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Message from the Principal

November 25, 2024

Greetings, BHS Families & Community Members. This week's issue is packed with both upcoming events and celebrations. I hope it provides some insight into day-to-day life here at BHS, and the rich and beautiful traditions interwoven in our community -- many of which are student led. They are also opportunities to connect with students at other schools, and with our families -- all of which we are hoping to grow as we get ready to move into our new building and embrace all the opportunities for gathering that it will offer our students and the broader Burlington community.

This is a season to express gratitude. Thank you for sharing your children with us, and for entrusting us with their education and care. Thank you to all the families that invest considerable time and effort to support our programming, ferry their own (and others') children to and fro from practices and other school events, and for offering important feedback to us for how we can continue to create a more rigorous and more inclusive high school experience. We serve our community, but our community also does a great deal to serve us, and we are very grateful.

On behalf of the BHS faculty & staff, we wish you a joyful, restful and healthy holiday break. We look forward to seeing you in December!

With gratitude,

Sabrina Westdijk

BHS Interim Principal

ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPCOMING EVENTS

NO SCHOOL

11/25-11/29

All BSD schools will be closed the week of 11/25. BHS teachers will be in professional learning on 11/25 and 11/26, which will include a focus on student engagement, a review of grading with proficiency scales, and continued learning about intervention, inclusion and literacy strategies.

YES Travel Silent Auction

Save the date! A great silent auction full of gift certificates, merchandise and experiences will open online on 11/29, all to benefit YES World Language Travel. Get in some early holiday shopping while supporting local businesses and YES Travel. Register now to check it out!

https://app.galabid.com/bhsyestravel

Mark Your Calendars

Please note several important end-of-year dates, as they've changed since the district calendar was released last summer.

End of Semester 2: May 28, 2024
Start of Year End Studies (YES) Program: May 29, 2025
YES Presentations of Learning: June 11, 2025 (last student day)
BHS Graduation Ceremony: June 12, 2025

Time to stock up on Seahorse Pride Gear!

Seahorse Pride, BHS's PTO, will be selling school spirit gear in the BHS Cafeteria during lunchtime periods on December 11,12,18,19. BHS clothing or accessories make a great gift for your favorite Seahorse.

BHS Annual Title I Meeting on 12/9/24 @ 6pm (DtBHS or Meet)

BHS’s Annual Title I Information Session will be on Monday, December 9th from 6-6:50pm in the Cafeteria (with an option to join remotely). Interim Principal Westdijk will host this session, which will provide an opportunity to learn detailed information about what it means to be a Title I school, what services at BHS are funded by Title 1 funds, and what family rights and school responsibilities Title I status entails.

From the Counseling Office

Q1 Academic Outreach: Counselors completed their quarterly data review last week for their students. Any student with one or more Ds or Fs should anticipate parent notification and/or direct follow up from their school counselor regarding their progress and available support resources to help students pivot toward success for the remainder of Q2.

This quarter is the perfect time to reassess habits and get back on track. There are several steps your student can take to help improve their grades:

Regular Check-Ins with the Teacher
Students can meet with teachers during Office Hours (before school or during Office Hours in advisory) to review challenging topics and get clarification on assignments.
Homework Club
Our Homework Club meets daily after school in the library. Many students have found this resource helpful!
Time Management and Study Skills
Setting a structured schedule for homework, review, and preparation for quizzes/tests can make a significant difference. Your counselor and teachers can provide tips or tools to help with this.
Parent and Caregiver Involvement

Despite what your teen may say, your direct involvement and support are vital at this time. Regularly checking in with your student about their assignments and progress, as well as monitoring Schoology, can provide encouragement and accountability. Instructions for accessing Schoology can be found here.

From the Health Office

Routine hearing and vision screenings will be held for 9th graders on December 4, 5 and 6.

If you have questions or would like to have your student opt out please contact the BHS Health Office at bhs-nurses@bsdvt.org. Thank you!

SEAHORSE CELEBRATIONS

BHS Culture Night Honors Our Diverse Community

Thank you to all those who joined us for the BHS International Club Culture Night on Friday, 11/15. It was a lovely evening of dance performances and food highlighting the cultural diversity of our community. The International Club would like to thank all those who brought food to share and Delight Restaurant and Bar, Jilib Jilets and Pho Dang for donating food.

Musical Magic with Matilda

Congratulations to the cast and crew of Matilda. The production ran from 11/21-11/23 in the HMS Auditorium, delighting audiences. Bravo!

The 4th Annual DtBHS Macy’s Day Parade hit the halls on Friday!

We were joined by the IAA kindergarten classes, which may be the beginning of a new element of this tradition as we look ahead to our final year in the Macy's building net school year.

Seahorse Café Visits Shelburne Farms

Members of the Seahorse Cafe visited the Shelburne Farms classroom to learn about fermentation. We practiced safety in the kitchen, and made carrot pickles and cream cheese. We enjoyed food and farm animals.

Hazelnut, the angora rabbit, and the goats were all a big hit!

For Seniors and 12th Grade Families

Attention Seniors:

Senior Portraits are due Monday, December 2nd.

Check out all the details here and submit your photo via email to oread@bsdvt.org.

THANKS!

Attention Class of 2025

It’s time to order your caps, gowns, and graduation announcements! The cap & gown unit (includes a tassel, no add-on is required) package is just $30 - order it here by 1/14/25!

Orders placed after JANUARY, will have an added late fee! Eek! Avoid the late fee and order today. Check out the variety of BHS graduation packages, including hoodies, class jewelry, and graduation announcements on our BHS Graduation Website.

If you are experiencing a financial hardship, please reach out to your student’s counselor to inquire about receiving additional assistance.

BTC & CTE Info Session on 12/5

BHS will host Burlington Technical Center (BTC) and Center for Technology Essex (CTE) for an information hour. Students and families are invited to learn more about these fabulous flexible pathways and what they have to offer. Mark your calendars for Thursday, December 5, 2024 from 6:30 - 7:30pm in the BHS cafeteria.

Burlington Technical Center Overview (video)

Center for Technology Essex Program Info.

Now is the time to register to visit BTC and CTE!

To visit BTC, students must use this link to sign up AND they must complete and return the BTC permission form to Ms. Stein in room 209a by January 9th.

To visit CTE, students must use this link to sign up AND they must complete and return the CTE permission form to Ms. Stein in room 209a by December 20th. (Visit day poster attached)

Looking for Community Service Hours?

One of BHS's graduation requirements is completing 40 hours of community service by the conclusion of their senior year. It's best to start early and to complete 10 hours/year. The United Way has published a veritable catalogue of service opportunities across the region, organized across multiple categories.

Consider Burlington City & Lake Semester for Spring 2025

This semester continues to be filled with real-world impact. Check out Burlington City & Lake Semester’s recent blog post about youth-adult partnerships! Students have consulted on everything from urban design to the education system itself.

As a reminder, a few students’ schedules have shifted, and there are now a few spots available for Juniors and Seniors in Burlington City & Lake Semester’s upcoming spring semester! If you know any students who would thrive in BCL, consider mentioning the program! It would need to work with their overall schedule, so if they are interested, they should reach out to their Counselor.

BCL is a unique place-based experiential program that offers full BHS credit to Juniors and Seniors. In BCL, Burlington itself is both our classroom and our curriculum. It’s real-world, empowering, and fun! To learn more about Burlington City & Lake Semester, watch this short video, check out our blog, or follow us on Instagram: @btvcityandlake

Need Support? Resources for the Thanksgiving Season

Here are some helpful resources available to you over the November break (November 21st to November 28th):

Fletcher Free Library is handing out turkeys on Thanksgiving. Information HERE.
Feeding Chittenden is offering a Thanksgiving Meal Wednesday from 11-1, 228 North Winooski Ave, Burlington, 802-658-7939. Info HERE.
St. Mark’s Church is offering a prepared meal. 802-864-7686
Turning Point Center of Chittenden County is handing out Thanksgiving meals from 1-3 pm. Click HERE for more information. 802-861-3150
COTS DayStation will give people a hot lunch every day. Info HERE.
Essex Alliance Church, 901 North Ave Burlington, 10:30-3, free Thanksgiving Meal to all.

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