BHS October Parent Newsletter
-From the Counseling Department
Greetings~
Can you believe we are entering into October? Report cards will go out on Thursday, October 11th, and the county-wide parent teacher conferences will be held on Thursday, October 18th from 3:30-6:30. This is a great opportunity to meet with all of your student's teachers.
We have designed these newsletters that you will receive each month via email to keep you updated on the latest information and upcoming events. We will also post the newsletter on our counseling website. Click here to visit the site.
Counselors:
A-D, Mrs. Borel borelc@rcschools.net
E-K, Ms. Bryan bryanc@rcschools.net
L-R, Mrs. Barber barbers@rcschools.net
S-Z, Mrs. Clawson clawsons@rcschools.net
Interim Mrs. Allen allene@rcschools.net
College & Crisis, Mrs. Breiner, breinerj@rcschools.net
Counseling Secretary, Mrs. Sadler sadlerm@rcschools.net
Counseling Secretary, Mrs. Kasbee kasbeec@rcschools.net
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Graduation Requirements
English = 4 credits
Math = 4 credits
Science = 3 credits
Social Studies = 2 credits
Government/Economics = 1 credit
Fine Art = 1 credit
Personal Finance = ½ credit
Wellness = 1 ½ credit
Foreign Language = 2 credits
Elective focus (pathway) = 3 credits
Elective = 1 credit
*A total of 23 credits are needed for graduation.
COUNTY-WIDE PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
Thursday, Oct 18, 2018, 03:30 PM
BHS
Parent Teacher Conferences
INow
Tutoring
October 16th!
Sophomores/Juniors- will be taking a practice ACT. Feedback will be provided.
Freshman - will be taking a Career Interest/Aptitude Test. Feedback will be provided.
Tuesday, Oct 16, 2018, 08:00 AM
Blackman High School
GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL
Applications can be obtained here or you can see your counselor. Governor's School for the Arts applications are due back to your counselor by Friday, October 27th. All other applications are due back by Wednesday, November 22nd.
MEETING NOTICE...
Special Called Board Meetings on the Proposed Zoning for Rockvale High School and Rocky Fork Elementary School to be held at the following schools:
Blackman High School October 25, 2018 6:30 P.M.
Siegel High School November 8, 2018 6:30 P.M.
Stewarts Creek High School December 3, 2018 6:30 P.M.
PSAT: Oct. 24th
The PSAT will be given on Wednesday, Oct. 24th to freshmen, sophomores and juniors who sign up. Taking the PSAT as a junior is the only way to qualify to be a National Merit Finalist or Semi-finalist. The cost is $17. Payment can be made to Mrs. Sadler in the Counseling office starting Sept. 24th through October 17th (check or exact cash). Checks can be made out to Blackman High School. There are a limited number of PSAT testing slots available on a first come, first served basis, so be sure to make your payment as soon as possible.
Students can pick up study materials from Mrs. Sadler when they sign up and submit payment. A prep course will be offered before and/or after school before the test. Stay tuned for more details. All students who are taking the test are invited.
ACT Dates
Test Dates:
October 27th
December 8th
February 9th
April 13th
June 8th
Register online at actstudent.org. The Blackman High School code is 431636.
PARENT CLUSTER MEETINGS
SMYRNA Cluster Town Hall meeting for parents is schedule for October 22, 2018 at 5:30pm in the Smyrna High School Gym.
Director of Schools Bill Spurlock will host a Town Hall meeting for parents in the Smyrna cluster. The meeting is intended for those parents with children in Smyrna High School, Smyrna Middle School, Smyrna Elementary School, Smyrna Primary School, John Colemon Elementary School, Thurman Francis Arts Academy, Stewartsboro Elementary School and Smyrna West Alternative School. Director Spurlock will address several topics about education initiatives and needs in Rutherford County and gather feedback from parents. Director Spurlock is planning similar meetings for all school clusters this year.
Blackman Cluster - November 12, 2018
- Blackman High School
- Blackman Middle School
- Blackman Elementary School
- Brown's Chapel Elementary School
Siegel Cluster - December 10, 2018
- Siegel High School
- Siegel Middle School
- Walter Hill Elementary School
- Wilson Elementary School
Riverdale Cluster - January 2019
- Riverdale High School
- Barfield Elementary School
- Christiana Elementary School
- Christiana Middle School
- Buchanana Elementary School
- Whitworth-Buchanan School
Oakland Cluster - February 2019
- Oakland High School
- Oakland Middle School
- Kittrell Elementary School
- Lascassas Elementary School
Choice Schools - March 2019
- Central Magnet School
- Holloway High School
- Homer Pittard Campus School
- McFadden School of Excellence
- Daniel-McKee Alternative School
Rockvale Cluster - May 2019
- Rockvale High School
- Rockvale Middle School
- Rockvale Elementary School
- Eagleville School
Attendance Matters!
Senior Parent's Section
Graduating with Honors and Distinction
To graduate with honors students must meet the following ACT benchmarks:
English: 18
Math: 22
Reading: 22
Science: 23
Distinction
To graduate with distinction students must attain a 3.0 GPA and meet one of the following criteria:
- Participate in at least one Governor’s School
- Participate in one of the TN’s all State musical organizations
- Be selected as a National Merit Finalist or Semi-Finalist
- Attain a composite score of 31 or higher on the ACT
- Attain a score of 3 or higher on at least 2 Advanced Placement Exams
- Earn 12 or more semester hours of transcripted postsecondary credit
- Earn a nationally recognized industry certification
*Seniors must let their counselor know by December if they are graduating with distinction.
Transcript Requests
Colleges and universities will ask that your student send an official transcript when they apply. This is the process they should follow:
- Go to the counseling office and fill out a Transcript Request Form located beside Mrs. Sadler’s desk.
- Pay $2.
- It will be ready to pick up in 3 days or Mrs. Sadler can mail it for you.
College Day
FAFSA: Available October 1st
You can apply beginning Oct. 1, 2018. You need to apply as soon as you can – the sooner the better! Schools and states often use FAFSA information to award nonfederal aid. Their deadlines are usually early in the year. You can find state deadlines at www.fafsa.gov. Check with the schools that you’re interested in for their deadlines.
Eric Farmer from Tennessee Student Assistance will be at Blackman Tuesday, January 15 from 9-1pm and 5-7pm to help our senior students and parents of seniors complete their FAFSA. The library computer lab has been reserved.
Tennessee Promise: APPLY BY NOV. 1
The state of Tennessee is offering two years of tuition-free community or technical college through the TN Promise. The deadline for students to apply is by February 1, 2019. Apply at tnpromise.gov. There will be an information meeting for students during the school day during C&I on Wednesday, October 10th. Students will receive their TN Promise handbook and more information about the spring meeting.
Students must file their FAFSA by February 1, 2019, attend mandatory meetings held at local high schools with the partnering organization, and complete 8 hours of community service for each semester they receive TN Promise funding.
NCAA
If your student is planning to play sports at an NCAA Division I or II college, he/she must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net. NCAA requires 16 core courses. Make sure your student has met those requirements by talking with their coach and counselor.