This Week at BMHS March 19 - March 26, 2018

BMHS Scheduling Portal For Course Selection Will Open Tomorrow

The scheduling portal will open tomorrow for students in grades 9-11 to select their courses for the 2018-2019 school year.   The steps to access the portal are listed below.

STUDENT ACCESS INSTRUCTIONS

1. Review the Program of Studies to learn more about the courses you can choose.  Click here for the link to the 2018-2019 Program of Studies.
2. Go to the ASPEN website.  Click here for the Aspen website.
3. Enter your ASPEN login and password. If you do not know your login and password, please see your assistant principal's office.  
4. Click on the MY INFO top tab. 
5. Click on the REQUESTS side tab.
6. On the top of your screen, you will see a message that gives an overview of the 2018-2019 course selection process.  Below this, you will see “Primary Requests”.  Click the select buttons to choose the courses you are interested in taking.  In this area, you will also see which courses your teachers have recommended for you.
7. Below the “Primary Requests” is a section called “Alternate Requests”.  Click on the select button and choose your alternate requests.  These are your back-up courses, in case you are unable to get into a primary requested class.  You must choose alternates.
8. Below “Alternate Requests” is an area for you to write a note to your counselor.  Some people may choose to use this function, and others may not feel the need to. 
9. MAKE SURE TO POST once you have completed your course selections.  This is SUPER IMPORTANT, since this is how your course selections are saved in the computer. 

PARENT ACCESS INSTRUCTIONS

1. Review the Program of Studies to learn more about the courses you can choose. Click here for the link to the 2018-2019 Program of Studies.
2. Go to the ASPEN website.  Click here for the Aspen website.
3. Enter your ASPEN login and password. If you do not know your login and password, please email portalhelp@billericak12.com
4. Click on the FAMILY top tab. 
5. Select your child.  If you have more than one child, select the child for whom you will be working with.
6. Click on the SCHEDULE side tab.
7.  Then, click on the REQUESTS side tab.
8. On the top of your screen, you will see a message that gives an overview of the 2018-2019 course selection process.  Below this, you will see “Primary Requests”.  Click the select buttons to choose the courses you are interested in taking.  In this area, you will also see which courses your teachers have recommended for you.
9. Below the “Primary Requests” is a section called “Alternate Requests”.  Click on the select button and choose your alternate requests.  These are your back-up courses, in case you are unable to get into a primary requested class.  You must choose alternates.
10. Below “Alternate Requests” is an area for you to write a note to your counselor.  Some people may choose to use this function, and others may not feel the need to. 
11. MAKE SURE TO POST once you have completed your course selections.  This is SUPER IMPORTANT, since this is how your course selections are saved in the computer. 

The portal will remain open until Sunday, March 25^th at 11:59 p.m.  It will close promptly at that time.

Please note that the timing of when you complete your course selections has no bearing on the scheduling process.  Therefore, a student who registers on March 21 will not hold an advantage over a student who registers on March 25.  This is important to know so that you can take your time and make thoughtful course selections over this week.   

Guidance counselors will meet with each student individually over the three weeks following course selection.  This brief meeting will be to review students’ course selections for progress towards graduation, alignment with college aspirations, and career exploration goals.  Juniors will be brought to Guidance by their Physics teacher, during the week of March 26-March 29.  Sophomores will meet with guidance during their Chemistry class, during the week of April 2-April 6.  Freshmen will meet with guidance during their English class, during the week of April 9-April 12.  Teachers will bring their students to guidance during an assigned day/time to meet with their counselor. If your Junior student isn't in Physics, or if your Sophomore student isn't in Chemistry, not to worry; Guidance will reach out to these students individually to arrange a meeting. 

If you have any questions regarding your child’s course selection process, please feel free to reach out to his/her guidance counselor directly.  The number for the guidance office is:  978-528-8760.  

Spring Athletic Season and Awards' Night

Our spring season began today after school. BMHS students have the opportunity to represent our school as a member of the following teams: Baseball, Softball, Boys' and Girls' Lacrosse,  Boys' and Girls' Tennis, Boys' and Girls' Outdoor Track & Field, Boys' Volleyball, Boys' and Girls' Ultimate Frisbee. For information about practices, please follow our Athletic Department on Twitter @BMHS_Athletics and download the Activity Scheduler app on Google Play or the App Store on iOS. If you have any questions about spring athletics, please contact our Athletic Director, Mr. Magliozzi, at 978-528-7922.

8th Grade Program of Studies Evening

At this time, it is recommended that middle school students and parents review the Program of Studies, discuss potential course selections, and consider how the courses your child wishes to select will aid them in their exploration of various interests and potential career paths.  There will also be an 8th Grade Program Of Studies Night on March 22 at 6:30 PM in the BMHS Auditorium. 

Please see below for the date that BMHS counselors will visit your two middle schools:

Locke Middle School:  March 20, 2018

Marshall Middle School:  March 21, 2018

As always, if you have any questions, please contact your child’s guidance counselor via email or phone. The main number for the Guidance Department is 978-528-8760.

Director of Special Education Site Visit and Interviews

Beginning this Wednesday and continuing through Friday, Billerica will be welcoming three candidates for the Director of Special Education position. Parents and community members will have two opportunities to meet with the candidates each day. The candidates will be available from 1:00 - 1:30 pm and 3:00 - 3:30 pm at the Town Hall. The public interviews with the Superintendent will occur at 4:30 pm at the conclusion of their site visit. The Superintendent always welcomes feedback at the conclusion of the public interview.

Sophomore Semi formal

The Sophomore Semi formal will take place this Friday at BMHS in the Ed James Gymnasium. The dance begins at 6:00 pm and concludes at 10 pm. Tickets are $25 and include food, refreshments, and entertainment. The Sophomore Class Advisors are Mrs. Tracy ctracy@billericak12.com and Mr. Gleason sgleason@billericak12.com If you have any questions, please feel free to contact them.

Team 4909 Billerica Bionics

Our FIRST Robotics Team, 4909, began the season this weekend at Reading Memorial High School competing in the New England District North Shore Event. The Bionics qualified for the Alliance Round finishing in 8th position out of 40 teams. They eventually lost in the quarterfinals, but were awarded the Industrial Design Award sponsored by General Motors.

BMHS Path to Wellness