This Week at BMHS: October 24 - October 31, 2016

ALICE Training

The ALICE drill will take place at BMHS this Wednesday, October 24 in the morning before lunch. we will be practicing our strategies under the guidance of the Police, Fire, and Emergency Services Departments. There will be multiple drills which should be completed within 30 minutes after we commence. We will send out notification through our Twitter account @BMHSIndians when we begin and when we have concluded.

BMHS Open House

Our annual Open House will occur this Thursday, October 27 beginning at 6 p.m. in the BMHS Auditorium. The Locke Middle School will be visiting BMHS earlier in the day while the Marshall Middle will be visiting on November 1.

The Chemistry Team in Action

This past Wednesday our Chemistry Team welcomed 32 students, ranging from Kindergarten to 3rd grade to learn about chemistry.






Billerica Bionics Team 4909

Our FIRST Robotics team, the Billerica Bionics, will begin the preseason for the 2016-2017 season this Saturday, October 30 at River Rage 19 being held at Manchester Memorial High School in Manchester, NH.


Billerica Memorial High School Athletic Association

Any parent interested in learning more about the BMHSAA should attend the "Orientation Overview of the Organization" on Tuesday, November 1 at 7 p.m. in the BMHS Lecture Hall. The Athletic Association is responsible for helping support our student athletes through scholarship opportunities, sponsoring our sports' awards nights, and seasonal programs. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the BMHSAA President, Kevin Conway at nibconway@live.com

Monday, Oct 24, 2016

Time                Event                                                   Details

7:00am            Photo Make Up Day                            Ed James Gym

3:30pm            Soccer: Girls Freshman Game             vs. Burlington @ Dutile Elementary School

3:45pm            Cheerleading: JV Game                       vs. Tewksbury Memorial High School @                                                                                                  Calabrese Stadium

3:45pm            Football: Boys JV Game                      vs. Tewksbury Memorial High School @

  Calabrese Stadium

4:00pm            Volleyball: Girls JV Game                    vs. Tewksbury Memorial High School @

  James Gymnasium

4:00pm            Volleyball: Girls Freshman Game        vs. Tewksbury Memorial High School @

  Back Gym 1

5:00pm            Volleyball: Girls Varsity Game             vs. Tewksbury Memorial High School @

  James Gymnasium

6:00pm            Soccer: Girls Varsity Game                  Dracut Senior @ Dracut Senior High School

Tuesday, Oct 25, 2016

Time                Event                                                  Details

3:30pm            Soccer: Boys Freshman Game           vs. Burlington @ Dutile Elementary School

3:30pm            Soccer: Boys Varsity Game                Tewksbury Memorial High School @

Tewksbury H.S. Turf Field

3:45pm            Soccer: Girls Varsity Game                 vs. Tewksbury Memorial High School @

Alumni Field

3:45pm            Soccer: Girls JV Game                       vs. Tewksbury Memorial High School @

Marshall Middle School

3:45pm            Soccer: Boys JV Game                       Tewksbury Memorial High School @ Winn

Middle School, Tewksbury

Wednesday, Oct 26, 2016

Time                Event                                                  Details

TBD                ALICE Drill

2:15pm            Winter Sports Assembly                    Ed James Gym

2:15pm            Billerica Bionics Team 4909              Team Meeting Room 3129

TBD                Volleyball: Girls Varsity Play Day     Dracut Senior @ Lawrence High School

4:00pm            Volleyball: Girls Freshman Game      Dracut Senior @ Dracut Senior High School

4:00pm            Volleyball: Girls JV Game                 Dracut Senior @ Dracut Senior High School

Thursday, Oct 27, 2016

Time                Event                                                  Details

3:45pm            Soccer: Boys Varsity Game                vs. Dracut Senior @ BMHS’ Alumni Field

3:45pm            Soccer: Girls JV Game                       Dracut Senior @ Dracut Senior High School

3:45pm            Soccer: Girls Varsity Game                Dracut Senior @ Dracut Senior High School

3:45pm            Soccer: Boys JV Game                       vs. Dracut Senior @ Marshall Middle School

3:45pm            Soccer: Girls Freshman Game            North Andover @ North Andover MS

6:00pm            BMHS Open House                            BMHS Auditorium

7:00pm            Halloween Orchestra Concert             BMHS Auditorium

Friday, Oct 28, 2016

Time                Event                                                  Details

3:30pm            Swimming: Varsity Meet                   vs. North Andover @ Shawsheen Tech

3:45pm            Football: Boys Freshman Game        Methuen @ Methuen High School

3:45pm            Soccer: Boys Freshman Game          North Andover @ North Andover MS

4:00pm            Volleyball: Girls JV Game                 vs. Wakefield Memorial @ Ed James Gym

4:00pm            Volleyball: Girls Freshman Game      vs. Wakefield Memorial @ Back Gym 1

5:00pm            Volleyball: Girls Varsity Game          vs. Wakefield Memorial @ Ed James Gym

Senior Night

7:00 pm           Varsity Cheerleaders & Football        vs. Concord-Carlisle @ Calabrese Stadium

Saturday, Oct 29, 2016

Time                Event                                                  Details

6:00am             Billerica Bionics Team 4909             River Rage Competition @ Manchester Mem.

10:00am           Cross Country: Boys & Girls            Varsity MVC Championship @ Chelmsford

High School

12:00pm          Soccer: Girls Varsity Game                Reading Memorial @ Reading Memorial HS

12:00pm          Soccer: Girls JV Game                       Reading Memorial @ Reading Memorial HS

This Week at BMHS - October 17 - 24, 2016

Picture Retake Day

Lifetouch will be returning to BMHS on Monday, October 24 for picture retakes. Only students that have purchased packages and are unhappy with them are eligible for a retake. If a student is interested in a retake they must bring in their packages with them on the 24th and schedule a time with Mrs. Endicott as soon as possible. Mrs. Endicott can be reached at kendicott@billericak12.com or 978-528-8740.

ALICE 

BMHS will be participating in our first ALICE drill within the next two weeks. We will inform the students before we implement our first drill to minimize any anxiety that this type of practice can create. We will be running the drill in conjunction with the Billerica Police, Fire, and Emergency Services Departments.

Fall Open House - Save the Date

The event will take place on Thursday, October 27. The night will run from 6 - 8 p.m. and will provide insight into the programs offered at BMHS. More details will be forthcoming.

Tri-M Induction Ceremony

This evening our Music Department will be inducting
the newest class into our Chapter of the Tri-M National Music Honor Society. Membership in Tri-M is based upon music participation, academic achievement, leadership, service, and character. The evening's festivities begin at 8 p.m. in the BMHS Auditorium.

NESBA 

The Power & Class of BMHS working
the crowd into a frenzy on Saturday night.

The Billerica Fine Arts Department and The Friends of Music hosted the 36th Annual Billerica Field Show this past Saturday. There were 17 marching bands representing 5 different Divisions and competing for best percussion, music, color guard, and overall ranking. Our Marching Band represented our school and community with the same passion and commitment that is on display every Friday night at the Marshall. When asked by the judges if our band was ready - the BMHS Football Team responded for them (credit: Cathy Matthews). Our band is ineligible for recognition due to the fact that we are the host team. However, from a biased judges' perspective - they were the best band on that field this weekend.

College & Career Readiness Day

On Wednesday, October 19 our Juniors and Sophomores will be participating in the PSAT. This is the fourth year we have administered the test for our students and we have seen positive gains as a result. https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10 Our seniors have the opportunity to visit colleges on that day and use it as an excused absence. As seniors continue to evaluate where they will spend the next four years of their educational maturation, being able to visit a campus during a typical school day provides an insight that an Open House cannot. We ask that they bring back a note from the school indicating that they were visiting on that day. Our Freshmen will be taking i-Ready assessments in English and Mathematics. We are also planning a presentation for all ninth graders focusing on the use of technology (Aspen) in their classrooms.

Please follow this link for additional information including practice tests and strategies

BMHS Building Committee Update

The next Building Committee meeting is this Wednesday, October 19 at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall. The Design Development package was delivered to the Massachusetts School Board Authority (MSBA) on Friday completing the next phase of the project. Shawmut Construction has been on site over the past week continuing preparation for their this fall. Currently, the construction access road work will begin after we return from the Thanksgiving holiday. The access road will be located directly across from the entrance to the Parker Elementary School. When construction begins, motor vehicle access to the back of BMHS will not be available. We are still on schedule for a March groundbreaking.

BMHS Marching Band at NESBA

This Week at BMHS - October 10 - 16, 2016

Site Preparation Work Continues, But Not Everything is Visible

The Yellow Gate was removed by
Shawmut Construction this past Saturday.

Shawmut Construction spent some considerable time at BMHS this past week. They are continuing their site preparation work to ensure everything is ready when they transition to our site later this fall. Some of our students were able to watch as Shawmut use electronic impulse imaging to map the concrete foundation before any drilling takes place. Shawmut also did some excavation work over the weekend. We have maintained a schedule that allows this work to take place without impacting our students during the school day. While on site this Saturday, in anticipation of the winter, Shawmut was able to widen the passthrough in front of the school. This will allow the snow plows to clear the parking lot and make it easier for parents dropping off/picking up their children at school.

College & Career Readiness Day

On Wednesday, October 19 our Juniors and Sophomores will be participating in the PSAT. This is the fourth year we have administered the test for our students and we have seen positive gains as a result. https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10 Our seniors have the opportunity to visit colleges on that day and use it as an excused absence. As seniors continue to evaluate where they will spend the next four years of their educational maturation, being able to visit a campus during a typical school day provides an insight that an Open House cannot. We ask that they bring back a note from the school indicating that they were visiting on that day. Our Freshmen will be taking i-Ready assessments in English and Mathematics. We are also planning a presentation for all ninth graders to assist in their transition to the expectations of high school.
Please follow this link for additional information including practice tests and strategies

One School, One Sound

Continuing the tradition of creating opportunities to bring staff and students together for the betterment of BMHS, Dr. Carolyn Cardella, our orchestra instructor, with the assistance and support of Mrs. Camilli and Ms. O'Neill has begun the establishment of the first United Sound Club in Massachusetts. This Club will bring together students in our Life Skills program and orchestra program to create new musicians. Our United Sound will become part of our Winter and Spring Concerts. If you have any questions, or would like to support this endeavor, please feel free to reach out to Dr. Cardella.

Kornhole Tournament

The BMHS Athletic Association is hosting a Kids' Kornhole Tournament this Sunday, October 16 at Calabrese Stadium on the grounds of the Marshall Middle School. The tournament begins at 4pm and the entry fee is $30 per team. The winning team receives $150, second place is $100 and third place is $50. Entry forms are available in my office and should be turned in by Wednesday, October 13.

This Week in Athletics:

Tuesday, Oct 11, 2016

Time                 Event                                                   Details

3:30pm             Cross Country: Boys & Girls                 Tewksbury Memorial High School vs. North

Varsity Meet                                         Andover @ Harold Parker State Forest (Berry Pond)

3:30pm             Golf: Varsity Match                               Chelmsford @ Mount Pleasant Golf Club

3:30pm             Soccer: Boys Freshman Game               vs. Burlington @ Dutile Elementary School

3:45pm             Soccer: Boys Varsity Game                   vs. Haverhill @ BMHS Alumni Field

3:45pm             Soccer: Girls JV Game                          Haverhill @ Haverhill High School

3:45pm             Soccer:Boys JV Game                          vs. Haverhill @ Marshall Middle School

7:00pm             Soccer:Girls Varsity Game                    Haverhill @ Haverhill Stadium

Wednesday, Oct 12, 2016

Time                 Event                                                   Details

3:30pm             Golf: Varsity Match                               vs. Tewksbury Memorial High School @

                                                                                    Billerica Country Club

4:00pm             Soccer:Girls Freshman Game                Lowell @ Cavallo Field

4:00pm             Soccer:Boys Freshman Game                Lowell @ Shedd Park, Lowell

4:30pm             Volleyball:Girls JV Game                     Haverhill @ Haverhill High School

4:30pm             Volleyball:Girls Freshman Game           Haverhill @ Haverhill High School

5:30pm             Volleyball:Girls Varsity Game               Haverhill @ Haverhill High School

Thursday, Oct 13, 2016

Time                 Event                                                   Details

3:30pm             Golf: Varsity Match                               Central Catholic @ Atkinson Country Club

3:30pm             Soccer:Girls Freshman Game                 vs. Burlington @ Dutile Elementary School

3:45pm             Soccer:Boys Varsity Game                      vs. Chelmsford @ BMHS Alumni Field

3:45pm             Soccer:Boys JV Game                            vs. Chelmsford @ Marshall Middle School

4:00pm             Volleyball:Girls Varsity Game                 Wellesley @ Wellesley High School

5:00pm             Soccer:Girls JV Game                            Chelmsford @ Simonian Stadium

5:30pm             Volleyball:Girls Freshman Game             Wellesley @ Wellesley High School

5:30pm             Volleyball:Girls JV Game                       Wellesley @ Wellesley High School

6:30pm             Soccer:Girls Varsity Game                      Chelmsford @ Simonian Stadium

Friday, Oct 14, 2016

Time                 Event                                                   Details

3:30pm             Golf: Varsity Match                               Dracut Senior @ Hickory Hill Golf Course

3:30pm             Soccer:Boys Freshman Game                 vs. Central Catholic @ Dutile Elementary

3:30pm             Swimming: Varsity Meet                        vs. Tewks/Methuen @ BMHS

3:45pm             Football:Boys Freshman Game               @ Groton-Dunstable Regional High School

4:30pm             Volleyball:Girls JV Game                       Chelmsford @ Chelmsford High School

4:30pm             Volleyball:Girls Freshman Game            Chelmsford @ Chelmsford High School

4:45pm             Soccer:Girls Freshman Game                 vs. Central Catholic @ Dutile Elementary

6:00pm             Volleyball:Girls Varsity Game                 Chelmsford @ Chelmsford High School

7:00pm             Cheerleading: Varsity Game                    vs. Groton-Dunstable Regional Middle @

7:00pm             Football: Varsity Game                           vs. Groton-Dunstable Regional Middle @

                                                                                     Calabrese Stadium

Saturday, Oct 15, 2016

Time                 Event                                                   Details

4:00pm             BMHS Band Competition                     Marshall Middle School - Calabrese Stadium

3:00pm             Cross Country: Boys& Girls                  Varsity Invitational @ Barnstable Fairgrounds

3:00pm             Soccer:Boys Varsity Game                    vs. Peabody Veterans Memorial @ BMHS

Alumni Field

3:00pm             Soccer:Boys JV Game                          vs. Peabody Veterans Memorial @ Dutile

4:30pm             Soccer:Girls JV Game                          Lexington @ Lexington High School

6:30pm             Soccer:Girls Varsity Game                    Lexington @ Lexington High School

Sunday, Oct 16, 2016

This Week at BMHS - October 3 - 9, 2016

Do You Believe In...Wait A Minute

I typically do not lead off with a sports moment, but our football team's victory this past Friday night was a great moment for our school and community. Although it was a tremendous victory, miracle would be an inappropriate adjective. This team has continually improved over the last three years and is now considered as one of the top programs in the state. What is most important is the manner in which they represent the school and community. Both the school and community reciprocated as over 2,000 people weathered the rain to share in this moment.

National Merit Scholarship

Every year more than 1.6 million students take the PSAT. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation recognizes those elite students that outperform 97% of their peers. This year BMHS had four students finish in the top 3% nationwide.  Congratulations to the following members of the Class of 2017:

• Daniel Hannon
• Patrick Harrington
• Delaney Johnson
• Cameron Macafee

Friday, October 7 - Half Day

This Friday all schools will be having a half day for students leading into Columbus Day Weekend. The high school will be dismissed at 10:22 a.m. We are the first school dismissed so all busses will be on site and will depart by 10:30 a.m. There will be no practices until after 2:02 p.m. The faculty and staff will be participating in two workshops (Strategies to effectively educate students with social/emotional challenges and Signs of Suicide).

The SOS Signs of Suicide Prevention Program (SOS) is a universal, school-based depression awareness and suicide prevention program designed for middle-school for high-school (ages 13–17) students. The goals are to decrease suicide and suicide attempts by increasing student knowledge and adaptive attitudes about depression, encourage personal help-seeking and/or help-seeking on behalf of a friend, reduce the stigma of mental illness and acknowledge the importance of seeking help or treatment, engage parents and school staff as partners in prevention through education, and encourage schools to develop community-based partnerships to support student mental health.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid

I would usually leave this type of information for the Guidance Department, but since the FAFSA application is being made available 3 months earlier than normal I thought it wouldn't hurt to reinforce the notification. This link will take you to the online application for federal aid. https://fafsa.ed.gov/ Historically, the FAFSA is not available until January 1 each year, if not later. The federal government has made the form available 3 months earlier, which should help parents make the best (cost effective) decision for their child's college choice much earlier. For most people, it takes about an hour to complete the application.


BMHSAA Kornhole Tournament

The BMHS Athletic Association is sponsoring a Kornhole Tournament for students on October 16 at Calabrese Stadium beginning at 4 p.m. The entry fee is $30 per team. The application for entry is attached.





















This Week in Athletics

Monday, Oct 3, 2016

Time                Event                                      Details

3:30pm            Golf: JV Match                        Methuen @ Merrimack Valley Country Club

3:30pm            Golf: Varsity Match                Dracut Senior vs. Lowell @ Mount Pleasant GC

3:30pm            Soccer: Boys Freshman          Burlington @ Francis Wyman Elementary School

3:30pm            Soccer: Girls Freshman          Burlington @ Rahanis Park

3:45pm            Soccer: Girls JV Game            Woburn @ Joyce Middle School

4:00pm            Volleyball: Girls JV Game       vs. Lawrence High School @ BMHS James Gym

4:00pm            Volleyball: Girls Freshman      vs. Lawrence High School @ BMHS Back Gym 1

5:00pm            Volleyball: Girls Varsity          vs. Lawrence High School @ BMHS Back Gym 1

7:00pm            Soccer: Girls Varsity Game      Woburn @ Woburn High School

Tuesday, Oct 4, 2016

Time                Event                                        Details

4:30pm            Soccer: Girls Varsity                vs. Lawrence High School @ BMHS Alumni Field

6:00pm            Soccer: Boys JV Game            Lawrence High School @ Lawrence Stadium

7:15pm            Soccer: Boys Varsity Game     Lawrence High School @ Lawrence Stadium

Wednesday, Oct 5, 2016

Time                Event                                        Details

3:30pm            Cross Country: Boys & Girls   vs. Chelmsford @ Vietnam Veteran's Park

3:30pm            Golf: Varsity Match                  North Andover @ North Andover Country Club

3:30pm            Soccer: Boys Freshman            vs. Chelmsford @ Dutile Elementary School

4:00pm            Volleyball: Girls Freshman       North Andover @ North Andover High School

4:00pm            Volleyball:cGirls JV Game       North Andover @ North Andover High School

4:45pm            Soccer: Girls Freshman Game   vs. Chelmsford @ Dutile Elementary

5:00pm            Volleyball: Girls Varsity Game  North Andover @ North Andover High School

Thursday, Oct 6, 2016

Time                Event                                         Details

3:30pm            Golf: Varsity Match                  Andover @ Rennaissance Golf Club

3:45pm            Football: Sophomore Game      vs. Central Catholic @ Calabrese Stadium

4:00pm            Football: Boys Freshman          North Andover @ North Andover Middle School

4:00pm            Soccer: Boys Varsity Game      vs. North Andover @ BMHS Alumni Field

4:00pm            Soccer: Boys JV Game             vs. North Andover @ Marshall Middle School

5:00pm            Soccer: Girls JV Game             North Andover @ North Andover High School

7:00pm            Soccer: Girls Varsity Game      North Andover @ North Andover High School

Friday, Oct 7, 2016

Time                Event                                         Details

3:45pm            Swimming: Varsity Meet          Notre Dame @ Greater Lowell Technical School

7:00pm            Cheerleading: Varsity                vs. North Andover @ Calabrese Stadium

7:00pm            Football: Varsity Game              vs. North Andover @ Calabrese Stadium

Saturday, Oct 8, 2016

Time                Event                                          Details

9:00am            Football: Boys JV Game            North Andover @ North Andover Middle School