Just before the Thanksgiving break, an important communication regarding our plans for reopening schools was sent from Superintendent Dr. Young's office. Each family has an important decision to make regarding a commitment to continue with virtual learning or move to hybrid learning. With this in mind, I want to make myself available for any questions you might have. You can email me at bkleinschmidt@beniciaunified.org at any time and I will respond to you within 1-2 school days. Please be sure to read through Dr. Youngs letter, linked here and above, and the various documents provided as that will provide a lot of information for you, as well as the link to the form to submit your choice of virtual or hybrid learning.

The deadline to submit your commitment for your student(s) is Monday, December 7th. We do not yet have a date for the possible reopening of school. This will be dependent on Solano County moving to the red tier and other factors. That information would be communicated to all staff, students, and families at least two weeks ahead of the first day of hybrid learning.

Below are a few notes that may help with possible questions specific to Benicia High School's hybrid learning plan.

• Students who commit to the hybrid learning model will be assigned to either the Blue group or the Gold group. Blue group students will attend classes on campus on Monday and Wednesday. Gold group students will attend classes on campus on Tuesday and Thursday. Otherwise, students will attend classes virtually.
• If we are able to resume athletics, band, and/or performing arts, virtual and hybrid students would be able to participate.
• If we are able to hold after school extracurricular activities or events in person (clubs meetings, Prom, other events), virtual and hybrid students would be able to participate.
• We anticipate that most classes will have a mix of virtual students and hybrid students. Where it is possible, we may create classes with all virtual students or with all hybrid learning students.
• Safety protocols will be put into place prior to students and staff returning to campus. Students will be required to follow all safety protocols and behavior expectations. For example, wearing a face mask, keeping 6 foot minimum distance, washing hands, not sharing books/equipment, and more.

We are continuing to work on the planning process to prepare all safety measures, classrooms, technology and other aspects of the future reopening of Benicia High School. As these plans continue to develop, and as changes come from state and local health officials, we will be sure to provide additional information.

I want to acknowledge the excellent work of our students, parents, and staff during this first half of the school year. We continue to be impressed by the great work of our students during virtual learning and the creativity they have demonstrated. We appreciate the support from parents, family, and friends to help our students do their best during virtual learning. And we thank our staff for their efforts to provide the best virtual learning experience possible. We recognize this is a difficult time, even more so during the holiday season, and want to stress that we have many resources available for students, families, and staff in need. Please reach out to me or to any of our Assistant Principals, Counselors, or School Psychologists if you are in need. We can provide counseling support, connection to resources, or problem-solve together with you.

Take Care,

Brianna Kleinschmidt

Principal, Benicia High School

Registration for the practice exams benefits the BHS PTSA and the programs that the organization sponsors for our students and staff. We thank you for your support!

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.

We want every 12th grade student included in the yearbook so please make your appointment today! There is a free "yearbook only" option as well as several packages for your senior portraits.

Appointments can still be made by contacting the photography studio:

https://www.flipsnack.com/ciphoto/1-benicia-2021/full-view.html

Deadline to select your Senior Portraits for the yearbook: January 6th.

Select your image with Creative Imaging by January 6th and they will send us all selected images for the yearbook after that date.

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

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.

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.