BFHS BlueJay Beat
March 2019
BONDURANT-FARRAR HIGH SCHOOL CORE VALUES
- Communicate and Collaborate Effectively
- Solve Problems
- Persevere
- Be Culturally and Socially Respectful
MESSAGE FROM MR. GARNASS
We hope everyone had a relaxing spring break and is ready for the home stretch to conclude the 2018-19 school year.
There are many events/activities happening between now and commencement (yes, graduation isn't far off...).
- Seniors and senior parents/guardians, please click on the following link to view information sent out in March regarding a timeline for events leading up to commencement on Sunday, May 19th. 2019 Graduation Information
We often hear the phrase, "Do The Right Thing."
One of the hardest things to do in life is to do the right thing. What you think is the right thing. Not what your friends, family, teachers, boss and society thinks is the right thing.
What is the right thing? That's up to you to decide. Often you have a little voice in your head that tells you what the right thing is. Or a gut feeling. It might tell you to get up from the couch, stop eating those snacks and go to the gym instead. Sometimes you will put on your exercise clothes and go. Sometimes you will not.
When you see someone who is struggling either physically, emotionally, etc. Do the right thing. Stand up for that individual and support them through the issue(s) they face at that given moment. Don't take a back seat and "assume" everything will be ok... Be the difference that helps them through that very moment. Seek a trusted adult for assistance and support. Don't walk away or turn your shoulder because you don't want to get involved or don't want to seek help. Take a stance and HELP! Too many times friends don't stick up for others in times of desperate need. You can change that! "Just Do The Right Thing."
PAC Initiative
Our first attempt at a Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) will launch this spring. There has been a selected "focus" group that will be part of the process. Our 1st meeting will be on Wednesday, May 1st in the FLEX room at the high school. This meeting will be open to anyone wishing to attend. The goal will be to host 3 of these every year beginning in the 2019-20 school year.
Concerning Epidemic
The release of the 2018 National Youth Tobacco Survey along with the Monitoring the Future survey, highlights a deeply troubling fact: e-cigarette use among you has reached epidemic levels. The American Lung Association is very concerned we are at risk of losing another generation to tobacco-caused diseases as the result of e-cigarettes. Please see this months article below from SRO, Deputy Sadler regarding current information and statistics related to this epidemic. Additional resources from the American Lung Association can be found via www.Lung.org/ecigs.
We hope everyone enjoys the remaining days this month of April and looks forward to a great end to the school year. Be your best YOU!
Respectfully,
Erik Garnass
@erikgarnass
Follow us on twitter @BFHS_News
CLASSROOM VISITS
STUDENT OF THE MONTH - MARCH
Art: Rozlynn Weaver
CTE: Jaccob Harless
Lang Arts: Hope Holzworth
Math: James Hoyle
Music: Monica Espino
PE/Health: Maya Shilling
Science: Alex Miner
Social Studies: Konnor Steinick (not pictured)
World Lang: Aubrey Levenhagen
CONGRATULATIONS MRS. PATTI DAVIS
Check out the official athletics site of Bondurant-Farrar HS for recent updates and news:
ART
National Scholastics Silver Medal
ALL-STATE ART TEAM 2019
BFHS School Counseling Department
Seniors may now begin applying for our local scholarships. All local scholarships are updated and active on the Bondurant High School Local Scholarship Page under the School Counselor’s page. The link is: https://www.bfschools.org/Page/931
Seniors will have the opportunity to sign up with Mrs. McMurray during WIN time each week until all scholarships are due. While the majority of our local scholarships are due on Friday, April 19th, there are some that are due earlier than that deadline. All deadlines are listed on our local scholarship webpage. Don’t forget to continue looking at the state/national scholarship page. We will continue to update with any new scholarships we receive!
UPCOMING SENIOR DATES:
April 2nd- Jostens will hand our caps and gowns
April 12- Graduation speeches are due to Mr. Garnass or Mrs. McMurray
May 14-16 -- Senior semester tests
May 15 -- 7:00 p.m. -- Senior Awards Night--Scholarships, Department Awards, etc.— High School Auditorium
May 16 -- Last Day for Seniors — Senior checkout
May 17 -- 9:30 a.m. — Senior luncheon, commencement rehearsal, graduation tickets will be handed out at commencement rehearsal.
May 17 -- 7:00 p.m. — Baccalaureate – TBD
May 19 -- 2:00 p.m. -- *Commencement — (Graduates must report no later than 1:15 p.m. to the High School Library)
UPCOMING SCHOLARSHIP DUE DATES
04/15/2019 - WEBB SCHOLARSHIP
04/19/2019 - LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS
Please click here to review all of our scholarships
FINAL GRADE CHECK POINT
DMACC CLASS INFORMATION
Sophomores and juniors who are interested in taking a DMACC online class need to see their counselor and get signed up for a class. All registrations are due by May 25th. Students must be proficient on Iowa Assessments to take an online or face-to-face DMACC class. Classes will fill up quickly, so it is important to get registered soon.
Students who signed up to attend a program through the DMACC Career Academy will meet with their counselor in May to make sure the program will fit with their BFHS schedule.
FAFSA! FAFSA! FAFSA! If your son or daughter is attending a post-secondary institution now is the time to get the FAFSA completed. FAFSA is based on your 2017 taxes, so you do not have to wait to file your 2018 taxes to complete your FAFSA. If you need any help completing the FAFSA, please contact Mrs McMurray. She will be happy to help you. ICAN also does FAFSA completion for free and are located at the DMACC Ankeny campus. You can schedule a FAFSA appointment with ICAN on their website: https://www.icansucceed.org/.
Schedule Changes
Students who have conflicts in their schedule with the courses they requested for the 2019-2020 school year will meet with their counselor in May. Students will be able to pick up a paper copy of their schedule once the registration process has been completed over the summer. We will hold office hours in August for any schedule changes that need to be made, so please check your email in August for days and times. The following reason to make a change and not make a change was shared with students during the registration process:
Reasons Not To Make A Change:
- I want a different teacher
- I want a different lunch
- I don’t know anyone in the class
- I wanted PE at the end of the day
ReasonsTo Make A Change:
- I already took the class
- I am missing a class
- I want to get rid of a study hall
- I don’t have the prerequisite
- I failed a class
COLLEGE VISITS
Please follow these procedures when scheduling a college visit:
1). Students are required to have a parent/guardian contact the high school office at least three (3) days prior to the visit.
2). Students will need to get a college visitation form from Sara Ballard in the main office. This form must be signed and dated by an official from the institution and is required to be submitted to the high school office following the first day back from the college visit to receive an excused absence.
Our school counseling website page has information on what to be thinking and asking when visiting potential schools. Please visit our website HERE!
Tammy Kaufman
Important Numbers/Websites
Suicide Prevention LIfeline 1-800-273-8255
Casey McMurray
Mrs. McMurray is the counselor for the Classes of 2019 & 2021. Her email is mcmurrayc@bfschools.org
UPCOMING DATES/EVENTS
Monday, April 8 through Friday, April 12 Iowa State Assessments of Student Progress
Saturday, April 13 - ACT Test (BFHS is a testing center)
Friday. April 19 - Local Scholarships are due
Tuesday, April 23 - Academic Breakfast for 9th and 10th - grade students with GPA 3.5 or higher
Wednesday, April 24 - NHS Induction
Thursday, April 25 - Academic Breakfast for 11th and 12th - grade students with GPA 3.5 or higher
Wednesday, May 8 - AP English Literature and Composition Test
Monday, May 13 - AP Biology Test
Tuesday, May 14 - AP Calculus Test
Wednesday, May 15 - Senior Awards Banquet
Sunday, May 19 - Graduation
RESOURCES WHEN IN NEED
ATTENTION 11th GRADE PARENTS/GUARDIANS
Please be aware that the Iowa Department of Public Health has made changes to the Iowa Immunization law regarding the Meningococcal vaccine starting the 2017/18 school year. All students entering 12th grade must have proof of having two meningococcal vaccines before school starts their senior year. There is NO grace period for the implementation of this requirement. In order for your student to attend the first day of school in August, written proof of these two vaccines must be received in the High School Health Office.
Please make arrangements now to receive these vaccines and provide written proof to your school nurse as soon as possible. Thank you for your attention to this new requirement.
Attention Juniors: CPR REQUIREMENT FOR GRADUATION
The Healthy Kids Act (Senate File 2425) requires all students by the end of grade twelve shall complete a certification course for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. CPR can be taken with the nurse during flex your senior year, or you can take the Red Cross online CPR course at aeak12online.org Sign in using your school Google account. Select one of two CPR courses (Adult only or Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED). Once you complete the course, print off the certificate and bring it to the nurse.
FROM THE DESK OF MR. SADLER (SRO)
Vaping
What is vaping?
Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling the aerosol, often referred to as vapor, which is produced by an electronic cigarette or similar device. The term is used because e-cigarettes do not produce tobacco smoke, but rather an aerosol, often mistaken for water vapor, that actually consists of fine particles.
How do they work?
E-cigarettes are a battery powered device that heats a liquid known as vape juice/e-liquid into a chemical-filled aerosol that the user inhales.
What are the stats?
- 1.5 million more students used e-cigarettes in 2018 vs 2017
- 78% increase among high school students
- 48% increase among middle school students
- 27.1% of high school students vape
- Over 10.7 million youth aged 12-17 are at risk for using e-cigarettes
Facts about JUUL’s:
- 63% of current JUUL users (ages 15-24) did not know the product always contains nicotine
- JUUL does not make any nicotine free pods
- A JUUL pod contains as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes
- Teens often refer to JUUL use as Juuling
- JUUL now has over half of the e-cigarette market
Facts about vaping:
- Nicotine can harm adolescent brain development, affecting attention, learning and susceptibility to addiction
- E-cigarette use increases teens risk of ever using regular cigarettes
- No e-cigarette has been found to be safe and effective by FDA in helping smokers quit
- There are over 7,700 flavors available and 460 brands of e-cigarettes
- E-cigarettes can be used for delivery of marijuana and other illicit drugs
- E-cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco products among kids
Most common myths:
- “It’s just water vapor”. But it’s not. Vaping can expose the user’s lungs to harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, diacetyl and acrolein, as well as toxic metal particles like nickel, tin and lead.
- “It’s just flavoring”. Vapes get their flavors from chemicals, that are not safe to inhale. Some flavors like caramel contain diacetyl and acetoin. Inhaling diacetyl has been linked to popcorn lung, a lung disease that doesn’t have a cure.
- “I won’t get hooked on vapes”. Vaping delivers nicotine to the brain in as little as 10 seconds. A teen’s brain is still developing, making it more vulnerable to nicotine addiction.
- “Nicotine isn’t that bad for me”. Nicotine exposure during the teen years can disrupt normal brain development. It can have long-lasting effects, like increased impulsivity and mood disorders.
- “Just because I vape doesn’t mean I’m going to smoke cigarettes”. Research shows teens who vape are more likely to try smoking cigarettes.
Penalty for possession of e-cigarettes?
All tobacco products, including e-cigarettes are prohibited in schools and on school property. This includes inside of vehicles on school grounds.
- School suspension
- Parental notification
- Police citation ranging from 1st offense of $50.00 to a 3rd offense of $250.00 AND 8-16 hours of community service
Resources:
https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/e-cigarettes.html
Informational video: https://video.iptv.org/video/teen-vaping-1531870790/
Bondurant-Farrar High School
Email: garnasse@bfschools.org
Website: bfschools.org
Location: 1000 Grant Street North, Bondurant, IA, United States
Phone: (515) 957-8191
Twitter: @BFHS_News
It is the policy of the Bondurant-Farrar Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact the district’s Equity Coordinator; Chad Carlson, Director of Administrative Services, 300 Garfield St SW, Bondurant, IA 50035, 515-967-7819, carlsonc@bfschools.org. -OR- Director of the Office for Civil Rights U.S. Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661-7204, Telephone: (312) 730-1560, Facsimile: (312) 730-1576, Email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov