Benicia High School Panther Post
February 2021
BHS Vision Statement
Benicia High School will inspire learning with integrity in order to find personal success in an ever-changing world.
Expected Student Learning Results:
- Communicator and Collaborator
- Critical Thinker and Problem Solver
- Creator and Innovator
Principal's Letter - Virtual Elective Fair & Counseling Presentations
February is an important month for students to focus on their educational plans and to select courses for the next school year. BHS will hold a virtual event the evening of Wednesday, February 10th to provide information on a variety of topics to help with planning 2021-2022 classes. We ask that every student participate in this event with their parents or guardians.
This event will include:
Presentations from BHS Counselors to learn about required courses, elective options, how to read their transcript, graduation requirements, college requirements, and educational planning;
Elective Fair with videos and information about all of the elective classes and Career Technical Education courses offered, and how they might benefit students based on their interests and career preparation;
Advanced Placement course presentation with information about the AP program, courses offered at BHS, exam information, and more;
Presentation for incoming freshmen (8th grade students and parents) to learn important information about the transition to high school and selecting courses for the 9th grade year.
We will be mailing more information home the first week of February to all 8th grade families and to all 9th-11th grade families. For our 9th-11th graders, we will include their unofficial transcript, including all courses and credits earned through the first semester of this school year. We provide this transcript ahead of the February 10th event and ask that you have this with you when viewing the Counselor’s presentation, as they will discuss how to read the transcript and use it to make decisions about your student’s educational plan and courses for next year. We will also include a worksheet with our BUSD Graduation requirements, college admissions requirements, and a schedule you can use to fill in your past and future classes.
BHS anticipates returning to school in-person in August 2021 with our regular 6 period schedule. Should that change, we would notify students and families with further information. We miss having our students on campus and look forward to the return, when we are able to do so!
Take Care,
Brianna Kleinschmidt
Principal, Benicia High School
February is Career Technical Education (CTE) month!
Benicia High is fortunate to have a wide variety of CTE courses for our students to choose from. Our courses are designed to prepare students for high-demand careers and learning that builds career skills such as resume writing, interview skills, and job shadows. Each pathway has a minimum of two courses and many provide college credit upon completion of the course with a C or better. Our CTE courses are taught by select teachers who have been employed in their subject area, therefore providing students with first-hand knowledge of the workplace. Our CTE classes are engaging, hands-on, and project-based. We include a variety of guest speakers, field trips, and career exploration designed to lead to postsecondary programs, apprenticeships, certifications, and/or employment opportunities. They are a great addition to our academic program.
Black History Month
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Since 1976, every American president has designated February as Black History Month and endorsed a specific theme. The Black History Month 2021 theme, “Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity” explores the African diaspora, and the spread of Black families across the United States. (Source: History.com)
Week 1: February 1-5
- Begin BHS Reads! event
- Participate on social media with BSU to share favorite African American writers, quotes, books, and poems
- Join us on Friday at noon for our first book discussion via Zoom to discuss Between the World and Me
Week 2: February 8-12 Spirit Week on Social Media
- Melanated Monday - celebrate and embrace your skin by showing positive pictures of yourselves, families & friends
Celebrating Black Excellence on Tuesday - post positive contributions of Black people from all across the globe
Wednesday Grade Day - Each class will wear a certain color to represent their grade (9/10/11/12)
Throwback Thursday (90’s edition) - Dress up in your favorite 90’s gear & post a picture on social media
African American Hero Friday - Post your favorite African American hero and tell a story about them or why you selected them
Week 3: February 15-19 Student Spotlight Week
- Music Monday - listen to positive and uplifting music highlighting Black artists
- Talented Tuesday - students are invited to share their talent
- Share Circle/Game Night - BSU will host an interactive game night (5-7pm)
- Friendsgiving Thursday - BSU will host a zoom celebration of different food that focuses on Black culture
- Friday Movie Night - "The Hate You Give" movie will be discussed in a zoom gathering (5-7pm)
Week 4: February 22-26 HBCU Week
Guest speakers from Historically Black Colleges and Universities will speak to students in an open forum during lunch Monday through Thursday. Topics will include college life at a HBCU. Ms. Marwick (College and Career Coordinator) will also be available to answer questions about enrollment and financial aid opportunities. HBCU representatives are expected to discuss colleges such as: Moorehouse, Spelman Hampton, Howard, North Carolina AT&T and more.
Friday - final book discussion group at noon
Are you interested in joining our Black Student Union? The club meets monthly and welcomes students to help lead, develop, discuss, and enjoy time together. Contact Vice Principal Mr. Dwight Rogers at drogers@beniciaunified.org for information about future meetings.
Upcoming Events at Benicia High School
- February 1-28: Black History Month, events daily & weekly sponsored by BSU
- Monday, February 1st: BHS Reads! distribution event (3:30-5:30pm drive thru)
- Thursday, February 4th: Athlete Info Night for Purple & Red Tier Sports, 6pm via Zoom
- Friday, February 5th: Progress Report #1 for Semester 2
- Saturday, February 6th: Practice ACT exam (online - see info below for registration)
- Tuesday, February 9th: School Site Council Meeting at 3:30pm
- Wednesday, February 10th: Virtual Event - Counselor Presentations, Elective Fair & More
- Wednesday, February 10th: PTSA Board Meeting at 6:00pm
- Friday, February 12th: Holiday - No School
- Monday, February 15th: Holiday - No School
- Tuesday, February 16th: African American Parent Advisory Council Meeting at 5:00pm
- Friday, February 19th: Deadline for Advanced Dance Audition submissions (see below)
- Saturday, February 20th: Practice SAT exam (online - see info below for registration)
- Wednesday, February 24th: English Learner Advisory Committee Meeting at 5:00pm
- Friday, February 26th: Progress Report #2 for Semester 2
- Friday, March 19th: End of Grading Term
- Friday, March 26th: Report Cards available via PowerSchool
- April 2-11: Spring Break
- May 3-14: AP Exams (date determined by subject)
- Friday, May 31st: Holiday - No School
- Friday, June 4th: Last Day of School & End of Second Semester Courses
- Saturday, June 5th: Class of 2021 Graduation
Online Practice SAT & ACT Exams for BHS Students
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!
Update for BHS Athletics
On January 15, 2021, the Diablo Athletic League (DAL) met to adopt a preliminary season of sport schedule following the latest North Coast Section guidelines from January 14, 2021. Since that time, we have been working with our fellow Diablo Athletic League schools and district administration to prepare to return to athletics. On January 28th, the Benicia Unified School District Governing Board approved the return to sports for Benicia High School, following the updated plans and safety guidelines from California Interscholastic Federation, North Coast Section, and California Department of Public Health. Below is the press release from the Diablo Athletic League with further information. The biggest change is the reorganization of sports based on the color of tier so that sports with little to no contact can begin as soon as possible.
Our work continues and we anticipate continued changes. Since the January 15th press release, the regional Stay-at-Home order was extended to February 2nd and then lifted. As a result, we are now able to begin Purple Tier sports as of February 1st, using that week to finalize coaching staff, provide training to coaches, provide an informational session for student-athletes and parents, and complete student-athlete registration. We will begin Purple Tier sports practices as early as February 8th, depending on the season of that sport for the Diablo Athletic League.
Purple Tier sports include: Cross Country, Boys and Girls Tennis, Boys and Girls Golf, Boys and Girls Swimming, and Track and Field. The Diablo Athletic League is working to create a new calendar for each sport and possible competitions, with a reduced number of weeks in the season and reduced number of competitions anticipated.
Registration is required for every student-athlete prior to any tryout or practice and can be completed online. All student-athletes who plan to participate in Purple Tier sports (Golf, Tennis, Swimming, Cross Country, Track and Field) can begin their registration process at this time using the FamilyID registration available on our Athletics webpage.
Sports allowed in each color tier are:
Purple Tier: Track and Field, Tennis, Golf, Swimming, Cross Country
Red Tier: Softball, Baseball
Orange Tier: Football, Soccer, Volleyball, Water Polo, Badminton, Volleyball
Yellow Tier: Competitive Cheerleading, Basketball, Wrestling
About the Diablo Athletic League (DAL): The DAL is a interscholastic athletic league of high schools including Acalanes, Alhambra, Benicia, Berean Christian, Campolindo, Concord, Clayton Valley Charter, College Park, Las Lomas, Miramonte, Mt. Diablo, and Ygnacio Valley.
Become a Student Representative & Join Leadership!
Hey Panthers, if you are interested in making a difference at school and in our community, you should consider running for office. Holding an Associated Student Body (ASB) position means that you will be a part of BHS Leadership. Leadership is a fun class filled with hard-working and dedicated students who care about our school and community. Leadership is a great way to get involved and connect with peers. Please note that this class is a big time commitment. You will be required to complete community service hours and attend school events. If you feel that you are up to the challenge, please attend the mandatory informational Zoom meeting on Friday, February 19th, at 11:30 am. In this meeting, we will discuss the application process, as well as important dates and deadlines. We will go over the ASB Candidate Packet, which you can access on the Leadership website and BHS website. The ASB election for officers for the 2021-2022 school year will be held on Saturday, March 20th through Friday, March 26th. We will answer any questions you may have at the meeting on February 19th. We hope to see you there!
ASB Informational Meeting
February 19th at 11:30 AM
Zoom Meeting Link
Meeting ID: 913 2162 3070
Passcode: 324104
Workshops for Seniors: Local Community College Registration
Registration for Fall 2021 at Solano Community College (SCC) and Diablo Valley College (DVC) starts sooner than you may think. See below for several events to help you learn more about the schools and access help with the application process.
Solano Community College:
February 19th at 10 am - Get to know SCC (general presentation about their programs):
This presentation will provide an introduction to Solano Community College, opportunity to learn about their programs, and more.
https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/97886923008
March 5th 10 am - Application walk through:
A representative from Solano Community College will be on hand to help walk students through the SCC application.https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/91969373425
No pre-registration needed.
Diablo Valley College
Application walk through:
Thursday, February 11th at 3pm Wednesday, February 17th at 4pm Attendees must register for the event in advance. See link to sign up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScvRhr0ZjNmR7LDpTNp6F6YDBkFxelyc2-BlX18QwlAlthdGA/viewform IMPORTANT: Do not use your school email because DVC will not be able to email you the zoom link. A personal email address is required.
SAT/ACT Testing Requirements are Changing!
The University of California (UC) system has suspended SAT and ACT testing requirements through Fall 2024. If students have test scores they can submit them, but they will not be used in admissions decisions. SAT subject tests and the essay are no longer being offered by the College Board and therefore are no longer required. (See image below for University of California SAT/ACT information.)
California State University
The CSU system has suspended SAT/ACT testing requirements for Fall of 2022. No decision has been made beyond that term.
Private Colleges and Out of State
Requirements can vary greatly because private colleges are independent of a governing system. Be sure to research the testing requirements for each individual private university on their websites. If you can't find the information, contact Mrs. Marwick for help.
Out of State college requirements vary greatly because not all states locked down as strictly as California. It is also recommended to search on Google for individual school requirements. Contact Mrs. Marwick if you need help at gmarwick@beniciaunified.org.
Transcript Orders
For Seniors who may need a copy of your transcript, there are two options:
1. Unofficial Transcript Request (free): Submit your request at http://bit.ly/3pzuoT5
2. Official Transcript Request: Benicia Unified School District uses Parchment for official transcript requests. Submit your order at https://www.parchment.com/u/registration/5649/account
Wellness Center & Drop In Hours every Friday from 11-Noon
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.
Social-Emotional Learning: Parent Workshops
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!
Parent Education Talks from Teen Esteem
For 26 years, Teen Esteem has been educating and empowering students (K-12), parents, educators and the community on challenges young people face. They emphasize the importance of respect for self and others and that your value is based on who you are and not what you do.
Teen Esteem ED Talks are short educational videos for parents, discussing a variety of different trends and issues our kids are exposed to. ED Talks offer professional insight, facts, tips and tools to help you tackle a myriad of challenges in today's youth culture.
Parent Education Talks - A Library of Videos in Four Categories:
- Parenting
- Technology
- Mental Health
- Substance Abuse
- Survival Tips for Pandemic Parenting
- Teen Acne & Maskne
- Mental Wellness in Distance Learning
- Eating Disorders in Tweens and Teens
- and more....
Support PTSA all Year with Amazon Smile
Amazon Smile is now available on the Amazon app also!
VOENA 2021 Spring Open Enrollment Information
VOENA children's choir for ages 5-18 - Enrollment Now Open!
- Spring Season
- Hybrid Program
- Virtual/In-person Music
Go to www.VOENA.org under “join” to register. Full refund available if not completely satisfied after first class as long as requested by Friday, Feb 5th, 2021. Scholarships are also available.
Choir Rehearsal Levels: ($475 Tuesdays, Feb 2-May 18)
- Preparatory 3:30-4:15pm for Ages 5-12
- Intermediate 4:15-5:00pm for Ages 5-12
- Concert Choir I 5:00-5:45pm for Ages 13-18. Need to be interviewed by the director for readiness.
NEW Ukulele Masterclasses & Ukulele Orchestra: ($275 Thurs, Jan 14-March 18)
- 5:oo-5:45pm for Ages 9-18 (youth)
- 5:45-6:30pm for Ages 18+ (adult).
- Do not need to be in choir rehearsals to join.
NEW Body Percussion & Drumming Masterclasses: ($250 Thurs, Jan 14-March 18)
- Voices of Rhythm - Level I 3:3o-4:15pm for Ages 6-11
- Level II 4:15-5:00pm for Ages 10-18.
- Do not need to be in choir rehearsals to join.
ABOUT VOENA: This is a professional choir that has performed at The White House, Olympics, World Expo, and Carnegie Hall and most recently in Abu Dhabi, guests of the Crown Prince. Director, Annabelle Marie, received the Jefferson Award for her work with children. This is not a traditional choir as the director does not believe in auditions so that all children have an opportunity to learn how to sing and gain friendships and skills in teamwork, self motivation, self esteem, and a hard work ethic.
What A Wonderful World - VOENA - The Cutest Virtual Choir Ever!
BHS Library Available During Virtual Learning
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.
BHS Library Contact: Ms. Megan Segle
New Webstore for BUSD & BHS
We want to let you know of a change to the BHS website with a new district-wide community webstore. We have moved to using one common webstore for online purchases for the school district. With this new webstore, each family will need to set up a new account the first time you use the service and add each of your students. The step of adding students will allow the family to see what items are available to purchase for that students based on their school and grade level.
We apologize for this inconvenience. Directions are available on the website and account set up must be completed on a computer - it will not work from a phone. Our hope is that this will be more convenient for families with multiple students and as students move from one school site to the next.
The new webstore is:
https://beniciausd.graystep.comTech Support During Virtual Learning
Having trouble with your Chromebook or accessing class resources? Benicia Unified School District offers a Live Tech Support from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. You can access this live support from the Technology Department web page on the BUSD website: https://beniciaunified.org/departments/technology/ and find the chat icon on the bottom right of the screen.
Student Work Permit Information
Free Meals for Students - Sign Up Today
Congress has approved a waiver for free meals for all children under 18 for this school year, including breakfast and lunch. Families must sign up to take advantage of the free meals. CLICK HERE for more information.
Please begin by filling out the initial participation form LINKED HERE if you have not already done so. There are three ways to pick up meals for students:
- Daily Meal Pickup: You may pick-up meals every day Monday-Friday at any of the school sites. Your child will receive lunch for that day and breakfast for the next morning.
- Early Meal Pickup: You may pick up meals early in the morning at Benicia High School at 7:00AM-9:00AM. If you are interested in the early meal pick-up, please SIGN UP USING THIS FORM and pick a pick-up time that is convenient for you. Please note that these meals will have to be reheated/prepared at home. We will provide heating/preparation instructions with those meals.
- Multi-Day Meal Packages: Starting Monday September 14th, multi-day meal packages will be available for pick up at Benicia High School on Mondays and Wednesdays. For Mondays, we will provide a two day supply of meals (Meals for Monday & Tuesday). For Wednesdays, we will provide a three-day supply of meals (Meals for Thursday, Friday, & Monday). These meals will be available to pick-up early in the morning and in the afternoon. Early Service Window: 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 8:30, & 9:00. Midday Service Window: 11:00, 11:30, 12:00, & 1:00. To pick-up these meal packages, you would need to sign up at the link below.
Have questions? Please contact Food & Nutrition Services Director Tania Courtney at (707) 748-2758 or email her at tcourtney@beniciaunified.org. You can also visit the BUSD Food & Nutrition Services website.
We are now distributing meals for the weekends and Holidays. Please call us to sign up!
707- 748 2758
BENICIA HIGH SCHOOL
Email: BHSinfo@beniciaunified.org
Website: bhs.beniciaunified.org/
Location: 1101 Military West, Benicia, CA, USA
Phone: (707) 747-8325
Facebook: facebook.com/BeniciaHighPanthers
Twitter: @BeniciaHighBHS
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.