Friday, February 4, 2022

Friday, February 4, 2022, Weekly Administrative Blog

This blog focuses on sharing important information, classroom work, and photos taken throughout the week.


This has been PLP check-in week. 
Semester 1 PLPs were due on January 14th. A communication was sent out to families and students via email on Feb 2 if the Personalized Learning Plan has not been completed. Here is a link to the Template. PLP Evidence of Learning Template 21-22
Students have also been notified if their PLP last year was incomplete. They have a menu of options to recover last year's PLP. 


February Upcoming Events:

Mental Health Awareness Week - February 8 - February 11th (See poster below).

BFA Guidance Department Local Scholarship Event - February 9th, during Enrichment 8:00 am - 9:30 am in the library.

BFA’s school Poetry Out Loud competition will be Thursday, February 10th from 6-8 p.m. in the PAC. Come support your peers!

VSAC - Friday, February 11 – Application deadline!  With a single application, you can apply for more than 120 VSAC-assisted scholarships. You can submit your application today and return later to upload your supporting documents. Everything must be submitted by February 11th.

Black History Month - Wear Green and Gold on Wednesday, February 16th.


Winter Break - February 21 - March 1.

Faculty Meeting Shares Re: What is Happening in Classrooms:
During the February 1st Faculty meeting, teachers shared the following regarding what is happening in their classrooms:
  • Hope Happens Here will be promoting an upcoming mental health awareness week.
  • The Journalism class has been working with VT Digger on gaining valuable writing experiences.
  • Chorus is working on a video production of the song "One Day" by Matisyahu and will release this to the public in April. 
  • All students taking Algebra 1 are right on track and are not falling behind as the media portrays.
  • A math class just watched Hidden Figures. The story of a team of female African-American mathematicians who served a vital role in NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program.
  • A science teacher reported that overall student behavior has shown improvement.
  • Poetry Outloud has had guest speaker Andy Butterfield and there is excitement with the upcoming Poetry Out Loud competition to be held on Thursday, February 10th.
  • There has been more English student interest than parts in "Othello".
  • Environmental Studies and Outdoor leadership students have been able to enjoy the winter weather while learning elements of snow science and winter ecology.  The class is seeing increased numbers in attendance and students are eager to be outside. 
Hope Happens Here:


English Class:
9th graders in AC English acting out a scene in Othello.





















Chorus "One Day":


Environmental Studies & Outdoor Leadership:





Congratulations!

Congratulations World Languages and Classics January 2022 Students of the Month:


Congratulations Math November 2021 Students of the Month:

The names are in the same order as the pictures.


Alyssa Boudreau, Brilee Bourgeois, Nat Cronin,


Myah Fresn, Owen Hull, Elizabeth Kusmit,


Molly MacKenzie, Amber Poquette, Andrew Telfer,


Abigail Velardo

 Not Pictured Yuri Sugimoto




Congratulations Cora Thomas competing this week at 2022 National Silver Gloves in MO!
Cora Thomas of Fairfield, VT, is set to compete at the 2022 National Silver Gloves in Independence, MO, from Feb. 2-5. Thomas has spent the last six weeks preparing for the tournament at the Rail City Boxing Club, as well as traveling to the G3 Training Center Gouverneur, NY, for sparring.


Congratulations St. Albans Messenger Athlete of the Week - Maddie Montagne!

Congratulations St. Albans Messenger Athlete of the Week - Charlie Yates!


Congratulations Toby Ducolon on a 32-year span as Bobwhite Hockey Coach:

UVM Jersey Dedication


Ceremonial Puck Drop @ UVM.


BFA Bobwhites in attendance supporting Coach Ducolon's recognition.

Athletics

Bobwhite Hockey:
1-29-22


















2/2/22


Comet Hockey 1-29-22:


Bobwhite Basketball 1-31-22:























Comet Basketball 1-20-22:

BFA St. Albans Nordic races at Colchester Costumes Relays:




Community Connections

Career Connections Presentations with Ben & Jerry’s:
On Wednesday, February 2nd, BFA and NCTC hosted a career connections presentation with Ben & Jerry’s. Robert Taylor from the company discussed job types within the company, typical responsibilities of the different job types, what makes a good job candidate/employee, what kind of opportunities are available for high school students or recent graduates, and how to apply. We would like to extend our thanks to Mr. Taylor for this presentation.


Mercury Update:
Click here https://bfamercury.org/ to read recent Mercury articles.

Senior Information

February 1, 2022


Seniors and Families:


Can you believe it is already 2022 and officially your graduation year?  It is an exciting and challenging time as there is a flurry of things going on. The months of May and June will be filled with senior activities and events; several after school. I’m currently drafting a calendar so that you will have a snapshot of all the events for your planning. I know a lot of you have after-school demands with homework, jobs, sports, etc. and the calendar will help you with balancing and prioritizing all of your activities. 


I’m happy to report that your caps, gowns, and diplomas have been ordered!


Don’t forget your graduation requirements (Community Service & PLPs):

I’d like to remind you of the ten (10) hour Community Service graduation requirement at Bellows Free Academy.  As noted in the Program of Studies and guidance counselor checklist for graduation, all seniors must complete ten (10) hours of Community Service in order to graduate.   Every senior must submit a pre-approved proposal form and a signed completion form.  All forms must be submitted to Geoff Murray by June 1, 2022.  To satisfy the requirement, students must volunteer to work for a nonprofit agency after school hours.  Some examples of appropriate service include, but are not limited to, church service, Operation Happiness, camp counselor, Powderpuff game, the United Way, and many more. Each year BFA seniors complete nearly 3000 hours of service for the community! If you have any questions about this requirement, please feel free to contact Mr. Murray via email at gmurray@maplerun.org.


Personalized Learning Plans are a graduation requirement from the VT Agency of Education and will be reflected on your transcript. Documenting evidence of learning provides you the opportunity to reflect upon your learning, work towards your goals, and enables the adults in your life to better support you. Half of your senior PLP should be completed at this time. If it is not, you are behind in your requirement toward graduation. The '21-'22 completed PLP is due May 6th, 2022. If you haven't already created your PLP, you will find the directions and template here: 21-22 Evidence of Learning Template. If you didn't complete your PLP last year, you will have an additional assignment to make up for it. It is best to use your time wisely and complete what is required of you before time runs out. It is not fun to be scrambling to finish requirements before getting your cap and gown. Please find your advisor or send Mr. Mahabir an email lmahabir@maplerun.org for support.


Seniors, if you have any questions, please feel free to see me in the Principal’s Office or email tcallan@maplerun.org.


Sincerely,

Theresa Callan

Graduation Coordinator