The Bellflower Beat 2.20.23
Bellflower Middle/High School Newsletter
Next vacation day?
As we begin wrapping up the month of February, we wonder to ourselves: When is the next vacation day? Well, it's not for a while! The next vacation begins April 7th through April 16, which is Spring Break. But, March 17 will be a minimum day, since it is the end of the 3rd quarter.
Listed below are just a few reminders:
- Bellflower Middle/High School does not permit any drop-offs or deliveries of food or other items. Please ensure that your student is prepared for the day when coming to school in the morning with their lunch, supplies, money, etc.
- Dress Code. Please be sure that your student follows the dress code and wears appropriate clothing and accessories. Bellflower hats are also the only school approved hat that can be worn at school. Also, students may not bring blankets to campus.
- No returning back to campus. If a student has an early release (7th or 8th period), once the student leaves campus, they may not return to campus. Parents - please ensure that your students are going home early if they have the early release.
For a full list of student policies on attendance and dress code, please click here.
Happy Lent and Ash Wednesday!
Happy Lent and Ash Wednesday! These two events are predominately celebrated by Catholic groups (though some protestant and orthodox Christian groups do as well). On behalf of Bellflower Middle/High School, we want to wish all families that observe these events to enjoy the time that they will spend with their friends and family. Ash Wednesday takes place on Wednesday, February 22, while the celebration of Lent starts on Wednesday, February 22 and will end on Thursday, April 6th.
BRAVO Award
Each year, the City of Bellflower has a $500 scholarship essay contest for high school seniors that reside in the City of Bellflower. The subject is, "What can residents do to make their community a safe place to live?" Recipients of the scholarship also get to attend the BRAVO Awards ceremony.
Congratulations to Alicia F., a 12th grader, who is one of the winners of the BRAVO Award from the City of Bellflower! She was selected out of several essays that were submitted for the award. The scholarships will be presented at the 27th Annual BRAVO Awards on Thursday, April 27, 2023 at 11:00 am at the Bellflower Civic Center.
Boys Volleyball
Boys volleyball gearing up for the 2023 season. Winner of the Elite Division for the 2023 Winter League Spikeoff. Boys volleyball wrapping up our winter league competition with a 11 and 2 record.
PTSA - Student Positions
New for the 2023-2024 school year. The PTSA will have student positions. Please email if interested in being a part of the PTSA next year. Students may email: KColeman@s.busd.k12.ca.us
Valentine's Day Grams!
Enjoy the following video clip, brought to you buy members of the Bellflower High School Ensemble! Many of our students participated in singing grams throughout Valentine's Day.
National School Counseling Week
From Monday, February 6th through Friday, February 10th, Bellflower Middle/High School honored our amazing school counselors during the National School Counseling Week. Thank you for all the work that you do to help our students be successful! Here are our school counselors: Ms. Conte, Ms. Lopez, Ms. Kidd, Ms. Paredes, Ms. Fujimoto, Ms. Tripp, Ms. Campos, Mr. Rubio, and Mr. Flores!
8th Grade Promotion Photos
8th Grade Promotion Photos will take place in the gym on March 2nd and March 3rd during the student's PE classes. Please let your students know!
Think Together
The Think Together program is coming to Bellflower Middle School! If your child is in middle school, consider enrolling your child in the Think Together program. Times and dates are listed on the flyers below. An application is attached as well. For more information, please contact Destiny Soto.
AVID
BUCS are you interested in going to college? If so, join AVID!!! AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination
AVID is a college and career readiness program for students interested in attending a 4 year university upon graduation. The class focuses on academic support, college and awareness, and teaches students the resources they need to attend a four year university or enter the workforce when they graduate. Please see the attached presentation and QR codes for the AVID Application. Applications are due no later than Friday, February 24th. Contact Mr. Rooks by email at michaelrooks@busd.k12.ca.us if you have any questions.
Click here to access the 2023 AVID Parent Night Presentation in English and Spanish.
Check on the flyer attached below for the QR codes that will take you to the Program Flyer, Middle School Application, and the High School Application. Or, you can:
CSF
The California Scholarship Federation (CSF) held its first Spring semester meeting with Ms. Betance in Room 406, and they had a lot of returning and new members! CSF is an honor society here on campus. CSF is a state-wide honors society dedicated to honoring academically outstanding high school students. It is a highly selective club, as only students who fulfill the academic requirements may be eligible to join each semester. At Bellflower High School, CSF promotes life-long learning and friendship among its members, in addition to teaching students about colleges and scholarships. Students have the possibility of graduating with CSF honor distinction if they are in the club for at least 4 semesters, from 10th grade 2nd semester through their senior year. For more information about CSF, please click here.
Upcoming Parent Workshops
For the Nami Workshop, please use the following Zoom link:
https://lacoe-edu.zoom.us/j/81575109791?pwd=OTlJUUFnTmpOY2d1cmxRY2VXS2RTQT09
Meeting ID: 815 7510 9791
Passcode: 266607
ELAC Meeting #4 - Thursday, March 30, 2023 @ 8:45am
Parents and Guardians: Please join us on Thursday, March 30, 2023, at 8:45am for our 4th (and final) official ELAC Meeting for the 2022-2023 school year. The meeting will take place in Room 413 (meeting location may change). We will have a Spanish interpreter at the meeting as well. ELAC (English Learner Advisory Committee) invites any parent or guardian, but we especially would like to see parents of students who are English Language Learners.
School Holiday Approaching!!!
Just a reminder that there is NO SCHOOL for students on Friday, April 7 through Friday, April 14 in observance of Spring Break.
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
Panda Express Fundraiser coming soon! Monday, March 20, 2023
Support Bellflower High School on Monday, March 20! You can order at any Panda Express that permits order pick-up or delivery. Must order through the Panda Express website or Panda Express app. Must be ordered via the internet (not valid for orders placed inside the restaurant itself). Be sure to use the Online Order Code 912137
Thank you for your support! :)
Feel free to distribute the following flyer as well.
ELPAC Exam
Bellflower Middle/High School students who are English Language Learners are currently in the process of taking the state mandated summative ELPAC exam to test for English proficiency. Scoring well on the ELPAC exam is one of the requirements that will enable students to become reclassified as English proficient, which will enable students to take other classes on campus, since students will be unenrolled from their ELD class. Exams will take place from February through May. Click here to visit the ELPAC website for more information.
Physical Fitness Test
Bellflower Middle/High School students in grades 7 and 9 will take the Physical Fitness Test, of which, there is no opt out option. Testing will begin during the month of February, and will continue through May for any make-up exams. More information will be provided by the PE instructor or sport instructor for these grade levels. Click below to access informational flyers.
Senior SELACO Training
Bellflower Middle/High School Cheer Team
Attention all 6-11th grade students. Are you interested in becoming a role model for Bellflower Middle/High School? Do you want to help spread school spirit? Then you are in luck! The Bellflower Middle/High School cheer team will be having tryouts for our 2023-2024 season, March 6th-10th. No experience needed. Be sure to join the Google Classroom with code: pdgtec6 to download the tryout packet. Questions? Email Mrs. Atalla at vvega@busd.k12.ca.us. Go BUCS!
Here's the link for the GC as well.
I have attached a PDF of the tryout packet as well.
2022-2023 Bellflower Middle & High School Scholarship List
The 2022-2023 Scholarship List is now available! The list has over 80 scholarships with deadlines from December to June. Scholarships are available for middle and high school students. There are merit and need-based scholarships. There are also scholarships specifically for graduating seniors, minority students, undocumented students, student athletes and different hobbies and career interests.
Winter break is a great time for students to apply for scholarships! Review the scholarship list carefully and apply to scholarships that you are eligible for. Remember, an hour of your time completing a scholarship may win you $1,000!
To access the scholarship list, click on the link: https://bit.ly/BMHS-2022-2023-scholarships
Visit the College and Career Center in Room 401 if you have any questions about the scholarships on the list or if you need a brag sheet.
Class of 2023 - Cerritos College Complete Program
Cerritos College Complete Promise Program
Graduating seniors interested in attending Cerritos College in the Fall should consider applying to the Cerritos Complete Program. Cerritos Complete provides students with two-years free tuition, priority registration, one-on-one academic advising and counseling, and career exploration. In order for students to participate in the Cerritos Complete Program students must complete six steps. See flyer for more information.
Six Steps to Participate:
1. Submit the Cerritos College online Application by February 15th
2. Submit Cerritos Complete Promise Program Interest Form by March 2nd
3.) Submit a FAFSA or California Dream Act Application by March 2nd
4.) Complete Math and English Placement Self Report Tool (SRT)
5.) Complete an online and in-person Orientation Workshop
6.) Enroll for Summer Counseling Course and Fall classes.
Class of 2023 - FAFSA & California Dream Act Application
Hey Seniors, HAVE YOU DONE YOUR FAFSA OR CALIFORNIA DREAM ACT APPLICATION (CADAA)? If you plan to attend college in the fall of 2023 and want money for college, then you need to complete your FAFSA or CADAA as soon as possible! By completing the FAFSA or CADAA you are applying for various types of financial aid, such as a Federal Pell Grant, a Cal Grant, a University or community college grant, Work Study, and scholarships. The priority deadline to submit the FAFSA or CADAA is March 2nd, less than a month away. If you submit your FAFSA or CADAA by March 2nd, you will receive two extra Graduation tickets!
FAFSA/CADAA Workshops - The College and Career Center is hosting FAFSA/CADAA Workshops on Thursdays during the school day. See Ms. Campos or Ms. Ochoa to find out what information is needed for the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application. To attend a workshop, register at: https://bit.ly/fafsa-cadaa-workshops22
WHAT ARE THE FAFSA AND CA DREAM ACT APPLICATION?
FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid – Application to apply for federal, state and institutional (college/university) financial aid. For U.S. Citizens or eligible noncitizens ONLY
CADAA – California Dream Act Application - Application to apply for California state financial aid (Cal Grant) and institutional (college/university) financial aid. For undocumented students
NOTE - Students and parents can also schedule an appointment with Ms. Campos, College & Career Counselor, for after school to complete the FAFSA or CADAA.
For questions or further information, parents/guardians can contact the College & Career Center at (562) 920-1801, Ext. 3401 or Ms. Campos at malessacampos@busd.k12.ca.us
Senior Grad Week Information
ELD Help
Starting in the 2nd Semester, Mr. Harrison (Room 704) will be offering an after school enrichment opportunity for all ELD students. It will be offered on Maroon days from 3:45 to 4:30. There is no set time. Students may come for 5 minutes or 45 minutes. This opportunity is available to help ELD students with simple questions, making up missed work in ELD, help on current ELD assignments, or having a safe and quiet place to do assignments. It is completely voluntary and is a drop by, informal approach. What it is not is a hangout place to socialize or play computer games.
Paper Tutoring
Did you know that free online tutoring is being provided by the BUSD district?
PAPER Online Tutoring isavailable for all students in 4th-12th grade through their Clever account. Students may ask tutors questions through the chat feature using the PAPER APP to get help with homework, feedback on their writing, or support with studying for assessments. The APP can be found in the Google Play and Apple APP store.
Click here to register for a free parent webinar (provided in English and Spanish). If your child needs more information about how to use PAPER, they can watch the following videos for more information:
Click here to watch the video titled "How Do Students Access 24/7 Live Help on PAPER?"
Click here to watch the video titled "How Do Students Use PAPER's Essay Review?"
HelpNow Tutoring
Every Californian can now access free online tutoring at any hour of the day, thanks to a new initiative offering educational resources to K-12 students and adult learners. The resource is part of an investment in public libraries announced Sept. 12 by California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Real-time homework help is now available "on the websites of any of the 1,130 local public libraries around the state," and here. The HelpNow pilot program currently offers help in math and language arts, in English and Spanish, at any time of the day or night. Help for "other core K-12 subjects" is available between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, and Tagalog, with no age limit to who can take advantage of the resource.
COVID-19 Information
College & Career Center
The College & Career Center (Room 401) is here to assist students with college applications, scholarships, financial aid, resumes, work permits, and other college and career information.
Counselor Assignment Changes For the 2022-2023 School Year
College Wednesdays
Join PTSA!
SENIOR STUDENTS! Did you know that several PTSA groups in our community offer scholarships? But, you can only qualify to receive a PTSA scholarship if you are a member! So, join today!
Click here to be redirected to TOTEM, the website that our PTSA uses for online membership payments. Or, you can also go to the front office to pick up a membership envelope as well, if you prefer to pay with cash or check.
Thank you in advance for joining our Bellflower Middle/High School PTSA!
Bellflower Middle/High School
YouTube: @wearebellflower
Email: bhsprincipal@busd.k12.ca.us
Website: www.bellflowerhigh.org
Location: 15301 McNab Avenue, Bellflower, CA, USA
Phone: 562-920-1801
Facebook: facebook.com/wearebellflower
Twitter: @wearebellflower