04/28 BHS Tiger News
Week of April 28th, 2024
Belleville High School
Happy Sunday, Belleville Families! This is Week #14 of Semester 2. CONGRATULATIONS to our new National Honor Society members who were inducted Friday evening. These students have been and further commit to conducting themselves in a manner that reflects outstanding Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character. We are proud of where they are now, and excited for their bright futures!
✍🏻TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK is quickly approaching (it's May 6th-10th)! Your BHS Tiger Parent PTO would like to encourage all families to participate in thanking our dedicated and caring teachers and staff by contributing items or donating toward festivities for the week. The link to the sign-up form can be found HERE. Thank you in advance!
Great Things Happening at BHS!
Both the Community Career Fair on Thursday and the College Fair on Friday were huge successes! Students had the opportunity to speak with those who are currently living out their future pathways, as well as those who help put them in the running for future success. We'd like to give a special shout out to our Student Ambassadors, who welcomed and supported our the businesses for set up and break down. Great job, everyone!
At the same time, on Thursday we welcomed roughly 30 and children/grandchildren of BHS staff into the building for Bring Your Child to Work Day! Students in our Teacher Cadet program planned the itinerary and activities for all age groups; and a great time was had by all!
You can see more when you visit our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BellevilleHighSchool
Attendance STILL Matters!
The warming weather brings with it (for some the temptation to make excuses to miss school. As a reminder, each day's learning is important for making sure that students are grasping all the needed concepts required to advance to the next grade. Being on time for school and for each class is foundational to academic success. Conversely, 1 missed day of school puts students and teachers 3 days behind, attempting to get them caught up. This leads to unnecessary frustration and hinders success. Let's have EXCELLENT attendance for the rest of the school year!
Secondarily, we have had several calls and emails about assigned detentions and ISS. In general, the process for attenance-related detentions is as follows:
- 3 Tardies (including to 1st hour) = 1 After School Detention (1 hr)
- 1 Skipped Detention = 1 Saturday Detention (2 hrs)
- 1 Skipped Saturday Detention = 1 In-School Suspension (6 hrs)
For more detailed information, please click the link below.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KGrbMgoUbeZqoDsYrjGwhLESZNzJl6Bn/view?usp=sharing
🚫NO WATER GUNS!!
ATTENTION PARENTS AND GUARDIANS! As a reminder (see the Student Handbook), any lookalike guns in any fashion are strictly prohibited and may not be on school grounds. Students who bring these items to school face suspension and losing driving privileges if they are driving with them. PLEASE speak with your student about this. The ultimate goal is to keep everyone safe. Thank you!
Important Dates and Upcoming Events:
April 30th: McBride & Jazz Band Concert, 7pm
May 1st: Early Release Day, 12:04 Dismissal
May 1st: Senior Awards, 8:30am-10:30am
May 6th-10th: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 10th- Decision Day Assembly
May 11th: VBPS District-Wide Art Show
May 15th- Senior Scholarship Recognition Night
🍌 BREAKFAST & LUNCH MENUS: https://vanburenschools.nutrislice.com/menu
🎓 BHS Class of 2024 Graduation Information
For those who will be attending Senior Commencement '24
Date: May 23, 2024
Time: Doors Open for Families at 6:00 PM
Location: George Gervin GameAbove Center
Address: 799 N Hewitt Rd, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
General Admission
Families and guests do not need tickets for the ceremony. All stadium seating is general admission. The hearing impaired section is located in section 108.
Suites for Rental
If your family would like to have a suite, beginning on Friday, April 12th, you can call EMU to purchase one. The cost is $400.00. Each suite can hold up to 20 guests. Pop and water are supplied with each suite purchase.
Suites Contact: (734) 487-3669
Safety Information
Eastern Michigan University is looking forward to hosting your graduation ceremony this spring at the George Gervin GameAbove Center. As you might expect, the Eastern Michigan University Department of Public Safety will enforce expanded security initiatives for high school graduation ceremonies.
Please be aware of prohibited items and allow for a few extra minutes before the start of your ceremony to participate in the screening process. All individuals will be subject to a metal detector screening upon entry into the Center. All guests should be prepared to place their wallets, cell phone, and keys into a bin during the screening process.
Security staff and law enforcement professionals will be available to answer any questions prior to entering the facility.
The following items are prohibited:
Weapons including handguns, tasers and chemical sprays
Fireworks
Knives, box cutters and scissors
Laser pointers
Book bags, purses, briefcases, backpacks, paper bags, luggage, duffel bags, camera bags, wrapped gifts or gift bags
Balloons
Selfie sticks
Beach Balls or other projectiles
Banners with poles/sticks
Umbrellas with pointed tips
Skateboards/rollerblades
Noise making devices
The following items may be allowed after inspection:
Diaper bags
Medically necessary items
Child carriers
Small clutch purses 4.5" x 6.5"
Clear bags (must be no larger than 12" x 6" x 12" or a gallon Ziploc -- one side of the bag has to be completely free from décor)
Parking, Entrance, & Exit
Parking is free for all families and guests. There is parking across Hewitt Road for overflow.
Families and guests must use the main entrance, East Entrance.
After the ceremony, students are not permitted to go back into the Center. Families will meet their new graduates at the South Entrance outside of the Center.
Live Stream Broadcast
Belleville High School will provide a live stream broadcast of the graduation ceremony. The link will be sent out the week of the ceremony. You can also find it on the Belleville High School Facebook page on May 23, 2024.
⚾ Tigers Day at Comerica Park!
🎵Take me out to the ball game! The BHS Tiger Football Booster Club is hosting a fundraiser community event. Join in the fun at a Detroit Tigers Baseball game on Saturday, May 11, 2024 vs. the Houston Astros. It is a great day to be a TIGER! Purchase your tickets today!
ATHLETICS NEWS
NOTE: All Athletics Updates are now sent out separately via ParentSquare. This week's link is HERE
For all other Athletics Information, including upcoming practices and game schedules, click the LINK below. GO TIGERS!
BHS Athletics Homepage | Belleville High School (vanburenschools.net)
From Your STUDENT COUNCIL - Your Guide to Student Activities!
Upcoming Dates:
May 10, 2024 - Bowling Fundraiser at Lodge Lanes from 3pm - 5pm - See link for more details
Class of 2027 Information
May 10, 2024 - Bowling Fundraiser at Lodge Lanes from 3pm - 5pm - See link for more details
Class of 2024 Information
May 1, 2024 - Prom Seating Selection during all lunches - See link for seating selection form
May 16, 2024 - Senior Walk
May 17, 2024 - Senior Prom
May 18, 2024 - Senior Party - Tickets still available until May 10, 2024
Here is the link to the Senior Class of 2024 Informational Packet. This link includes UPDATED dates and information for Seniors.
Senior Class of 2024 information can be located in the Senior Informational Packet below.
This Week in Counseling
Tuesday, April 30th- 9th Grade Navigate 360 Classroom lesson
Wednesday, May 1st- College Decision Day
Friday, May 3rd- HBCU Day at Washtenaw Community College- Field Trip
College Decision Day
May 1 is a big day across the state and nation in the college admission process. It's the day by which seniors nationwide decide what they want to do with their futures and decide where they will go after high school. Many colleges are pushing back their official Decision Day because of this year's FAFSA delay and associated challenges. For those colleges, many have set a May 15th or June 1st deadline. Several colleges have also adjusted their application and financial aid deadlines for students planning to start college in the fall of 2024.
BHS will host it's annual Decision Day to celebrate the Class of 2024 as they make this important decision to achieve greatness by committing to a postsecondary educational plan.
This celebration will continue to create a college-going culture within Belleville High School. In October, we helped our seniors complete college applications during Michigan College Month; today we get to celebrate this effort as they take their next big step!
We will celebrate Decision Day during the week of May 6-10 with a schoolwide spirit week and assembly! We are encouraging all students to participate in Spirit Week! We will have a special assembly on Friday, May 10th to celebrate and highlight their postsecondary decisions.
Attention Seniors- Tell Us About Your Scholarships!
We want to recognize YOU at Senior Recognition Night on Wednesday, May 15th at 6:00 PM. To be recognized, you will need to submit an Award Letter detailing any scholarships you are receiving and will be utilizing next year for your post secondary plans. Please submit them to the Counseling Office or email them to Mr. Kellum at bkellum@vanburenschools.net
Be proud of the scholarship money you will be awarded, and continue to seek out and apply for more!
Pilot Program for Rising 10th Grade Students @ William D Ford
William D Ford Career and Technical Center will pilot an exciting new opportunity for rising sophomores (current 9th grade students) and allowing them an opportunity to attend William D. Ford.
Listed below are the programs with availability:
- Architecture & Engineering
- Cybersecurity
- Digital Art & Design
- Firefighting
- Law and Public Safety
Please complete the WDF Interest Form if you are a current 9th grade student interested in attending William D Ford next School year.
Remember to check out local recreation departments, libraries and other community resources for additional summer camps and events.
APPLY EARLY, Scholarships are available for some programs!
Michigan Achievement Scholarship
The Michigan Achievement Scholarship
Students who graduate from high school in Michigan with a diploma or certificate of completion or achieved a high school equivalency certificate in 2023 or after may be eligible for more financial aid from the State of Michigan:
- Up to $2,000 if they attend a career training program in Michigan, per year, up to two years
- Up to $2,750 if they attend a Michigan community college, per year, up to three years
- Up to $4,000 if they attend a Michigan private college or university, per year, up to five years
- Up to $5,500 if they attend a Michigan public university or are enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program at a Michigan community college, per year, up to five years
Thank you for your time and attention to this week's Tiger News.
Have a great week everyone - in Purpose, Excellence, and ACHIEVEMENT - GO TIGERS!
~ Principal Crockett, AP Mrs. Green, AP Mr. Roberson, AP Mrs. Slingerland, BNT Director Mr. Wilsey, and AD Mr. Brodie
♻️ REPEAT INFORMATION ♻️
🚫 Detentions and ISS 📵
As we close the Semester, there are several students (approximately 70) who have accrued multiple detentions or who have failed to take advantage of several rescheduling opportunities will serve In-School Suspensions (ISS). Beginning Semester 2, students who fail to serve Saturday detentions will serve an In-School Suspension instead of being suspended out of school. The goal is to have students present and in a monitored environment where they can continue to be productive. For questions or concerns, simply reply to any of your student's previously sent Detention emails.
🌟Student Newspaper - 2nd Edition
BHS is excited to announce that our Journalism Class has produced it's NEXT edition of their online newspaper, Beneath The Stripes! This was shared with students before the break, and our journalists will utilize feedback from students and staff to make continuous improvements. Visit beneaththestripes.com to see what they have accomplished so far. Go Tigers!!
TRAFFIC AND PARKING REMINDERS
It's the most wonderful time of the year - the Michigan winter weather is upon us. With the cold, darkness, ice, and snow, traffic at student drop off will be slow. Please be patient and kind! Here are some tips to help make drop off faster and safer for all:
- The only drop off and pick up area for students is on the west entrance, the entrance into the Central Office building. To enter the main entrance, you MUST have a parking pass!
- Please make sure your students are only crossing the roads when the safety patrol is present and has stopped traffic. They will let your student know when it is safe to cross.
- Please ask your students to be prepared to get out of the vehicle with all of their belongings as soon as the vehicle stops.
- If you are the first vehicle in the drop off line, please STOP at the "Student Drop Off" sign. This will help more cars get to the sidewalk to drop their students off.
- Make sure to pull all the way up to the car in front of you UNLESS you are in the crosswalk. If you are the second vehicle in the group, you will be the one nearest the crosswalk; leave enough space between your car and the first one in the group for students to cross safely.
- Please follow the staff's driving directions. The stop sign/signal to stop is not a suggestion; you must stop! This is for staff and STUDENT SAFETY!
- Do not drop students off in the passing (left) lane! Students should only exit the vehicle from the right lane (nearest building and sidewalk).
- If your student needs more time exiting the vehicle, there is a spot on the right just past the "Student Drop Off" sign; park there. This way traffic can continue to flow.
- Make sure your lights are on.
HOW TO: Pay for Things!💲
LUNCH LINES & FOODSERVICE NEWS
There will be some BIG changes in the Belleville Cafe after winter break! However, before these changes happen, the lines have been long. Here are some tips to make the lunch lines go faster and lunch more enjoyable:
- Make sure students have their student IDs present before getting into line. They can scan them at checkout. This will expedite the time in line.
- If students are buying snacks or drinks not provided with the free lunch, have the cash in hand ready to give to the cafeteria worker, or you can add money to the student's account.
- Please clean up your trash and place it in the proper containers on your way out of the cafeteria.
- Lastly, if you have suggestions for food ideas or quality, please speak to an administrator or Chef Craig. We want you to enjoy the food and the entire lunch experience.
The BHS Cafe - A Greater Dining Experience!
From the The Belleville High School Café:
Students, to keep things timely and smoothly, please remember these tips:
- Please be patient and do not cut in line
- There are two lines: PIZZA and Other Entrees
- You must get a fruit or vegetable in order for the meal to be free
- Only one juice or milk per meal/student
- Only one entrée per meal (additional entrees are $2.00 each)
- Pop, chips, snacks cost money, but you can use your school account to pay
- If you are not purchasing any extras, please go through the line that is not for buying snacks (clipboard side)
Parents & Guardians: Food Account Payments
In order to fund your child's lunch account, please follow the steps below:
- Login to the MiStar ParentConnect Portal with your PIN and Password. Your school secretary can assist you if you need this information.
Click on your student's name, and you will see a variety of options on the menu at left.
Click on the Cafeteria link in the menu at left
Click on the "Online Food Service Payment" at far right.
Enter the amount you would like to add to your student's cafeteria account.
Follow the prompts to enter your payment information.
Thank you for making the first week enjoyable and check out our menu online.
STUDENT HANDBOOK AND DRESS CODE
An excellent educational experience is always undergirded by a safe and orderly environment. Please take the time to review the Student Handbook, which includes the BHS Student Dress Code. For a quick review of items to avoid, please click the link for COMMON DRESS CODE VIOLATIONS.
In particular, students will not be wearing:
- Hoods
- Crop Tops
- Ski Masks
- or any bedwear or grooming attire, including pajamas, blankets, pajama bottoms, hair scarves or durags.
Link to Student Handbook: 2023 - 2024 BHS Student Handbook
🚫 NOTICE FOR DETENTIONS!!
ATTENTION PARENTS AND GUARDIANS: Students will ONLY be receiving detention notices via email. They will no longer receive paper notices. Since we ALWAYS copy the parent/guardian on these notices, we ask that you remind your student, as needed, about their obligation. We appreciate your partnership!
Detention for Tardies
Remember, for EVERY 3 tardies, students will serve 1 detention. This also applies to other infractions, such as Dress Code Violations.
If a student needs to reschedule a detention, they must see Mrs. Dawn Spicer during the student's designated lunch time. Mrs. Spicer will be located in the lunch room to address rescheduling or questions regarding assigned detentions. Students are NOT permitted to leave class to speak with her regarding detentions.
Lunch detentions will only be assigned for special circumstances; an administrator must approve lunch detentions. For every after school detention, a student will serve two lunch detentions.
Detention Rules:
- You must be on time to detention and sign in electronically. After school detention starts at 2:15 and ends at 3:15. Students have 5 minutes from the first lunch bell to get to the Tiger Den. Saturday detention starts at 8:00 AM and ends at 10:00 AM.
- You will need to check in your phone with an administrator.
- If serving lunch detention, you will wait until the lunch lines are clear of students and administrative approval before getting a lunch.
- You will not talk or sleep during detention.
- You will clean up after yourself: clean any trash, push in chairs, and put away anything borrowed.
- If serving lunch detention, you will wait until you are released before leaving the Tiger Den.
- If you get kicked out, other consequences may happen including out of school suspension.
MERT (Medical Emergency Response Team) Events
You may have heard from your students about several classroom holds (where students remain in classes and are not allowed in the halls) due to MERT calls happening in the building. MERTs happen any time there is medical event happening with a student or staff member. The protocol below was developed along with our district Nurse, Nurse Munoz, and is as follows:
- A staff member is alerted of a potential medical emergency anywhere in the building.
- The staff member alerts the Main Office.
- The Main Office calls for a Classroom Hold over the PA system (students remain in classrooms and the hallways are cleared).
- The MERT team reports to the announced location to assess the situation and determine next steps.
- If paramedics are called, students remain in classrooms in order for first responders to efficiently support the student or staff member, and transport them to a more private location or to an emergency room if needed.
- The classroom hold is then lifted and the hallways are now accessible as normal.
If you have any questions about the process, feel free to reach out to Nurse Munoz at dmunoz@vanburenschools.net.