With the new year we are renewing our commitment to help our community thrive and to value every student's place in our community. A few years ago we initiated this work through our Comm[YOU]nity theme - focusing on the you in community, each individual student and their unique talents, background, and future path. We added several new programs to campus and a colorful mural on to our quad that was designed and painted by our students. Now, at the start of 2021, we recognize the importance of continuing our work and our partnerships with our community despite the fact that we are sheltering-at-home and often feeling isolated during virtual learning. I want to highlight two important community partnerships designed to support our students and encourage participation:

Partnering with the Kyle Hyland Foundation & Benicia Teen Center

The mission of the Kyle Hyland Foundation is to provide a Teen Center in Benicia where teens can be supported through social interaction, music, art, counseling, and mentoring. We are excited to share that they are launching a program to raise awareness in teens and the community on topics/issues such as Cultural Diversity, Teen Dating Violence, Gender Equality, Mental Wellness, Suicide Prevention, Bullying, and Drugs/Alcohol abuse. For each week-long campaign, the Kyle Hyland Foundation (KHF) will partner with BHS clubs for planning and promotion.

This month KHF is partnering with BHS Student Leadership, Black Student Union, Asian Culture Club, and Key Club to host Cultural Diversity Awareness Week January 25-31. This week-long campaign will be promoted through social media including Instagram and YouTube and include various social media challenges and prizes. The campaign will be kicked off with activities to promote teen and community awareness with respect to Cultural Diversity and will continue with highlighting a different culture every day.

Students Can Participate For Prizes in the Following Ways:

1. Follow on Instagram @kylehylandfoundation - post using the daily hashtags and tag to be entered. For every follow and post, the student will be entered into the drawing for prizes.

2. Subscribe to their YouTube channel @ Kyle Hyland Foundation for Teen Support -

Every new subscriber will be entered into our drawing for prizes.

Partnering with the Mentorship Program & Community Mentors

The Benicia Unified School District Mentorship Program began in 2002 at Liberty High School and in 2015 grew to partner with Benicia High School and Benicia Middle School as well. The Mentorship Program is intended to partner students with community Mentors who are trained to listen and support students who may be in need of another caring adult in their lives. The mentors are by no means there to take the place of a parent, but they offer an opportunity for students to be heard. If you would like additional information about the Mentorship Program or to possibly be referred to a Mentor (parent approval required), please contact your student's counselor or BUSD Mental Health Coordinator Jessica Garcia (jgarcia@beniciaunified.org). We hope to spread the word so that all of our families know about this great resource.

From all of the staff at BHS, thank you for your support of our school community - through the fun and exciting times as well as the tough times. We look forward to what this new year will bring and hope to connect with each of you soon.

Take Care,

Brianna Kleinschmidt

Principal, Benicia High School

Mr. Bradley's Biology students and Mr. Kaiser's Engineering students should plan to return items as directed by their teachers.

If you have any questions, please email BHSInfo@beniciaunified.org or your Counselor.

The Solano County Office of Education’s Youth Development Department is excited to announce a new learning opportunity Solano County for youth!

Over the next 4 months the Solano County Office of Education will host live evening workshops with local and nationally known artists who will share their wisdom and experiences of using art to build their own resilience and create community change that inspires others to live healthier and happier lives. Participants will learn new artistic skills, gain a better understanding of advocacy through the arts, and connect with other young artists and activists in their community. Workshops are open to all youth in grades 7 – 12, residing in or attending school in Solano County.

Additionally, the first 20 students who register, will be mailed a free gift to support their artistic development. The registration is open for the following workshops.

Art is Power! Session 1: Art W.O.R.K.S. with Javier Sanchez

Thursday, January 21, 2021 from 5:00 – 6:00pm

Registration Link: https://forms.gle/5mst2W3oM5qGX7SP6

Art is Power! Session 2: Multimedia Art with Lynn Larsen

Thursday, January 28, 2021 from 5:00 – 6:00pm

Registration Link: https://forms.gle/CvMJRddai6WxMeWH8

Art is Power! Session 3 & 4: Songwriting Residency with the Alphabet Rockers

Thursday, February 11 and Thursday, February 18, 2021 from 5:00 – 6:00pm

Registration Link: https://forms.gle/frRhgAGcBhsZ5Nbv7

Art is Power! Session 5: Photography with Nadja Fitchhorn

Thursday, March 11, 2021 from 5:00 – 6:00pm

Registration Link: https://forms.gle/m9uY26pNHZGfMdwU9

This series is supported through the Tobacco Use Prevention Education and Solano Friday Night Live programs. For more information please contact Johanna Nowak at jnowak@solanocoe.net

BHS is very proud to announce that one of our students has once again won the Congressional App Challenge for District 5. This year, sophomore Evan Torres created an app called Charity Checker that determines the reputability of a specified nonprofit by searching several websites and creating a summary report for the user.

Congratulations to Evan Torres!!!

Evan Torres learned about creating an app and entered this competition thanks to his work in Mr. Kaiser's Programming & Robotics class last year and AP Computer Science class this semester.

You can watch the short video about his app that he entered below.

You can also read the official press release from Rep. Mike Thompson's website:

https://mikethompson.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/thompson-announces-evan-torres-as-2020-app-challenge-winner-for-fifth

Yearbooks are currently $75. The price will go up in the second semester (after January 14th). We ordered a limited amount of yearbooks, so please don't wait to make your order. We will sell out.

Parents are invited to join us for monthly virtual workshops focused on supporting your child/children at home and yourself. All sessions will be hosted by the Benicia Unified School District Student Services Office and will be held via Zoom, no RSVP required.

Questions? Contact Jessica Garcia, BUSD Mental Health Coordinator at jgarcia@beniciaunified.org or (707) 704-7900

Thank you to PTG and PTSA groups for collaboration!

Counselors are available to provide a full range of services to students virtually. This includes academic, college, career, personal, social, and emotional support through email, phone, and Zoom contact, and through small group meetings. If your child could benefit from additional support, please contact your counselor by email.

Counselors:

9th grade - Ms. Smith at jsmithalford@beniciaunified.org

10th grade - Ms. Guenther at mguenther@beniciaunified.org

11th grade - Mr. Keppel at jkeppel@beniciaunified.org

12th grade - Ms. Wallace at kwallace@beniciaunified.org

On Saturday, January 2nd, Superintendent Dr. Charles Young sent a communication out to families regarding the loss of a Benicia Middle School student due to suicide. We are grieving his death and working to support his family and all of our students and staff during this difficult time.

Below are links to several resources from our Mental Health Team that we want to share with students and families. We will continue to provide additional suicide awareness and prevention education to our students and staff in the coming weeks.

Resources:

Book List: Readings to Support Your Journey to Healing

Children, Teens and Suicide Loss

Children's Reaction to Trauma: Suggestions for Parents

Hotlines and Text Lines:

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Crisis Text Line

Teen Line

Trevor Project

Please reach out if you have any questions or are in need of any support as BUSD has Mental Health Staff and Counselors to support students. For help during non-school hours, please contact your health care provider or one of the hotlines/text lines noted above.

Link to Drop In Hours Zoom Meeting for live services every Friday

Meeting ID: 778 0448 3501

Passcode: Ehd3WL

BUSD Virtual Wellness Center is now available online 24 hours a day to access tools to manage emotions, resources for seeking assistance, and ways to connect with staff at BHS and other Benicia schools. This support is for students, families, staff, and the community of Benicia. We invite you to check out the Wellness Center today using the button below.

VOENA children's choir for ages 5-18 - Enrollment Now Open!

• Spring Season
• Hybrid Program
• Virtual/In-person Music

Go to www.VOENA.org under “join” to register. Full refund available if not completely satisfied after first class as long as requested by Friday, Feb 5th, 2021. Scholarships are also available.

Choir Rehearsal Levels: ($475 Tuesdays, Feb 2-May 18)

• Preparatory 3:30-4:15pm for Ages 5-12
• Intermediate 4:15-5:00pm for Ages 5-12
• Concert Choir I 5:00-5:45pm for Ages 13-18. Need to be interviewed by the director for readiness.

NEW Ukulele Masterclasses & Ukulele Orchestra: ($275 Thurs, Jan 14-March 18)

• 5:oo-5:45pm for Ages 9-18 (youth)
• 5:45-6:30pm for Ages 18+ (adult).
• Do not need to be in choir rehearsals to join.

NEW Body Percussion & Drumming Masterclasses: ($250 Thurs, Jan 14-March 18)

• Voices of Rhythm - Level I 3:3o-4:15pm for Ages 6-11
• Level II 4:15-5:00pm for Ages 10-18.
• Do not need to be in choir rehearsals to join.

ABOUT VOENA: This is a professional choir that has performed at The White House, Olympics, World Expo, and Carnegie Hall and most recently in Abu Dhabi, guests of the Crown Prince. Director, Annabelle Marie, received the Jefferson Award for her work with children. This is not a traditional choir as the director does not believe in auditions so that all children have an opportunity to learn how to sing and gain friendships and skills in teamwork, self motivation, self esteem, and a hard work ethic.

What A Wonderful World - VOENA - The Cutest Virtual Choir Ever!

The Benicia Police Department’s Family Resource Center has traditionally assisted families with children struggling to pay their rent, mortgage, utilities or otherwise assist in moments of need. We understand these are challenging times and the City of Benicia realizes the finan

cial impact the COVID-19 may have on our citizens, and we want to help those most vulnerable.

We have expanded the availability of our limited funding to assist those citizens that are temporarily laid off from their jobs; may have lost their jobs due to business closure; or had to take a leave of absence from their jobs to care for children home from school due to the COVID-19 issue (or an ill family member) and are not being paid or have sick leave.

As of April 1, 2020, to qualify for temporary assistance with rent/mortgage, utilities, food, gas, you can fill the application online and email it to klara@ci.benicia.ca.us, or send it by mail to 200 East L Street, Benicia, CA 94510; or pick up an application and drop it off at the Benicia Police Department. Families and individuals may apply. This assistance will not cover bills that are already past due.

Qualifications:

-Proof Benicia resident

-Proof of being laid off or reduced hours from your employer

-Complete the assistance application

-Copy of the bill you are seeking assistance for

Link to Website & Additional Information

For information on how to reserve and pick up a library book, access to databases, and more, be sure to visit and bookmark the BHS Library Resource page, linked below. Students can also access several library resources through the Clever app, with a single sign in.

Link to Library Page

BHS Library Contact: Ms. Megan Segle

msegle@beniciaunified.org

District programs, activities, and practices shall be free from unlawful discrimination, including discrimination against an individual or group based on race, color, ancestry, nationality, national origin, immigration status, ethnic group identification, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, pregnancy, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or related recovery, parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or genetic information; a perception of one or more of such characteristics; or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.