Our first week back was an incredible success! We overcame the heat to start the new year, and with the arrival of our students, the school truly came alive. Classrooms were abuzz with activity and new ideas and our school-wide commitment to Rigor, Respect and Inclusivity was evident all around the school.
First some Thanks You's:
- Thank you all for your patience and assistance as we give a final fine tuning to the schedule. Big shout outs to our Scheduling and Guidance teams for their perseverance and teamwork in creating a schedule that works for all our students. This year's opening days for students with scheduling issues ran efficiently, enabling even more students to transition smoothly in the year. We will continue to triage students arriving for the first time this year in the Library tomorrow. Please direct students with missing classes or schedules to the Library to meet with the team.
- Thank you to all our tremendous teachers for welcoming our students into a new school year with rich and engaging learning opportunities from the very first day. My goal is to get into every classroom within the first month of school. Thank you to those whose rooms I've seen for creating welcoming environments, and establishing routines and procedures to support powerful learning. Please continue to post clear, student-friendly content and language objectives for all classes.
- Thank you to all staff for your powerful participation throughout the school day assisting students with transitions and establishing a positive and supportive tone in all areas of the building together. This week Administrative duties begin. Assignments were sent out earlier today by Mr. Prieto. Please be sure to report to all duties on time and to actively assist students in understanding and meeting our school-wide expectations.
This week:
- With the return of more moderate climates, we will be enforcing the dress code for students. Please encourage students to dress appropriately for school, and to make adjustments to their wardrobe as necessary during the school day. You can also support appropriate attire for students by your example. All BHS community members are encouraged to dress professionally everyday.
- Homerooms teachers will begin collecting a $5 Student Activity Fee tomorrow during first period. This money is critical as it is used throughout the year to support activities, initiatives and resources for our students. Please enthusiastically encourage all students to contribute their $5. Envelopes with collection procedures are in your mailboxes. Deans and Administrators will come around to collect money and envelopes at 8:15am tomorrow.
- Our new tardiness policy, passed by the School Site Council last year, will go into effect tomorrow. Students arriving to school after 9am will not be allowed to enter. Please support all students' timely arrival to school and class everyday.
- Aspen Attendance support sessions will run during all three lunch periods tomorrow. Teachers experiencing difficulties taking accurate class or school attendance are encouraged to attend to receive support on technical procedures and best practices to make this daily responsibility manageable. Support sessions will run on the following schedule:
First Lunch (second floor):Shalini Malik, Room 201
Second Lunch (first floor): Christine Baumgarten, Room 118
Third Lunch (third floor):Danielle Murray, Room 318
- The Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) will meet for the first time this school year Tuesday afternoon from 2:20-3:20 in the Library. All are welcome and encouraged to participate in this team, which determines and guides the instructional work of the school.
- Whole-School PD will take place this Wednesday from 2-3pm in the Library. We will begin to unpack the challenge of equipping all students to make meaning from complex texts.
- Grade level assemblies will take place on the following schedule this week:
Grade 10: Thursday, September 17- 8:30-9:30am
Grade 11: Friday, September 18- 11am-12 noon
Grade 12: Friday, September 18- 1pm- dismissal
Please plan your week accordingly. Teachers are asked to accompany students to the Auditorium and to remain with them throughout the assembly.
I can hardly believe the first week is over. Please let me know how we can work together to make this week even better. Congratulations, everyone. And welcome back.
With Sincere Gratitude-
Emily Bozeman
Interim Headmaster
Brighton High School
