BHS February Newsletter

The winter is dragging on and on but you couldn't tell by the energy in our building. After a hard push to finish the semester on a strong note we are back in the swing of the second semester. The excitement of new classes is always fun.

Before we know it, we will be preparing for spring activities, concerts, and graduation. In the meantime, we are fully committed to the growth and success of all students. We work hard each day to put "students first" and guide them to be their very best.

I hope you are enjoying these monthly newsletters and that they help give you insight about what is happening at BHS!

Thank you for your continued partnership,

Amy Levonian

BHS Principal

As we begin a new semester, we want to remind parents to help ensure your student(s) arrive on time in the morning. The warning bell is at 7:15am and Period 1 begins at 7:20am.

Thank you for your help in ensuring your student is on time so that our students, teachers, and classrooms can be productive and focus on learning!

February 23rd is a Teacher In-Service day - no school for students!

A reminder that on Tuesday, February 13th there will be a practice PreACT/ACT test at BHS. Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors will take the practice test with their advisories. Students will be done with testing and dismissed at 11:30am. Buses will be here at 11:30am and students may choose to get a grab and go lunch if they so choose. Any student interested in the grab and go lunch, please fill out this form by February 9th.

Helpful reminders for practice test day…

Be to school on time

Bring your charged laptop and charger

Bring a calculator

Seniors will have asynchronous work posted on Google Classroom for Tuesday, February 13th.

We invite you to view the Strategic Plan (a 16-page document) that the Burlington Area School District school board recently approved to guide the District in meeting goals for our Students, Staff, Finances, and Community. This plan was developed after engaging students, parents, staff, business owners, and members of our community.

The spring sports season is quickly approaching!

In order to participate in athletics at Burlington High School the following three requirements must be met:

• The parent/guardian AND the student are expected to complete the online athletic registration together using this Google Form.

• A physical dated 4/1/22 or later must also be on file with the Athletic Office.

• $75 athletic fee must be paid online via Skyward.

• PLEASE NOTE, IF YOU HAVE PARTICIPATED IN A FALL OR WINTER SPORT, NO FURTHER ACTION IS REQUIRED.

Visit the BHS Athletics Website for sport-specific information, schedules, and more!

BASD is working closely with CESA 6, a regional educational agency, on improving literacy comprehension for K5-12th grade. Throughout the school year, teacher in-service is devoted to helping grade levels embed literacy routines into instruction. During our January 26th, in-service, BHS teachers engaged with literacy strategies to help students increase their efficiency with learning new material.

We look forward to continuing along our journey to improve literary comprehension in BHS students!

Not only did our Dance Team secure their 5th consecutive SLC win in Pom, but they qualified for their 9th consecutive State Competition! Congratulations to all our dancers - your hard work is paying off and we wish you the best of luck at State this weekend!

Our BHS Academic Decathlon Team has won a bid to the WIAD State Competition with a total team score of 26,524 points, and also had 5 individual ribbon winners at Regionals in the following events:

• Chris Naber won 2nd place in Honors - Essay
• Caden Vargo won 1st place in Scholastic - Math
• Gabby Miller won 2nd place in Scholastic - Interview
• Savannah Hutson won 3rd place in Varsity - Science
• Jordan Lile won 3d place in Varsity - Math

Let's wish the team good luck!

Our beloved teacher, Penny Yanke, has been honored with the prestigious title of "National Music Educator of the Year" by the National Association of Music Education!

Join us in celebrating this well-deserved recognition for her outstanding dedication and passion in shaping the musical talents of our students. Congratulations, Penny Yanke!

Are you a parent of a current 8th grader? If yes, please join us for our Open House on Monday, February 5th from 5:30pm-7:30pm!

Per policy 0142.5 the Board of Education of the Burlington Area School District announces a vacant seat due to the resignation of Barry Schmaling.

The Board seeks qualified and interested candidates from the community - if interested, please read all about the Board Vacancy on the District website, keeping in mind the application deadline is 3:00 pm on Friday, February 9, 2024.

Consider attending the Referendum Open House on February 9th at Veteran's Terrace - pizza will be provided by local restaurants!

BASD's mission is to encourage the growth of the intellectual, physical, vocational, creative, cultural, and social abilities of our students. Our commitment is to encourage lifelong learning so that our young people are prepared to effectively participate in their future as individuals and as members of society.

We encourage you to look over the information provided below so you can cast an informed vote in the upcoming election on February 20th.

BASD Referendum Website

Referendum Informational Flyer

Attention Juniors - Would you like the chance to improve your ACT score? The Community Education Department is partnering with Doorway to College and will be offering a 5-hour seminar in which participants will gain valuable insight into the ACT through a close examination of each type of question. Please register with Doorway to College at www.doorwaytocollege.com. Class will be held on Saturday, February 24th from 9am-3pm.

BHS juniors and Seniors have the opportunity to earn college credit at a postsecondary institution before graduating high school via Start College Now (SCN) and Early College Credit Program (ECCP). These programs help students maintain growth in their chosen career pathway once they have exhausted the high school course offerings in that pathway.

If interested, students are encouraged to attend an informational session during advisory on Friday, February 9th, in which the resources below will be explained and shared with students in attendance:

• Start College Now and Early College Credit Program Information for BHS Students
  
• SCN/ ECCP Disclosure Form
  
• Start College Now Application

• Early College Credit Program Application - UW System

  Early College Credit Program Application - WAICU

Applications for the Fall 2024 semester are due to counselors or Mrs. Everett by March 1st.

Please email Mrs. Everett at severett@basd.k12.wi.us if you have any additional questions about this amazing opportunity!

We are excited to be hosting our annual Opportunity Day on February 8th! This year the event will feature over 90 vendors including:

• 42 vendors representing post-secondary options from 2 year, 4 year, technical colleges, and the Military
• Over 50 vendors representing all 16 career clusters from areas such as finance, architecture, engineering, law, healthcare, and the trades

Counselors are beginning to meet with Juniors for their Academic and Career Planning Conferences. This meeting will last approximately 30-45 minutes and is used to discuss your child's academic goals, personal goals, and future career pathway. Parents are invited to attend these conferences with their son/daughter. Your counselor will send out a link for you to sign up for a time to meet with your counselor. Below is a reminder of who your son/daughter's assigned counselor is:

Laura Stutzman, Last names A-D

Tim Kujawa, Last names E-K

Kristen Schiappacasse, Last names, L-Ri

Nicole DeLassus, Last names, Ro-Z

Counselors had class meetings with all Freshmen through Juniors this week to talk about the course selection process for next year. On February 6 and 7, students will have extended advisories to pick out their courses for next year.

Scheduling sheets/requests need to be finalized and entered into Xello by 2/15. All scheduling resources to help your student select their courses for next year will be put on the BHS website here. Counselors will be visiting advisories during this scheduling time to help with questions.

All students are encouraged to reach out to their counselor if they have any further questions.

If your student signed up for an AP exam but are no longer wanting to take it, they can cancel at any time. College Board does charge a $40 cancellation fee, so they would only receive a partial refund. Please follow these steps to cancel:

• Ensure your student has talked with their AP teacher about the reasons they are considering cancelling
• Log into your Total Registration account
  
• Follow the steps to request the exam cancellation, including the reason your are dropping the exam

Seniors should keep looking at this link to find scholarships that they are eligible for. New scholarships are added weekly.

"Like" the BHS Facebook page!

In Facebook, search "Burlington High School, Wisconsin" and click the "Like button". We post daily updates on class activities, student accomplishments, and staff highlights - check it out!