Berkner Bulletin
December 18
NO SCHOOL--DECEMBER 21-JANUARY 4
CONGRATULATIONS AVID SCHOLARS
Berkner AVID students reached the semifinals of this year’s Dell Scholars Program and remain in the running for $20,000, a laptop and ongoing educational support.
RISD AVID Director Joan Swim said these seniors achieved this level of national recognition due to academic rigor, ambition and perseverance.
Mackenzie Howdeshell
Laila Mireles
Symone Besher
Rahwa Haile
Julisa Meraz
F. Kainat
David Fonseca
Mariela Luciano
CONGRATULATIONS MIGHTY RAM BAND!
Congratulations to the following 36 Berkner Band students for making the TMEA Region 20 All-Region Band!
The first 7 students listed qualified for All-Area and will be moving on to the next level of competition towards All-State on January 6, 2021.
CONGRATULATIONS BERKNER DEBATE
Mahider Moges advances to the TFA State quarterfinals In Lincoln Douglas Debate .
GO RED WITH RISD ON FEBRUARY 5
Cardiovascular disease accounts for one of every three deaths in the United States, touching the hearts of nearly every family in every community. Show your support and donate $20 to receive your commemorative Go Red shirt. Your donation saves lives!
Shirt order deadline: T-Shirts must be ordered by Wednesday, January 13 to receive them in time for National Wear Red Day.
How to order: To make your $20 donation, simply text DHCRICHARDSON to 41444. You will immediately receive a link to a quick donation form or CLICK HERE to order online!
Don’t forget to get your blood pressure checked and mark that you’ve had it checked when you donate!
UPDATED QUARANTINE OPTIONS FOR EXPOSED STUDENTS/STAFF
In early December, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated options for people who are quarantined after exposure to a positive case of COVID-19.
The updated federal guidelines include direction to seek guidance from local public health authorities, and RISD has consulted with Dallas County Health and Human Services. As a result, RISD is in the process of implementing new quarantine options for students and staff identified as exposed to a positive case of COVID-19, while participating in an in-person school activity.
The new quarantine options apply to people who have been exposed, but are not symptomatic nor tested positive.
Applying the updated CDC options in conjunction with guidance from Dallas County public health officials, RISD is implementing the following new options:
- For exposed students and staff without symptoms, quarantine can end after completion of 10 quarantine days. Students and staff would be able to return on day 11 after exposure, which is down from the 14 quarantine days RISD had been using.
- School district employees may choose to return to work after seven quarantine days provided they meet required criteria. The guidance from the Dallas County health authority is clear that this option should only be available to employees, in their role as essential workers. The criteria required for employees to choose this option include: No COVID-19 symptoms at all during the first seven days of quarantine and a negative PCR test (not rapid antigen) result that was administered between day five and day seven from the date of exposure.
Every person who returns to school or work under a revised quarantine option must continue diligent daily symptom monitoring through day 14, strictly adhere to RISD’s social distancing and infection mitigation strategies, not attend an in-person school activity if symptoms develop and immediately report any symptoms to the school nurse or the employee's supervisor.
These updated quarantine options for exposed, asymptomatic people are optional.
The CDC continues to recommend a 14-day quarantine as the most cautious approach if a person has been in close contact with someone who is positive for COVID-19 since the disease has an incubation period up to 14 days.
Accordingly, under the updated guidelines, RISD parents and employees may choose their quarantine period remain 14 days, if desired.
More information about RISD’s response to the pandemic is available on the COVID-19 Information site.
It is an unusual year due to coronavirus disruptions. Nevertheless, one thing has not changed, parents need to complete the Free and Reduced Lunch Application. This is important data, because it can impact school funding from federal grants. Please distribute and use these videos to promote the urgency to complete to Free and Reduced Lunch Application. Please encourage and assist your families to complete the Free and Reduced Lunch Application.
Free and Reduced Lunch Storyboard for Parents in English and Spanish, https://www.esc16.net/page/title1swi._PFE.Video.FRL.Strybord.Parents
BHS Graduation: May 30th, 8:00am @ Ram/Wildcat Stadium
Due to the increased positive cases we are seeing in Dallas County, the following guidelines will be in place for basketball season. Any student who attends a game must enter with an adult and sit with an adult for the duration of the game. This is consistent with what all other schools in 7-6A are doing. Masks are required as well as social distancing. Thank you in advance for your cooperation as we navigate these challenging times.
CHROMEBOOK INFORMATION
BERKNER HIGH SCHOOL
Email: berknerhs@g.risd.org
Website: https://schools.risd.org/BerknerHS
Location: 1600 East Spring Valley Road, Richardson, TX, USA
Phone: 4695937000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BERKNERSTEM/
Twitter: @bhsstem