Absences:
If your child is absent from school, we strongly urge you to call the Attendance Office between 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. The telephone number to the Attendance Office is 440-439-4485. Your child's teachers will be notified of the absence. When calling the Attendance Office, please state the reason and anticipated length of this absence. We ask that you do this for the safety of your child. We will contact you if your child is listed on the absence sheet and we have not heard from you. Upon your child's return to school, please send an absence excuse. Students are responsible for the timely completion of work missed due to absences.
 

Athletic & Activity Eligibility:
Student participation in athletics and extracurricular activities is a vital component to a student's overall middle school experience. All students who choose to participate in any activity or sport are bound by the rules and regulations of Heskett Middle School and the Ohio High School Athletic Association (O.H.S.A.A.) and are expected to use sound judgment, ethical behavior, good sportsmanship, and integrity at all times.

A student's athletic and activity eligibility will be based on the previous nine-week grading period and Bedford Board of Education policy. A student must maintain a grade point average of 2.0 and have passed at least 5 of their classes in the quarter preceding his/her participation in a sport or activity.

Bus Transportation:
The transportation of our students is a large, complex operation. Completion of A Change in Transportation Form and approval from the Transportation Department are required if a parent/guardian desires a change from the regular bus or the original stop. For a one-day change, students are permitted to change transportation arrangements with written permission from a parent/guardian. All requests must be submitted to the grade level Assistant Principal's office for approval before 8:10 a.m.
 

Conferences:
Positive communication between parents and teachers contributes to a student's success in school. Quarterly conferences will be scheduled to provide an opportunity for you to meet your child's teachers, to discuss the curriculum, and to discuss your child's individual progress. Additional conferences may also be scheduled. Your child's teacher(s) or the School Counselor may contact you to schedule a mutually convenient time. You may also initiate a conference by contacting the Guidance Office at 440.439.4472.
 

Counseling:
Heskett Middle School counselors are available to assist with questions regarding class scheduling, career choices, social problems, and crisis situations. School Counselors provide opportunities for students to meet individually or in groups to discuss feelings, attitudes, goals and problems in a confidential and supportive environment.
 

School Counselors confer with parents/guardians and teachers regarding the academic progress of students. School Counselors provide materials and help students and their families learn about scheduling, standardized testing, careers and the transition between Heskett Middle School and Bedford High School. Appointments with the school counselors may be scheduled by calling the Guidance Office at 440-439-4472 .

In addition to our three School Counselors, we also have a School Social Worker, School Psychologist, and School SEL liaison.  All of these staff members are available to help students throughout the school day.  We will also have services from Beechbrook starting soon.  Students are encouraged to reach out to any adult in the building if they are in need of help.  All staff members work together to look out for the well-being of our students.

Medication:
We encourage parents/guardians to administer medication before and after school. However, if a student must bring medication to school, a request form must be completed by the parent/guardian and the child's physician before any prescription or non-prescription medication can be given to your child at school. All medication must be in the original, childproof container and each container must have an affixed and legible label with the child's name, name of the medication, dosage, and time of administration.
   
A new medication request form must be made each school year and, as necessary, for changes in the medication order. The medication should be brought to the office by the parent/guardian. 

Newsletter:
The Heskett Herald is compiled with up-to-date information and is mailed to parents/guardians on a quarterly basis throughout the year and posted on our website.

Parental Involvement:
It is important that the home and school work together to foster a learning environment that enhances the educational opportunities we provide our students. Parents/guardians are invited to take an active role in your child's education and in the activities of our school. Parents/guardians are encouraged to share the school experience by participation in school events, parent-teacher conferences, the Heskett Parent Booster Club, and the Heskett PTSA.

GradeBook:
GradeBook is an internet-based tool that provides an efficient means for students and parents to obtain current class-related information including grades, homework assignments, attendance and messages from the teachers. Password-protected accounts can access GradeBook information that is stored on secure servers at our school district’s data site. Your child’s GradeBook information can be accessed from our district’s website or through your child's Classlink Dashboard.

Frequently asked questions regarding GradeBook and their answers are listed below:
 

How do I get an account?
Account names and passwords are distributed directly to parents and students. Parents and students have separate usernames and passwords. Your child's account will follow them until they have graduated with the same username.  Passwords for students are changed periodically.
 

What if a parent has more than one student in the school?

•    FAMILY ACCOUNT: Parent account(s) can be created for a family in a household. You will need to use a unique email address to set up each parental account as email accounts cannot be duplicated.  
•    MORE THAN ONE CHILD: If you have more than one child attending Bedford City Schools, you will be able to see all of your children in one Parent Access account after you have linked your children.  PLEASE DO NOT CREATE MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS.  You will need each child’s registration key to link all children to your one account. 
 

What if I forget my password?  If you forget your username or password, there are options (click on “can’t access your account?”) for this information to be sent to the email address you used to create your account originally.  Staff at the Bedford City School District are neither able to view, nor modify your username and password.
 

Is my student’s information secure?
The Parent/Student Access website is a secure website that can only be viewed with a valid account name and password. Data that goes through the internet between the servers and your screen is encrypted, so that it cannot be read by anyone or by “spyware” on your computer. To maintain security, you should be careful not to leave your password where it can be found and you should always completely exit (quit) your web browser at the completion of a Grade Book session.
 

What if I have other questions about GradeBook?
Contact your child’s teachers or the building principal at 440.439.4450.

School Colors & Mascot:
Heskett Middle School's colors are Green and White. Our mascot is the Bearcat.

Testing Information:
At Heskett Middle School, teachers work with students to prepare them for the Ohio State Assessments.  This test measures the progress students are making in mastering the Ohio Learning Standards. Sixth and seventh grade students take tests in reading and math, while eighth grade students are tested in reading, math, and science. The tests will include multiple choice, short answer and extended response questions.
 

Some students with an Individual Education Plan (IEP) may be eligible to take an alternate state assessment. If your child has an IEP, please discuss his/her assessment accommodations with his/her teacher and the IEP team.
 

For additional information about these tests or the Ohio Learning Standards, go to the Ohio Department of Education’s website: www.ode.state.oh.us and click on “Quick Links – Statewide Assessments” or “Quick Links – Ohio Learning Standards”.
 

MAP, iReady, and other Diagnostic Testing:
The computerized Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Tests and iReady Reading and Math Diagnostic Tests provide students, parents/guardians and teachers with accurate assessments of students’ progress in mastering basic skills. When administered at regular intervals over time, it is possible to find out whether an individual student is making satisfactory progress in basic skill areas. Teachers use this assessment information for instructional planning. At Heskett Middle School, students will complete the iReady Reading and Mathematics Diagnostic Tests and the Science MAP Assessment at all grade levels. In addition, some of the eighth grade students who are taking classes that allow them to receive high school credits may also take additional tests as required by those classes.  Parents may receive information about their child’s performance on these assessments during parent-teacher conferences. For more information about any of the Diagnostic Testing, please contact one of your child's teachers.