Bulldog Counseling News
December 2021
Welcome - We're Glad You're Here!
This newsletter's purpose is to share events and information from the Counseling Department. Please contact your counselor should you need further or specific information. Here is a link to our Bowie Counselors.
Happy Holidays From Your Bowie Counselors!
Final Exams Are Almost Here!
Credits and Final Exam Grades
The end of the semester is almost here! We wanted to send a quick reminder about how credits are awarded to make sure your student meets graduation requirements. Credit is awarded on a semester basis, and it is an average of the 1st and 2nd nine-week grades as well as the student’s final. Each nine-week grade weighs in at 40% of the semester grade, for a total of 80%, with the final weighing in at 20%.
Should your student need credit recovery options, they will be available in January. Please keep your eyes open for information that will be emailed and also sent through Principal Robinson's Bowie Star.
Here is the final exam schedule and check out attendance incentives.
Spring Level Downs for Year-Long Courses
If you would like to request a level change for the Spring semester for a year long course, the level change request form will be available starting December 13 and due January 3. The form will be available on the JBHS website, Bowie Community BLEND page. Once the student fills out the form, the parent needs to email the counselor approving the change. Please reach out to your counselor if you have any questions.
The level change request window for Seniors in semester long courses (AP US Government & AP Macroeconomics) will open January 24-28.
As a reminder, all level change requests will be reviewed by a committee of teachers, counselors, and administrators. Students with a nine-weeks average of 80% or higher are not eligible for a level change, and students applying for a level down should have completed steps to demonstrate their commitment to academic success (completing course assignments, attending FIT & tutoring). Finally, though we always attempt to keep schedules intact, this cannot be promised when changing schedules.
You can find a copy of the Advanced Course Acknowledgement form here which outlines the level change expectations and philosophy.
Bowie Parent Academic Planning Night Save the Date: January 10
Current Bowie Parents: Please join us on Monday, January 10th, from 6-8 PM in the Gym for Bowie Academic Planning Night for returning Bowie student. We will have three presentations:
- Course scheduling information and graduation requirements;
- Advanced academics (AP, ACC, and UT courses);
- PSAT score interpretation from More Than A Teacher
If you can’t make it in person, we will be livestreaming and recording the information. Detailed information, such as start times for each presentation and the livestream link, will be shared at a later date.
2022 Course Scheduling Info and Timeline
It is hard to believe, but when we return from the winter break, students will start planning for their schedules for next year! More information about course scheduling for next year will be sent out, but please keep these important planning dates in mind. For our course offerings, course videos, summer assignments, and the most up-to-date course scheduling information, please check out our website.
January 10th - Bowie Academic Planning Night from 6:00 - 8:00 in the Gym (for current parents and students)
January 13th & 14th - Course scheduling presentations to juniors during English classes
January 18th & 19th - Course scheduling presentations to sophomores during World History classes
January 20th & 21st - Course scheduling presentations to freshmen during World Geography classes
January 24th - Incoming 9th grade Showcase Night & Club Fair 5:00 - 7:30
February 9th - Students will enter course requests into Teams
February 21st - Parent and student drop in advising with JBHS counselors
May 27th - Change of Mind Deadline - no changes after this date
Holiday Time and Stress
Activities for Break
Here are some ideas! Plus a little rest and relaxation is a very good idea, too! We hope you have a most fun, safe and memorable holiday!
The Power of Resilience
Looking for Relief: Try This!
MINDFULNESS REMINDERS
If the holidays and end-of-semester exams have you feeling a little less calm and present than usual, consider these tips for increasing your well being!
Watch a breathing exercise or progressive muscle relaxation exercise before leaving your house for the day.
Start small! If you are new to practicing mindfulness, try for 30 seconds at first and slowly increase your time.
Try mindful eating-- for some part of your meal, remove all distractions and focus on eating as the single activity. Pay attention to the taste, smell, and texture.
Do a body scan-- focus on how your body is feeling. Do you have any tension anywhere? Slowly pay attention to each part of your body, moving from the ground up.
Schedule mindfulness time
Try mindful listening. Take a moment to listen to everything around you. How many different sounds can you hear?
Senior Corner
Cap and Gown reminder
The priority date to order a cap and gown for graduation is December 15th! Parents can use THIS link to order the cap and gown, as well as optional graduation items such as stationery and keepsakes. The “Cap, Gown, and Tassel Unit” is $45 and can be located on page 3 by clicking the green “continue shopping” buttons at the bottom of each page. There is also the option to purchase the cap and 2021 tassel “a la carte” should you plan to borrow a used gown from a sibling or Bowie alum.
As a reminder, graduation is scheduled for 5:00 PM on Friday, June 3, 2022, at the Burger Activity Center. To participate in the ceremony, each graduate must wear the official Bowie cap and gown provided by Herff-Jones. More information about graduation will be sent in the spring semester.