I see the building of the kindergarten classrooms will be complete in 2013. Will parents still have the option for 1/2 day kindergarten for the 2012-2013 school year, or will only full day be available?

If, as rumored, the State legislature offers additional funding to support full-day kindergarten, then Brownsburg will only offer full-day.

Do Brownsburg elementary schools have graduation ceremonies for Kindergarteners?

That is a building decision, so it would be best to contact your child's school directly.

In the future can the balanced calendar include a WEEK for Thanksgiving break?

The calendar is reviewed each year before approval by the School Board and such feedback is taken into consideration, along with many other factors. One of the important benefits of the balanced calendar is aligning it with the end of grading periods, so students (and teachers) can end one and come back refreshed, ready to begin the next grading period. That being said, with this being so new to BCSC, it is likely to be carefully evaluated this next year.

Is it true that East and West students are not allowed to sit with or talk to each other during rival games?

This practice is primarily enforced during the East vs. West football game each year because of the sheer number of students attending (600+) and the large area that must be supervised.

 It was not an expectation during the recent East vs. West basketball conference semifinal. However, in an effort to diffuse a potential situation some students were moved during that game due to specific inappropriate behaviors they displayed.

Where is the money for the mobile classrooms, kindergarten renovations, and the Stadium Dr. renovations coming from?

Money for the placement of the used portable classrooms will come from the Capital Projects Fund, which cannot be used for instructional salaries.

The building additions for kindergarten rooms will come from one of two possible sources. The first choice will be application for a State Common School Fund Loan. That is a competitive loan awarded by the State Dept. of Education and it depends on the rank of Brownsburg's assessed value per pupil compared to other school applicants. The second possibility will be a loan created through the sale of General Obligation Bonds (GO Bonds) or a loan negotiated with banks. That second possibility will also be the planned finance method for the work on the facility at 310 Stadium Drive.

Will BCSC employees pay a shuttle fee if they bring their child to work and then the child shuttles to their home school?

There will be no shuttles available to move children of staff from the parent's school to their home school.

Uncrustables at the high school, part II

A while back there was a question wondering why Uncrustables were not available at BHS, and the answer was because they did not have high enough protein content to meet federal food guidelines. The Grapevine has recently learned that there is now an Uncrustable product that meets the protein requirement and it is available at BHS for lunch.

Is bringing outside food forbidden or just not recommended when we have lunch with our children?

According to the student handbook available on the BCSC website (clicking on the question will take you to the elementary handbook),
"Fast food is not allowed to be brought to students for school lunch or events."

This policy is consistent with BCSC's "Healthy Guidelines" and reinforces the BCSC commitment to providing a school environment that enhances learning and developing lifelong wellness practices.

Will employees of BCSC also pay the $2.50/day to shuttle their children to their home school?

BCSC employees who utilize shuttle service from a daycare provider to school will pay the $2.50 fee. The fee is not paid by individuals, but by the daycare providers and how families are billed is up to the provider.

I have heard rumors that Brownsburg buses will either not transport or charge a fee for transporting St. Malachy students during the 2012 – 2013 school year. Is there any truth to this statement?

BCSC will continue to transport St. Malachy students that reside on a regular route that passes by the school at no cost. BCSC is not required to transport private school students who do not reside on a route that passes by the private school; however, BCSC will continue to work with any private school that would like to utilize BCSC transportation. Since BCSC is not required to transport those students, a fee will likely be assessed.