Friday, September 16, 2022, Weekly Administrative Update

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

Seniors, Announcing BFAs College Application Event October 5th during Enrichment

Parent

Informational

Night

October 6th, 5-6 pm

                                

Parents and guardians, 

Let’s partner together to help our students succeed!  

Please join us to hear about the programs, opportunities, and supports offered here at BFA.  Drop-in sessions will cover how to access your student’s scores/grades in PowerSchool, the ins and outs of Google Classroom, athletic & extracurricular options, student supports for health & well-being, planning for college, and more.

PSAT Information

PSATs will be held on October 25, 2022, in the BFA GYM. REGISTRATION FORMS are available in the Guidance Office. PSATs are for Sophomores and Juniors. The cost of the exam is $25.00. Registration forms and payment are due in Guidance by September 26, 2022.

Journalism 

First Journalism Club meeting for The Mercury with apple cider donuts, apples, and cider.

Click here for the most recent Mercury articles:  https://bfamercury.org/

Addams Family Fall Production

The cast of Addams Family meets our set designer Jeff Modereger.

Bobwhite Football helping Steelers youth with Community BBQ

Congratulations St. Albans Messenger Athlete of the Week Kaitlyn Lumbra!

BFA-St. Albans freshman Kaitlyn Lumbra most likely surprised the Vermont high school running community on Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Burlington Invitational. Lumbra had a breakout time in the second race of her high school career, running a 19:47 5K on the Hard'ack course. At the Essex Invitational, her first high school race, she ran a 21:02. The times at Hard'ack and Essex put Lumbra second on the BFA-St. Albans All-Time list for the Essex and Hard'ack courses.

Comet Volleyball vs. Harwood

Comets BELIEVE helps turn the tide against Harwood; Lindsey LaBelle makes program history. Click here for the Saint Albans Messenger article: BELIEVE

Comet Soccer

Comets grab 3-0 victory over Thunderbirds in September 14th rematch.

News from NCTC

FREE Technical Courses for Seniors through the Adult Career & Technical Development Office. If you want to jump-start your career and become trained as a nurse assistant, welder, commercial driver, phlebotomist, dental assistant or another career, there is money available. The training takes place in the evening, on the weekends or online. To find out more come to the Northwest Career & Technical Center main office, visit the technical training site at Northwest Career and Technical Center Classes (coursestorm.com) or call 82-527-6433. Complete a short application to process your eligibility. The money has been awarded from the Department of Labor is available on a first come first serve basis. This an opportunity that you don't want to miss!

In honor of Queen Elizabeth

BFA Music class of 1982 graduate Colonel Michael J. Colburn conducted the “President’s Own” United States Marine Band during a state visit of Queen Elizabeth on May 7, 2007.

Friday, September 9, 2022, Weekly Administrative Update

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

First Class Meetings - September 7th

Mark Ginsburg (BFA Dean) and Adam Parent (CPSC)

Michael Atwood (BFA IT)

Classroom, After school clubs, etc.

Drama workshops preparing for the upcoming "The Addams Family"

PreCalc Station Review

The Mercury

The Mercury has started to publish new staff profiles, which you are welcome to highlight in this week's blog:

Welcome Wendy Finn by Rachel Ledoux
BFA's New Guidance Counselor: Stella Leach by Rachel Ledoux

St. Albans Messenger Athlete of the Week

Congratulations Parker Daudelin!

Hometown Heros

Click here to read the Saint Albans Messenger article on BFA's own Hometown Hero: Larissa Hebert!
https://www.samessenger.com/news/hometownheroes/hometown-hero-larissa-hebert-educates-next-generation-of-journalists-and-poets/article_13e6abe0-2c86-11ed-a16b-539294517980.html

Fall Sports

Friday Football fun!

Comet Volleyball Home Opener - Dual & Dominant wins for both JV A & Varsit

Bobwhite Volleyball

Comet Golf Team

Bobwhite Soccer

Senior Information:

Hello, Class of 2023,

I am writing to remind you of the ten (10) hour Community 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 me by May 20, 2023.  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, serving elderly in need, the United Way, and many more. 

Here are a few opportunities:

Franklin County Senior Center @ 75 Messenger Street

Saturday-September 17^th 

Contact Person: Sarah Quesnel

Email: squesnel@comcast.net

Phone: 1-802-524-5115 or cell 1-802-370-1744

Downtown Spooky Saturday

Saturday - October 29 (1pm-4pm)

Contact Person: Chip Sawyer

Email: c.sawyer@stalbansvt.com

Phone: (802) 524-1500  x259

Steeler Football Games

Saturdays

Contact Person: Jesse Remillard

Email: jesseremillard@yahoo.com

Phone: 1 802-309-0579

Good Luck!

Mr. Murray

Room A102

Parent

Informational

Night

                                      October 6th, 5- 6 pm

Parents and guardians, 

Let’s partner together to help our students succeed!  

Please join us to hear about the programs,  opportunities, and supports offered here at BFA.  Drop-in sessions will cover how to access your students scores/grades in PowerSchool, the ins and outs of Google Classroom, athletic & extracurricular options, student supports for health & well-being, planning for college, and more.

Save the Date: November 17th - 19th, Time TBA

PLP Update

During the third week of each month, advisory time will be set aside to work on PLPs. This year each section of the PLP has a timeline attached to help students stay on track. If a student doesn't finish the requirements during advisory or doesn't have advisory, it is still the student's responsibility to complete the assigned PLP section each month. Completion will be indicated on the student progress reports, report cards, and transcripts. A student will not progress to the next grade or graduate without this requirement being fulfilled. Reach out to your advisor or Mr. Mahabir with questions.

Graduation Requirements

This section is from the BFA student handbook:

It is the policy of the Maple Run Unified School District that to receive a BFA diploma, students will meet or exceed proficiency-based requirements as outlined in the VT State Board of Education, Education Quality Standards Rule 2000 adopted April 5, 2014. (MRUSD Policy Code: D1)


Personal Learning Plan (PLP) – One completed Personal Learning Plan is required for each year a student attends BFA.

• PLP completion will be represented on student transcripts as Pass or Fail

Community Service Hours – 10 hours minimum are required during senior year.

• Community Service Hours are performed in the senior year. There are specific guidelines that will be provided at that time.

Required Courses for Graduation – 24-course credits (below)

English – 4 credits
Mathematics – 3 credits
Science – 3 credits
Social Studies – 3 credits
Career Exploration - .5 credit
Health Education – .5 credit
Physical Education (PE)* – 1.5 credits
Personal Finance - .5 credit
Arts (Art, Music, Drama, or Dance) ** – 1 credit
Electives – remainder

                    

Friday, September 2, 2022, Weekly Administrative Update

 Dear BFA/NCTC Students and Community:

Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year. We have had an energetic, engaging, and positive start and it is great to see the students back in the building working with our dedicated staff. We have already seen an improvement in on-time attendance.  Thank you for helping ensure that your student is on time and ready to learn as we move forward with this school year.

Brett Blanchard, Principal

Welcome 9th Graders! 

Class of 2026

Welcome Back 10th - 12th Graders!

Senior Group Photo - Class of 2023

Powder Puff at Camp Ta Kum Ta

The Powder Puff program had a lovely morning at Camp Ta Kum Ta!! These ladies spent their last Monday of summer taking a tour of the camp and putting in lots of time weeding various areas of camp!

These ladies did a wonderful job and were able to have a realistic image of why we raise money and have this event.

Senior Sunrise Sept 2nd

CPSC Programs

Here's the After School Program Schedule and the Collins Perley’s Exercise Clinic Schedule.

  

 Attendance Monitor Phone: 802-527-6555      Email:  bfaattendance@maplerun.org  or  ageraw@maplerun.org

*Any student tardy to school must report to the Attendance Monitor upon arrival. 

*All students who arrive after the start of classes will need to sign in with Raptor Technologies® System. 

Tardy to School 

1st tardy to school –  Parents will be notified of the first tardy by automated call/text.

2nd tardy to school – Parents will be notified of the second tardy by automated call/text.

3rd tardy to school –  Parents will be notified of the third tardy by automated call/text.

4th tardy to school –  Parents will be notified of the fourth tardy by automated call/text. 

5th tardy to school – Students will attend callback at 7:30 - 8:00 am the following callback day. 

 The administration will connect with the student and parent/guardian to create a plan for successful attendance. 

After a plan is created, the tardy consequences reset.   

       

Late class arrival after 1st period                                                                 

1st unexcused tardy to class – Teacher warning to the student

2nd unexcused tardy to class – Teacher communicates with parent/guardian 

3rd unexcused tardy to class – Teacher may assign a callback 7:30-8:00 am. 

4th unexcused tardy to class – Teacher may assign a callback 7:30-8:00 am. 

5th unexcused tardy to class –  Teacher refers the student to administration 

          

Class cut or missing from class more than 20 minutes

1st  class cut – Parents will receive an automated call/text. Students will attend but not participate in extracurricular activities. Student attends callback at 7:30- 8:00 am. 

2nd class cut– Parents will receive an automated call/text.  Students will attend but not participate in extracurricular activities. Student attends callback at 7:30- 8:00 am.

3rd class cut – Parents will receive an automated call/text.  Administrative meeting to create an attendance plan.

4th + class cut – Attendance plan is revisited and possible interventions may include but are not limited to, parent meeting/restorative conference, callback, in-school school support (ISS)

Missing from class 5-19 minutes

1st time –  Teacher warning to the student.

2nd  time – Teacher communicates with parent/guardian via phone or email.

3rd  time – Teacher assigns a callback 7:30-8:00 am.

4th+ times – Teacher refers the student to the administration.