from their school. Please note: Bus drivers WILL NOT accept handwritten notes or verbal permission, as they cannot verify authenticity Without an office-issued pass, drivers cannot allow students to board a different bus in the afternoon or exit at a different stop Contact your child's school office at least one hour before dismissal to arrange for a bus pass These procedures help us ensure that students are coming from and going to where they need to be. Permanent Stop Changes If you need to make a permanent change to your child's bus stop or route, please contact the Transportation Department directly: Phone: 269.695.8402 Email: bucksbus@buchananschools.com Thank you for your cooperation in helping us maintain safe and organized transportation for all students. Sincerely, Buchanan Schools Transportation Department Bucks in Action Become a Registered Official 🏀⚽️🏈 Ever thought about becoming an MHSAA official? Districts are always in need of great referees! Learn more and get started by clicking below! Click for more MHSAA info! Key Dates Half Day Release Times: Ottawa at 12:05pm Moccasin at 12:10pm BMS at 10:50am BHS at 11:00am Athletics Buchanan Athletics Calendar OCTOBER TIPS OF THE MONTH Did You Know? with Nurse Comer From the Director of Special Education, Callie Campbell From School Resource Officer, Officer Huang If you witness anything suspicious or any form of bullying, please speak up. Your voice helps keep our community safe and supportive for everyone. The first step starts with you saying something! You can: Tell a trusted adult Call the Herd Hotline at 269-409-1153 Use the confidential reporting tool OK2Say  Together, we can make a difference and keep our community safe. BCS Safety Corner Visitor Procedures Visitor Procedures   School visitors are allowed in buildings. All visitors are to ring the entry bell. The executive/administrative assistant will recognize the visitor and confirm the business need. If confirmed, the visitor will be allowed into the building. The visitor will: Stop in the main office Sign the visitor book Receive a visitor badge/lanyard Be escorted to their destination  Be escorted to the primary office once finished Return the visitor’s badge and be escorted out of the building. You must follow our visitor procedures to ensure we maintain a safe and secure environment for our students and staff. If there is a violation of the above procedures, you may be asked to leave and or excluded from our buildings temporarily or permanently. We are Hiring! APPLY NOW! 2025-2026 District Calendar BCS Google CalendarsBCS FoundationBuchanan Bucks MerchandiseBuchanan Promise Family Resources The Michigan Department of Education announced a new website named Family Matters. This website houses a series of fact sheets available to support families. Feel free to use this link to review this website. Homeless Liaison The homeless liaison will coordinate services to ensure that homeless children and youth enroll in school and have the opportunity to succeed. Brandon Flowers, BCS Homeless Liaison bflowers@buchananschools.com 269-695-8403 ext. *20018 Chain of Command Do you have a question or comment about our district? See our Chain of Command We pledge our best efforts to make Buchanan Community Schools a premier school district, and we strive to create safe, welcoming, engaging, and innovative schools that develop all students’ academic, athletic, artistic, and social growth. We take pride in our community and we appreciate the support of our stakeholders! Thank you! But we do realize that sometimes something might not go right, or you might have a question about what we do or how we do it. We welcome that communication, and we will work to solve your issue for you as efficiently as we can. In order to do that, we ask that you follow our Chain of Command process shown in the diagram. On the left side of the process chart, you will see the common areas of district programming, and then following to the right would be the next step(s) in the Chain of Command for that district program area. Please start by contacting the staff member listed in the second box of each program area. The contact information for our leadership staff members with responsibility for addressing concerns is listed at the top of the diagram. Other contact information for building staff is available on our website in the “Staff Directory” section of each building’s web page. It is expected that most issues should be able to be resolved at these initial steps in the Chain of Command. District Chain of Command About Buchanan Community Schools Buchanan Community Schools is a school district located in Buchanan, Michigan. In 2020, Buchanan was named the Nicest City in America and is known for its community concerts and parades. Buchanan Community Schools has over 1500 students and over 200 employees. The school district has four schools based on grade bands, Ottawa- PreK-1, Moccasin-2-4, Buchanan Middle School 5-7, and Buchanan High School 8-12. Email: probinson@buchananschools.com Website: https://www.buchananschools.com/ Location: 401 West Chicago Street, Buchanan, MI, USA Phone: 269-695-8401 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100065665262514 BCS Vision To develop responsible, resilient, creative citizens capable of succeeding in a global society.

Friday, Oct 17 2025

Bucks Blast 10-10-2025

BUCKS BLAST District Updates October 10, 2025 2025-26 Parent Advisory Committee Dear Valued Buchanan Community Schools’ Parents, Buchanan Community Schools’ Parent Advisory Committee is reorganizing for the 2025-26 school year and is seeking interested parents who wish to assist the Superintendent and Board Members in making valuable improvements for our district. Purpose of the Parent Advisory Committee is to: Advise school administrators regarding school practices and concerns. Serve as an information conduit for other parents regarding school matters. Suggest ideas which will benefit students at Buchanan Community Schools. Discuss current issues in education which may influence our students. We are seeking parents from each elementary building and secondary buildings to serve on this district level Parent Advisory Committee. This committee will meet four times a year with the purpose of meaningful dialogue that will support effective parent involvement.  Tentative Meeting Dates: Thursday, November 13, 2025 from 6-7pm Tuesday, January 13, 2026 from 6-7pm Thursday, March 12, 2026 from 6-7pm Tuesday, April 28, 2026 from 6-7pm We would like to invite you to become a member of the Parent Advisory Committee. We are looking for 10-15 individuals with a diverse skill set who are willing to work collaboratively to improve our schools. Please respond to our Google Survey to register. Please complete the survey by Monday, October 13, 2025. Click here for Registration. We plan on contacting selected members by October 17, 2025. Thank you for considering joining our Parent Advisory Committee. Educationally yours, Patricia Robinson Superintendent Herd Shirt Store Re-Opens for this Weekend Only! A message from "The Herd - Buchanan Spirit Team" Hey Bucktown! We had a handful of people reach out to Lazer Graphics about ordering additional pieces of this year's Herd shirt. They graciously re-opened the store for this weekend for any last minute orders that need to be placed. Please spread the word for anyone who may be interested. A few things to be aware of: - All orders will either need to be shipped to your home or picked up at Lazer Graphics - The online store will close on Sunday, October 12th at 11:59 p.m. Be sure to get in your order A.S.A.P. Shop Herd Shirts GO BUCKS! Homecoming 2025, A Success! WHAT A GREAT WEEK! A huge thank you to everyone who helped make Homecoming 2025 a success! It’s always a fun and busy week for our students, and I know they truly appreciate it. A special shoutout to our HERD advisors — Jessica Elliott, Lisa Holok & Rachel Carlson — for scheduling, organizing, and keeping the spirit strong all week long! Tribal Affiliation Data Collection Dear Parent or Guardian: In Michigan, every school district has to collect certain student information, such as enrollment, demographics, and program participation, to share with the Michigan Department of Education. This helps monitor publicly funded educational programs and is required by federal and state laws. The State School Aid Act added a requirement for districts to gather data on students' tribal affiliations. This data collection was set up with input from the Tribal Nations in Michigan. Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, all schools will provide an opportunity for tribal affiliation to be shared. It's important to note that providing tribal affiliation information to schools is optional. The data collected will help improve communication with Tribal Nations and may also help districts determine if they are eligible to apply for extra funding to support Indigenous students. For those who choose to share their tribal affiliation, their information is protected by privacy laws like FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) and others that prevent discrimination. If you wish to provide affiliation data for your child, please complete the online form by October 13, 2025. For more information about the data collection, please contact Anna Smith at asmith@buchananschools.com Sincerely, Patricia Robinson Superintendent of Schools  FREE Winter Clothing & Coat Giveaway at BHS Everyone deserves to stay warm! We have coats and winter wear in all sizes — child, teen, and adult. Come browse and see what might be just right for you! Key Dates Half Day Release Times: Ottawa at 12:05pm Moccasin at 12:10pm BMS at 10:50am BHS at 11:00am Athletics Buchanan Athletics Calendar OCTOBER TIPS OF THE MONTH Did You Know? with Nurse Comer From the Director of Special Education, Callie Campbell From School Resource Officer, Officer Huang If you witness anything suspicious or any form of bullying, please speak up. Your voice helps keep our community safe and supportive for everyone. The first step starts with you saying something! You can: Tell a trusted adult Call the Herd Hotline at 269-409-1153 Use the confidential reporting tool OK2Say  Together, we can make a difference and keep our community safe. BCS Safety Corner Standard Response Protocol (SRP) Standard Response Protocol: Our district, along with most districts in our county, has adopted The “I Love U Guys” Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol (SRP). Students and staff will be training, practicing, and drilling the protocol.  The Standard Response Protocol (SRP) is based on an all-hazards approach as opposed to individual scenarios. Like the Incident Command System (ICS), SRP utilizes clear common language while allowing for flexibility in protocol. The premise is simple - there are five specific actions that can be performed during an incident. When communicating these, the action is labeled with a “Term of Art” and is then followed by a “Directive.” Execution of the action is performed by active participants, including students, staff, teachers and first responders. The SRP is based on the following actions: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter. Linked here is more information about the protocol. We are Hiring! APPLY NOW! 2025-2026 District Calendar BCS Google CalendarsBCS FoundationBuchanan Bucks MerchandiseBuchanan Promise Family Resources The Michigan Department of Education announced a new website named Family Matters. This website houses a series of fact sheets available to support families. Feel free to use this link to review this website. Homeless Liaison The homeless liaison will coordinate services to ensure that homeless children and youth enroll in school and have the opportunity to succeed. Brandon Flowers, BCS Homeless Liaison bflowers@buchananschools.com 269-695-8403 ext. *20018 Chain of Command Do you have a question or comment about our district? See our Chain of Command We pledge our best efforts to make Buchanan Community Schools a premier school district, and we strive to create safe, welcoming, engaging, and innovative schools that develop all students’ academic, athletic, artistic, and social growth. We take pride in our community and we appreciate the support of our stakeholders! Thank you! But we do realize that sometimes something might not go right, or you might have a question about what we do or how we do it. We welcome that communication, and we will work to solve your issue for you as efficiently as we can. In order to do that, we ask that you follow our Chain of Command process shown in the diagram. On the left side of the process chart, you will see the common areas of district programming, and then following to the right would be the next step(s) in the Chain of Command for that district program area. Please start by contacting the staff member listed in the second box of each program area. The contact information for our leadership staff members with responsibility for addressing concerns is listed at the top of the diagram. Other contact information for building staff is available on our website in the “Staff Directory” section of each building’s web page. It is expected that most issues should be able to be resolved at these initial steps in the Chain of Command. District Chain of Command About Buchanan Community Schools Buchanan Community Schools is a school district located in Buchanan, Michigan. In 2020, Buchanan was named the Nicest City in America and is known for its community concerts and parades. Buchanan Community Schools has over 1500 students and over 200 employees. The school district has four schools based on grade bands, Ottawa- PreK-1, Moccasin-2-4, Buchanan Middle School 5-7, and Buchanan High School 8-12. Email: probinson@buchananschools.com Website: https://www.buchananschools.com/ Location: 401 West Chicago Street, Buchanan, MI, USA Phone: 269-695-8401 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100065665262514 BCS Vision To develop responsible, resilient, creative citizens capable of succeeding in a global society.

Friday, Oct 10 2025

Student School Meals Continue to be FREE for the 202...

With the finalization of the State budget complete, Buchanan Community Schools will continue to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students for the 2025-26 school year  as part of the  Michigan School Meals Program , a resource funded through the State's annual budget. Even though meals are free to all students, we continue to encourage families to fill out the Education Benefits Form if you have not yet done so. Qualifying families may be eligible for other benefits such as Summer EBT cards, and our schools may also qualify for certain grants. Forms are available in each school's office and online at  https://buchanan.familyportal.cloud/ If you have any questions about your student's school breakfast/lunch nutritional needs or meal options, please contact Becky Kaltenbach, Food Service Supervisor, at 269-695-8415 or by email at rkaltenbach@buchananschools.com Buchanan Community Schools is committed to serving the whole child and ensuring every student has the support and resources they need to thrive.

Friday, Oct 03 2025

Student School Meals Update

The Michigan state legislature and Governor Whitmer reached an agreement on a temporary budget, ensuring the state government can remain open.  Funding for school meals was included in this agreement, which means that we will continue with free school meals until additional details are released. We'll share more details as soon as we receive more definitive information.   As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.  Thank you for your patience and understanding. Phone: 269-695-8415 Email: rkaltenbach@buchananschools.com

Wednesday, Oct 01 2025

Bucks Blast 9-26-2025

BUCKS BLAST BCS Updates September 26, 2025 Homecoming Parade Info Parade October 3, 2025 It’s almost time for Homecoming week! And as you might have noticed, downtown Buchanan is a bit chaotic. However, that won’t stop us from holding our annual parade. For this year, we will travel an alternate route STARTING at Moccasin Elementary. The parade will officially begin at 6:00 p.m. on October 3rd and head SOUTH on Moccasin toward Front Street. Then, we’ll turn RIGHT/WEST onto Front Street toward Terre Coupe and turn LEFT. This takes us to the end of our typical route that curves around the baseball/softball fields. (Note: vehicles should NOT park ON Moccasin between the elementary and Front Street to allow for ample space for floats to pass.) Here’s a map to help you navigate this year’s route. We can’t wait to see you there! Building for the Future Read Michigan eBook Platform Now Available Through Michigan eLibrary Michigan residents will benefit from the addition of Read Michigan to the suite of eResources available through the Michigan eLibrary (MeL) at MeL.org.  Read Michigan is a collection of regional eBooks—including many about Michigan and/or from Michigan authors—with no wait lists or holds that are available to all state residents or visitors anywhere within the state. The Michigan eLibrary is a statewide service that provides access to subscription magazines, newspapers, reference books, eBooks, and more on a wide range of topics for all age groups. The addition of Read Michigan to the Michigan eLibrary brings together mutually beneficial platforms that will both enhance the suite of eResources and draw new users to Read Michigan. We are Hiring! APPLY NOW! Key Dates BCS Safety Corner NOTICE TO PARENTS & GUARDIANS- Project Child Safe For more information from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services regarding their notice concerning best practices for the safe storage of firearms click here. Standard Response Protocol (SRP) Standard Response Protocol: Our district, along with most districts in our county, has adopted The “I Love U Guys” Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol (SRP). Students and staff will be training, practicing, and drilling the protocol.  The Standard Response Protocol (SRP) is based on an all-hazards approach as opposed to individual scenarios. Like the Incident Command System (ICS), SRP utilizes clear common language while allowing for flexibility in protocol. The premise is simple - there are five specific actions that can be performed during an incident. When communicating these, the action is labeled with a “Term of Art” and is then followed by a “Directive.” Execution of the action is performed by active participants, including students, staff, teachers and first responders. The SRP is based on the following actions: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter. Linked here is more information about the protocol. Family Resources The Michigan Department of Education announced a new website named Family Matters. This website houses a series of fact sheets available to support families. Feel free to use this link to review this website. Athletics Buchanan Athletics Calendar Did You Know? with Nurse Comer 2025-2026 District Calendar BCS Google Calendars BCS Foundation Buchanan Bucks Merchandise Buchanan Promise Homeless Liaison The homeless liaison will coordinate services to ensure that homeless children and youth enroll in school and have the opportunity to succeed. Brandon Flowers, BCS Homeless Liaison bflowers@buchananschools.com 269-695-8403 ext. *20018 Chain of Command Do you have a question or comment about our district? See our Chain of Command We pledge our best efforts to make Buchanan Community Schools a premier school district, and we strive to create safe, welcoming, engaging, and innovative schools that develop all students’ academic, athletic, artistic, and social growth. We take pride in our community and we appreciate the support of our stakeholders! Thank you! But we do realize that sometimes something might not go right, or you might have a question about what we do or how we do it. We welcome that communication, and we will work to solve your issue for you as efficiently as we can. In order to do that, we ask that you follow our Chain of Command process shown in the diagram. On the left side of the process chart, you will see the common areas of district programming, and then following to the right would be the next step(s) in the Chain of Command for that district program area. Please start by contacting the staff member listed in the second box of each program area. The contact information for our leadership staff members with responsibility for addressing concerns is listed at the top of the diagram. Other contact information for building staff is available on our website in the “Staff Directory” section of each building’s web page. It is expected that most issues should be able to be resolved at these initial steps in the Chain of Command. District Chain of Command About Buchanan Community Schools Buchanan Community Schools is a school district located in Buchanan, Michigan. In 2020, Buchanan was named the Nicest City in America and is known for its community concerts and parades. Buchanan Community Schools has over 1500 students and over 200 employees. The school district has four schools based on grade bands, Ottawa- PreK-1, Moccasin-2-4, Buchanan Middle School 5-7, and Buchanan High School 8-12. Email: probinson@buchananschools.com Website: https://www.buchananschools.com/ Location: 401 West Chicago Street, Buchanan, MI, USA Phone: 269-695-8401 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100065665262514 BCS Vision To develop responsible, resilient, creative citizens capable of succeeding in a global society.

Friday, Sep 26 2025

Strategic Planning Survey - Your Voice Matters!

Your Voice Matters - Help Us Reach Our Goal for Buchanan's Future! Dear Buchanan Community Schools Families and Community Members, We're excited about the response we've received so far for our Strategic Planning Survey, but we need MORE of your voices to truly represent our amazing community! We have a goal: to hear from at least half of our families. Right now, we're just getting started, and every single response brings us closer to creating a plan that truly reflects what matters most to YOU and your children. Why Your Voice Matters: You know your child's needs better than anyone Your experiences shape our understanding of what's working and what isn't Your dreams for our students help us set the right priorities for 2026-2031 Together, we can build something incredible for Buchanan It's Easy and Quick: 👉  Survey Link  - Takes just 2-3 minutes  📅 Deadline: Friday, September 26, 2025   📝 Paper copies available at the Superintendent's Office  Already completed it? Thank you! Please encourage your neighbors, friends, and fellow Buchanan families to participate too. Share this message, mention it at school pickup, or talk about it at community events. Every voice counts. Every perspective matters. Let's show what Buchanan community spirit looks like by coming together to shape our district's future! Thank you for being part of this important conversation and Go Bucks! Educationally yours, Patricia L. Robinson Superintendent of Buchanan Community Schools 

Monday, Sep 22 2025

Bucks Blast 9-12-2025

BUCKS BLAST BCS Updates September 12, 2025 Press Release - Buchanan High School Unveils New Competition Gym Floor Buchanan High School is proud to announce the completion of its competition gymnasium floor restoration project, marking a significant milestone in the school's commitment to providing quality athletic facilities for its student-athletes and community. This past spring, the competition gym floor sustained significant water damage during the intense storms that swept through the area. The severe weather conditions resulted in flooding that compromised the integrity of the original flooring, necessitating a complete restoration effort. District administration worked diligently with insurance representatives and professional contractors throughout the summer months to ensure a comprehensive repair and restoration process. The project was made possible through a combination of insurance coverage and additional funding from the district's building site fund, demonstrating the school's commitment to maintaining premier athletic facilities. The fully restored floor showcases several improvements over the previous surface: Modern Matte Finish: The new surface features a contemporary matte look that reduces glare and provides optimal playing conditions Cleaner Design Elements: Updated court markings and graphics create a more professional appearance Enhanced Durability: The restoration incorporates modern materials and techniques designed to withstand heavy use and environmental factors Safety Improvements: The new surface meets or exceeds current safety standards for high school competition The volleyball team has already begun practicing on the newly restored floor, with coaches and players expressing enthusiasm about the improved playing surface. The gym is now fully operational and ready to host competitions, providing an exceptional venue for both home games and community events. "We're thrilled to welcome our teams, students, and community back to our restored competition gymnasium," said Reid McBeth. "This project represents our ongoing dedication to providing our student-athletes with facilities that support their growth and achievement." The restored gymnasium will serve not only the volleyball program but all athletic teams and school activities that utilize the space, ensuring that Buchanan High School continues to offer quality facilities for years to come. For more information about Buchanan High School athletics and facilities, contact Reid McBeth at rmcbeth@buchananschools.com Celebrating the 2025 Hall of Fame Tonight! Home Varsity Football Game at 7pm Join Us in Shaping Our Future! You're invited to help develop our strategic plan goals for 2026-2031. Your input and perspective are vital as we chart our course for the next five years. When: October 6th & 7th, 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM Where: District Library What's Included: Lunch will be provided both days. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to meaningful change and help set priorities that will guide our work for years to come. We're looking for diverse voices and fresh ideas to make this planning process as robust as possible. Ready to participate? Please complete the form linked here by September 12, 2025, to let us know you're interested. We look forward to collaborating with you! Bucks in Action Key Dates BCS Safety Corner Due to ongoing construction throughout the city, we're asking all drivers to reduce speed and drive extra cautiously. Special attention needed at Redbud and Smith intersection: This intersection is frequently used by our new student drivers. The hill in this area creates blind spots that can make it difficult to see oncoming traffic or pedestrians. Since many of our students are still learning to navigate challenging intersections like this one, we ask for your patience and understanding, particularly during school start and dismissal times when traffic is heaviest. Please remind your teen drivers to approach this intersection with extra caution, come to complete stops, and take their time to ensure the area is clear before proceeding. Thank you for helping keep our student drivers and entire community safe during this construction period. Standard Response Protocol (SRP) Standard Response Protocol: Our district, along with most districts in our county, has adopted The “I Love U Guys” Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol (SRP). Students and staff will be training, practicing, and drilling the protocol.  The Standard Response Protocol (SRP) is based on an all-hazards approach as opposed to individual scenarios. Like the Incident Command System (ICS), SRP utilizes clear common language while allowing for flexibility in protocol. The premise is simple - there are five specific actions that can be performed during an incident. When communicating these, the action is labeled with a “Term of Art” and is then followed by a “Directive.” Execution of the action is performed by active participants, including students, staff, teachers and first responders. The SRP is based on the following actions: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter. Linked here is more information about the protocol. Family Resources The Michigan Department of Education announced a new website named Family Matters. This website houses a series of fact sheets available to support families. Feel free to use this link to review this website. Athletics Buchanan Athletics Calendar 2025-2026 District Calendar BCS Google Calendars BCS Foundation Buchanan Bucks Merchandise Buchanan Promise Homeless Liaison The homeless liaison will coordinate services to ensure that homeless children and youth enroll in school and have the opportunity to succeed. Brandon Flowers, BCS Homeless Liaison bflowers@buchananschools.com 269-695-8403 ext. *20018 Chain of Command Do you have a question or comment about our district? See our Chain of Command We pledge our best efforts to make Buchanan Community Schools a premier school district, and we strive to create safe, welcoming, engaging, and innovative schools that develop all students’ academic, athletic, artistic, and social growth. We take pride in our community and we appreciate the support of our stakeholders! Thank you! But we do realize that sometimes something might not go right, or you might have a question about what we do or how we do it. We welcome that communication, and we will work to solve your issue for you as efficiently as we can. In order to do that, we ask that you follow our Chain of Command process shown in the diagram. On the left side of the process chart, you will see the common areas of district programming, and then following to the right would be the next step(s) in the Chain of Command for that district program area. Please start by contacting the staff member listed in the second box of each program area. The contact information for our leadership staff members with responsibility for addressing concerns is listed at the top of the diagram. Other contact information for building staff is available on our website in the “Staff Directory” section of each building’s web page. It is expected that most issues should be able to be resolved at these initial steps in the Chain of Command. District Chain of Command About Buchanan Community Schools Buchanan Community Schools is a school district located in Buchanan, Michigan. In 2020, Buchanan was named the Nicest City in America and is known for its community concerts and parades. Buchanan Community Schools has over 1500 students and over 200 employees. The school district has four schools based on grade bands, Ottawa- PreK-1, Moccasin-2-4, Buchanan Middle School 5-7, and Buchanan High School 8-12. Email: probinson@buchananschools.com Website: https://www.buchananschools.com/ Location: 401 West Chicago Street, Buchanan, MI, USA Phone: 269-695-8401 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100065665262514 BCS Vision To develop responsible, resilient, creative citizens capable of succeeding in a global society.

Friday, Sep 12 2025