BIS Policies
Absences/Independent Study
Parents must call the school at (650) 259-3830 if their child is going to be absent. If a call is not made, a note from a parent/guardian must be given to the office upon return.
If a student is going to be absent from school for five days or more, please contact the school at least five days in advance for an Independent Study Contract.
Dress Code
Wear clothing that is appropriate for the learning environment. This means clothing that isn’t offensive or revealing. Students may be sent to the office to change clothes if they aren’t appropriately dressed.
Electronics/Cell Phones on Campus
No use of personal cell phones are allowed on campus before and during school. Please contact the office if there is an emergency or you have a message that your student needs immediately. Students are allowed to bring their own laptops or tablets to school for use in the classroom and must adhere to the agreements in the district’s acceptable use form.
Cell phones, electronic devices, earbuds and headphones must be turned off and put away while on campus. Personal laptops, tablet devices, earbuds, and headphones may be used for BIS staff-assigned work only.
Hall Passes
Every student leaving a classroom must have a hall pass. Students who are out of class without a pass will be sent back to their assigned classroom.
Health Office
If you become ill at school, report to your teacher FIRST and then request a pass to go to the office.
ID Cards
Students must carry their ID card with them on campus. ID cards are needed to buy lunch and check out materials.
Leaving Campus Early
Parents must come into the office and sign the student out at the counter. Students will be called from class upon parents' arrival to the office.
Make-Up Homework Request Policy
Students who have been absent from class should refer to individual teacher’s policies to determine the amount of time given to make up missed assignments. Please email teachers directly for make-up homework or refer to School Loop.
Medication
Students are not allowed to carry medications of any type during the school day. All types of medication must be kept in the school office.
Restorative Practices
Restorative practices cultivate students' sense of belonging through proactive community building and responses to misbehavior that repair the harm they did and restore the relationships that their actions damaged. The use of restorative practices has been proven to decrease misbehavior, reduce the need for disciplinary actions, increase perceived safety, and increase academic achievement campus-wide.
Learn more about Restorative Practices at BIS >
Supervision
Students are supervised for 15 minutes before school and 15 minutes after school. Students on campus outside these supervised times must be involved in a school-sponsored activity.
Tdap
A new California law requires all students entering 7th grade to be vaccinated against whooping cough. By law, students who do not have proof of receiving a Tdap booster shot will not be able to start school until proof is provided to the school. (The tetanus-diptheria booster shot, Td, will not meet the requirement.)
Visitors
No one is allowed onto the campus without prior permission from the administration. Parents/guardians must check in at the office and get a visitor badge if they need to come on campus for any reason. Please make an appointment to meet with teachers before coming to school.
Zip Codes
In order to attend BIS, a student must reside in the City of Burlingame (94010) with at least one parent or legal guardian. If resident status changes, parents/guardians must apply for an Inter-District transfer in order to remain at BIS. Inter-District transfer forms may be picked up at the District Office.
Questions about enrollment? Learn more here >
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Academics and Enrichment
8th Grade Class Trip
This spring break trip to Washington D.C. is an optional enrichment opportunity available to 8th grade students. (Contact person: Mr. Tinkham)
Block B Society
Students must fulfill three requirements per trimester (extracurricular activities, community service, and a minimum GPA) and fill out a form each trimester by the deadline to get credit. Students who participate all three trimesters are recognized at the end of year. Graduating 8th graders who participate all nine* trimesters will be awarded and recognized at graduation. (*All BBS students automatically receive credit for Fall Trimester 2016.)
Visit the BBS site for more info >
Genius Olympiad
Open to all BIS students, BIS Genius Olympiad provides a way to challenge and engage our students by incorporating skills and knowledge needed to be the citizens, leaders, scientists, artists, writers, engineers, and policy makers of the future. With options in Art, Business, Design, Creative Writing, Music, Science, and Public Speaking, all students are encouraged to participate in this enrichment project.
Learn more about Genius Olympiad >
Honor Roll, High Honors, Trojan Scholars
Each trimester, students who have a grade point average of 3.5 or better will be designated as Honor Roll students. Students who achieve a 3.75 grade point average will be recognized as High Honors, and students who have earned a 4.0 GPA will be designated Trojan Scholars.
Leadership Opportunities
There are multiple opportunities for student leadership available at BIS, including:
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Peer Council
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Peer Tutoring
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School Safety Ambassadors
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Student Council
Peer Council
Peer Council supports Restorative Practices when issues of misbehavior arise. Students must apply to join Peer Council each year and (if accepted) fulfill training requirements over two days.
PULSE
PULSE is a BIS elective class focused on making students feel more connected to the campus community. (Contact persons: Ms. Ansara/Ms. Birrell)
Visit the student created/run PULSE website >
Scholars of the Year
At the end of the school year, Scholars of the Year are awarded to students who have had a 4.0 GPA for all three trimesters.
Student Safety Ambassadors
A group of campus student leaders focused on making our school community more inclusive. Based on idea that "adults alone cannot keep school's safe; safe schools are built from the inside out."
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BIS General Info
Backpacks
In order to safeguard personal belongings and school materials, students are urged to never leave backpacks unattended.
Communication (School Loop and BIS Newsletter)
SCHOOL LOOP:
School Loop is an online information system that addresses and strengthens home and school communication. It provides parents with their students' schedules, class work, homework assignments, quizzes/tests, due dates, and grades.
New students and parents may register here >
BIS NEWSLETTER:
A newsletter email is sent out weekly with info about relevant school and community news and events. BIS PTA collects info from BIS, district, and community administrators. The newsletter is an opt-in email; parents must sign up to receive it.
Sign up here to stay updated on BIS news >
Counselors
Our school counselor supports students academically, socially and emotionally.
STUDENTS:
Visit Ms. Ibos at the Student Center located in the main office. If in class, please ask permission from your teacher. If Ms. Ibos is unavailable, please visit the front office to wait or leave a message.
PARENTS:
If your child is experiencing personal, social, and/or emotional concerns, you can make an appointment by emailing Ms. Ibos.
Forgotten Items
It is the individual student’s responsibility to bring to school their supplies, lunch, homework, etc. The office staff will NOT interrupt classroom instruction for forgotten items. Exceptions will be made for true emergencies (i.e. affects health or safety of student).
Lockers
6th grade students are issued a locker at the start of the school year. For 7th and 8th graders, lockers are available on a first-come/first-served basis. Lockers are not mandatory. No locks from home may be used on school lockers. Each student is also issued a small personal locker in the gym dressing rooms. Students are advised to keep their locker combinations confidential and to be responsible for their own belongings. Lost or stolen property is not the responsibility of the school.
Office Telephones
The office telephones may be only used with staff permission.
Textbooks and Library Books
Textbooks and/or library books are the responsibility of the student until returned. Textbooks and materials must be returned at the end of the course and/or when withdrawing from school. Any student who does not return books or other materials will be charged replacement costs.
Twitter: @BISTrojans
A great way to see what's happening on campus. Visit the link here >
Yearbooks
Available for order via forms available in the front office.
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Transportation
Bikes
Bikes must be locked up within the bike cage located near the front of the school along Quesada Way.
Bus Service
SamTrans has a public bus route that drops off and picks up students in front of BIS. These buses operate under the same guidelines as all other public transportation providers. If an issue or concern arises related to student behavior on the bus, please contact both samTrans and a BIS Assistant Principal.
On regular days, the bus usually leaves school by 3:30p. On early dismissal Tuesdays, the bus usually leaves around 2:30p. Buses do not pick up students from BIS on 1:30 dismissal days. Please note: these times may fluctuate.
Visit the samTrans website for route information >
Skateboards and Scooters
Skateboards and scooters can be parked in the board parking towers, outside Ms. Scott’s office. Skateboards on the right, scooters on the left, with handlebars shortened and facing down. Don’t forget to bring your own lock.
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Sports and Gear
BIS Sweatshirts and Jackets
Available for purchase via order forms in the front office.
Sports Jerseys
If you register your student for a Parks and Rec middle school sport, he/she needs a sports jersey to wear to team events. Buy it once for $20 and use it for all sports. (If you have one from last year that still fits you don't need a new one.)
Jerseys can be picked up at the Athletic Director's office (across from the Music Room), Monday to Friday from 2:30 to 5p.
Ultimate Frisbee
Lunchtime club available at BIS. Teams at both competitive and recreational levels. (Contact: Mr. Haas)