This Week at BMHS May 8 - 15, 2018

Assassins Game

An annual tradition that has gained traction in recent years is the game Assassins (also known as Gotcha, Spy vs. Spy, Elimination, etc). For those of us who were growing up in the 1980s, I would recommend the movies Gotcha (1985), or TAG: The Assassination Game (1982) as a reference. In short, students (typically seniors) receive information about their "targets" and track them down and eliminate them with mock weapons (water guns, Nerf-type weapons, airsoft guns, etc). The last player to survive the game wins (usually a pool of money collected by the players involved).  This is not a sanctioned school event and has led to issues in many surrounding communities.

The concern centers around students running through neighbors' yards late at night, reckless driving, and having their activity reported out-of-context to local police.

I would strongly encourage you to have a conversation with your child to ensure they do not put themselves, or others in harm's way as we inch closer to end of the school year.

For additional information on the rules and background of the game, please follow this link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassin_(game)

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact us.

Junior Prom


This Friday, May 11, the Class of 2019 will be hosting their Junior Prom at Black Swan Country Club in Georgetown, MA. The prom will run from 6:00 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. If a student has not arrived by 6:30 p.m. we will contact parents to make sure everything is okay. Students are not permitted to leave the prom early (prior to 10:00 p.m.) without parental permission (typically a phone call to ensure parents are aware and agreeable with their child leaving early).  Our breathalyzer policy will also be enforced which requires every student attending to be breathalyzed upon arriving at the prom.


Advanced Placement (AP) Testing: May 7 - 18, 2018

If students have an AP exam in the morning, upon conclusion of the exam, they must return promptly to the high school for the remainder of the school day.  Conversely, if students are testing in the afternoon, they must arrive at BMHS on-time and stay in school until they leave for the afternoon AP exam at 11:30 a.m.  

In addition, please plan for your exams to run about 4 hours in total length.  This is because of the following: in addition to actual testing time, there are directions, breaks, and various other tasks (more bubbling!) to be completed on test day. Many do not run this long, as test sections are timed and times vary from subject to subject, but it is important information for you to know. 

Please see below for reminders about AP testing.  These were sent out early last week as well: 

1. By this time, your teacher should have informed you of where and when you are taking your AP test(s).  Please let me know if you have any questions about this.
2. Please note that this year, students and families are responsible for their own transportation to and from AP testing.  We will not be bussing students.  Your teacher has informed you of this. 
3. You will need to complete a field trip form for every AP test that you take.  Your teacher has given you this field trip form. Please make sure to return the field trip form to your teacher ASAP, if you have not done so already.  
4. Please note that you are responsible for providing your own beverages and snacks during the testing.  BMHS will not be providing beverages and snacks during testing. 
5. Make sure to arrive on time.  We cannot hold testing for students who arrive late, and therefore, late arrivals will miss the testing session. It is suggested that you arrive 15-20 minutes prior to your start time in order to ensure that you are ready and prepared to test. 
6. Please bring several #2 pencils (no mechanical pencils allowed) and black or dark blue pens for the essay portion.  It is important that you arrive prepared to take the test.  
7. You will not be able to access your cell phone during testing, and you will not be permitted to use a smartwatch or Fitbit (or similar electronic devices). If you want a watch, please bring an old-fashioned watch without smart technology and without an active alarm.  If your old-fashioned digital or analog watch has an alarm setting, you must disable the alarm. 
8. Most importantly, GOOD LUCK!!  

***Please note that the arrival time is NO LATER THAN 20 MINUTES BEFORE THE EXAM STARTS.  This is to ensure that students are able to settle in before the testing.  Per CollegeBoard, students cannot be admitted after the testing start time, so we ask that they arrive 20 minutes prior to testing.  

Please note the following locations for AP testing: 

• 30 River St. is the New Colony Baptist Church
• 70 Concord Rd. is The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints
• 18 Andover Rd. is the First Congregational Church

If you have any questions regarding AP testing sites, times, etc., please email Ms. Melinda Cripps mcripps@billericak12.com

A few additional questions about AP Exams have come my way, and I want to share the answers with you. 

Regarding 8:00 AM AP Tests

• If you are testing at the BMHS Language Lab or 30 River St., you are expected to come directly to BMHS in the morning for the start of school.  You will be dismissed at 7:30 AM to walk over to your testing area with your class.  
• If you are testing at 70 Concord Rd. or 18 Andover Rd., you may head directly to the testing site and your daily attendance will be taken at the site.  

Again, if you are testing in the afternoon, you are expected to arrive at BMHS on time for the school day, and you will be released from school at 11:30 AM to travel to your test site. 

Regarding Lunch

• Students often find that it is easiest if they bring their own lunch during testing days, especially if they have two tests in one day.  That being said, please know that BMHS Nutrition Services is always available to our students.  If you would like a cafeteria lunch on any given day, please either email me before the test or let your proctor know at the testing site, and they can contact me.