Friday, May 7, 2021

Friday, May 7, 2021, Weekly Administrative Update

Dear BFA/NCTC Community:

The end of the school year is just around the corner, and we have been busy planning end-of-year events and a plethora of summer opportunities for students. Below you will find short descriptions of engaging course offerings for credit this summer developed by our amazing teachers. We understand that it's been a difficult year for students, and providing an opportunity for our students to stay on track and stay engaged is very important. Please see the course descriptions in the link below.


REGISTRATION OPENS on May 17th at 7:30 am - Make an appointment with your counselor to sign up.


Offerings are subject to change based on enrollment and interest.

SEE RAMP-UP SUMMER PROGRAM HERE


Regards,
Sara Kattam
Assistant Principal

PHOTOS & MORE!

Prom is coming:
Juniors and Seniors! Don't miss Cirque De Fuego at Prom Fire on June 5th!


Staff AppreciationWeek:

The Northside Baptist Church community and Youth Pastor Matt Biernet showed their appreciation for all that teachers and staff have done for all our kids during an especially difficult time and delivered amazing artistic treats from Madeline's Bakery.

Music News:

BFA Senior Olivia Belrose is our next featured vocalist performing the song “Fields of Gold,” written by Sting. Eric Bushey, Instrumental Music Director at BFA guests performs on guitar. Melissa Ewell is the piano Accompanist and has also served as a vocal coach throughout all of the senior solo videos.

BFA Chorus seniors continue to be featured during the COVID-19 pandemic showcasing their musical talents through high-quality audio and video performances. Although these recording projects cannot replace live performances, much of the same effort to prepare and perform have occurred in producing these videos.

We very much hope you enjoy this recording. Stay tuned for one more senior solo this month.





Student Work on New Digital Media Website:

I'm excited to share the new NCTC Digital Media Program's website.
The website showcases student work created throughout the 2020-21 school year, presenting a wide variety of digital media, including video, photography, and animation projects.
The site also has links to our new YouTube Channel and SoundCloud page for student musical compositions & podcasts.

NCTC Digital Media has also recently produced a video which spotlights the new BFA experiential learning course, Environmental Studies & Outdoor Leadership. NCTC Digital Media students joined the class on some of their recent outings to record them tapping maple trees and boiling sap outside the school.

I hope you enjoy viewing the large collection of work students have created so far this year. They've produced some impressive work!

-Mr. Davis
--
Steven Davis
Digital Media Teacher

Spring Sports:










Senior Information:

May 4, 2021

I’d like to start by sending out a huge “thank you” for the donations we’ve gotten so far and a reminder that the signup genius is still open.  Click here for the link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0B4EACAB2CA1F85-bfasenior

Here are a few updates:

  • We are working on plans to change the Friday, June 11th potluck to a more covid safe venue.  We will provide more information once the details are finalized.

  • As graduation gets closer, I will be sending out a pre-registration form for senior families to complete. This will include names of those who will be attending and IF you’d like to provide vaccination information. We will use this information to expedite checking you in at the start of graduation and will be used, if needed, for contact tracing purposes.

  • Please see the attached poster and info sheet on “Prom Fire”.

Details for senior week and our culminating events calendar were sent out last week. If you have any questions with any of the information, feel free to reach out to me at 802-527-6400.

Sincerely,

Theresa Callan

Graduation Coordinator


Additional Senior Reminders:

 

  • It’s that time to find your favorite baby picture for the senior slide show this year.  Please scan and send the baby pics to Chris Pepin at cpepin@maplerun.org. 

  • Please also complete the “Where are you going” online survey as soon as possible.  You can find the link to this survey in your email.  Please contact Mrs. Parent in Room A-314 or jparent@maplerun.org with any questions.

  • Please see the nurses to perform your required vision screening before graduation.  Vision exams are required for all 9th and 12th graders and is an important health screen which will benefit your future.  Thank you!



Friday, April 30, 2021

Friday, April 30, 2021, Weekly Administrative Update

In this week's blog, the focus is sharing important information, amazing student work, and photos.

PHOTOS & MORE!

Click on the link for the 9th Grade SBAC and 11th Grade Science Assessment Information

Arbor Day:

Today BFA Interact celebrated Arbor Day by planting a large maple tree in front of BFA's historic South Building. The tree replaces one lost in the past and is part of the city's larger mission of planting 50 trees a year. St. Albans is well known for its "treescape" which was no accident. Dr. Carmola and Johh Thoren started this mission more than 30 years ago by transplanting trees from a property on French Hill to the city streets. During their lifetime this dynamic duo planted more than 500 trees in St. Albans. The city has taken over this vital mission and maintains 1,700 trees throughout St. Albans. This story is a beautiful illustration of how a few committed people can make a huge difference.





Music News:

Aria Garceau and Nathaniel Cobb are chosen for the 2021 VT All-State Music Festival.

Both Aria and Nathaniel prepared and recorded their All-State solo this year remotely and were honored with acceptance into the prestigious 2021 All-State Music Festival. With their own private teachers, they prepared and recorded the challenging solos required for this audition. All of BFA Music are particularly proud of their accomplishment this year especially because it required such personal drive and dedication. The festival in it’s normal format will not happen this year but will be replaced with a virtual festival on the 15th of May.

Nathaniel has played in every district music festival since his 5th grade year on either oboe or alto saxophone. He has performed with the Enosburgh Town Band since 5th grade playing with other musicians of all ages every Tuesday night and concertizing with that group all Summer long. Nathaniel has made All-State all four years of high school on the alto saxophone and plans to major in saxophone performance at the Crane School of Music in Potsdam, NY.

Aria has also participated in district music festivals since middle school, starting as early as 4th grade as a violinist in the District String Festival that year. This is also her fourth year of being accepted into the All-State Band and she also made the All New England Band her sophomore year. Aria is planning to attend Clarkson University next year to major in Civil Engineering but plans to both play in the Clarkson Pep Band and take music classes next door at the Crane School of Music.

Aria says “My advice to the underclassman would be to take advantage of the music festivals and to stay in band throughout high school. Band is a great community and you get to learn new things and meet new people you may not have known if you weren’t in band!”

Nathaniel’s advice to future generations of BFA musicians is: “Stay involved with music, take chances when opportunities present themselves, even if it is challenging, you might find it is something that you love. And join jazz band! It’s fun!”




Building Trades: 




Spring Sports:










Teen Talk:




Senior Communication:

Here is the link for the Live YouTube Event held on Tuesday, April 27th. https://youtu.be/rOBY-vtcxNg

Culminating Events Calendar: View our Senior Events Calendar & Save the Dates:



Thank you to those that watched our live event.  If you didn't have a chance to watch it, here is the recorded version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOBY-vtcxNg


Also, here is the link for the sign-up genius. We appreciate all of your support for these fun end-of-the-year activities!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0B4EACAB2CA1F85-bfasenior

Friday, April 16, 2021

Friday, April 16, 2021, Weekly Administrative Update

In this week's blog, we are focusing on sharing some important information and amazing student work and photos. Happy Spring Break!

PLP Requirements 
This letter went out to all students this week.

Dear BFA Students,


As we enter Quarter 4, we want to take a moment to remind you of your PLP requirements to conclude the school year. By this point, you should have created your own copy of the 2020-21 PLP Student Learning Evidence Template, shared it with your advisor, and the following sections of your template should be complete:


~ About Me

~ Goals 20-21

~ January/Mid-Year Reflection

~ Three pieces of linked evidence for Quarters 1-3


These sections of the Template were due on April 2nd, however, if you haven’t completed them please do so and submit it to your advisor on April 26th, the day we return from April break. 


Your completed PLP Evidence of Learning Template, including the Quarter 4 evidence and End of Year Reflection, will be due to your advisor no later than May 24th.


Your completed PLP Evidence of Learning Template IS A GRADUATION REQUIREMENT. It needs to be completed in order to graduate. However, due to the unusual way that we ended last school year, Seniors will need to submit the completed Evidence of Learning for only their senior year. 


Grades 9-11 will also need to have their PLP Evidence of Learning Template submitted by the May 24th deadline, as documentation of evidence of learning. It is a graduation requirement and the completion of your PLP will be reflected on your transcript from this year forward. 


Please speak with your advisor regarding any questions you might have about completing this process. If you do not have an advisor please contact Mr. Mahabir for assistance.


Stay Engaged. Stay Focused. Do your Best!

Warmly,

Ms. Kattam

Photos & More!

Attention Seniors and Families:
Save the Date: April 27th, 6 pm
2nd Informational Live YouTube Event
Re: End of the Year Senior Activities

Senior Spotlight:
This week's Senior Spotlight is BFA St. Albans senior, Gianna Stevens! Gianna is a horn player in VT Youth Philharmonia who will be presenting their Spring Concert this coming Saturday, April 17 (Livestream info at vyo.org). Learn more about Gianna at the link below!


Music News:
Alex “Rusty” Charpentier is the Maple Run String Orchestra teacher and has some new content out online that is very cool. Congratulations Rusty!

Each year, Music-COMP holds its Summer Institute where music educators come together to learn how to integrate composition and creativity into their classes. In addition, each participant composes a work of their own which is performed by Vermont's own contemporary ensemble TURNmusic. Alex Charpentier teaches Middle School and High School music in St. Albans and his new work, Hero's Journey, was created at the 2019 Summer Institute.


Chamber Singers:
On Tuesday, April 13, BFA Chambers Singers performed live music after school in the new Connector for the first performance of the year.   The first song in this 2-song live video recording is “Homeward Bound,” composed by Marta Keen (arr. Jay Althouse) and features Emily Parent, Class of 2022 as the soprano soloist.

Chamber Singers closed out the live performance with an arrangement of “I Dreamed A Dream,” from Les Miserables composed by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Herbert Kretzmer (arr. Ed. Lojeski).  Sophie Thompson, Class of 2021, is the featured Mezzo-Soprano Soloist.  

Due to COVID restrictions, no audience members were allowed to attend and the performance was scheduled at a time when the Connector was not in use.  All music performed in this video was recorded live at the time of the performance and represents what audience members would hear.  Students are excited to be together and perform music once again.  

Chamber Singers is under the direction of Armand Messier, BFA Choral director, who has been at the Academy for 21 years.  Melissa Ewell, the piano accompanist, is a recently retired music teacher, having taught for 40 years in public schools.

Click here to watch: Chamber Singers performance

Skills USA News:

Youth leadership activities are embedded in all NCTC programs. Each year, we have many students compete at the state and national level. These competitions tested our students through a variety of rigorous practicals, written tests, and professional interviews. We are proud of them all.

2021 Vermont Spring Leadership and Skills Conference award winners:




Culinary Arts Silver medal Alonso Cifuentes



















Job Interview Silver Leah Hale
















Medical Math- Silver Mackenzie Hutchins


















Motorcycle Service Technology - Gold Richard Page and Silver Jordan Sylvester






Photography- Bronze Jarod Gravelin 





















Related Technical Math - Gold Isabella Williams 



















Related Technical Math - Silver Connor Powell 





















Related Technical Math - Bronze Corbin Gralnick










Theater:
Theatre students create a short film with neutral masks.




Spring COVID-19 Safety Messages:
Attached is guidance for families and school staff regarding health guidance for travel and gathering this spring:

Attention Seniors and Families:

Save the Date: Tuesday, April 27th at 6 pm for our 2nd Live YouTube Event for Seniors and Families.  During this event, we will share dates and details of Senior Week (June 5th - June 12th) and any additional information we may have on graduation plans. Link to be sent as the event gets closer.


On April 6, 2021, state guidance was updated and we will be discussing as we plan senior events and graduation. Here’s a snapshot:


For those parents and guardians who have sent correspondence stating that you are willing to volunteer or donate, thank you; and we will be using Sign-up Genius. When we send that link out, you can sign up for exactly what you want to do. For example, we would list that we need 4 cases of water and you can sign up for 1 case of water, etc. Stay tuned for more information.


Sincerely,

Theresa Callan

Graduation Coordinator


Spring Sport Photos:


Bobwhite Lacrosse Team


Christian Vallee



Comets Softball Team


Ian Carpenter


Maren McGinn



Nate Smullen


Sophie Zemianek