I hope this message finds you and your family safe & healthy. And if you are having a Covid experience, then I am hopeful the symptoms are mild and short-lived. As you likely know, final exams are set for next week and many questions have been asked about how they might be handled due to our current health circumstances. It’s my intent for the information below to be a strong resource and help ease any concerns you might have.  
 
Mr. McDonough, what should be our priority right now?  
The health of your child must be at the forefront. If your child is confirmed positive or presumed positive, then they should be home and not at school. It is important, for the health of everyone, that we all follow these expectations. And no one should feel compelled to come to school with symptoms so that they may take a final exam.  
 
What percent of the overall semester grade is a final exam? 
Beginning in Fall 2020, the HISD policy is that final exams make up 10% of the overall semester grade. The three grading cycles make up 30% each for a total of 90% of the overall semester grade.  
 
If my child cannot take a final exam next week, what opportunities will exist to make it up? 
As a campus, we have agreed upon a near three-week window for students to make up their exam(s). This range of time will run from January 19 - February 4, 2022. Each student will organize a scheduled time with their teacher(s) to complete any missed final exam(s).  
 
How is my report card potentially impacted if my child misses a final exam?  
Great question! The temporary impact on the report card is that for any student that misses a final exam, a grade of zero (0) is placed in the exam column. As soon as the student has his final exam graded, the teacher will submit a grade change and the academic record will be updated. 
 
If my son/daughter must stay home, what should we expect from the teachers? 
Our faculty has committed to ensuring their individual HUB pages for each class are up-to-date and that our instructional protocols are followed. The HUB would be the first place a student/parent consults should they need to isolate or quarantine.   
 
So if our child has to miss final exams next week, who should they connect with first? 
Under perfect circumstances, final exams can bring stress. In order to be sure that no one slips through the cracks, consistent communication is critical. Whether through email, Remind, or TEAMS, students should quickly reach out to their teacher(s).  
 
After we’ve connected with the teachers, who else at the school should be notified? 
You should email our attendance office ([email protected]) and include a copy of the positive test result (if possible). That office will then also notify our Nurse.  
 
Where can we go for more information on the HISD policies regarding Covid? 
The Ready Set Go plan continues to be updated as appropriate by the HISD. Please start there and you can reach out to me with any other questions. 

What is the current schedule for final exams next week? 
The schedule above says that final exams end at 1:00 pm each day. Is that what time the students are dismissed? 
Yes, each HISD high school is able to utilize a state waiver in order to release early these four days. HISD school busses will run early as well. There will also be meals served by HISD Food Services each day of finals for those interested students. 
Study Tips and Advice
Finals are next week and if you need tips on getting organized or how to study for your exams, we have resources curated for you to look through. Check out the resources here. Creating a study schedule can really help too.
Campus-Wide Student ID's are on the way!
Our new ID machine has been working hard to print student IDs for all students. IDs will be distributed through Advocacy classes, January 19th. All students will be expected to wear their student IDs while on campus. Students will have the option of using a lanyard that the school provides or their own.
Vaccine Records Can be Uploaded
Student COVID-19 Vaccine records can be uploaded here. You can upload a picture file or a pdf. Uploading your vaccine records helps Nurse Thomas update records and have access to vaccine information in a timely manner.

A huge shout out here to Nurse Thomas and Ms. Alfaro Miranda. They always work hard, but they are truly going above and beyond to try and meet the needs of our school community and help keep us all healthy.
PSAT Scores are Available
The scores for the October PSAT administration have been released online.

How to Access Your Scores
If you provided your email address on your answer sheet on test day, you should have received an email notifying you that your scores are available.
The email will have a unique access code that will connect you to your scores online. If you haven't already done so, you'll be asked to set up a free College Board account before you can view your scores.
If you didn’t provide an email address on your answer sheet on test day, you can still access your scores online. If you haven't already done so, you'll be asked to set up a free College Board account before you can view your scores.

If you need help understanding your PSAT scores click here.
Last chance to apply for a study abroad scholarship for this summer!
The deadline to apply for a scholarship to study abroad with CIEE this summer is Friday, January 14. Students in 9th, 10th, and 11th grade are eligible for up to 100% funding to go to Spain, Mexico, Chile, the Dominican Republic, France, Italy, Germany, Morocco, or Japan.

Check it out here (https://www.ciee.org/go-abroad/high-school-study-abroad/summer), and email Ms. Chapman at [email protected] with any questions!
Support BHS When You Shop Minted and AmazonSmile
We are partnering with Minted this holiday season!  Make your holiday card & gift purchases count this year by shopping at Minted using our unique code FUNDRAISEBELLAIRE at checkout. You’ll get a 20% discount and Minted will donate 15% of every purchase made using our code back to BHS PTO at the end of the year.  Spread the word and happy shopping!  https://www.minted.com/

Register with AmazonSmile and every time you make an eligible purchase, Amazon will donate 0.5% to BHS PTO.  All donations generated through AmazonSmile support the programs at BHS directly.  Choose "Bellaire High School Parent Teacher Organization" as your charity and bookmark the link.  Email the link to family, friends and neighbors and have them register too!  Please remember to use AmazonSmile every time you shop!  

Class of 2022 Yard Signs and #CardinalProud Spirit Signs Available
The Bellaire PTO has signs available for purchase. Please email [email protected]
COVID-19 Notification Changes
We wanted to update you regarding the manner in which we will share notifications with families and the larger community. We will continue to follow the protocols shared in the Houston ISD Ready, Set, Go plan when a student is in close contact with a confirmed and/or presumed positive case. However, the district has shared that we should no longer share the general announcement with the entire school community, and instead only communicate with those directly impacted. The Houston ISD COVID-19 Dashboard remains updated on a regular basis and can be accessed at this link.
Remind Messaging App
All parents and students are encouraged to join their BHS Class Remind Group. Remind is a communication tool that will deliver important communications through text message or email. You can download Remind for IOS here and Android here. Once you download the app, simply text the class code you belong to above to the number 81010.

Remind can also be accessed by clicking on the links below to join a group.





In addition to the class codes above, students will have the opportunity to receive communication and correspond with their teachers through the Remind App.
It Takes A Village...
"Bellaire Share" is new this year. Please help us collect important information and get student and staff accomplishments out to our school community. Share with us Bellaire HS activities and student achievements. You can upload your pictures of any event easily. Together we can accomplish a lot. You can submit information anytime on the homepage on the right side of the page or bookmark this link.
BECOME A CORPORATE SPONSOR 
BHS PTO is seeking corporate sponsors to partner with us to meet the needs at our new campus. Your tax-deductible contribution will make a positive impact on the lives of Bellaire students, and in return your business will be recognized throughout the year.  Learn more here. 
Thank you to the Bellaire PTO Corporate Sponsors for 2021-2022