CB West High School
West Times Newsletter December 11, 2023
CB REALIGNMENT INFORMATION
In anticipation of the grade level realignment for the 2025-2026 school year, the district extends an open invitation to parents, guardians, students, and community members to provide their questions and feedback here. We greatly value your input as it plays a vital role in our decision-making process, ensuring that our choices are in the best interest of our entire community. To learn more about this initiative, please visit our website: www.cbsd.org/cbrealign.
GROOMING: AWARENESS AND PREVENTION PROGRAM
To facilitate your engagement with this important initiative, we have changed the format for the parent/guardian information session for the Grooming: Awareness and Prevention program. This session is now going to be held virtually.
The virtual information session is now scheduled for December 14th at 7 pm.
Topic: NOVA parent preview for Grooming prevention program
Time: Dec 14, 2023 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88061526226?pwd=Mkp6RERiZHZZQnpLSjg3VUVYSTVMQT09
Meeting ID: 880 6152 6226
Passcode: 082990
We appreciate your commitment to your child's well-being and look forward to your participation in this essential information session.
HARLEQUIN CLUB
Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is playing at West, and runs Friday December 15th through Sunday December 17th. Curtain time is 7:00pm Friday and Saturday nights and there is a 2:00pm matinee on Saturday and a 4:00pm matinee on Sunday. The ticket link can be found at www.cbsd.org/harlequinclub. Adults $15. Children/Seniors $10. Cash or check only at the door. General admission seating only at the door.
CB West Band will be hosting our highly anticipated annual Christmas Tree Sale Fundraiser once again this year. We are excited to share that we will have 600 trees available for purchase, and the event will take place in the stadium parking lot on Saturday, November 25, starting at 9 am!
All of our trees are between 6-8 feet tall and are priced at $80 each. Additionally, we will be offering a selection of beautiful Hanukkah candles for purchase during the event.
The proceeds from the tree sale will go towards supporting all of the Band programs at West. Your contribution will make a meaningful impact, so if you typically purchase a live tree, we encourage you to stop by and support the West Band.
We anticipate these trees will go fast!
STUDENT SERVICES
College Applications!
Seniors, if you have received information from any college that you have applied to that they need 1st Marking Period grades, please see Mrs. Press in the Student Services office as soon as you receive that email. Please also make sure you are updating your college decisions in Naviance!
Career Training at Bucks County Community College
Have a Senior who is exploring non-college pathways after high school? Bucks County Community College offers FREE training programs in several different fields. Visit the BCCC Workforce Development page for more information: https://www.bucks.edu/workforcedevelopment/.
FINANCIAL AID
The FAFSA (link) is the primary way to access need based financial aid for college. Students seeking need-based scholarships and student loans to help pay for college should plan on completing the FAFSA when the online application becomes available towards the end of December 2023.
Some colleges and universities will require the CSS Profile in addition to the FAFSA for need based aid consideration. This requirement should be listed on the college’s website, but you should also check the list of schools requiring the CSS Profile on the College Board website (link). The CSS Profile can be completed prior to the FAFSA, and you should submit it as soon as possible.
We also held a virtual session Financial Aid session, please use the (link) to access the slides and recorded presentation.
The University of Wisconsin- Madison created a helpful FAQ page that can help you prepare for the FAFA (link).
Upcoming Financial Aid Sessions
Register for these sessions and many more at Financial Aid Webinars (pheaa.org).
Join PHEAA Access Partners Amy Sawdey and Amy Sloan for our Financial Aid 101 Webinar on December 13 at 6:00 PM (Virtual) as they present information on the financial aid application process, types of aid are available for students, and strategies to start considering affordability before applying for postsecondary school admission. Time will be provided for your questions regarding the financial aid process.
Join Linda Pacewicz and Daniel Wray of PHEAA for a 1-hour Q&A Financial Aid and Planning Q&A session on December 12th 6:30-7:30pm or December 21st 12-1pm (both Virtual). Have you ever wanted to ask a few specific questions yet couldn't find anyone to ask? Maybe you have questions about planning for college, finding the right school, applying for scholarships and federal and state aid, understanding offer letters, completing loan applications, comparing federal loans to private education loans, repaying or refinancing loans after graduation-etc. Ask your questions in an open forum or privately through chat.
Need specific help with filling out the FAFSA once it is available in the New Year? On February 21st 6-7pm and April 9th 6-7pm PHEAA Access Partners will present a Line-by-Line Overview of the 2024-25 FAFSA Process to guide students and families through a step-by-step process of filing the FAFSA and PA State Grant applications.
By late winter, many students will receive financial aid packages from colleges, but it can be overwhelming to understand how to compare those packages. On Wednesday, March 20th 6-7pm PHEAA Access Partners Amy Sawdey and Wendy Dunlap will present Understanding and Comparing Financial Aid Offers which provides information on the steps students should take after completing the FAFSA. They will discuss the financial aid process, strategies to review and understand financial aid offers from colleges, and how to compare different types of aid.
AP Exams:
If your child is taking an Advanced Placement class second semester, communication will be shared in January in preparation for the March deadline.
College Admissions Exams
See the CB West Student Services “testing page” for suggested college admissions exam plans: https://www.cbsd.org/Page/1002
CB West Peer Tutoring Academy – The Peer Tutoring Academy for the 2023-2024 school year is underway! Students may request a Peer Tutor through their counselor. Students will be given the contact information for their Peer Tutor, and it will be their responsibility to reach out to their tutor to set up sessions at mutually convenient times (either in-person or virtual).
WEST YEARBOOK INFORMATION
Don’t forget to reserve your child an Antler yearbook for this school year - books can be reserved until April 30th. After that, they will only be sold on a first come, first serve basis. For the past five years, we have had an increase in the demand for yearbooks, so be sure to order your yearbook online at www.jostens.com .
ATTENDANCE INFORMATION LETTER
FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH INFORMATION
Link to English video: https://vimeo.com/748146211
Link to Spanish video: https://vimeo.com/748143109
Click HERE for frequently asked questions
Laptop Breakage Information
Laptop Breakage
We have seen a rise in the amount of screen breaks for student laptops. Our policy covers for 2 broken screens per device. If your child’s laptop screen breaks 3 times, we will be required to send you an invoice for the repair and labor. The current cost for this is $200. Please remind your child to care for their laptops. Some simple steps to assist are:
- Use two hands when holding or moving the device.
- Use clean hands while using the laptop or iPad.
- Use only the provided digital pen or finger on the screen.
- Use only the power adapter that came with the device.
- Use a microfiber cloth to clean the screen.
- Keep device stored in the provided case. This includes traveling through the hallways, on buses, or anytime the device is not being utilized.
- Make sure nothing is on the keyboard, close the lid, and remove all cables if any are plugged into the laptop. Place laptop in your bag carefully.
- Be careful when placing your case on the floor. Keep the device off the floor so screens do not get stepped on by others.
Parents of Student Drivers
Our goal each day is make sure that all students, faculty, buses, and drivers exit our school campus safely. To ensure that safety, we are requesting that you please reinforce safe driving habits with your student driver. There have been several vehicle accidents that may have been prevented through safer driving practices.
- Drivers should maintain a speed of 15 MPH or less while driving on MacFarlane and in the school zone area.
- Drivers are to stop for pedestrians entering the crossing areas.
- Drivers are not to change lanes on MacFarlane
- Drivers should not be using electronic devices while driving.
- Drivers/Students should not be yelling from one vehicle to the next or getting out of one vehicle to get in another.
- Please try to limit the number of passengers in the car with your student. This will assist in being more attentive while driving.
Thank you for your assistance !
From the Attendance Office
* ANYTIME you come or go from CB West during the school day you MUST check in with attendance.
- ANYTIME you leave school for early dismissal we MUST hear from a PARENT or GUARDIAN via phone or the portal.
- PARENTS or GUARDIANS can put early dismissals, late arrivals, absences, and vacation time in the portal.
- Absences and tardies can be excused for valid reasons with a note, a phone call, or through the portal by PARENTS or GUARDIANS ONLY.
- PARENTS or GUARDIANS have three days to excuse absences or tardies. (Exceptions may be made)
- Students are NOT PERMITTED to leave for lunch during Lunch & Learn.
Children’s Health Insurance Program
CHIP is Pennsylvania's Children's Health Insurance Program for uninsured children and teens up to age 19.
Click on the link for more information about CHIP.