Need to Know: Important Information for Going Back to School

School starts Sept. 6 for area schools, and there's a lot that parents, teachers and students need to do before the first bell rings.

Birmingham Patch will provide back-to-school coverage throughout August. Last week, we brought you the for . This week, we've got even more important back-to-school info you need to know sooner rather than later.

Daily schedule

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

• 8:55 a.m.-3:50 p.m.
• Half day: 8:55 a.m.-12:05 p.m.
  
• Morning kindergarten: 8:55 a.m.-noon (Half day: 8:55 a.m.-12:05 p.m.)
• Afternoon kindergarten: 12:40-3:50 p.m.

BIRMINGHAM COVINGTON SCHOOL

• 8:20 a.m.-4:05 p.m.
• Half day: 8:20 a.m.-11:20 a.m.

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

• 8:15 a.m.-3:08 p.m.
• Half Day: 8:15-11:20 a.m.

HIGH SCHOOLS

• 7:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m.
• Half Day: 7:30-10:50 a.m.
• X-Block: 8:20 a.m.-2:45 p.m.
• MME day: 10:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m.

Vaccinations and important forms

At the beginning of each school year, parents and guardians must submit either a certificate showing that their child has received required immunizations, or they must submit one of the waiver forms listed below.

In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that preteens and adolescents may need boosters and vaccines to further protect them from illness. Children age 11-12 (entering sixth grade) should receive DTP (diptheria-tetanus-pertussis) boosters, and the CDC also recommends that children entering sixth grade receive a meningococcal vaccine.

Besides vaccination or waiver forms, Birmingham Public Schools requires several forms to be filled out prior to the beginning of the year.

• Immunization Waiver Form: For those parents who decide not to immunize their children.
• Medical Contraindication Form: For those parents who have children who are not immunized due to health reasons.
• Permission to Administer Medication
• Free and Reduced Price Lunch Application
• Technology Acceptable Use Policy
• Preparticipation Physical Evaluation: For middle and high school students only

Emergency procedures and school closings

Parents and guardians are required to provide emergency information for each child enrolled in Birmingham Public Schools at the beginning of each year. Parents are also responsible for keeping the data up to date. Additional Emergency Data Cards may be picked up any school's main office. 

WEATHER CLOSINGS

The decision to close school due to inclement weather is made by the superintendent upon the advice of the manager of transportation services and local police.

When the weather might lead to school closings, parents and students are advised to:

• Listen for school closing announcements on major radio and television stations, as well as on Birmingham Patch.
• Call the BPS information line recording at 248-203-3000 or any main school phone number.
• Check the district's website at birmingham.k12.mi.us.

To check if school bus routes are affected by inclement weather, call the district's Transportation Department hotline at 248-203-3960 or visit the department's website at bpstransportation.org.

If threatening weather or mechanical failure requires an early dismissal from some or all schools, schools will make every effort to notify parents and guardians. As a backup plan, parents should talk to their children about where they may and may not go. Elementary principals will distribute early-dismissal procedures specific to that school.

Contact information

Need to get in touch with your child's school or a district administrator? Here are the phone numbers you need to know.

SCHOOLS

• : 248-203-5800
• : 248-203-3150
• : 248-203-3350
• : 248-203-3210
• : 248-203-3265
• : 248-203-3888
• : 248-203-4325
• : 248-203-3425
• : 248-851-2667
• : 248-203-4444
• : 248-203-4700
• : 248-203-5000
• : 248-203-3500
• : 248-203-3700
• : 248-539-8413

ADMINISTRATION

• Central Administrative Building: 248-203-3000
• Superintendent's Office: 248-203-3004
• Deputy Superintendent's Office: 248-203-3010
• Community Relations: 248-203-3025
• Community Education: 248-203-3800
• Special Education: 248-203-3014
• Instruction/Curriculum: 248-203-3011
• ESL/Bilingual Department: 248-203-4230

For more Back to School coverage, check out Birmingham Patch's .