Panther Update
Panther Families
This time of year includes a lot of firsts and lasts. It is the first second week of second semester in high school for our freshman and it is the last second week of second semester for our seniors. Our freshmen are really settling into high school, our sophomores and juniors are often taking on leadership roles as upperclassmen, and seniors are looking at the reality of their last semester in high school. It is an exciting time. Our Winter Sports are entering post season play and have been doing amazing. The BLHS Wrestling team advanced 15 wrestlers to Regionals this coming Saturday, Women’s Basketball plays their first postseason game on Friday and a win puts them into the State Playoffs, Women’s Gymnastics competes at Subdistricts this Saturday as well, and the returning State Champion Dance Team computed this weekend and brought back a 1st in Kick. Our National Honors Society students are volunteering regularly at “The Market” (Formally the Bonney Lake Food Bank). So many of our students are doing great things.
Because our kiddos are so busy it is important that we help to support them. Please continue to work with your students to help them avoid the second semester slump. For some students, the period of time following the end of the first semester results in them falling behind. This time is often referred to as the “second semester slump.” There are a number of things parents can do to help students to stay on track; check Skyward and Google Classrooms regularly, reach out to your student’s teachers as much as is needed, provide structure such as a place and time to do homework at home, and leverage the many supports like clubs advisors and coaches. They want to help. Every resource in this building is designed to help your students be successful.
As always please remember, if you “See Something, Say Something.” This mindset has already helped to keep our school safe and has helped to get support to students in need. To report, anonymously or otherwise, you can use the district’s Report It link. Another way to report concerns is through the BLHS’s Incident Report link found in every teacher’s Google Classroom. Also, you can always call the school if you have any questions.
Now's the time for Financial Aid / FAFSA - Beware of financial aid myths! (Washington Student Achievement Council)
- Do you think you can’t afford college or training? Financial aid helps many students pay for education beyond high school, and more families in Washington are now eligible. You might qualify now even if you didn’t before!
Myth #1: Financial aid only pays for four-year universities, not career or technical schools.
The facts:
Financial aid can be used for many types of full-time or part-time education or training, including career and technical schools, community colleges, some apprenticeships, and yes, universities too. There are options that get you into a career sooner or right away!
Myth #2: My parents make too much money, so I won’t qualify for financial aid.
The facts:
Applying for financial aid is the only way to know for sure whether you qualify. For example, with the Washington College Grant, an eligible student from a family of four making up to around $107,000 per year can receive money for college or training.
Myth #3: I can’t apply for financial aid because I don’t know what I’m going to do after high school.
The facts:
You can complete a FAFSA or WASFA financial aid application before applying for college or training. You can make your final choice about whether and where to go later, and you’ll know more about what you can afford.
- Applications are now available for fall 2023! Learn more and apply for financial aid on the Washington Student Achievement Council website.
Mr. Bonney Lake (Super Fun Event)
Hey Panthers!! Are you a Senior and interested in being crowned the annual Mr. Bonney Lake? This is for ALL seniors so sign up! Use the link at the bottom of this email!
We look forward to seeing all of our amazing contestants!
Key Club's Valentine's Day Fundraiser
KEY Club is running their Valentines Fundraiser starting today until February 14th. The options for what they are selling are posted below (bears are assorted colors). You can buy it for yourself or have it sent to someone else in the building. They will be delivered during 4th period on the 14th. You can purchase one of the bags during all three lunches in the commons purchase online. All proceeds go to the National Women's Coalition Against Violence and Exploitation (NWCAVE). There is also an option to donate to the cause without purchasing any bag if you access the online platform.
Pantherettes Take 1st Place!
Congratulations BLHS Drill for a First palace Win with their Kick Routine, Go Pantherettes!
BLHS Info Night - February 23rd
Save the Date!
BLHS is hosting a parent night for students in grades 9-11 on 2/23/23 starting at 6:00. We will have break out sessions regarding running start, Pierce County Skills Center, college admissions, graduation requirements, 4-year planning, and Advanced Placement.
Date / Time / Event / Location
See Clubs and Activities Meeting Schedules - In the process of being updated.
See Sports Schedules
Spring Sports Registration Starts January 30th Go to: https://sumner-wa.finalforms.com/
Softball, Baseball, Women’s Tennis, Men’s Soccer, Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse, Men’s and Women’s Track and Field.
Athletes can begin their final clearance tickets on February 13th.
January 30th / All Day / No School - Grading Day
January 30th / C 3:45pm, JV 5:30pm, Var 7:00pm / M Basketball @ Auburn Mt. View HS / AMHS Gym
February 10th / Women’s Basketball vs Auburn Mountainview / AMV Gym
February 11th / Var Wrestling TBA / Wrestling Regionals / TBA
TBA / Swim and Basketball Post Season Dates, Times, and Locations
February 13th / During School / Culinary Arts Cooking Chef Judges
February 16th / 7:00pm / Mr. Bonney Lake / BLHS PAC
February 17th-18th / Var TBA / The Mat Classic Wa State Wrestling Tournament / Tacoma Dome
February 23rd / 7:00pm / Every School’s Choir All Grade Levels / All District Choir Festival / BLHS Gym
February 27th / Spring Sports Begin / Softball, Baseball, Women’s Tennis, Men’s Soccer, Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse, Men’s and Women’s Track and Field
April 21, 22, 23 / Into the Woods Musical / BLHS PAC
Consistent Information and Links
Inclement Weather Information
With the weather changing, I want to share the link for the Inclement Weather information from the district.
Senior Information
Senior Class Meeting Information
Go to the Bonney Lake High School Hub.
Order your Cap & Gown, Custom Announcements, Class Rings, Senior Memorabilia, School Apparel.
Monday June, 12th - 4:00pm @ the Tacoma Dome
June 12th will be an early release day.
Secondary: 12:20
For those of us with kiddos in elementary
CWE, DVE, LRE, MLE, VFE: 1:10
SELC: 1:20
BLE, DEE, EHE, THE 1:45
More information to come. Stay Tuned!
Safety First
Lockdowns and Reasons for them.
Lockdowns involve the school doing exactly that, locking down or securing the building.
There are a number of reasons why our school might go into lockdown, only one of them is an active shooter situation.
In a real lockdown, our primary objective is safety. It may not be possible to coordinate getting students for pick-up due to the reason for the lock down.
The school and district will share information as soon as we are able to.The primary goal is to keep our students and staff members safe. I want each of you to know that the drill is coming and it is a good opportunity to talk with your students.
- Our Parking Lots
- Be prepared for long lines for pick-up and drop off. Traffic can be tough so please plan ahead in your transportation plans.
- Please avoid parking in parking stalls when dropping your student off in the morning. Often the parking stalls are assigned to students. When someone is in their parking space they often get confused and park in another student’s space. It quickly becomes an issue. Thank you for understanding.
- It’s Getting Dark
- As the days go by, the sun is rising later and setting earlier. This means students are walking to school when there is less visibility.
- Please drive carefully, keep your eyes out for students walking to school, remind your students to use crosswalks and to be vigilant.
Thank you all for helping to keep our Panthers safe!
Counseling Services
Find links to the many services that our amazing Counselors provide.
Please keep your eyes open and take care of eachother. Below are some resources that may be helpful during this season.
Youth Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK OR 1-800-273-8255
GLBTQ hotline -1-866-4TREVOR OR 1-866-488- 7386
24 hour Crisis Line -1-866-4CRISIS OR 1-866-427-4747
BLHS Counseling Page and Resources
Get Information and Stay Connected
Bonney Lake High School Web Page : Daily Announcements, Clubs & Activities, Sports, Parking, Upcoming events, etc.
All of our previous Panther Updates are also available online
Please see the Connect with Us Page for links to the BLHS Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, and Remind 101 Links.
Remind Codes
Class of 2023:
Text @blhs2023 to 81010
Class of 2024:
Text @blhs2024 to 81010
Class or 2025:
Text @blhs2025 to 81010
Class of 2026:
Text @blhs2026 to 81010
Teachers will have other information about their Google Classroom Information.
Get your Family Access Skyward Information to check grades, make payments, see student specific information, etc.
Get Students Connected
See clubs, their meeting times, and advisors.
If you and your family are up for it, let’s try to fill the stands with staff members this year.
School / Parent Communication:
Roughly 95% of our communication home is electronic.
Please make sure your email address is correct in our system (Skyward) so you receive the communications we send out!
If you need to update your contact information, please contact the BLHS Main Office at 253-891-5700 to be connected to someone who can help you.
Letters we send out will also be available on the BLHS home page.
I plan to continue sending out regular “Panther Update” emails to families. These emails will contain upcoming events and important information.
Attendance
Student attendance is a major factor in student learning and success in school.
Students who miss 10% (or more) of school are at high risk of failing courses and research shows they have a significantly decreased chance of graduating.
Please help your students by getting them to school every day!
If your student is going to miss school please contact our attendance office at 253-891-5860 within 48 hours of the absence. Late Arrivals must be cleared the same day.
Attending a medical appointment (Dr., Dentist, Orthodontist, Ect.) during school hours? Ask them to provide you with a note and your student can turn that in to clear their attendance and to check back in school
Transportation
Please see the following link for SBLSD Bus Transportation Information
Find your school and bus stop: Use this tool to find your specific bus route information.
Please have your child at the bus stop 5 minutes before the scheduled bus arrival time.
Waivers: While a condition of waivers is that District transportation is not provided, we have made exceptions in the past if a bus is not full. This year, however, our buses will be full and we are unable to accommodate students on waivers. Families will need to provide their own transportation to and from school.
Bus passes: We are unable to allow students to ride a different bus when wanting to, for example, go home with a friend or be dropped off at a grandparent's house.
If you need assistance with the online bus stop search tool or have other transportation-related questions, please call the Transportation Department at (253) 891-6400.
Child Nutrition
Lunch / Food Service
Please see the Child Nutrition Link to see; the price of meals, the monthly menus, add money to your student’s account, and to sign-up for free and reduced lunches if needed.
Friday Backpack Program
In partnership with The Market, bags of food will be supplied to students who would like to take one home over the weekend.
Each bag contains: Two breakfast items, Two lunch items, Two dinner items (Non-perishable), drinks and snacks.
Please reach out to Ms. Rienzo to take advantage of this opportunity - andrea_rienzo@sumnersd.org OR 253-891-5731
I hope you have found this information helpful.
With Excitement and Hope,
Anthony Clarke
Principal - Bonney Lake High School
253-891-5727