BHSN Class of 2024
March 28th, 2024
BHSN Graduation Information
Important Dates & Deadlines:
- Cap and Gown Distribution - April 23rd - All Day - Herff Jones will distributing caps, gowns, and other purchased graduation items. Herff Jones will be at BHSN all day to distribute caps and gowns. Cap & Gown distribution will be in the LGI. Any student that has not yet purchased a cap and gown should visit the following link at Herff Jones. Seniors with Government/Economics on Gold days will pick up their cap and gown during class. All other seniors will pick up during lunches or at any other time in their schedule that is convenient. Any student needing financial assistance to cover the cost of the cap and gown should see their counselor immediately.
- April 23 - Graduation Tickets will be distributed with caps and gowns on Tuesday, April 23. Students will sign for their guest tickets to verify they have been distributed. Each senior will be issued (6) tickets. Unused tickets should be returned to the main office at BHSN. Seniors may request additional tickets by sending an email to Angie Osborne at aosborne@mccsc.edu. You will be placed on a waiting list and additional tickets, if available will be distributed directly to students during graduation rehearsal on Friday, May 24th. Remember: All guests must have a ticket in order to enter the stadium. Those without a ticket can view the commencement livestream from home.
Monday, May 6 – Last Day for Submitting Outstanding School Fees/Fines
All fees and fines owed to Bloomington High School North must be paid by the end of the school day on Monday, May 6. This includes all unreturned textbooks, instrument rental fees, library fines, and any unpaid fees for athletic equipment or apparel. Students may check their fee or fine status at the BHSN bookstore. This list will be updated during the last week of school as textbooks from the current school year are collected. For questions, please email Michelle Clendening at mdclende@mccsc.edu. Students who do not take care of all fees and fines, return all school-issued textbooks or equipment, and attend the commencement rehearsal, may be excluded from participating in the graduation ceremony.
- May 9th - Bloomington High School North Honors Night - Auditorium
Departmental awards begin at 6:00 p.m. followed by a reception and refreshments from 6:30-7:00. Senior award recognition will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the BHSN Auditorium. Seniors will receive invitations to one or both ceremonies if they are a recipient of awards during either program.
Any senior who wishes to be recognized in the ceremony booklet as a recipient of scholarships and/or financial awards from the college/university they plan to attend must complete the linked “Scholarship and Awards” form. This form may also be found under the Counseling Center tab on the BHS North Homepage. Scholarship information must be submitted by the end of the day on Friday, May 3rd to be printed in the program. Self-reported scholarships and awards will be recognized in the printed program only. Students receiving additional awards, will receive an invitation to and will be presented their award during the Senior Honors Night Ceremony.
- AP Exams - May 6 - May 17
Thursday, May 16 – Tuesday, May 21 – Final Exams & Device Collection
Though final exams may be mandatory for some courses (i.e. AP, dual credit, certification programs, etc.), not all courses will offer exams. Also, due to the AP Exam schedule overlapping our final exam schedule, we have revised the traditional final exam schedule. Teachers will communicate exam options to their classes. Final exams are scheduled on the following days: May 16 (G5), May 17 (M4), May 20 (G6, G7 & G8) (G5-Study Period), May 21 (M1, M2 & M3). Device collection will be during the last block of the day on May 21. All students will report to Den following M3 and M4 will not meet on the final day of school.
- Senior Breakfast - 8:00 a.m. on May 17th - Senior Breakfast will be in the cafeteria. Seniors should report directly to the cafeteria at 8:00 a.m. Pictures for the Senior slideshow should be submitted to bhsnseniors2024@yahoo.com. A senior class picture will follow breakfast on the steps of the entrance into the building at the bus circle.
Friday, May 24– Mandatory Commencement Rehearsal (1:00-3:00 p.m.)
Graduates should arrive at 1:00 p.m. and must be in their assigned seats in the main gym by 1:15 p.m. for final attendance. Students who do not attend rehearsal cannot walk at graduation and you must be present for the entire rehearsal. Any student unable to attend or remain for the entire rehearsal will need to email Mrs. Willis (jwillis@mccsc.edu) in advance for approval, otherwise attendance is mandatory.
Saturday, May 25– Commencement Ceremony at 2:00 p.m.
- Final attendance will be taken at 1:30 p.m. in the auxiliary gym.
- Graduates may arrive at BHSN beginning at 1:00 p.m.
- Seniors are encouraged to carpool or be dropped off by families. Seniors should park in the lower lot and enter door N16 (Aux Gym entrance by baseball field)
- Reminder: Only Graduates are permitted in the staging area (Auxiliary Gym)
- Any student not in line and dressed appropriately (BHSN approved cap, gown, and tassel from Herff Jones) for final attendance will not be permitted to participate in the Commencement Ceremony.
- Commencement is a serious and formal ceremony designed to honor our graduates. Out of respect for all the graduates, we ask that parents and guests help us by holding their celebration and applause until after all the names are read.
- Caps, gowns, and tassels may not be altered in any manner. Students with altered caps, gowns, or tassels will not participate in the ceremony.
- Students will receive all school issued cords in advance or the day of rehearsal. Any personalized or non-school cords, stoles or other adornments will need prior approval by administration to be worn during the commencement ceremony.
- Students will receive their diploma covers during the ceremony but will need to report to the auxiliary gym to receive their diploma packet after the ceremony.
- Cell phones must be turned off.
- Students should not have backpacks, purses, or bags or other personal belongings during the ceremony as you will not be able to leave them at your seats or carry anything when walking across the stage to receive your diploma.
- Accessible seating for guests will be available in various locations in the upper/lower levels of the gymnasium.
Seniors may locate information related to commencement and other important information on the BHSN website, Information for SENIORS will be located on the “Counseling Center” tab. Information will be sent via Canvas and ParentSquare to students and families. If you have any questions or concerns about the information provided in this letter, you can reach out by email (jwillis@mccsc.edu) or by phone (812-330-7724 ext. 50255) at your convenience.
Thank you, seniors, for a wonderful year. The accomplishments of the seniors in the Class of 2024 are truly remarkable. The BHSN community looks forward to celebrating with you on May 25th!
What Is College Decision Day?
National College Decision Day, also referred to as College Signing Day, is a rite of passage that high school students work toward for years. It’s the deadline for incoming college freshmen to select a school to attend among the institutions that have offered them admission.
The road to College Decision Day has likely been a long journey. Most students have spent many hours researching schools, touring college campuses, writing personal essays and submitting college applications, and the anticipation of awaiting college acceptance letters have all culminated to this moment.
Students who’ve applied to their top schools during the regular decision application period, which typically sets January deadlines, will start receiving college acceptance letters in the spring. Shortly after acceptance letters are sent to applicants, they’ll need to finalize their choice of school by College Decision Day. Students usually also submit their enrollment deposit at this time.
May 1st College Decision Day
- National College Decision Day traditionally lands on the first day of May each year.
- Decision Day is when first-year applicants commit to a college.
- Double depositing is considered unethical, but students sometimes do it.
- Be sure to prepare for Decision Day to avoid problems.
Traditionally, applicants must commit to a college by May 1. Once you receive an offer letter, you can respond at any point before that date to secure your spot.
By investing some time and resources in advance, students can make a decisive choice by the time National Decision Day rolls around. Most colleges host an Accepted Students Day where they highlight the attributes of their school and try to entice the students they have accepted to actually enroll. Students should make the most of this opportunity and ask any questions that are on their mind regarding the academic and social offerings at each college under consideration
Deciding Between Colleges from the Parent Perspective
As the May 1 deadline for college decisions looms, it is imperative to prioritize helping your student make decisions about their future. Yet, as a parent, it can be challenging to help your student weigh their options while allowing them to have autonomy in the process. Ultimately, this is the first major decision they will make for their future, and you should seek to guide them in considering the possibilities with care and thoughtfulness while respecting their goals and dreams.
If your student has been accepted into more than one school on their list, they should devote the next few weeks to researching each school’s scholarships, research opportunities, campus location, student clubs, and academic programs offerings. Here are ways you can guide your student through the decision-making process once the research is complete.
1. Dedicate specific times to discuss their college process and designate times to pause the conversation.
The college decision is one of the most consequential decisions that your student will make about their future; as such, it can bring an enormous amount of stress. One of the best ways to help your student manage any anxiety they may be facing is to “bracket” the conversation—set aside specific times to discuss the options together and be intentional about pausing the conversation at other times to give your student time to breathe and engage in other activities. Easing the pressure and providing dedicated times for fun and relaxation will give your student the opportunity to step back and see the bigger picture, which is often the very thing they need in order to make their final choice.
2. Ask questions to help your student introspect
One of the best ways to provide guidance as your student makes a decision is to approach your student with curiosity, encouraging an open dialogue. Asking intentional questions about your student’s interests, ambitions, and hopes for their educational journey will not only allow you to meet your student where they are in the process, championing their progress toward their goals, but will also encourage your student to think critically about which school will best position them to pursue their passions in the coming years. Your questions should help your student critically consider the many different factors to take into account—from finances to academic programs to location, and more.
As you seek to help them approach the college decision, here are important questions to ask your student:
- What do you value most in a college? What did you first notice when you visited the colleges on your list—location, size, culture, academic programs, or something else?
- Have you thought about what it would be like to attend a school in xyz region? Do you think you would prefer to be closer/further from home?
- If money, grades, and test scores were not a factor, where would you dream of going? Why?
- What types of things do you imagine yourself being involved in on campus? How do you envision yourself being a part of the campus community at each of the schools you have been accepted to?
- What do you think you need in order to feel confident in your choice?
- What do you think your freshman year would look like at each of these schools?
- What did you like most about each school?
3. (Re)-visit the schools they are choosing between
In most cases, if your student is making the tough decision between schools at the top of their list, they have already seen the school in person or attended a virtual tour. However, if they have not yet done so, an in-person or virtual visit can help your student to solidify their final choice. Being on campus and chatting with current students provides applicants with the opportunity to see beyond the school’s “on paper” offerings and get a sense of how they would fit into the school’s unique campus culture.
If cost or other factors prohibit you from taking your student to visit campus in person, there are also virtual opportunities your student can use to explore their options. Online platforms such as CampusReel and college’s official websites can provide students with a window into life on campus. In addition, you can encourage your student to ask the admissions office for contact information of alumni in your local area. Connecting with former students—even off campus—can help your student gain a more personal and everyday understanding of what life for the next four years would look like should they accept their offer of admission.
Deciding between colleges can be intimidating and even paralyzing for many students. As a parent, assisting with visits both virtual and in-person for colleges on their list will uniquely help them achieve their goals. Most importantly, parents can convey to their students that whichever school they ultimately choose to attend, they have the power to forge their own path to success. Every school has its pros and cons—it is up to the student to decide what they will make of wherever they choose to spend their next four years.
Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website. Christopher Rim I am the CEO of Command Education, a premier education and college admissions consulting firm in NYC. I have served on multiple advisory boards including Lady Gaga’s Born
FAFSA Updates
Fortune – March 25, 2024
The U.S. Education Department said it has discovered a calculation error in hundreds of thousands of student financial aid applications sent to colleges this month and will need to reprocess them — a blunder that follows a series of others and threatens further delays to this year’s college applications. A vendor working for the federal government incorrectly calculated a financial aid formula for more than 200,000 students, the department said Friday. The information was sent to colleges to help them prepare financial aid packages but now needs to be recalculated — even as the department works through a backlog of more than 4 million other financial aid applications.
The Indiana Commission for Higher Education encourages all high school seniors and current or prospective college students to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by April 15, 2024. Earlier this year, the Commission announced a 60 percent completion goal for the high school graduating class of 2024.
Financial Aid Appeals
What is a financial aid appeal letter?
A financial aid appeal letter is a formal request asking a school to reconsider its decision on a student’s financial aid. The letter is a chance to explain a unique circumstance, financial situation, and anything else that has changed since the student submitted the FAFSA®.
If the appeal is approved, the school will generate a new financial aid package and send the student a new offer.
Who is eligible to submit a financial aid appeal letter?
There are five common scenarios for why a student might consider appealing their original financial aid offer and requesting more aid:
- They got admitted, but it’s just not enough.
- They received a better offer at another school.
- Their FAFSA® didn’t reflect some nuanced financial situation.
- Their financial circumstances have changed.
- They made a mistake (or multiple) on their FAFSA®.
Why would a senior appeal?
Appealing for more financial aid is an essential tool in a student’s “Paying for College” toolbelt because it can potentially save them thousands of dollars per year. Students routinely report receiving several thousand dollars of additional financial aid.
When should a senior appeal?
Submitting a financial aid appeal letter as soon as possible is essential. Colleges have enrollment targets that they’re trying to hit each year. That means they’re trying to get a certain number of students to attend the school.
Remember each college’s decision day and the FAFSA® deadline, as many accepted reasons for appeal are only valid before those days. Some reasons to appeal, such as significant changes to a financial situation, are accepted beyond the decision day.
How can a student submit an appeal letter?
The class of 2024 will be able to take advantage of Going Merry’s new Appeal Letter Generator beginning Monday, April 1st! I’ll follow up once the tool is live and send you an email you can send your seniors to promote this tool.
For now, let’s ensure your seniors have an account to access the tool on launch day. Additionally, please sign up for a live demo with me to see how the tool works firsthand with live Q&A at the end.
Featured Scholarship: 19th Century Club
19th Century Club Scholarship Award. Our club was founded in October 1896, by a group of women, that contributed to the founding of the Monroe County Library and the Bloomington Hospital. Our club is one of the oldest clubs in Bloomington, and we have a great interest in promoting education.
We would like to award two (2) of your students, who will graduate from a Monroe County High School, and who plan to pursue his/her education at Indiana University. (IU Bloomington, IU- satellite campuses, or Ivy Tech core classes in pursuit of IU degree)
This scholarship shall be awarded on the basis of the applicant’s character, promise of achievement, and need.
Please seek out, or make our application available, to any and all students that fit into our criteria listed above. Once we receive all applications, the club’s internal scholarship committee will review and determine this year’s award winner. The scholarship will be awarded to the recipient, at our local luncheon meeting on Monday, June 3, 2024.
Ivy Tech is offering FREE SUMMER CLASSES to all high school students
Ivy Tech Community College is offering 1-2 free courses, to any interested BHSN students grades 9-12 for the Summer 2024 session. The summer session runs May 20th - July 28th and classes are available in a variety of delivery methods including online, in-person, or hybrid.
Please fill out the link below to get more information about this amazing opportunity!
https://ivytech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_85MdRWptZ7DuzhY
If you have questions, please email the Haley Cook hcook34@ivytech.edu or sign up to see your counselor.
Monday, May 20, 2024, 08:00 AM
Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington, Daniels Way, Bloomington, IN, USA
Steps for After You Fill Out the Interest Form for Ivy Tech Free Summer Classes
Thank you for submitting the interest form for free classes at Ivy Tech this summer.
Please confirm that you have created an account here, https://ivytech.dualenroll.com/login.
If you took dual credit classes at your high school this year, you should already have an account. If not, please click on the Create My Account button to submit that.
The next step is setting up MyIvy which can be located here, https://myivy.ivytech.edu/.
Here is a YouTube video showing how to set up MyIvy, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ol6KLek3aSI&list=PLZ0lrhV7-pGZAiAVlgotsETJerhmapkmt&index=3.
Once you have MyIvy set up, you can enroll in classes at Ivy Tech. Here is a guide to using Schedule Builder, which is located within MyIvy, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9M3GtniK1uM.
If the class you want to take requires English or Math placement testing, here is a guide to do that, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD-Xzw3zmOk&list=PLZ0lrhV7-pGZAiAVlgotsETJerhmapkmt&index=4.
ENGLISH – Target goal = 70
STEM – Target goal = 70
Finally, if you have questions about what class to take this summer, you might consider taking something from the Indiana College Core list of classes. Here is a link to that, https://catalog.ivytech.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=5&poid=4128&returnto=563. If you want to take one of our many other programs in the career and technical area, please let me know and we can discuss what would be a good fit for you.”
And here is the link to the Ivy Tech webpage for HSFS: https://www.ivytech.edu/programs/special-programs-for-students/high-school-programs/free-summer-classes-for-high-schools-students/?preview=y
Please let me know if you have any questions 😊 I am happy to help! If a student has any questions or needs any support please direct them to email me at hcook34@ivytech.edu (Haley Cook)
Indiana Next Level Jobs
Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD):
Indiana is taking the state’s workforce to the next level with a focus on the high-priority industries and high-demand jobs driving Indiana’s 21st Century economy forward. Whether you are searching for your first job, re-entering the workforce, want to earn your high school diploma, or are planning a career change, we have the tools to help you locate the education, training, and career opportunities that best suit your needs.
Monroe County Community School Corporation
It's Great to be a Cougar!
Articles compiled by BHSN Counseling Department/Kathy Rillo
Greg Chaffin gchaffin@mccsc.edu A-CRA 50146
Katie Clarke kclarke@mccsc.edu CRB-HEN 52318
Katherine Edmonds kmedmond@mccsc.edu HEO-MEN 51708
Kathy Rillo krillo@mccsc.edu MEO-SCHN 50220
Julie Speer jlspeer@mccsc.edu SCHO-Z 53223