Weekly Update
August 25, 2021
|
|
From the Office of the President |
|
Dear BBHS Families,
We are getting very excited to have our Class of 2025 join us on campus tomorrow to start their Freshman Welcome! Our student leaders always love this moment of sharing the energy and warmth of the Blanchet Family with our newest members. You will see more information below on the Freshman Welcome that begins tomorrow and the orientation days for all grades starting next week.
We encourage all parents and guardians to join us this evening at 7 p.m. for our Back to School Webinar. Please register in advance. Plans for the new school year will be presented, and time will be available to answer your questions.
In the meantime, we are keeping our most up to date plan for the new school year posted on our website. Please review this plan and refer to this webpage particularly for any changes or updates to our COVID-19 protocols. Thank you for your partnership and support as we welcome all our students back to campus!
Blessings,
Tony DeSapio
President
|
|
STUDENT VACCINATION VERIFICATION PROTOCOL
To support the implementation of the latest guidelines from the Department of Health, BBHS parents and guardians are now required to confirm their student's COVID-19 vaccination status to the Dean's Office.
Please complete one of the following action items by next Wednesday, September 1:
-
If your student is vaccinated, please email a photo of your student's vaccination card to Associate Dean Lynn Augustavo at [email protected].
-
If your student is not vaccinated, please complete this form.
As stated earlier and in alignment with Department of Health guidance, Bishop Blanchet continues to strongly recommend that all students eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine become fully vaccinated. Current guidance allows that fully vaccinated students will not be required to quarantine following a known exposure, if asymptomatic.
BBHS HANDBOOK INFORMATION
ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION FORM
The Administration of Medication Form allows specific BBHS faculty & staff members authorization to administer medication to students. BBHS cannot distribute medication, both over the counter and prescription, to students unless this form is on file. Please complete, sign, and return this form to the Dean’s Office. If you have any questions, please contact Lynn Augustavo, Associate Dean of Students.
STUDENT IMMUNIZATION INFORMATION
Please contact your health care provider to ensure that your student is in compliance with state immunization laws that went into effect prior to the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year. If you have any questions, please contact Lynn Augustavo, Associate Dean of Students.
STUDENT PARKING: ASSIGNED SPACES AND PAYMENT
Students who applied for and received a parking space for the 2021-22 school year were notified last spring. Assigned space numbers will be emailed to students (along with a parking lot map) on Monday, August 30. Once payment is received, your student will be issued a parking sticker. Please pay online here, or submit a check to the Dean’s Office ($150, payable to BBHS). If you have any questions, please contact Bishop Blanchet Security Officer Marilu Byrne.
Chris Bilanko
Dean of Students
|
|
From the Activities Office |
|
PARENT/GUARDIAN WEBINAR: 2021-22 BACK TO SCHOOL UPDATES
All parents and guardians are encouraged to join us tonight, Wednesday, August 25 at 7 p.m. for an informative Back to School Webinar to hear updated information about the 2021-22 school year. Please register in advance for the webinar. Questions may be submitted in real time during the presentation.
FRESHMAN WELCOME: TOMORROW AND FRIDAY
Attention Freshman Families! We are so excited to welcome you to the Bishop Blanchet Community tomorrow and Friday. Our Core Four Leaders, Community Period Leaders, and Student Mentors are eager to welcome the Class of 2025. Students are invited to connect with their mentor, or program coordinators Kori Boyd or Heidi Pouley with questions.
Thursday, August 26, 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
- Wear the Class of 2025 t-shirt! We have extras if your student needs one.
- Lunch (including gluten free, vegan and vegetarian options) will be available.
- Students are welcome to bring a personal water bottle labeled with their name.
- Students do not need any other materials for Thursday or Friday. They will be moving around throughout campus participating in lots of activities aimed at getting to know their classmates and the school.
Friday, August 27, from 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Drop Off and Pickup for Freshman Welcome:
Please make sure your student is on campus and ready to go by 8 a.m. Enter the parking lot using the N. 82nd Avenue entrance; BBHS personnel will be there to direct you.
TRANSFER & INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION
We are thrilled to welcome our many transfer and International students to Bishop Blanchet! Please join us for Orientation Friday, August 27 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Please enter the parking lot using the N. 82nd Avenue entrance; BBHS personnel will be there to direct you. Students will check-in on the north side of the Ernie Rose Activities Center (gym).
FRESHMAN PARENT AND TRANSFER PARENT SURVIVAL GUIDES
STUDENT ORIENTATION DAYS
Attendance is mandatory for all students on their assigned class Orientation Day:
9th Grade: Monday, August 30, from 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
10th Grade: Tuesday, August 31, from 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. *(note extended time)
11th and 12th Grades: Wednesday, September 1, from 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Students should report to their 6th Period (CP) class at 8 a.m. on their assigned Orientation Day. All students need to bring their laptop and be prepared to have their photo taken. Locker assignments and combinations will be available in Skyward, and students will receive their ASB/ID card.
SCHOOL PHOTOS
What to wear: Students should dress in compliance with the school dress code (refer to the BBHS Handbook) for yearbook & ASB card photos.
Ordering photos:
-
To pre-order photos, please view the instructions here. You can also go directly to www.my.lifetouch.com and enter Picture Day ID EVT37XCWM as well as your student's name.
- If you prefer to wait to order pictures, you will need to wait until your student brings home a proof sheet (approximately 4 weeks after picture day). Proof Sheets will have a Portrait ID and Access Code that is specific to each child and necessary for ordering at that point.
SOPHOMORE ORIENTATION
Attention Sophomore Families, please note that the Sophomore Orientation Day on Tuesday, August 31 has been extended to 2:30 p.m. We want to give you a better taste of what was missed last year, due to being in remote and hybrid models for 2020-21.
On Orientation Day, BBHS will host a pizza lunch for the Class of 2024. After lunch you will gather in the Ernie Rose Main Gym for some icebreakers and large group activities. Mentors from the Freshman Welcome, along with Ms. Alokolaro and Ms. Mullin will be there to support and lead the festivities.
- Please wear your Class of 2024 t-shirt or bring it with you for the afternoon activities.
- Be prepared to practice your Class of 2024 dance that you learned over Zoom last fall, in preparation for the Welcome Assembly. You and the Freshman Class of 2025 will be showing off your moves at that fun assembly! The link to your dance is in the Sophomore Google Classroom (class code: my46jx3).
SENIOR CRUISE: THE TRADITION RETURNS!
A favorite Senior Class tradition returns! On Sunday, September 19 from 5-8:30 p.m., the Class of 2022 will cruise together on the Argosy boat. Seniors can find more information in the Class of 2022 Google Classroom. We would love to have the entire Class of 2022 attend this seniors-only, kick-off event!
BISHOP BLANCHET ESPORTS
This fall Bishop Blanchet has partnered with PlayVs to offer competitive ESports. To get us started this year, Blanchet will compete competitively against other high schools in Rocket League and Super Smash Bros. If your student enjoys gaming or would like to learn more about the ESports program at Bishop Blanchet, encourage them to email Logan Brewster.
SENIOR CLASS YEARBOOK TRIBUTES
Senior parents, it's hard to believe but it is time to purchase a yearbook tribute for your student in the Class of 2022! Once the spaces are sold out, no others will be added. Revenues help offset the cost of prom, so please reserve your tribute today.
Chuck Bocian
Vice Principal of Activities
|
|
SUMMER READING REQUIREMENTS
Summer reading is required for all students. Please take a moment to review the summer reading expectations and book choices.
TEXTBOOKS
Bishop Blanchet’s Online Bookstore is open. Families are responsible for purchasing all required books. The official booklist is only available in the online bookstore, but families are welcome to purchase books from any source.
SUPPLIES
All students are required to have a laptop and TI 84 graphing calculator. At the start of the year, teachers will communicate any specific supplies to students. All students will be given an academic planner to use during the school year.
CALENDAR
Please bookmark the calendar page of our website for quick access to our bell schedules, year at a glance calendar and live Google calendar.
SKYWARD DIRECTORY
Parents, if you would like your family information included in the Skyward school directory (and viewable to other BBHS families), you must select the information you wish to be seen. Choosing to make your information viewable can help facilitate carpools, and help foster connection and community.
Please log into your Skyward account, and click on "My Account" at the top right to see your account settings. Scroll down to the School Directory section, and check the "Add Family to the School Directory" box. Select the information you want included, and save your changes.
Please also verify/update any demographic information, and double check your email notification settings for progress reports, etc. If you need assistance with Skyward, please email our Registrar, Rhonda Osborne, or call 206.527.3946.
Nicole McCoy
Vice Principal of Academics
|
|
From the Athletic Department |
|
FALL SPORT VIRTUAL PARENT MEETING
The Fall Sports Parent Meeting will be held via Zoom at 7 p.m. on Monday, August 30. The meeting will begin with important information and reminders from the Athletic Department and then will transition to having team specific meetings. Please click here for the meeting links. If your student is participating in a Fall Sport, at least one parent should be in attendance.
2021 FALL SPORTS SPECTATOR POLICY
The Metro League has announced the following information regarding its’ fan/spectator policy for the 2021 Fall Season.
Outdoor sports: Spectators will be allowed to attend home and away outdoor
events, and will not be required to wear a mask at the event, regardless of vaccination status. Fans are also encouraged to sit socially-distanced.
Indoor sports: Spectators will be allowed to attend home and away indoor
events, and will be required to wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status. Fans are also encouraged to sit socially-distanced.
FOLLOW BBHS ATHLETICS ON TWITTER
"Blanchet Athletics" is your #1 source for game times, highlights and scores throughout the year.
SPIRIT BAG ORDER
Spirit bag orders are due Friday, September 3. Please download the Spirit Bag Order Form, and submit it with payment to the Athletic Department. Spirit bags are also available for purchase online through the on-campus BBHS Spirit Store. All orders placed by September 3 will be ready in 3-4 weeks. Please email questions to Laura Fieser.
JOIN THE BBHS BOOSTER CLUB AND SUPPORT OUR ATHLETES
We are thrilled that fans will once again be allowed to cheer our BBHS athletes on in person at both home and away games! Come show your support by attending a game and becoming a BBHS Booster Club member.
The Bishop Blanchet Booster Club was created for supporters of our athletes to provide more funding for BBHS’s athletic programs, and build community. The Booster Club helps fund:
- Improvements and additions to our facilities (field lights, turf)
- Equipment and safety upgrades (poles for vaulting, Vicis football helmets)
- Coaching training and clinics
- Team and individual recognition (awards, senior blankets)
- Additional uniforms (soccer warm ups, basketball travel shirts)
- Cameras and live streaming equipment for both the field and main gym, which offered parents and families crucial access to watch our athletes during the past year’s COVID restrictions
- Four scholarships to graduating senior student athletes, which are based on submitted student essays
Becoming a Booster Club member allows us to collectively support our student athletes and programs in these positive and impactful ways. Join today and enjoy admission to Varsity sporting events!
BBHS 5K
Thank you to all of the runners, walkers, supporters and sponsors who turned out last Saturday for the 11th Annual BBHS 5K. It was a great turnout and community event, in support of our BBHS XC programs.
|
|
Sean Gaskill
Athletic Director
|
|
From the Admissions Office |
|
BLANCHET VISIT DAYS ARE BACK!
Spread the word to all of the eighth graders in your life - Blanchet student visit days are back! Eighth grade students are invited to visit the BBHS campus during a school day, for an opportunity to check us out in person!
On-campus visit days will begin on Monday, September 27. Sign ups will go live on our website next Monday, August 30. Time on campus with a Bishop Blanchet student ambassador is by far the best way to experience our academic programs and community, providing students a great way to help decide if BBHS is the right fit. Visit days fill up quickly, so check back next week to reserve a spot for your student! Also, help us spread the word and encourage interested friends and family to join our mailing list. For more information, check out our website, email our Admissions Team, or call 206-527-7741.
Michael Pierce
Director of Admissions
|
|
BBHS PRIVATE BUS SERVICE
Sign up now for before and/or after school bus service! Buses begin running on the first day of school, Thursday, September 2. Registration forms and consent waivers are available on our website and must be completed and returned to Jessica Owens in the Business Office before school begins.
LUNCH PAYMENTS ARE GOING CASHLESS
The Food Service department will move to a cashless payment system for the 2021-22 school year. For items your student chooses to purchase at lunch or at the cafe, they will swipe their student ID which links to their RevTrak Account. Please ensure they have funds available on RevTrak. New families should create an account via the link in order to add funds for their student.
BLANCHET ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Blanchet Assistance Program was established to provide confidential support to families for non-tuition expenses such as books, lunch, transportation, etc. Please email the Business Department to learn more.
Tom Ramsey
Director of Finance
|
|
From the Counseling Office |
|
SCHEDULE CHANGE REQUESTS
To request a schedule change for the 2021-22 school year, please note:
-
The student must complete the Schedule Change Request Form by Friday, September 3.
- Incomplete requests will not be considered. Ensure a compelling reason for requesting the change is included and that a parent or guardian has approved the change request.
- Many students received an alternate elective. Please know that every effort was made to provide first choice classes. It is very likely that these first choice electives were not available once the student’s core classes were scheduled.
READY-SET-GO! FOR COLLEGE APPLICATIONS
Counselors will meet with Seniors on Tuesday, September 14 during CP to review the college application process, including the critical steps and deadlines. Counselors will then begin meeting individually with Seniors to review their individual plans for completing their applications. More information about the one-on-one meetings will be sent directly to students via email.
2021-2022 COUNSELING WEBINARS FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS
Please join the BBHS Counseling Team for this year’s Parent/Guardian webinars, focused on important grade-level information and events. Parents/guardians of each specific grade will receive an email with additional information as each event nears.
-
College Planning Night for Senior Parents - Tuesday, September 14
- Topics will include an overview of the college admissions process, SAT and ACT, important dates, and deadlines.
-
Junior Parent Information Night - Tuesday, October 5
-
High School 101 for Frosh Parents - Tuesday, October 26
-
Sophomore Parent Information Night - Tuesday, November 16
-
Course Planning Night & PSAT Review for 9th/10th/11th Parents - Tuesday, February 8, 2022
-
College Kickoff Night for Juniors and Parents/Guardians - Tuesday, March 1
Stephen Russell
Head School Counselor
|
|
From the Performing and Fine Arts Department |
|
DRAMA OPEN HOUSE FOR NEW AND RETURNING STUDENTS
Meet and mingle with Drama staff and current BBHS Thespians in the newly renovated Dale Marshall Performing Arts Lounge on Friday, August 27 at noon, following the Freshman Welcome! You’ll hear all about the Blanchet Drama community and all the exciting theatrical skills you can learn - performing, building sets, creating costumes and so much more. A pizza lunch will be provided! RSVPs are appreciated, but not required.
FALL PLAY: BACK ON CAMPUS!
The BBHS Drama Department is thrilled to announce the title of the fall play, The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 by John Bishop! This slapstick who-done-it romp will be performed on campus Friday-Sunday, November 5-7 in our Marge Bradburn Studio Theatre, featuring the beautifully redesigned lobby! Auditions for actors will take place Tuesday-Thursday, September 7-9. Interviews to join our awesome crews will happen Thursday, September 9.
The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 Synopsis:
The creative team responsible for a recent Broadway flop (in which three chorus girls were murdered by the mysterious “Stage Door Slasher") assemble for a backer’s audition of their new show at the estate of a wealthy theatre financier. The house is replete with sliding panels, secret passageways, and a German maid who is apparently four different people—all of which figure diabolically in the comic craziness which follows when the infamous “Slasher” makes his reappearance and strikes again—and again! As the composer, lyricist, actors, and director prepare their performance, and as a blizzard cuts off any possible retreat, bodies start to drop in plain sight, knives spring out of nowhere, masked figures drag their victims behind swiveling bookcases, and accusing fingers point in all directions. Can this mayhem murder mystery be solved?
Corey Eriksen
Fine and Performing Arts Department Chair and Fall Play Technical Director
|
|
From the Languages Department |
|
FRENCH GOOGLE CLASSROOM LINKS
Bonjour French students! Please select the Google classroom code corresponding to your level for the 2021-2022 school year to join for upcoming news.
Jennifer Willoughby
Languages Department Chair
|
|
From the Development Office |
|
2021-2022 BBHS ANNUAL FUND
Thank you to all those who so generously have already pledged their support to the 2021-22 BBHS Annual Fund. If you would like to fulfill an existing pledge or make a gift online, you can do so here. If you have any questions, please email Jacqueline Robinette.
Mary Williams Beard ‘81
Director of Development
|
|
FOLLOW BISHOP BLANCHET ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Let's get social! Please click on the icons below to link to our main social media accounts. Parents/Guardians are also invited to join the Facebook Group for their student's grade, which are linked below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
