BCA November Newsletter
The vision of the Collegiate Academy at Blackman High School is to create a challenging learning environment with a rigorous course of study where students can become well-rounded scholars who fulfill their potential as they transition from high school to post-secondary opportunities.
Dear parents,
One of our focuses at BHS is to provide a safe haven for learning. I have been at many different high schools, and BHS is the most supportive and accepting and inclusive of any I’ve been in. Our students are really amazing kids! And I credit that to their parents.
However, recently, we had some student incidents, which appeared to be related to national events. We immediately handled situations as they came to us. We do not tolerate bullying or harassment or acts of hate for any reason, and we have high expectations that students act in a caring, supportive, and inclusive manner while at school. Please let us know if your child has any concerns. We will address them immediately.
We will continue to uphold the values that we hold dear at Blackman, and we appreciate your support at home as you talk to your students about treating each other with the respect everyone deserves.
Go Blaze!
-Dr. Leisa Justus
BCA Pinning Ceremony
If you are a sophomore and did not attend, please see Mr. Reed and let him know if you plan to stay in the academy (if so, we will pin you at next year's ceremony) or not (if this is the case, he has a form for you to fill out).
Again, I'm so proud of our students and the amazing work they are doing in the academy!
Sincerely,
Dr. Leisa Justus
Upcoming Capstone Projects: Come support these students!
Edward Thomason
- Project: Science Day at BHS for middle school students. There will be three activities and speakers at this event. Click here to sign up for the event.
- Date: Nov. 12 from 8:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
- Location: G-26, G-27, G-28, G-29 & the Science Lecture Room
Autumn Martin
- Project: Walk-a-thon to benefit Special Kids Therapy Center
- Date: Nov. 12 at 9 a.m.
- Location: Track
Jasmyn Bunch
- Project: STEM Engineering Information Fair
- Date: Nov. 14 at 6 p.m.
- Location: Media Center
Cierra Williams
- Project: Clothing Drive to Benefit Half-way House
- Date: Week of Nov. 14
Evan Damon
- Project: Bicycle Donation Drive
- Date: Nov. 18
- Project: Fine Arts Night showcasing talents of song, dance, and film
- Date: Nov. 22 from 6 - 8 p.m.
- Location: BHS Auditorium
Marisa Graham
- Project: Fine Arts Night showcasing talents of song, dance, and film
- Date: Nov. 22 from 6 - 8 p.m.
- Location: BHS Auditorium
Upcoming Capstone Projects: Congratulate these students!
Cody Ramangkoun
- Project: PowerPoint presentation over the benefits of technology in the physical education setting. Project is providing Coach Palmer's 3rd period with pedometers and recording their steps throughout their dance unit.
- Date: Oct. 31-Nov. 14
Ethan Morrow
- Project: Youth in Action
- Date: Nov. 1
Kayla Berry
- Project: Putting books into the homes of elementary children
- Date: Nov. 1
Samantha Udell
- Project: Sea Turtle Awareness to young students at Little Embers Daycare
Nathan Bryan
- Project: Using current scientific knowledge in the classroom for student created investigations
- Date: Nov. 2
Dominique Diallo
- Project: Presentation to Health Classes to raise awareness on the impact of social media on their female body image and self esteem
- Date: Nov. 2
Evann Bailey
- Project: How to combat excessive force against mentally ill people by police. Presenting in a class setting.
- Date: Nov. 3
Hannah-Claire Candlish
- Project: Diabetes Awareness Clinic (A Day in the Life of a…)
- Date: Nov. 3
Dominic Perratta
- Project: Teaching Interactive Music Class at Blackman Elem.
- Date: Nov. 4 & 15
Kayla Reed
- Project: "Financial LiteraTea Party" in the BHS Media Center to educate women in the community on finances
- Date: Nov. 5
Amelia Goodnight
- Project: Packing sports equipment to send to Haiti
- Date: Nov. 6
Rhyan Lake
- Project: Youth in Government Club & Competition
- Date: Nov. 6
Hunter Solomon
- Project: A culture week will demonstrate African, Asian, European, and Hispanic cultures to the student body.
- Date: Nov. 7-11
Cameron Almonrode
- Project: Speaker Series - Awareness of Issues facing Vets/ Fundraising for Veterans in the BHS auditorium
- Date: Nov. 7-11
Katie Hart
- Project: Back Pack Drive for Cambodia
- Date: Nov. 7-11
Trey Harvie
- Project: Presentation over sleep deprivation and survey results
- Date: Nov. 9
Layne Nash
- Project: Teach a class focusing on hearing difficulties/hearing loss. I will teach the children a song or songs that involve sign language, and then explain what sign language means and why people use it.
- Date: Nov. 10-11
Bibianna Perdomo
- Project: Fundraisers (Bracelets) for Liter of Light
- Date: Week of Nov. 14-Dec. 2
Jeremy Puhr
- Project: Calming Effects of Music
- Date: Week of Nov. 14
Brithany Gavidia
- Project: Capstone Seniors will interact with therapy dogs and participate in 3 de-stress stations.
- Date: Nov. 16
Jenna Kleinschmidt
- Project: Presentation over sex education reforms in Tennessee.
- Date: Nov. 16
Cameron Loomis
- Project: Teacher/School personnel awareness of allergens
- Date: Nov. 16
Maya Paliaro
- Project: Presentation of a plan for a community garden to be located in Murfreesboro. I will also present my application for State Farm's Neighborhood Assist Grant.
- Date: Nov. 17
Paige Holloway
- Project: Propose Calligraphy/Cursive Writing Course
- Date: Nov. 17
Reece Rich
- Project: 25 minute video to educate students on computer hardware and specifications to help them when buying computers
- Date: Nov. 17
Haley Kyle
- Project: Presentation on parental involvement's influence on academic success
- Date: Nov. 17
Al Thebphakone
- Project: Two memory tests will be taken by the group of volunteers. One will be before yoga and one will be after.
- Date: Nov. 18
Zach Adams
- Project: Remodel of BHS Media Center
- Date: Nov. 17
Taylin Spurlock
- Project: Fundraiser/Clothing Drive to benefit Sexual Assault Victims
- Date: Nov. 19
Luke Hamby
- Project: Improvement to Bridge Proposal at City Hall
- Date: Nov. 21
- Project: Film In Education: Film class teaching on the movie adaptation of Lamb to the Slaughter
- Date: Nov. 21-22
Michele Carden
- Project: PD on Hands-on-Learning applications & benefits
- Date: Nov. 21-22
Clay Sewell
- Project: Concussion Education to Middle School Staff & Parents at Blackman Middle
- Date: Nov. 21-22
Colton Tincher
- Project: Ad Campaign about the use of the "R" word
- Date: Nov. 21-23
Evan Foulks
- Project: Make a Capital Improvement Plan and presentation for the adjusted Murfreesboro City School
- Date: Nov. 22
Alexander Herrington
- Project: Presentation of how wind energy is not a viable renewable energy source in Tennessee and present good renewable alternatives
- Date: Nov. 22
Denice Paredes
- Project: Parking Lot Traffic Flow
- Date: Nov. 22
Daylia Wallace
- Project: 20 minute documentary over sexual assault in adolescent women where victims share their stories
- Date: Nov. 22
Andrew Dodge
- Project: Choir Recruitment Plan in the BHS Choir Room
- Date: Nov. 29
The Blackman Experience
MTSU-Blackman High partnership highlighted at LEAD conference
The partnership between Blackman High School in Murfreesboro and Middle Tennessee State University in the creation of the Blackman Collegiate Academy was highlighted Monday, Oct. 24, at the 2016 LEAD Conference sponsored by the Tennessee Department of Education.
MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee and Dr. Deb Sells, vice president for student affairs, joined Blackman Principal Leisa Justus and Academy Dean Ken Reed and others from both institutions to present at the conference, which allowed secondary and postsecondary administrators from across Tennessee to share ideas and best practices.
Click here to read more of the press release by Andrew Oppmann from MTSU.
Save the Date for Field Trips!
Feb. 2nd: Sophomore BCA Day at MTSU
March 9th: Junior BCA Day at MTSU
*Each field trip will be from 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Field trips are mandatory.
JUNIORS & SENIORS: We will have a junior team building / senior celebration field trip in May. Details to come. You won't want to miss this!!
MTSU Student ID
Speaker Series: November 17th
In short, we don’t just help people change, we help them change their lives. We perform these rescues on people in all sorts of trouble. Including, but not limited to, tragically broken lives due to human trafficking, abuse, addiction, and homelessness. In fact, we call it “setting captives free” which is quite accurate.
By now, you ask, “How do they do this.” Well, Last Call 4 Grace reaches out to those in need and builds personal relationships that are safe, non-threating, non-judgmental, and non-enabling.
This takes the form of bi-weekly meals, placement in emergency shelters, educational classes to train volunteers, and even a mobile clothing closet.
Speaker Series Capstone Project
LaunchMyCareerTN.org
Walmart Community Grant
Governor's School
Some Governor’s Schools award college credit for courses completed during the program, while others do not. The number of college credits offered by specific Governor’s Schools will vary. Please refer to the descriptions of each program within the application packet for information regarding whether a specific Governor’s School will offer college credit. All students who complete the program will be awarded a certificate of merit signed by the governor. Governor's School is a way to graduate with distinction if you maintain a 3.0 GPA!
Contact Ms. Villarreal for more information.
REMINDER: BCA Policy Form
Report Extra-Curricular Activity Hours Online
Life Experience Application
Students must complete 40 hours of real-life experience in the area of his/her major. The experience must be approved by the faculty board. This experience can be completed any year but must be completed by April of the senior year. The experience may or may not be a part of the student’s senior research project. The experience should be meaningful and provide insight into the field of study the student is interested in.
BCA Courses
- Freshmen: Honors English I, Honors Biology, and Honors World History or AP Human Geography (must be enrolled in at least 2)
- Sophomores: Honors English II, Honors Algebra II or Advanced Honors Geometry, and Honors Chemistry (must be enrolled in at least 2)
- Juniors: AP English III, AP U.S. History or Dual Enrollment U.S. History, and Speech or Critical Thinking (These are recommendations but not required. Speech and critical thinking are highly recommended junior year before capstone.)
- Seniors: Speech or Critical Thinking (if not already taken) and Capstone
Homework Hotline
- Free tutoring is available by phone
- Monday - Thursday from 4 - 8 p.m.
- Call 615-298-6636 or 1-888-868-5777
ACT Accomplishments
Our 21.1 composite for exiting seniors is above district (20.2) and state (19.9) and national (20.8) averages!
Exiting seniors: 4-year composite increase = 20.7, 20.9, 21.0, 21.1
- +.6 in English for 2016
- +.4 in Reading for 2016
Juniors: 3-year composite increase = 20.4, 20.8, 21.1
- +.5 in Reading for 2016
- +.7 in Math for 2016
- +.3 in Science for 2016
Collegiate Academy average for this year's seniors stands now at 28.13.
Saturday ACT Prep Session on Nov. 19th
I L.E.A.D. ACT Prep
This 5 week program will encompass a review of prior diagnostic results from students’ previous ACT test scores which provides an actual picture of skill deficiencies by subject to assist students in developing a strategic approach to focusing on their main areas of needs. If the student has not tested, benchmark testing will be conducted on the first Saturday.
- Location: Blackman High School
- Hours of Operation: Saturdays on 2/18, 2/25, 3/4, 3/11 & 3/18 from 7:30 - 11:30
- Sign in/Breakfast: 7:30 - 7:45
- Begin Class: 8:00
- Break: 9:30 - 9:45
- Dismissal: 11:30
Click here to register. For more information, please contact Erin Abernathy, Program Director at 615-653-6458.
ACT Prep with Shmoop
Thanks to Rutherford County Schools, you now have access to Shmoop's premium resources. HERE'S HOW TO GET STARTED:
- Go to http://schools.shmoop.com/login/rutherford-county/
- Log in OR Create New Student Account
- Enter Magic Word: NAVIGATE (all caps)
- Choose either ACT Exam Prep (under the Test Prep section) or ACT Crash Course (under the Courses section)
Need help? Contact Holly Hunter hunterh@rcschools.net.
Parent Resources for TNReady
Attendance Matters!
Congratulations!!!
College Acceptances
Congratulations to the following seniors on their college acceptance!
Haley Kyle - Carson Newman
Jeremy Puhr - Tennessee Tech
Kayla Reed - Freed-Hardeman, Harding, and University of Alabama
Megan Uhls - Lee Univeristy
Daylia Wallace - UTC
Congratulations to Kayla Reed on receiving the Better Business Bureau Student of Integrity Scholarship!
Congratulations Cody Ramangkoun
Congratulations to our BCA AP Scholars!
There are 3 levels students can reach, which include AP Scholars, AP Scholars with Honor, and AP Scholars with Distinction.
- AP Scholars are students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams.
- AP Scholars with Honor are students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.
- AP Scholars with Distinction are students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.
Congratulations to these students:
Zachary Adams, Nathaniel Bryan, Tomy Chet, Evan Damon, Paula Gonzalez Velazquez, Megan Grimes, William Harvie, Paige Holloway, Haley Kyle, Rhyan Lake, Dominic Perratta, Kayla Reed, Reece Rich, Hunter Solomon, Cierra Williams, and Lanier Youngman
Congratulations to our BCA Seniors on ACT Distinction!
There are 3 levels students can reach, which include Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Cum Laude.
- Summa Cum Laude: ACT Score of 30-36
- Magna Cum Laude: ACT Score of 28-29
- Cum Laude: ACT Score of 25-27
Congratulations to these students:
Zachary Adams, Cameron Almonrode, Ashley Anderson, Evann Bailey, Kayla Berry, Nathaniel Bryan, Jasmyn Bunch, Levi Burton, Hannah Candlish, Michele Carden, Tomy Chet, Evan Damon, Andrew Dodge, Marion Farrar, Evan Foulks, Chelse Freeman, Brithany Gavidia, Paula Gonzalez, Mary Goodnight, Marisa Graham, Megan Grimes, Luke Hamby, Katie Hart, William Harvie, Alexander Herrington, Victoria Hinds, Paige Holloway, Haley Kyle, Rhyan Lake, Autumn Martin, Nicole Mcabee, Ethan Morrow, Emily Nash, Layne Nash, Maya Paliaro, Denice Paredes, Dominic Perratta, Jeremy Puhr, Cody Ramangkoun, Kayla Reed, Reece Rich, Clayton Sewell, Hunter Solomon, Taylin Spurlock, Al Thebphakone, Edward Thomason, Colton Tincher, Tyler Trent, Samantha Udell, Daylia Wallace, Cierra Williams, and Lanier Youngman
Senior News
FAFSA: Now Available!!
The FAFSA opened on Oct.1st so all seniors should currently be working on their FAFSA by visiting fafsa.gov. The revised FAFSA timeline, as well as new rules allowing filers to use prior tax information, have provided an opportunity for a strong, collaborative push across Tennessee to empower as many students as possible to access funds they need to attend postsecondary institutions. The FAFSA qualifies students for the HOPE Scholarship if they have a 3.0 GPA or 21 ACT score. Visit this link to learn more about the FAFSA changes: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/about/announcements/fafsa-changes.
Tennessee Promise
The state of Tennessee is offering two years of tuition-free community or technical college through the TN Promise. The deadline for students to apply is by November 1, 2016. Apply at tnpromise.gov. The first mandatory meeting was held on Oct. 12th during Prime Time.
Civics Test Requirement
On January 1, 2017, Tennessee House Bill 10 with amendment 1 will go into effect. “House Bill 10 with amendment 1 requires a student, during the student's high school career, to take a United States civics test prepared by the Local Educational Association consisting of between 25 and 50 questions, taken from the civics test administered by the United States citizenship and immigration services. In contrast to the original bill, this amendment does not make passage of the test a requirement for graduation.
A student may take the test as many times as necessary to pass the test. A student who has an individualized education program under which the civics test is determined to be an inappropriate requirement for the student does not have to take the test. In order to pass the test, a student must answer 70 percent of the questions correctly, instead of 60 percent in the bill. If all students in a senior class required to take the test and receiving a regular diploma pass the test, the school will be recognized on the department of education's web site as a "United States civics all-star school" for that school year.”
Rutherford County Schools have created a Civics test consisting of 30 questions, 25 multiple choice questions and 5 fill-in-the-blank questions, to meet the requirements of House Bill 10. This test was created by a group of 12 educators representing each of the high schools within the Rutherford County School district.
Each individual high school within the Rutherford County School district will determine the testing date for all graduating seniors in order to meet the new graduation requirements for Tennessee.
Information regarding the new graduation requirements along with answers to frequently asked questions has been added to both the student and parent page of the RCS website.
If you have any questions or concerns the graduation requirements or the test, please contact Lana Bellar at bellarl@rcschools.net or Dr. Andrea Anthony at Anthonya@rcschools.net.
Scholarships
Tell Us About Your Acceptances and Scholarship Offers!
A Message from MTSU Regarding Scholarship Deadlines
SCHOLARSHIPS:
Chancellor: 30 ACT (1320 SAT), 3.5 GPA, $5,000 a year
Presidential: 28 ACT or (1240 SAT), 3.5 GPA, $4,000 a year
True Blue: 26 ACT (1170 SAT), 3.5 GPA, $3,000 a year
Provost: 25 ACT (1130 SAT), 3.5 GPA, $2,000 a year
Middle Tennessee State University awards an array of guaranteed academic merit scholarship opportunities to first-time, incoming freshmen based on ACT scores and GPA. To be considered for a Freshman Guaranteed Scholarships, students must be a first-time incoming freshman who plans to enroll at MTSU in the Summer or Fall semester. And, we can’t stress this enough: You must have ALL of the following on file with the Admissions Office by Dec. 1 to be considered for a scholarship:
- Admission application to MTSU
- Application fee paid
- Qualifying official ACT and/or SAT test score (without the writing subscore / only ACT/SAT scores through the December test date are considered)
- Qualifying official sixth-semester high school transcript with cumulative GPA requirement
- Must be U.S. Citizen or permanent resident
- No separate scholarship application is required for guaranteed academic scholarships. Student will receive notification of the scholarship award offer by February.
If you apply and submit materials Dec. 1 and meet the appropriate academic criteria of one of our awards (see above chart), you will get a scholarship. If you don’t, you likely will not get one of these scholarships – no matter how great your credentials might be.
“It’s heartbreaking for us when we have terrific students with amazing credentials, who can’t get a scholarship at MTSU because they didn’t file by the Dec. 1 deadline,” said Andrew Oppmann, MTSU’s vice president for marketing and communications. “Whether MTSU is your destination university, or we are one of many options you are considering, we urge all qualified applicants to apply by Dec. 1,” Oppmann said. “Simply put, it’s money on the table and keeps your options open.” Oppmann said students who qualify must accept the scholarship by May 1.
The fine print:
- GPA and test scores on file with the Admissions Office at the time of the scholarship review will be used for awarding purposes. Typically, the 6th-semester cumulative GPA and ACT/SAT scores (without writing sub-scores) through the December test date will be used for scholarship considerations. Students taking a December test should include MTSU as a score recipient to ensure that scores arrive in time for scholarship consideration.
- We are happy to accept a weighted GPA if one is provided by the high school, but are unable to calculate a GPA other than what is provided on the official transcript. We will consider your highest test score (without writing sub-scores) on a single national or state test date.
- Unless noted, scholarships are granted for a maximum of 8 semesters. Scholarships are not available during the summer term.
- Recipients must meet GPA, enrollment, service (where applicable), and Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements to maintain continuing eligibility. In general, students receiving most MTSU Academic Merit Scholarships must earn a 3.0 cumulative MTSU GPA as measured at the end of each fall/spring semester.
- In the event that MTSU offers multiple scholarships to a student, only one scholarship from the MTSU Financial Aid & Scholarship Office (including the Buchanan Fellowship) can be accepted. A student may receive a university scholarship in addition to a Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship.
- A student's total aid including scholarships cannot exceed his or her budgeted Cost of Attendance. For more information, email our MT One Stop at MTOneStop@mtsu.edu.
BCA Contacts
Principal - Dr. Leisa Justus, justusl@rcschools.net, ext. 22901
Assistant Principal - Ken Reed, reedk@rcschools.net, ext. 22973
School Counselor - Christine Bryan, bryanc@rcschools.net. ext. 22906
Academics - Amber DeGeorge, degeorgea@rcschools.net, ext. 22909
Communications - Sara Lynn Clawson, clawsons@rcschools.net, ext. 22908
Grants - Andrea Holder, holdera@rcschools.net, ext. 22960
Extracurricular - Tim Pedigo, pedigot@rcschools.net, ext. 22720
Events - Hollye Dabney, dabneyh@rcschools.net, ext. 22738
Life Experience - Geneva Cook, cookg@rcschools.net, ext. 22942
Speaker Series - Brian Seadorf, seadorfb@rcschools.net, ext. 23036
Research - Rebecca Jones, jonesre@rcschools.net, ext. 22993