B.M. Williams Elementary -

Preschool/Kindergarten Orientation Information

Preschool & Kindergarten Orientation Information

Meet the Staff & Teams

Preschool Team

Kindergarten Team

Kindergarten Support Staff

School Safety

Building & Visitor Access

• Locked Doors: External doors are locked at all times. Visitors must use the single point of entry through the front door.

• Visitor Screening: All visitors must show ID, state their purpose of visit, and be screened through the RAPTOR Visitor Management System.

• Daily IDs: Student ID cards are required daily.

Student & Transport Safety

• Kindergarten Bus Tags: Required for all kindergarten bus riders to ensure proper drop-off procedures.

• Emergency Procedures: Teachers will continuously review emergency procedures and practice them with students.

• Evacuation Drills: School bus evacuation drills are conducted in both Fall and Spring.

Academics — A Tradition of Excellence

• Purple Star School: Recognized for our deep commitment to supporting military-connected students and their families.

• Full Accreditation: Holding a proud, historical standard of academic excellence, rigorous instruction, and student success.

• "On Track" Rating: Accountability Data reflects strong progress and student growth across grade levels.

Attendance Guidelines

Excused Absences & Reporting

• Excused Reasons: Illness, family emergency, medical appointments, or death in the family.

• Note Requirement: Parents must send a note within 4 days of the student's return to school.

• How to Report Absences:

  • Handwritten note delivered directly to the teacher

  • Direct entry into the ParentVUE portal

  • Email to BMW@cpschools.com (CC the classroom teacher)

Unexcused & Chronic Absenteeism

• Unexcused Absences: Family trips, vacations, sports events, etc. (coded as AE, AU, or AUV).

• Truancy Threshold: A total of 5 or more unexcused days will prompt official truancy procedures.

• Chronic Absenteeism: Missing 10% or more of the school year (18 days). This directly impacts school accountability.

• Key Reminder: When a student misses school, they miss instruction!

S.O.A.R. Expectations

At B.M. Williams Elementary, our Falcons S.O.A.R.:

• S — Safe

• O — Organized

• A — Attitude

• R — Responsible

Home-School Communication

Information Channels

• Weekly Email: Regular updates sent directly to parent inboxes.

• Family Calendar: Monthly schedule keeping families on track with key dates.

• Teacher Communication: Direct communication channels established with teachers.

• Thursday Folder: Weekly physical flyers sent home with students.

• School Website: Bookmark the BMW School website for primary information.

• ParentVUE: Be sure to download the ParentVUE app and activate your account.

Communication Expectations

• Weekly Updates: Grade levels are expected to communicate weekly with parents to keep everyone aligned.

• Device Policy: Teachers are strictly prohibited from using personal devices for family communication.

• Approved Platforms: Only CPS-approved platforms are allowed. Apps like ClassDojo or Remind are not permitted.

• Email Response Time & Emergencies: Allow up to 24 hours for email replies. For emergencies, call the main office directly at (757) 547-0238.

• Teacher Focus & After-Hours: Teachers focus on student engagement during school hours and are not required to answer communications after hours.

Transportation Guidance

Bus Transportation

• Stopfinder App: Alerts you when the bus is within range or when your child has arrived safely.

• Yellow Cards: One tag for your child's backpack, three cards for parents/guardians. Parents MUST present this card to receive their child at drop-off.

Parent Pick-Up

• Stay in Vehicle: Parents must remain inside their vehicles at all times during pickup transitions.

• Assigned Number: Display your assigned pick-up number hanging clearly from the rearview mirror, and attach the corresponding tag to your child's backpack.

First Days Support

Many additional staff members will be on hand during the first few days of school to assist students with transitions.

Tips to Prepare Your Child

• Independent Lunch: If packing lunches, practice with items that your child can open independently.

• Allergy Safety: For students with peanut allergies, a designated nut-free seating area is provided.

• Encourage Autonomy: Encourage your child to be independent and to practice asking for help when needed.

• Reassure Safety: Reassure your child that the adults at school are there to help them and that they are safe.

Thank You!

We look forward to partnering with you in ensuring your child's success.