Message from the Principal
Dear Baker Families,
Welcome to the start of the 2020/2021 school year! To say that this year will look different from what we are used to would be an understatement. COVID-19 brought us one of the most challenging years in my career. Even though we lost our traditional ending to last school year and are starting virtually this fall, I can't say enough about how proud I am of our students, staff, and community for their resilience in meeting the challenge.
Over the summer our staff worked tirelessly to create our Return to Learn Plan. It seamlessly leverages our technological capacity to provide synchronous learning in real time to students in the classroom and at home. This year will require us to be flexible with changing circumstances as we work towards having students in the building in our hybrid format. This edition of the Baker Blast will include information about the start of the school year that will help you navigate through this new process.
Our teachers are excited to start the school year. They have an exciting week of professional learning ahead that will ignite our commitment to Equity and Inclusion, dive into the Nuts and Bolts of Instruction in a Virtual Classroom, Streamline the Use of Schoology, and support Content Area Planning for a 90-Minute Block. I'm happy to inform you that after a long summer, we are well positioned for success. I am truly honored to serve as your principal and proud to work with a staff that is dedicated to making this a meaningful year for our students. I am looking forward to what lies ahead!
Sincerely,
Jonathan Cross
Parent Communication
Most parent communications will be included in the Baker Blast. These are sent out using School Messenger and Twitter. If you were subscribed to School Messenger last year (either at Baker or your child’s elementary school), then you are all set for this school year and don’t need to do anything. If you need to sign up for School Messenger, please contact the main office for more information 248-823-4600.
First Week of School
During the first week of school we will have a series of adjusted 1/2 Day schedules. Please reference the images below to see which classes to attend on each day. Zoom links will be available in Schoology.
Monday - August 31st
Tuesday - September 1st
Students will attend all classes
Wednesday - September 2nd
(A - Day) Students will attend hours 1,2,3
Thursday - September 3rd
(B - Day) Students will attend hours 4,5,6
Friday - September 4th
September Calendar
Please note that on A - Days students attend Hours 1 - 3 and on B- Days students attend hours 4 - 6.
Virtual Code of Conduct
The Troy School District is dedicated to creating and maintaining a positive learning environment for all students. This extends into the virtual learning environment. To support our transition to virtual learning, our administrative team updated the TSD Code of Conduct to include the following excerpt. Please reference this and discuss the virtual code of conduct with your student.
Access to Schedules in PowerSchool 8/26/20
Please note that schedule change requests must be received by 9/11/20.
Troy School District uses PowerSchool Parent Portal for parents and guardians to access attendance, transportation information, forms and report cards. Families will need to update emergency contact information in PowerSchool before being able to access student schedules. Please click on the link above to access the Parent Portal.
Emergency Contact Information
Please be sure to provide up to date contact information including work numbers and cell phone numbers to reach you throughout the day. In addition, please be sure to provide full names and details for any other family members or adults that may be granted permission to pick up your child from school when we enter into the hybrid part of our Return to Learn plan.
FERPA Consent for 7th Graders
Immunization Requirements
Please click on the PowerSchool Parent Portal link above to complete this form before attempting to access your schedule on 8/26/20.
All children entering 7th grade and all children ages 11-18 years of age who are changing school districts must have on file a signed Consent form for Disclosure of Immunization Information and the following vaccinations:
Immunization Information
- One dose of meningococcal (MCV4 or MPSV4) vaccine
- One dose of tetanus/diphtheria/acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine
- Two doses of Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine or have history of chickenpox disease
- Four doses of Polio
- Two doses of MMR
- Three doses of Hepatitis B
Non-medical waivers will need to be obtained from the Oakland County Health Department to exempt your student from this requirement. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. § 1232g, requires written parental consent for your child’s immunization information to be shared with the health department. For additional information, please reference the forms section at the end of the Baker Blast.
Parent Instructions for completing the PowerSchool Information Consent for Disclosure of Immunization Information Form: See Below
Technology Update
iPad Case Replacement
In June the Board of Education approved the purchase of new keyboard cases for students in grades 4 through 7. These cases arrived in the district, and we would like to make arrangements to get them installed on your child’s iPad as soon as possible. Since the school year will be starting in a virtual setting, we will not be able to replace the cases at the school during the school day. Instead, we have set up space in the Services Building located at 4420 Livernois Road to install the new cases.
Please sign up for a time slot using the link below.
Please allow 15 minutes for the new case to be installed. Social distancing measures will be in place, and masks are required. Only one person will be allowed to enter the building during the scheduled time slot.
Use the following link to select the date and time that works best for your schedule.
If you have challenges scheduling a time slot, please contact the TSD Help Desk for assistance (248) 823-5092. Location: Services Building, 4420 Livernois Road, Troy MI 48098 - Main Doors 01 Thank you
Student Materials Pick-Up
Scheduled for the week of September 7th
We are in the process of organizing a materials pick-up opportunity during the week of September 7 for students in classes where teachers normally provide classroom resources when they are in the building (ie. textbooks, library books, music instruments, essential art supplies, etc.). We are waiting until the 2nd week of September in an attempt to allow for any last minute schedule changes that are processed during the 1st week in September. More information to come!
Yearbooks
We have several yearbooks that were not picked up. They are available and can be picked up by a student or parent at the Baker Middle School Main Office. Please contact the main office to schedule a time for pick-up. The yearbooks will be available during the scheduled student materials pick-up session.
If you missed the deadline to order a yearbook, we have good news! Limited quantity of extras available. The cost of the yearbook is $37.00. Only cash and checks will be accepted for payment. Please make checks are payable to Baker Middle School.