• If you know that your child is going to be absent, you may email Ms. Baeza, our Attendance Clerk.
• Students may be excused for absences resulting from personal illness, illness or death in the family, quarantine, or any other unusual cause acceptable to the principal of the school in which the student is enrolled. (Educ. Code 21.035)
• Excessive absences for your student may result in loss of credit and truancy being filed.
• To report student absences, a parent/guardian should send a note with the student when he/she returns to the attendance clerk Ms. Baeza in the front office, or send an e-mail message to the attendance clerk. Please contact the attendance clerk to make sure all student absentee note(s) have been turned into the front office by your child at (972)494-8391.
• A student has 3 days from the last missed day to turn in the absence note. After that time, the absence will be coded as unexcused.
• Medical and dental appointments are not counted as an absence if the student returns to school the same day as the appointment with a written note from the doctor. Students should alternate class periods in order that the same class is not missed repeatedly.

Cell phones have become a way of life, a technological convenience that has impacted all of our lives in one way or another. However, cell phones have become a distraction and interruption to the school environment. The ringing of the cell phones during class and text messaging takes away from the valuable time needed for instruction and, most importantly, student learning. 

To be consistent with our campus mission, vision, and goals, we will begin a new electronic device policy effective August 8, 2023.  The new policy protects the privacy, dignity, and respect of all staff and students throughout the school day.

Students will not be allowed to use any electronic devices during the school day (8:15-4:10). This excludes campus-issued Chromebooks or any medically-required devices. Medically-required devices must be documented with the school nurse and/or in the student's IEP. Prior to entering the building, students will turn off and put away all electronic devices (cell phones, AirPods, smartwatches, earbuds, headphones...etc.) and will keep them turned off until after school dismissal. Note: Smartwatches may be worn for the watch-feature only. If the student is caught using the messaging or cell features, it will be confiscated. 

Electronic devices are expected to be kept in the student’s backpacks at all times. They should not be visible throughout the school day. This includes, but is not limited to: classrooms, hallways, restrooms, cafeteria, gymnasium, library, and other common areas. 

The best security for the devices is to be left at home. Parents are urged to utilize the school phone to relay any messages that may be urgent in nature to their child. We will relay any critical information to your child.

NOTE: If a student is found to be in possession of the devices, they will be confiscated and delivered to the main office.

Consequences and fees will be as follows

1st offense: 

• No charge

• A parent or guardian will be contacted.

• Student may pick up the phone at the end of the day in the office. 

2nd offense: 

• No charge

• A parent or guardian will need to sign for the device(s) at the end of the day.

3rd offense: 

•  $15 Charge

• A parent or guardian will be contacted.

• Student may pick up the phone at the end of the day in the office. 

4th offense: 

• The device(s) will be held in the office until the end of the school year.

 If a student refuses to comply with a request to surrender the devices by any member of the faculty or staff and/or administrator, the student will be considered insubordinate. Rules governing insubordination will apply as outlined in the student handbook. 

We will continue to refer to and enforce GISD School Board Policy FNCE (Local) as described in the Student Code of Conduct. This policy is in the student handbook.

Progressive discipline steps

1. Verbal or non-verbal redirection
2. Private student/teacher conference
3. Buddy room. Written reflection and reflective conference upon return
4. Contact home with a phone call, email, REMIND or Talking Points
5. Classroom incident documented in Review 360 and phone call
6. Office referral in Review 360

Serious infractions may result in an automatic administrator referral.

 

Students of Bussey Middle School must be in compliance with the Garland ISD while within the building and at any school events.

Standardized dress is made up of clothing that meets a particular description but is not a specific brand of clothing. Any brand is acceptable as long as no logos or brand names are visible.  School issued ID badges must be visible at all times.

Bussey standardized dress

• SHIRTS–red, white, or navy polo-style knit shirts with collars and buttons (three or less). Shirts may be long or short sleeves. All shirts must be of appropriate size and fit. Additionally the following colors have been added for each grade level. 

2023-24 SHIRTS–6th grade gold, 7th grade gray, 8th grade black

• PANTS/SLACKS/TROUSERS – navy, or khaki traditional style (no cargo pants or black bottoms), Pants must be worn at the waist level at all times (no sagging). All pants, slacks and trousers must be of appropriate size and fit. 

• SKIRTS/SHORTS/CAPRI PANTS – navy, or khaki, knee-length or longer, finished hemline, same style as pants.  

• SWEATSHIRTS OR SWEATERS – These may be worn as a uniform with the same color scheme as the shirt.  No pouch or hoods may be worn on sweatshirts.

• NO TORN CLOTHING ALLOWED.  This includes jeans worn on spirit dress days or modified dress days.

• COATS and JACKETS- These may be worn to school but must be unzipped or unbutton showing uniform shirt and ID badge.

• SHOES AND SOCKS – Footwear includes socks with tennis shoes, loafers, dress shoes or other closed toe and heel shoes, shoes must enclose the entire foot; tennis shoes will be necessary for PE class. No sandals, house shoes/slippers, flip-flops or boots of any kind will be worn at school.

• BELTS - Belts are required for pants, shorts, or skirts that have belt loops.  Belts must be worn around their waist at all times.  No large belt buckles will be allowed. No writing on the belt.

Garland ISD grooming policy

The GISD Student Dress Code is intended to:  (1) teach students grooming and hygiene; (2) create and maintain a respectful and positive learning environment; (3) prevent the disruption, interference with, or detraction from the educational environment and school activities; and (4) minimize health and safety hazards.  

Note:  This dress code provides guidance regarding common situations but cannot cover every style of dress and specific situations that may arise. The District reserves the right to prohibit any clothing or grooming style that the administration determines to be reasonably expected to pose a health or safety hazard or to cause disruption of, distraction from, or interference with general school operations. In addition, certain classes, courses or extracurricular programs may have additional requirements or guidelines for students participating in those programs. 

Please ensure that students comply with the following: 

• Garments must allow for participation in all regular school activities while maintaining dignity and modesty.  

• Apparel that advertises or depicts alcohol, drugs, nudity, tobacco products, any other substance prohibited under FNCF(Legal), violent or criminal themes, gang membership, obscene language  and/or obscene graphics, will not be permitted. Any disruptive or distracting mode of clothing or appearance that adversely impacts the educational process is not acceptable. 

• Extremes in modes of dress, such as see through clothing, exposed midriffs, or clothing normally considered as undergarments are not acceptable. 

• All articles of clothing must be worn as they are designed to be worn. 

• Undergarments should not be visible. 

• Shorts of modest length, loose fitting, and hemmed may be worn by students.

•  Dresses and skirts should be of modest length and fit. 

• Extremely sloppy, badly torn, or inappropriately torn/slit/ripped clothing is prohibited. 

• Shoes must be worn. Taps, metal plates, cleats, or wheels on shoes will not be permitted.  

• Students may not wear house shoes, pajamas tops or bottoms, boxers, or other sleepwear as outerwear. 

• Hair, including facial hair, must be clean, groomed, and by the nature of the style does not intend to create a distraction. 

• Inappropriate hair designs/insignias are prohibited. 

• Hair color that is disruptive or distracting to the school environment is prohibited. Hair must either be a natural color or naturally tinted or colored in a blended and balanced manner. 

• Hair must be kept out of the eyes and must not be a distraction. 

• Students may not wear hair curlers, rollers, hair picks, combs, or brushes in their hair. 

• Hats, caps, bandanas, sweat bands, hoods, visors, or other nonreligious head coverings should not be worn in the school building. 

• Earrings are limited to the ears for all students. Earrings include clip earrings, pierced earrings or studs, or any item used as a post in a pierced ear. 

• Facial and body piercing of any kind is prohibited. 

• Jewelry that causes a distraction or that could be dangerous to the student or other  individuals are prohibited (i.e. spiked/studded jewelry, chokers, dog collars, necklaces  made out of safety pins or chain links, etc.) 

• All inappropriate or distractive tattoos must be covered at all times while in the school  building or at school-related activities, or school-sponsored events. Non-distracting  tattoos may also be required to be covered (campus administrator discretion). 

• Sponsors of extracurricular activities may set individual dress and appearance standards  with the approval of campus administration.

• All students must have their student ID visible at all times.

• Outside food and drop offs are not allowed per the GISD face to face handbook.
• Students may not have any Uber Eats, Door Dash, etc. delivered for them.
• Deliveries to students are not permitted per the GISD face to face handbook. This includes flowers, balloons, stuffed animals, etc. 

• Proof of residence (electric, water, or gas bill)
• Immunization records
• Birth certificate or affidavit showing proof of age
• Report cards or any record from previous school
• Social Security Card (if available)

 

Do you need to enroll your child, request a transfer, withdraw or request a transcript? It's easy to start common processes at home. Visit the Online Student Services page to get started. 

If you have additional questions, please contact the campus data clerk:

Ms. Hernandez

972-494-8391

The safety of our Bussey Owlets is of the upmost importance to our faculty and staff. The following ID policy will improve student safety and security on campus, allowing staff member and students to identify each person they come into contact with while in the building.

• Students will be issued an ID badge.
• Students must wear their ID badge around their neck on a lanyard EVERY DAY.
• Replacement ID will cost $5 each occurance.

Visitors are not allowed on campus per GISD face to face handbook. If you would like a face to face meeting, please schedule an appointment. Please make sure you have a valid ID to show before entering the building. When arriving ring the front door bell and our office staff will be happy to assist you.  We do ask for your patience while the office staff ensures student safety by following district policies and procedures.