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As we approach winter break and I reflect on the first three and a half months of the school year, I want to share with our BMHS families how grateful I am to serve our students, staff, and community. I am thankful for the commitment to excellence our staff and students exhibit day in and day out, and I am grateful to be part of a community that values education. Great things continue to happen at BMHS! It's exciting to see all of the amazing talent in this building whether it be in academics and/or music, art, theater, athletics, or through the many clubs that our students participate in. I am very proud of our students and their accomplishments as they continue to showcase their talents at the local, state, and national level.
It was a pleasure to see many of you at parent-teacher conferences, and I would remind you that if you were unable to connect with teachers and staff on those dates, you are encouraged to reach out to us so that we can find another time or way to connect. I appreciate the unwavering support from our families.
The end of the semester will be here before we know it! Please encourage your student to finish the semester strong. This is an important time to check in with your student about how their classes are going and how you can support the learning process. It's important for students to seek out help when needed, so please encourage them to speak with their teachers and support staff if they need help - that's what we're here for. You can also check your student's progress at any time on Skyward. With hard work, determination, and the proper mindset, your student will be successful.
Shortly after we begin second semester, student's will be choosing their courses for the 2020-21 school year. We encourage our students to find an area of interest and consider enrolling in at least one Advanced Placement and/or Dual Credit course prior to graduating from high school. Students who take AP courses are more likely to be prepared for coursework at the college level. In addition, students who score well on AP exams or earn a grade of C or above in a Dual Credit course can earn college credit and save on tuition costs. BMHS offers a wide-range of Advanced Placement and Dual Credit courses in multiple subject areas for students to choose from.
I want to wish all of our BMHS families a wonderful and safe winter break and a prosperous and Happy New Year! As always, it is an honor to work with your children.
Emily Pelz, BMHS Principal
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January-February Events
School Resumes
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January 2nd
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| Term 2 Exams |
January 16th -17th |
| Early Release |
January 17th (10:45 AM) |
| No School - MLK Jr. Day |
January 20th |
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Knight Talk
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January 27th (5:00 PM)
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| No School - Staff PD |
February 7th |
| Winter Formal |
February 8th (7-11 PM) |
| BMHS EXPO |
February 11th (5:00 PM) |
| Knight Talk |
February 17th (5:00 PM) |
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Parent-Teacher Conf
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February 20th (5-7 PM)
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Father-Daughter Dance
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February 22nd (3-5 PM)
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The Winter Dance sponsored by the Senior Class of 2020 will be held Saturday, Feb. 8 from 7 pm - 11 pm in the Barkin Arena. Tickets will be $10 and can be purchased the week of the dance, Monday, Feb 3 - Thursday, Feb 6 during all lunches outside of the cafeteria.
Tickets must be paid for in cash. Please no bills larger than $20.
(
No tickets
will be sold on Friday or at the door on Saturday.)
Purple Knight Achievement Awards recipients will be recognized at 9:00 pm.
Light refreshments will be served and a beverage concession stand will be available.
A coat check will also be provided. Students must have their ID to enter the dance.
Students will be asked to submit a dance contract and guest contracts by January 31.
BMHS Special Events Privilege-Based Admission Policy is in effect for this event.
1.) Students with 5 or more unexcused period absences OR tardies (NOT 5 of each) in the term of the event will not be permitted to attend. 2.) Dance times are from 7:00 - 11:00 pm. The last time for dance entry is 9:30 pm. 3.) Students who have been suspended in school or out of school up to the time of the dance (during the 2019-2020 school year) will not be permitted to attend!! Even after you are approved and purchase a ticket, your attendance will be revoked due to a suspension!
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ACT Testing
(11th Graders)
As we approach the start of second semester we come closer to ACT testing at BMHS. This is the state mandated testing for 11th grade students using the ACT Plus Writing. This test that will be administered at BMHS on March 3rd with all 11th grade students taking the ACT Plus Writing for the entire day. All other students will
not be in attendance on March 3rd. Please stay tuned for updates on the ACT testing at BMHS and a more detailed schedule.
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I
n the upcoming weeks, students will be introduced to our new college and career exploration online platform: Xello. This powerful program allows students to learn about their interests and inventory their skills. They can learn all about careers that they are interested in and plan a path to employment. Students can research colleges to learn what programs they offer, entrance requirements, and even the cost of attendance. Parents will also be able to share in this exploration. Your student will be asked to email you a link to their profile so you can share in the experience. This program is a key part of the district's Academic and Career Planning program and is a great way to make sure that each of our scholars graduates with a strong plan for a bright future.
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Knight Talk
Please join Ms. Pelz on the 3rd Monday of each month (except January) at 5:00 PM in the Knight Spot for an informal discussion on all things related to BMHS. We will have a monthly focus along with conversation regarding upcoming events and activities. This will also be an opportunity to ask questions and share ideas about improving student achievement in our school. I hope you will consider joining us! Below are the dates.
December 16th
January 27th (4th Monday)
February 17th
March 16th
April 20th
May 18th
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Attendance = Success
We want our students to be at school every day to enhance their educational opportunities. Research indicates students who are chronically absent minimize their chances of academic success. As partners in your teen's education, we appreciate your support in making sure they are in school. We also understand that sickness and other family issues will result in missing school. Please note that students are excused 10 days per year. If your teen is absent, you can notify us by using ONE of the following methods:
- Phone (608) 361-3073 or para hablar en espanol
(608) 361-3009
- Email: [email protected]
- Send a signed note with the student's name, date and reason for absence.
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Attendance Procedures:
Research shows that chronic absenteeism significantly impacts the quality of education a child receives and the likelihood that a student will drop out of high school. Our goal is that 100% of our students achieve and graduate. You can invest in your child's education by ensuring they attend school daily and on time.
Parents/guardians must notify the school of the reason for their student's absence on the day of absence or within the next 24 hours following the absence. You may be contacted to verify the absence.
Ways to notify the school of the absence:
- Phone call to the attendance line
- Skyward Family Access
- Email the attendance address
- Send a written note
- Visit the attendance secretary in person
Notification of student absence must include:
- Your name
- Your child's name
- Date of absence
- Reason for absence
- A phone number at which you can be reached
Absences will be excused for student illness, significant family illness, or death in the family. Non-health related absence excuses or requests will be reviewed by the principal. Families are encouraged to make doctor and dentist appointments outside of school time, if possible. If your child needs to be released for an appointment, we ask that you send a note in the morning, enter the building at the pickup time to sign your child out of school, and return the child as soon as possible.
You may view your child's attendance at any time using Skyward Family Access through the SDB website. To obtain your family access, contact your school office for account information and a user guide. Please report any errors in attendance reporting immediately to the attendance secretary.
Students who are unexcused or absent due to illness from school for the day or afternoon may not attend an after school or evening school event.
You will receive a phone call each day that your child is marked absent unexcused in a class or in
school. Please call immediately to reconcile any errors.
You will receive a letter if your child has been absent unexcused all or part of two days. This is to communicate that we did not receive your notification or that your child may be missing class without your knowledge. Please call immediately to reconcile any errors.
District policy does not allow regular early dismissal by parent request.
When a student has been absent for part or all of five (5) or more days of school, the parent/guardian will be notified in writing. The letter will request a meeting between the parent/guardian and the principal to identify the barriers that are keeping the child out of school, and to agree upon strategies to increase the child's attendance. If your child continues in a pattern of unexcused absences (truancy), there is a possibility that you or your child will be referred to the court for a truancy citation per state law. Students who meet the definition of "Habitual Truant" (students who have missed all or part of 5 days unexcused in a semester) may be subject to loss of school privileges and/or access to non-academic school events and activities based on the school's attendance plan.
All students are expected to be on time for class. Do not bring your child to school before the time supervision is provided.
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Counseling Corner
Early College Credit Program
Are you interested in getting a jump start on a technical certification or an associate/bachelor's degree? If yes, the Early College Credit Program may be for you. BMHS offers students an opportunity to take approved college courses off campus. Deadline to apply for a Fall course is March 1, 2020. Applications are now available in the Counseling Office.
Scholarship and College Admission
Please make sure your senior is on track with College Scholarships and College Admission applications. Emails are sent directly to students with all criteria needed for scholarship and application due dates. Please look at these with your student to assure deadlines are met. There is FREE money for college available through the scholarship process.
School Counselors Connecting with Students
Counselors are in the process of conducting yearly Academic Career Planning (ACP) meetings with students. Each counselor schedules an individual student meeting to access academic needs and to discuss goals in preparation for graduation. The meeting often varies in length depending on material reviewed and postsecondary plans.
During the ACP meeting, counselors review transcripts which includes informing students of credits earned and required credits to be earned to meet graduation needs. Counselors also discuss several points of interest including grade point average, rank, course selections, career goals, scholarships, college interests, testing dates and previous test scores.
Overall, BMHS's school counselors are here to meet the needs of all students with a focus on building healthy learning opportunities and creating potential areas of growth. Please talk to your student to review information that was discussed during their ACP meeting. School Counselors are here to meet students'
academic
, personal/social and career development needs.
PLEASE REACH OUT TO YOUR STUDENT'S SCHOOL COUNSELOR WITH ANY QUESTIONS.
Tyree Gamble
Freshmen Academy
Trudy Hart
PACMES Academy
608-361-3026
Angela Snow
HHES Academy
608-361-3028
Erin Wolf
BACH Academy
608-361-3027
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For Seniors
 Attention Senior Families - Now is the time for your student to be applying for college! The following steps must be followed when applying to a Technical, 2-year or 4-year college.
- Complete the Application found online at the college's website or the Common application at https://www.commonapp.org
- The student must pay for the application to be considered complete (unless it is free or waived through the college.
- The student must send their ACT score to the college (which can be done when taking the ACT). To send go to www.actstudent.org to create an account to have it sent electronically.
- All colleges require a high school transcript to be sent at time of application. BMHS transcripts can be obtained through Parchment. Visit www.parchment.com to send the transcript electronically. It is the student's responsibility to send the transcript. This service is free to current seniors.
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Applications for the Stateline Community Scholarships open on December 16, 2019. The deadline to apply is February 14, 2020. This is the largest pool of scholarships available to Beloit Memorial Students for 4-year, 2-year and technical colleges. Scholarship applications can be found on the Stateline Community Foundation Website. Please visit SCF at https://statelinecf.org/scholarships-info/ to complete the online application. Students are responsible for sending their ACT score and a transcript. Do not delay in applying. See your counselor with any questions or help you may need in applying.
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Beloit Memorial is now sending out Weekly Updates
which includes a calendar of events for the week, upcoming events and other important info. Please make sure you
have a current email address on file in your Skyward account. If you do not have an email on file or need to change your email address, please email Deb Edmonds at
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January 16 & 17
January 17th
Early Release at 10:45 am
Teacher Report Card Prep
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GRADUATION ORDERING
Midwest Scholastic will be here to meet with seniors on Tuesday, January 7th at 9:00 AM.
Information will be given out for ordering your cap, gown, and announcements.
Orders will need to be returned on January 13th & 14th during the lunches.
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Term 3
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Thursday, February 20th
5:00-7:00 PM
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Second Semester is Coming Soon!
First semester is quickly coming to a close at Beloit Memorial High School. Second semester will begin on January 21st. It is important during this busy holiday season that students remain focused on academic achievement and attendance. Teachers are available to assist all students. We encourage each student to push through to the end of the semester.
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HAVE YOU ORDERED YOUR YEARBOOK?
Yearbooks cost $55 ($60 to have your name engraved). Pre-ordering a yearbook ensures that there is one available when the book is delivered in May. The cost for yearbooks rises on January 25th, so order today! Make payment in the Main Office or go to
yearbookforever.com
Parents of Seniors please send your student's senior photo to the yearbook staff if you have not yet done so. Go to
yearbookforever.com and type in Beloit Memorial. Click "shop the store", then "community upload". The access code is Yearbook. Upload a photo file. Senior Pictures are due by December 16th.
Senior Tribute Ads include an additional photo and a message to your senior. Go to
yearbookforever.com to purchase a senior tribute ad for $20.
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Knight of Jazz
All you can eat
Spaghetti Dinner
Eclipse Center
February 10th
5:00-8:00 PM
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Student Game Attendance
The winter sports season has begun! Moving forward, attendance at school will determine if your student will be able to attend the games and matches. To attend the games, they can not have more than two tardies for the week, no unexcused absences, and not have any in-school or out-of-school suspensions.
All students must have a ticket to be in the building for all games. This includes freshman games. That ticket will get them into the Freshman, JV, and Varsity games. All BMHS students will need to show their ID at the table in front of the Fitness Center. No tickets will be sold once halftime starts and the doors will be locked. Once they leave the building, they will not be allowed to re-enter.
For varsity basketball games, the doors to Barkin Arena will be closed while the game is going. The doors will only be opened for timeouts and halftime. At that time they may come into the game. If they leave to go to the bathroom, they will not be allowed to come back into the game until a timeout or halftime.
Once the game is over, all students will be asked to leave the building. Please make sure they have rides to pick them up.
Please come and support you fellow Purple Knights! Enjoy the game
***The doors will open up 45 minutes before the JV start time. You will not be able to stay in the building after school. The cost for attending games and matches will be $2 plus your ID.
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AVID EVENTS
January 26th:
Potluck and Raffle at Hanson's Bar and Grill on Sunday, January 26th at noon.
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February 5th:
Buffalo Wild Wings Fundraiser All-Day
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February 14th:
Future Knights Out
6-9 PM
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