Welcome

Greetings Buck Lodge Middle School Families, 

Welcome to Buck Lodge Middle School! Each year we look forward to working with our new and returning students and parents on the shared work of building upon the many great structures already in place. It is our goal to take Buck Lodge to new heights of academic achievement, inclusion, and community partnerships. We want to share information that may assist you throughout the school year. As we have transitioned to a new student information system, Synergy, we understand that there may be some challenges, but we are committed to providing support to ensure a smooth experience for all. Our students follow a daily schedule that includes attending six classes, following an A-day/B-day schedule with one 30-minute lunch break.

Arrival & Dismissal

School hours are 8:00 am to 3:30 pm. The instructional day for students is 8:30 am to 3:10 pm. To ensure a safe and orderly arrival and dismissal, please adhere to the following guidelines: 

• Arrival: Students may begin arriving at 8:00 a.m.. No student should arrive on school property prior to 8:00 a.m., as there will be no adult supervision. Upon arrival, beginning at 8:00 a.m., 6th and 8th grade students will wait in the cafeteria and 7th grade students will wait in the gymnasium for the school day to begin. All students eating breakfast will do so in the cafeteria until 8:15 a.m., and then will be released to their homeroom class. 
• Early Dismissal: Students will not be released for early dismissal after 2:30 p.m.. Please schedule accordingly. 
• Dismissal: Dismissal begins at 3:10 p.m. All students must be picked up no later than 3:30 pm. 

Please visit our Arrival and Dismissal Procedures page for more detailed information. To ensure students safety it is imperative that these procedures and safety protocols are followed by all families.

Meals (Breakfast/Lunch)

Breakfast is available to all students from 8:00 am to 8:25 am. All students arriving on a late bus will be permitted to receive breakfast, if they choose.

Assistance

Additionally, our (PEA) Parent Engagement Assistant, Ms. Jancy Cruz, will be available to support families and answer any lingering questions they might have. For more information regarding the school, including our school supply list and student uniforms, please check our website https://www.pgcps.org/bucklodge. 

I look forward to meeting you all and to an exciting and engaging school year!

Kenneth Nance, Jr. 
Principal

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Tips for a Successful School Year

To be successful, students should complete the following: 

• Attend school every day
• Attend every class on time
• Be a leader and not a follower
• Actively participate in the entire lesson
• Complete and submit all assignments on time
• Remain organized with materials easily accessible
• Be prepared with all required materials: BLMS Supply List
• Check virtual platforms (i.e.: Google Classroom & Synergy) daily
• Bring school issued devices (i.e.: Chromebook) and charging cord everyday**
• Follow all school rules and protocols
• Advocate for themselves by asking questions and seeking assistance when needed
• Review school-wide information (i.e.: BLMS Community Updates, Monthly Newsletter & Website) regularly
• Get involved in school clubs and activities 

Important Resources

Student schedules and bus information are available on Synergy StudentVUE and ParentVUE.

 

lnfofinder - Parents and schools may locate designated, comprehensive bus stops using this site by entering the home address as it appears in Synergy.

 

Postcards - The postcards with students' bus information for the 2024-2025 school year were mailed out in early August. They will be sent to the latest address you have provided for the school registrar in Synergy. 

Stopfinder bus app - Available on Google Play and the Apple App Store. Parents/guardians must have an email address on file in Synergy in order to be invited to view the students' bus schedule. The Stopfinder invites for the 2024-2025 school year will be sent out weekly, beginning on Monday, August 19, 2024. Help/FAQs: https://stopfinder.com/help/ 

Lunch Applications: Free or reduced-price meals are available to students based on household size and income. To apply, families must complete a new Application for Free and Reduced-Price Meals at the beginning of each school year. Applications are usually sent home with students the first week of school or can be submitted online: 

 

Student Athlete Participation Form Applications: Students are required to have an annual medical evaluation before participation. Medical evaluations are valid for one calendar year.