Bunker Hill District

Due to winter weather conditions in our rural outlying areas, school is cancelled for Wednesday, January 25. This is a traditional "snow day" with no e-learning. BH8 students that attend SMASE schools will follow their serving school's e-learning plans.

Good Afternoon Bunker Hill 8 Families – I would like to provide families with an update regarding last night’s and this morning's school safety response: First, I would be remiss if I didn’t express my gratitude to those who helped ensure our response was appropriate and timely. Our faculty, staff, and principals did an outstanding job today ensuring that school occurred safely. Every entrance was secured, and as you probably noticed, there was a heavy law enforcement presence at both schools. We are fortunate in Bunker Hill to have such dedicated first responders, and the cooperation from Bunker Hill Police Department, the City of Bunker Hill, and the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Office was extremely thorough and professional. I would also like to thank the many students and parents who shared information with us, allowing us to properly react to the situation. Next, I would like to provide a few additional details. However, because this situation deals with a minor, and also because it involves student privacy, the District cannot and will not publicly comment on details regarding specific discipline. However, here is what we can share: -- Last evening, our District Threat Assessment team met regarding an allegedly threatening statement shared via Snapchat audio as well as screenshots taken from social media -- After meeting at approximately 4:00 PM, the Threat Assessment Team determined that it warranted referral as a threat to local law enforcement officials. -- Bunker Hill Police Department informed us at approximately 7:35 PM that the threat had been investigated, and that while further investigation was required, the school district was not in danger from a credible threat the following day Finally, I would like to inform parents that for the foreseeable future, you can expect to see an increased police presence at both schools. Safety protocols will be reviewed at each building. The District will conduct an internal investigation in order to determine appropriate school discipline in accordance with Board Policy and Student Handbooks. In the meantime, the District understands that these events can cause or increase anxiety, so any parent that wishes for their child to receive counseling is encouraged to contact your child’s building principal. In the meantime, I encourage you to talk to your children about school safety, appropriate and inappropriate behaviors, expectations, and healthy practices as well as personal communication. Any type of threat toward a school, school personnel, and students is a serious matter and will be handled accordingly either by school discipline (including suspension and/or expulsion) or charges filed by law enforcement. Again, thank you for your understanding and support. Unfortunately, these types of events, while completely unacceptable, are becoming far too common. However, we will always do whatever is needed to ensure Bunker Hill schools are the safe and secure environment that our students and staff deserve. Respectfully yours, Todd Todd Dugan, Superintendent

Good Afternoon Bunker Hill 8 Families – I would like to provide families with an update regarding last night’s and this morning's school safety response: First, I would be remiss if I didn’t express my gratitude to those who helped ensure our response was appropriate and timely. Our faculty, staff, and principals did an outstanding job today ensuring that school occurred safely. Every entrance was secured, and as you probably noticed, there was a heavy law enforcement presence at both schools. We are fortunate in Bunker Hill to have such dedicated first responders, and the cooperation from Bunker Hill Police Department, the City of Bunker Hill, and the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Office was extremely thorough and professional. I would also like to thank the many students and parents who shared information with us, allowing us to properly react to the situation. Next, I would like to provide a few additional details. However, because this situation deals with a minor, and also because it involves student privacy, the District cannot and will not publicly comment on details regarding specific discipline. However, here is what we can share: -- Last evening, our District Threat Assessment team met regarding an allegedly threatening statement shared via Snapchat audio as well as screenshots taken from social media -- After meeting at approximately 4:00 PM, the Threat Assessment Team determined that it warranted referral as a threat to local law enforcement officials. -- Bunker Hill Police Department informed us at approximately 7:35 PM that the threat had been investigated, and that while further investigation was required, the school district was not in danger from a credible threat the following day Finally, I would like to inform parents that for the foreseeable future, you can expect to see an increased police presence at both schools. Safety protocols will be reviewed at each building. The District will conduct an internal investigation in order to determine appropriate school discipline in accordance with Board Policy and Student Handbooks. In the meantime, the District understands that these events can cause or increase anxiety, so any parent that wishes for their child to receive counseling is encouraged to contact your child’s building principal. In the meantime, I encourage you to talk to your children about school safety, appropriate and inappropriate behaviors, expectations, and healthy practices as well as personal communication. Any type of threat toward a school, school personnel, and students is a serious matter and will be handled accordingly either by school discipline (including suspension and/or expulsion) or charges filed by law enforcement. Again, thank you for your understanding and support. Unfortunately, these types of events, while completely unacceptable, are becoming far too common. However, we will always do whatever is needed to ensure Bunker Hill schools are the safe and secure environment that our students and staff deserve. Respectfully yours, Todd Todd Dugan, Superintendent

Bunker Hill 8 Families: The safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our highest priority at Bunker Hill Schools. As a practice, the administration takes ALL threats seriously. This afternoon, we learned of a possible threat made toward BHHS tomorrow (Friday, 1/13) accompanied by some allegedly inappropriate social media posts. By 4:00 PM, the district had convened a Threat Assessment Team to evaluate the facts. At this point, it was determined that our local law enforcement needed to be involved. We have just received word from BHPD that they have investigated the incident. While we cannot publicly comment on an active investigation without risk of compromising it, we can assure parents that BHHS will be a safe and secure environment tomorrow (and every day). Because we take all threats seriously, there will be law enforcement present periodically throughout the day tomorrow. Student or students affiliated with the threat will of course not be in attendance as the school conducts its own investigation. Sadly, in this day and age, no threat can and should be dismissed. This is true tonight and will always hold true. However, what I can confidently say is that we take all threats seriously and do not consider these types of actions to be a joking matter. When a threat occurs, the District will investigate, we will find out, discipline will be issued, and charges will be filed when warranted. School will be in session tomorrow albeit with law enforcement present periodically throughout the day. I apologize for the delay in this message; however the District was not able to publicly comment in the midst of an active law enforcement operation. Enjoy your evening, and as always, thank you for your continued support and partnership. Respectfully yours, Todd Todd Dugan Superintendent

Message Regarding Inclement Weather Procedures at Bunker Hill 8: Whenever inclement weather is expected, I am in regular contact with our Transportation and our Maintenance Directors for updates, as well as local road commissioners and other area school districts. However, Bunker Hill #8 does not typically take a "remote learning" or e-learning day in lieu of an emergency day in the cases of dangerous wind chills and/or road conditions for a variety of reasons: -- First, I have concerns in serving our most vulnerable students with specialized needs via remote instruction -- Also, we have a significant amount of our district that lacks access to reliable broadband Internet necessary for rigorous remote instruction -- District-provided meals are required on these days, and this may potentially place staff and/or families in danger to either prepare or pick up -- Implications regarding the pay for educational support professionals (bus drivers, cooks, aides, etc.) -- Finally, I believe in the "magic" of snow days. If conditions require us to close, my wish is for students and staff to enjoy the day watching the snow fall, plowing their driveways (or a needy neighbor's), drink hot chocolate, read a book, and return when the roads are clear and safe. Hopefully our district will not need to utilize any this year, but as many surrounding districts announce their plans and procedures for this winter, I wanted families to be informed of how these days (if applicable) will be utilized at Bunker Hill CUSD #8.

Click on the link to view the Patriot Peek at the Week for next week (12/19-12/21): https://www.smore.com/9j7er We have fun dress-up days planned for next week at Wolf Ridge: Monday = Pajama Day Tuesday = Fun, Festive Sweater Day Wednesday = Elf Day (Wear holiday colors and patterns!) There will be an early dismissal on 12/21 at 2:00. Winter break will be from 12/22-1/4. Students will return on January 5th.

Click on the link for more information about Bunker Hill CUSD8 Festivities and Winter Break Information: https://d1csarkz8obe9u.cloudfront.net/embeddesigns/2ffef2d6877a58ad5c7d19eb96e03496_embed.mp4

Patriot Events for the Week of 12/12-12/21: Monday 12/12 Boys Basketball vs Mt. Olive - 6:00 HOME GAME! Tuesday 12/13 Boys Basketball vs Carlinville - 6:00 HOME GAME! Wednesday 12/14 Boys Basketball vs Gillespie - 4:00 EARLY HOME GAME (Stay to cheer on the Minutemaids afterwards!) Thursday 12/15 Band Concert at 6:30 at BHHS Friday 12/16 Jr. High Winter Dance Monday 12/19 Pajama Day at School Tuesday 12/20 Ugly/Whacky Holiday Sweater Day Wednesday 12/21 EARLY DISMISSAL 2:00 Festive Shirts and/or Colors Day PFK Cookies & Cocoa in AM K-2 Music Concert at 12:30 K-5 Class Parties 1:00-2:00

#BHill8 is so very proud of our Wolf Ridge Principal, Mrs. Shonda Ronen for receiving the Illinois Principals' Assocation - Kaskaskia Region NAESP Elementary Principal of the Year Award! Mrs. Ronen received the award on Thursday evening, December 8 at the IPA 26th Annual Member Awards Banquet in Carlyle, IL. Her dedication, hard work, and vision for excellence positively impacting the students, staff and community are just a few of the reasons she received the well-deserved award. On behalf of all of #BHill8, thank you for your exemplary leadership, Mrs. Ronen! Congratulations, and well done! 👏

As our District Calendar Committee prepares to meet in early January, we would love to hear your thoughts regarding calendar preferences for next year. Many things are not negotiable (175 instructional days, 4 teachers institutes, 1 P/T Conference Day (waiver), and 5 emergency days, plus state-mandated holidays) but how early/late in August to start, length of Easter/Spring Break, etc. are within our control. Ultimately, the Board of Education approves the calendar typically in February of each year. This feedback from parents, faculty/staff, and students will help to inform priorities as we develop next year's calendar . To provide feedback, please visit: https://tejoin.com/scroll/469943101 or scan the above QR code with a smartphone camera. This Thought Exchange will remain open until 12/21 and will be shared with the Calendar Committee prior to constructing a first draft in January.

The 2023 Trap Team Registration will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday December 11th at Brittany Shooting Park. We hope you will join! Junior High Volleyball Tryouts for 6th-8th grade students will be held this afternoon and tomorrow, 12/5 & 12/6, from 3:30-5:00 at Wolf Ridge. All athletes must have a physical on file to tryout.

Wolf Ridge Events for 12/5-12/10: Monday 12/5 Boys Basketball at Pocahontas - 6:00 Tuesday 12/6 Boys Basketball at Carrollton - 6:00 Wednesday 12/7 Thursday 12/8 Boys Basketball at Staunton - 6:00 Friday 12/9 Saturday 12/10

BHCUSD8 teachers and staff receiving ALICE training on school safety. Safety is the district's top priority, and Bunker Hill 8 is proud to be the sole ALICE-certified school district in Macoupin County.

Wolf Ridge Events for 11/28-12/2: Monday 11/28 Boys Basketball at Staunton Tournament 8th Grade Girls Basketball Regional at Greenfield - 7:30 Tuesday 11/29 Boys Basketball at Staunton Tournament 8th Grade Girls Basketball Regional at Greenfield - 7:30 Wednesday 11/30 Boys Basketball at Staunton Tournament Thursday 12/1 Boys Basketball at Staunton Tournament Friday 12/2 8th Grade Girls Basketball Regional at Greenfield - 6:30

Happy Thanksgiving from the faculty, staff and administration of Bunker Hill CUSD #8

At last week's Board of Education meeting, the Bunker Hill CUSD 8 Board recognized Kayleigh Trimm, Vivien Wilcox, and Trinity Throne with a Board Salute. These three BH8 scholars, as part of their Silver Award Project for Girl Scout Troop #6628, raised funds, gathered community support and volunteers, and created the Bunker Hill Dog Park. They also donated a push mower and 6,000 waste bags. Great job, girls! #BHill8 is proud of you!

There will be a meeting on Monday, November 14th at 6:00 in the BHHS Library for all boys that are interested in playing volleyball this spring. If you cannot make the meeting, you need to contact Coach Brain Jones or Mr. Haynes.

Reminder: No School this Tuesday 11/8 or Friday 11/11

Wolf Ridge Events for the Week of 11/7-11/11: Monday 11/7 Boys Basketball vs Staunton - 6:00 Tuesday 11/8 NO SCHOOL Boys Basketball at Southwestern - 6:00 Wednesday 11/9 Girls Basketball vs Wood River - 6:00 Thursday 11/10 Girls Basketball vs Mt. Olive - 6:00 Boys Basketball at St. Francis - 6:15 Friday 11/11 NO SCHOOL

Reminders for This Week (11/7-11/11) at BHCUSD#8: - Don’t forget to set your clocks back an hour so you arrive on time Monday - No School on Tuesday for Election Day - Veteran’s Day Program at BHHS at 2:00 on Nov. 10th - No School on Friday for Veteran’s Day