National Merit
Every year over 16 million students participate in the PSAT assessment. The National Merit Corporation recognizes students that outperform 99% of their peers from around the world. This year, senior Madhumathi Sekar, was recognized as a National Merit Finalist and will be receiving a scholarship towards her college career.
WGBH Educator Ambassadors
We are pleased to announce that Rachel Bouhanda has been selected as one of 23 educators from across the Commonwealth who will participate in the pilot project, 2018 WGBH Educator Ambassadors, in collaboration with WGBY, running from February to August 2018. Rachel joins an esteemed group of educators representing different regions of Massachusetts, subjects, grades and professional roles.
As an ambassador, Rachel will work with WGBH and WGBY to better understand public media’s role in K-12 education, and specifically the value of PBS LearningMedia™, the free PBS digital learning service for PK-12 educators and students. We will support the Ambassadors as they collaborate with their colleagues around public media educational resources through activities such as in-district sessions, webinars, conferences and social media. The Ambassadors will also be called upon to advise our team on the value and practical implementation of what we produce for educators. Through a series of virtual sessions, they will act as a sounding board as we improve and expand the impact of PBS LearningMedia.
The Ambassadors are invited to an in-person kickoff meeting at WGBH on February 20th, during the winter break. The remainder of the activities will be done virtually. No activities will be scheduled during class time.
We welcome Rachel into the group and very much look forward to working with, and learning from her.
Carolyn Jacobs
Senior Manager, Training and Educator Engagement
BMHS ROTC Supporting Veterans
Members of the BMHS ROTC program will be collecting items in support of Vetpacks for Hope. The are working in conjunction with Billerica DAV Auxiliary Unit 47 to supportboth men and women veterans ~ outpatient and hospitalized, who are mentally or physically ill that need these essential items or a reminder that someone cares. The bins are located at BMHS and donations can be dropped off at the main entrance.
Winter Guard and Percussion Fundraiser
The Annual Friends and Family Night to support the Winter Guard and Percussion Team will take place on Friday, March 16 at 7 p.m. in the Marshall Middle School Gym. Enjoy performances by the Winter Guard and Percussion Team with special guest appearances by Arbella Independent Winter Guard and the Medford High School Mustangs Winter Guard.
2018-2019 Scheduling Information:
Billerica Memorial High School is pleased to announce that the 2018-2019 Program of Studies will be ready to share with you on the afternoon of March 2. Students and parents will receive an email announcing the publication, along with a link to the Program of Studies. It will also be posted on the BMHS website. This important document outlines the courses offered at BMHS next year, graduation requirements, and opportunities available to our students.
Between March 4-March 19, teachers will make recommendations for students’ courses next year. Students will log into Aspen X2 to register for courses beginning on March 20th, and the student registration portal will close on March 25th. When your student portal opens on March 20th, you will also be able to see your teachers’ recommendations for your classes next year. I will provide student portal registration directions to you via email before March 20th.
At this time, you will want to continue important discussions with your parents, family, teachers, guidance counselors, and mentors to consider your strengths and possible career interests. It is also important to consider what classes interest you, and what courses you may want to take next year. When the Program of Studies is released at the end of this week, please look through it and carefully note your first choice classes and your second choice (alternate) courses. While we strive to ensure that students' first choices are fulfilled, unfortunately there are times when this is not possible. Therefore, we ask that each student select 3-4 alternate courses. You will be able to denote these as alternate courses when using the student registration portal.
Each student will meet individually with their guidance counselor after the student portal closes. This is to ensure that course selections are appropriate to students’ graduation requirements, postsecondary plans, and interests. Your child’s guidance counselor will arrange this meeting. We look forward to working with you and your student during the registration process!
AP Exam payment is now overdue. If you have not yet turned in your AP money to the Guidance Office, please do so immediately. All students taking AP courses must take the AP test for the class, and students/families are responsible for paying for the exam. This is outlined in the BMHS handbook and in the BMHS Program of Studies.
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
I'd like to share with you the Dollars For Scholars presentation slides and Naviance Scholarship List handout from BMHS's recent Scholarship Information
Click HERE for the parent portion of DFS.
Click HERE for the student portion of DFS.
Click HERE for the Navinace handout.
Dollars For Scholars will open their portal on March 1, and the scholarship application portal will close on March 26. However, the student and parent portions can be completed prior to March 1.
Dollars For Scholars account login/account creation: Click HERE **Please note that if your child attended the BMHS Summer College Boot Camp, they should already have a DFS account created, and a good portion of the application should already be filled out.
Dollars For Scholars Main Page: Click HERE
Ms. Sharon Ferris is the Co-Chair for Dollars For Scholars, and she asks that if you have any questions regarding DFS, please contact her via email. Her email is: sferris@idealconcretebloc
Please note that additional scholarship opportunities are listed on Naviance under the Scholarship List link. Click HERE to access the Naviance website. Note that these scholarships have different deadlines than Dollars For Scholars scholarships. You will also want to check back frequently, as the list is updated regularly throughout the late winter and early spring.
Junior Meetings to discuss post-secondary plans are starting soon. Please note that Guidance will not be distributing paper passes for these meetings; instead, we are piloting a paperless pass system, in which a calendar invite will be sent directly to your school's Google email and Google calendar. Students, please make sure to accept the invitation. This lets your counselor know that you are going to attend the meeting. If you need to reschedule, please let your counselor know and we will reschedule your appointment. The electronic invitation is your pass to come to Guidance, and you will need to show it to your teacher when you leave class. We have been piloting this system in other areas of our work with students, and it has been successful. Please watch for this calendar invite.
Billerica Memorial High School’s 3rd Annual College Fair
SAVE THE DATE AND MARK YOUR CALENDAR! The Billerica Memorial High School Guidance Department will be hosting our 3rd Annual College Fair on Wednesd
7th Annual College Panel
The Billerica Memorial High School Guidance Department will be hosting our 7th annual College Panel on Wednesday, March 14 from 5:30 pm to 6:15 pm, immediately prior to the college fair. This event is open to students and parents in all grades. The panelists are admissions representatives from four different colleges, and they will discuss universal tips and components needed for a successful college application
· The importance of the high school transcript
· How GPA is used in the admissions process
· The use of standardized testing (SAT, SAT subject tests, ACT)
· The importance of the college essay and letters of recommendation
· The significance of extracurricular activities
· Tips for application management
Reminder: PSAT Scores & Khan Academy:
CollegeBoard provides each student with a FREE, personalized study plan along with ample practice opportunities online through Khan Academy. Click here to learn how to link your PSAT scores to Khan Academy for free SAT practice! This is a wonderful resource. Junior students should plan to take the SAT in the spring of 2018 (BMHS offers the test in May), and again in the fall of their Senior year (BMHS offers the test in October). You can register for the Saturday, May 5, 2018 SAT test by clicking here.
QUESTIONS? As always, if you have any questions, please contact our office at 978-528-8760.
Juuling: The Most Widespread Phenomenon You've Never Heard Of
The Boston Globe ran this story back in November 2017. It speaks to the increased accessibility of vaping paraphernalia and the "improved" social status that comes with it. There was a time when smoking was only associated with certain social groups in high school. Other groups engaged in risky behaviors, just different types - such as chewing tobacco, or alcohol. The scary part of the vaping trend is the misunderstood health impact. Young adults are being misled into believing that they are simply inhaling vapor, which is predominantly water, unaware of the significant health impact of inhaling heated vapor and the damage to the cilia lining in their lungs.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/11/15/where-teenagers-are-high-school-bathrooms-vaping/IJ6xYWWlOTKqsUGTTlw4UO/story.html
Wellness Independent Study Google Classroom is now open!
Please check your email for the link and code.
If you have questions of concerns regarding Wellness Independent Study please contact Ms. Flynn Coordinator of Health Services and Wellness at Jflynn@billericak12.com
Yearbook 2018
Dear Senior Parents:
It’s hard to believe, but in just a few short months, your student’s time at Billerica Memorial High School will be a memory. The DEADLINE TO SUBMIT A SENIOR TRIBUTE AD IS March 1, 2018.
Senior Tribute Ad Pages are a tradition among families of graduating students that allow parents to congratulate and let your student know how much they are cared for. You know your child is amazing – now you can show him or her in this year’s yearbook. You have the opportunity to let them know how proud you are and congratulate them on this milestone in life.
Your Tribute page will be printed in the yearbook and remembered forever! By purchasing a space in the back of the book you can tell your child how special he or she is with your own pictures and in your own words. 100% of the proceeds from the tribute pages go directly to Billerica Memorial High School and help to support the yearbook program, so please create a lasting message for your graduate and show your support for the Billerica Memorial High School Yearbook. Attached is a sample page for you to view.
Senior Tribute Ad Pages are a tradition among families of graduating students that allow parents to congratulate and let your student know how much they are cared for. You know your child is amazing – now you can show him or her in this year’s yearbook. You have the opportunity to let them know how proud you are and congratulate them on this milestone in life.
Your Tribute page will be printed in the yearbook and remembered forever! By purchasing a space in the back of the book you can tell your child how special he or she is with your own pictures and in your own words. 100% of the proceeds from the tribute pages go directly to Billerica Memorial High School and help to support the yearbook program, so please create a lasting message for your graduate and show your support for the Billerica Memorial High School Yearbook. Attached is a sample page for you to view.
Making your page is simple. Just fill follow this link: http://
Sincerely,
The Billerica Memorial High School Yearbook Staff
