This Week at BMHS February 8 - 13, 2016

Course Selection and the Program of Studies

We are working on the final touches of the 2016-2017 Program of Studies. The program will be distributed electronically to all students and their families on February 23. Although each department will be offering new selections for the upcoming year, the biggest change will occur in the physical education and health offerings and requirements. During our recent Coordinated Program Review by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) it was noted that Billerica Memorial High School must require all students to enroll and pass four years of a combination PE/Health course. Specifically, every student must take an offering each year and not "doubling up" during a previous year to fulfill the requirement for a subsequent year. In simple terms, students cannot take two courses during their junior year and count the second one as their senior year requirement. This means ALL students will have to meet this requirement each year, including rising seniors. We have been working with DESE and other area high schools to identify the multiple avenues available to meet this requirement. One change will be the name of the department. The Physical Education and Health Departments will be referred to as the Wellness Department beginning in the 2016-2017 Program of Studies. Freshmen and Sophomores will be taking a Wellness I and Wellness II course. We will still have a myriad of electives for upperclassmen to choose from, but there will also be other avenues for students to be able to fulfill this requirement, although some may not be credit bearing courses. Additional information will be included in the Program of Studies, but I wanted to bring this to your attention at this time, since this will represent a departure from our past practice.

Student Travel

BMHS is going to Cuba in April of 2017. Mr. Adams is organizing a tour through Explorica travel to this historic country.  We are able to offer this trip through the high school’s status as an educational institution.  Cuba is gradually opening up to American tourism, but this trip really is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see Cuba while it is still, in many ways, a time capsule.   Despite America’s complicated history with Cuba, it is a very safe country that welcomes American tourists.   A number of local high schools have recently organized tours, including Somerville High School.

On February 23rd at 6:30 p.m., there will be a meeting in the lecture hall of the high school for students and parents who are interested in the Cuba trip.  Please attend this meeting if you are interested in the trip, or email Mr. Adams at dadams@billericak12.com.  We have a special price for the trip locked in through March 1, 2016.

Career Exploration Day at BMHS

The Guidance Department is hosting Career Exploration Day this Wednesday, February 10th from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Mrs. Coia and Ms. Luciano are spearheading the Career Exploration Day Committee, and they have outdone themselves this year with recruiting fantastic participants for our students' benefit. This event is for all students in grades 9-12. Teachers will also be promoting their department's elective courses that align with these career pathways.  The goal is that students will learn about new and exciting careers, and then learn what elective choices may facilitate exploration in their field of interest.

Billerica Memorial High School Athletic Association fundraiser

Every Monday night in February Newtowne Grill will donate a portion of your bill back to the BMHSAA to support our athletic programs. Simply mention to your server that you are dining in support of the BMHSAA. Please visit the www.bmhsaa.org for more information.

Monday, February 8, 2016

• No School

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

• Spring Musical Rehearsal - 2:30 - 5:30 p.m. @ BMHS Auditorium
• Robotics Team 4909 Build Season - 3:30 - 7:30 p.m. @ BMHS Robotics Shop
• Boys' Freshmen Basketball vs. Tewksbury - 4:00 p.m. @ BMHS Ed James Gym
• Girls' Freshmen Basketball vs. Andover- 4:00 p.m. @ Andover High School
• Boys' JV Basketball vs. Tewksbury  - 5:30 p.m. @ BMHS Ed James Gym
• Girls' JV Basketball vs. Andover- 5:30 p.m. @ Andover High School
• Boys' Varsity Basketball vs. Tewksbury - 7:00 p.m. @ BMHS Ed James Gym
• Girls' Varsity Basketball vs. Andover- 7:00 p.m. @ Andover High School
• Billerica Friends of Music General Membership Meeting - 7:00 p.m. @ BMHS Cafe

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

• Career Fair - 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. @ BMHS Ed James Gym
• Spring Musical Rehearsal - 2:30 - 5:30 p.m. @ BMHS Auditorium
• Robotics Team 4909 Build Season - 3:30 - 7:30 p.m. @ BMHS Robotics Shop
• Boys' JV Hockey vs. Burlington- 3:40 p.m. @ Burlington Ice Palace
• Boys' & Girls' Varsity Indoor Track Meet - 5:00 p.m. @ Reggie Lewis Center
• Wrestling vs. Andover (Senior Night) - 6:30 p.m. @ BMHS Ed James Gym
• Girls' Varsity Ice Hockey vs. Acton-Boxborough - 7:00 p.m. @ Hallenborg
• Boys' Varsity Ice Hockey vs. Acton-Boxborough - 8:10 p.m. @ Acton-Boxborough Regional High School

Thursday, February 11, 2016

• Student Government Meeting - 8:45 a.m. @ Science Lecture Hall
• Spring Musical Rehearsal - 2:30 - 5:30 p.m. @ BMHS Auditorium
• District Tech Committee Meeting - 3:00 p.m. @ Parker Elementary School
• Robotics Team 4909 Build Season - 3:30 - 7:30 p.m. @ BMHS Robotics Shop
• Boys' Freshmen Basketball Game vs. Haverhill - 4:00 p.m. @ Haverhill High School
• Boys' JV Basketball Game vs. Haverhill - 5:30 p.m. @ Haverhill High School
• Boys' Varsity Basketball Game vs. Haverhill - 7:00 p.m. @ Haverhill High School
• High School Committee Building Meeting - 7:00 p.m. @ Dutile Elementary School

Friday, February 12, 2016

• Student of the Term Assembly - 8:45 a.m. @ BMHS Lecture Hall
• Spring Musical Rehearsal - 2:30 - 5:30 p.m. @ BMHS Auditorium
• Girls' Freshmen Basketball Game vs. Lowell- 4:00 p.m. @ BMHS Ed James Gym
• Boys' Freshmen Basketball Game vs. Chelmsford - 4:00 p.m. @ Chelmsford HS
• Girls' JV Basketball Game vs. Lowell- 5:30 p.m. @ BMHS Ed James Gym
• Boys' JV Basketball Game vs. Chelmsford - 5:30 p.m. @ Chelmsford HS
• Girls' Varsity Basketball Game vs. Lowell- 7:00 p.m. @ BMHS Ed James Gym
• Boys' Varsity Basketball Game vs. Chelmsford - 7:00 p.m. @ Chelmsford HS

 Saturday, February 13, 2016

• Robotics Team 4909 Build Season - 9:00 - 2:00 p.m. @ BMHS Robotics Shop
• Wrestling vs. Agawam, Burlington, Marlboro - 10:00 a.m. @ Agawam High School
• Boys' JV Ice Hockey vs. Chelmsford - 3:50 p.m. @ Hallenborg
• Girls' Varsity Ice Hockey vs. Beverly - 5:00 p.m. @ Hallenborg
• Boys' Varsity Ice Hockey vs. Chelmsford - 7:00 p.m. @ Hallenborg

 Sunday, February 14, 2016

• Girls' Varsity Basketball Game vs. Revere - 3:45 p.m. @ St. Mary's High School (Lynn)