THE FORECAST News 1.21.25

Jan 21, 2025

Dear Bellflower Unified Community,

The 8-period block schedule was introduced at Bellflower and Mayfair Middle/High School to provide all students with greater opportunities to thrive academically within the existing school
day. By creating flexibility in students’ schedules, it was designed to close opportunity gaps, prepare students for college and careers, and offer additional academic support through embedded interventions and enrichment.

We are committed to advancing the BUSD mission and vision to ensure every student graduates fully prepared for college and career success through the 8-period block schedule. To ensure that the 8-period block schedule meets the academic needs of all students, we are making an important adjustment to the required number of courses students will need to take moving forward.

The goal of this adjustment is to increase student achievement and improve student outcomes
in the following areas:

Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, the following changes will be implemented:

It’s important to note that the school day will not change, and it will continue to start at 8:30 am
and end at 3:36 pm. Middle school students will have a consistent dismissal daily, and students
in high school not taking 8 classes, will continue to have rotating dismissal times.

We are committed to maintaining the integrity of the 8-period block schedule while ensuring that
it serves its intended purpose effectively for all students. Additional details about this adjustment
and how it will be implemented will be shared in the coming weeks by counselors during course
registration.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership and dedication to supporting student success. Unified in purpose, we look forward to collaborating with you to meet and exceed our student outcomes.

Estimada comunidad unificada de Bellflower,

El horario de bloques de 8 períodos se introdujo en las secundarias/preparatorias Bellflower y

Mayfair para proporcionar a todos los estudiantes mayores oportunidades de prosperar

académicamente dentro del día escolar existente. Al crear flexibilidad en los horarios de los

estudiantes, fue diseñado para cerrar las brechas de oportunidades, preparar a los estudiantes

para la universidad y las carreras, y ofrecer apoyo académico adicional a través de

intervenciones integradas y enriquecimiento.

Estamos comprometidos a promover la misión y la visión de BUSD para garantizar que todos

los estudiantes se gradúen completamente preparados para el éxito universitario y profesional

a través del horario de bloques de 8 períodos. Para garantizar que el horario de bloques de 8

períodos satisface las necesidades académicas de todos los estudiantes, estamos haciendo

un ajuste importante en la cantidad requerida de cursos que los estudiantes deberán tomar en

el futuro.

El objetivo de este ajuste es aumentar el rendimiento estudiantil y mejorar los resultados de los

estudiantes en las siguientes áreas:

● Rendimiento académico en matemáticas, artes del lenguaje inglés y ciencias

● Tasa de graduación

● Tasa de finalización de requisitos A-G (requisitos mínimos de ingreso a la universidad)

● Tasa de finalización del itinerario CTE

● Indicadores de preparación universitaria y profesional

A partir del año escolar 2025-26, se implementarán los siguientes cambios:

● Estudiantes de 7º y 8º Grado: Se requiere tomar 8 clases.

● Estudiantes de 9º a 11.º grado: Se requiere tomar 7 clases.

● Estudiantes de 12º grado: Se requiere tomar 6 clases. Pueden optar por tomar 5

clases si están en camino de graduarse y cumplen con los requisitos A-G.

Es importante tener en cuenta que la jornada escolar no cambiará y continuará comenzando a

las 8:30 am y terminando a las 3:36 pm. Los estudiantes de secundaria tendrán una salida

constante todos los días, y los estudiantes de preparatoria que no tomen 8 clases seguirán

teniendo horarios de salida rotativos.

Estamos comprometidos a mantener la integridad del horario de bloques de 8 períodos y al

mismo tiempo garantizar que cumpla su propósito de manera efectiva para todos los

estudiantes. En las próximas semanas, los consejeros compartirán detalles adicionales sobre

este ajuste y cómo se implementará durante la inscripción al curso.

Gracias por su continua colaboración y dedicación para apoyar el éxito de los estudiantes. Con

un propósito unificado, esperamos colaborar con usted para alcanzar y superar los resultados

de nuestros estudiantes.

Warm regards,

Mayfair Administration

Be Water!

Also, please note that the newsletter may be quite long. You might need to click on the "view entire message" button at the bottom of the email to view the entire newsletter.

Listed below are just a few reminders:

1. Mayfair Middle/High School does not permit any drop-offs or deliveries of food or other items. Please ensure that your student is prepared for the day when coming to school in the morning with their lunch, supplies, money, etc.
2. Dress Code. For the 2024-2025 school year, we are trying to prepare our students for college and career ready with a dress code. Students will not be allowed to wear any inappropriate clothing which includes the following: No sheer, low cut, revealing blouses, bare midriff, or braless outfits, bathing suits, beach attire, tight or revealing, or strapless garments. Please be sure that your student follows the dress code and wears appropriate clothing and accessories. Also, students may not bring blankets to campus. Click here to access Mayfair's Dress Code Policy.
3. No returning back to campus. If a student has an early release (7th or 8th period), once the student leaves campus, they may not return to campus during school hours. Parents - please ensure that your students are going home early if they have the early release.

On January 7th, 10th grade Mayfair High School student, Ayanna Greenidge, took a freedom ride to and from Sacramento to lobby for reparations. At 11:00PM January 6h, Ayanna boarded a charter bus with her mother and fifty other Southern California social justice activists and took the six hour ride to our state Capitol. Once there 150 members of CJEC (Coalition for a Just and Equitable California) and various other social justice groups met on the steps of the Capitol Building for a press conference. After the press conference, Ayanna and her team spent the entire day going lobby to lobby requesting drop - in meetings with California Legislators. During each visit, Ayanna directly addressed Legislators or their chief deputies/staffers. She shared what reparations for the descendants of formerly enslaved peoples living in California mean to her on a personal level. Ayanna was the youngest presenter on the trip and her articulateness, passion for the cause, and maturity was repeatedly acknowledged.

Ayanna is currently the Vice President of Mayfair High's YBS [Young Black Scholars] club.

Ayanna Greenidge continues her advocacy for social justice by participating in the City of Cerritos Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Ceremony on Monday, January 20, 2025. She delivered a powerful solo recital of the poem “Ode to the Black Names” by Ephriam Nehemiah, captivating a packed audience at the Cerritos Performing Arts Center. Later, she returned to the stage to perform with the Delta Academy and Delta GEMS dancers in a dynamic routine to Beyoncé's “My Power.” Through her activism and participation, Ayanna embodies the 2025 MLK, Jr. Day theme: “Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence365.”

You are invited to Mayfair's Military Information Night! This information night is open to Mayfair Families who would like more information about military opportunities. Join us on Tuesday at 5pm for presentations by the military branches followed by individual information tables. Contact the college and career center for more information.

If you are a parent of an English Learner, we invite you to attend our ELAC Meetings. The next one is scheduled for January 23, 2025 at 9 am in the Writing Center Room 804. Refreshments are provided. Come learn more about the support English Learners are getting at Mayfair and give your feedback. For any questions, please contact Ms. McDaniel at kmcdaniel@busd.k12.ca.us

Attention Future Monsoons and Families! Mayfair Middle and High School invites you to join us for a campus tour and experience what makes our school community exceptional. Discover our facilities and learn about our programs. Tours will take place on January 24th, January 31st, and February 7th, starting at 9:00 AM in front of the school. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore your future at Mayfair! Scan the QR code to sign up today. We can’t wait to welcome you!

Each newsletter, we will be showcasing one of our school administrators. This week, we would like to showcase Ms. Julie McIntosh, who serves as one of our high school counselors.

Currently serving her 17th year as a High School Counselor and 9th year at Mayfair High School, Julie McIntosh brings extensive experience in academic, college, career and social-emotional counseling as well as a passion for helping students reach their goals. Julie holds a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology with her PPS School Counseling Credential from USC and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from UCLA where she played Softball and Soccer. Julie is a two-time National Champion in NCAA Softball and a two time CIF Softball Champion at nearby Cerritos High School. Julie enjoys building rapport with her students, supporting and empowering them and celebrating their successes.

Julie was a High School Counselor at University High School in Irvine for eight years prior to starting at Mayfair, while also serving as the Varsity Softball Coach all eight of those years and Varsity Soccer Coach for four years. Julie continues her adventures in sports with her two sons who play Baseball, Soccer, Basketball and Flag Football and is looking forward to her 18 month old daughter starting her journey into sports or dance or whatever she loves!

Mean Girls the Musical runs Jan 22 thru Feb 1st.

• Shows are at 7pm every night except the 26th.
• Doors open at 6:30.
• Matinee performances are at 2:00pm on Jan 25th and Feb 1st.
• Ticket prices are $12 presale and 15 at the door.
• VIP tables: $100 for 4 or $120 for 5

Sign-up for Middle School Dodgeball starting on Jan 22nd. $5 per person. 5 people teams. Champions play the teachers. Sign-up for March Madness sign-ups begin Feb 18th. $5 per person. 5 people teams.

To participate, you cannot be on the NO-GO list.

8th grade yearbook ads are for sale in the accounting office window

Parents…

ParentSquare: Did you know you can submit an Attendance Note?
It's as easy as 1…2…3! When you receive a notification from your child’s school that your child was absent, simply reply to the email or text with your response.

Helpful ParentSquare articles for parents can be found on our BUSD website under the resources section. https://www.busd.k12.ca.us/resources/parentsquare

Celebrate your senior’s achievements with a personalized ad in the 2025 Mayfair yearbook. Ads, featuring photos and messages, can be purchased online at Jostens or at the school’s accounting office with Ms. Jessika Honeycutt. Prices are discounted until December 15th: $280 for a full-page, $180 for a half-page, and $105 for a quarter-page. Afterward, prices increase, with the final deadline for submissions on February 2, 2025. Yearbooks must be purchased separately.

For in-person submissions, include payment, photos, and a message with the student’s full name. Digital ads should be in JPG, TIFF, or PSD format. Ensure all photos follow the school dress code, avoiding inappropriate themes or gestures. Space is limited, so act quickly! Contact Mr. Garner Eastham in Room 206 or email geastham@busd.k12.ca.us for assistance or inquiries.

California students in kindergarten through 12th grade can submit artwork or poetry about California's coast and ocean by January 31, 2025.

Ten winners will be selected, and each will receive a $100 gift certificate to Blick Art Materials or a bookstore, plus four tickets to Aquarium of the Pacific. Each winner’s teacher will receive a $50 gift certificate from Acorn Naturalists. Winning art and poetry will be part of a traveling exhibit through the end of 2025. For more information click here. View and print promotional fliers in English or Spanish.

Attention all 8th-grade students at Mayfair Middle School! Get ready to capture a special milestone as we prepare for 8th Grade Promotion Picture Day on March 12-13, 2025. Photos will be taken during your English class, so don’t forget to dress to impress and bring your best smile! These pictures will commemorate your journey and achievements as you prepare to move on to high school. We can’t wait to see you shine! At this time, no make-ups will be completed at Mayfair Middle School after these dates have passed.

Join the Mayfair Middle School and Mayfair High School Counselors each month for a relaxed and informal Coffee Hour, where you can connect, share thoughts, ask questions, and gain valuable insights into your student’s educational journey. Each meeting will feature a presentation on a key topic relevant to your student’s experience, followed by time for discussion. The meetings will be held on January 31, February 28, March 28, and May 2, in Room 120 from 9:00 – 10:00 am for High School, and from 10:30-11:30am for Middle School. We look forward to connecting with you! #SOONS247

Click below to download a PDF version of the Mayfair 2024-2025 Calendar and Bell Schedules.

Mayfair Middle/High School students will utilize the app called Minga as a digital ID card. The app enables staff to create hall passes, reward students for doing well and helping others, and the digital ID card will help students have an easier time entering or leaving campus. The digital ID has a "live" interface, with a running digital clock and a moving background, thus preventing students from using a screenshot [Screenshots of ID are not permitted]. Students will utilize their school email (via Google) to log in. The app is safe to use, uses very little data, and doesn't require access to any of the information stored on your phone. If your child does not have a smartphone, don't worry - they will receive a printed ID card as well. Click here to access a quick document that shows you how to log into your school's Minga account.

Are you looking for help with your writing? The Writing Center is here for you! Whether you need assistance with rewriting, getting started on a piece, or simply want to improve your writing skills, our academic tutors are ready to assist. Come to Room 804 during 2nd and 7th periods and let us help you reach your writing goals. Don't hesitate—come get help today!

The Think Together Program is available at Mayfair is available to students of grades 7 and 8.

Use the blue button below to access information about Aeries Parent Portal, Paper Tutoring, and Meal & Nutrition Information

Parent Teacher Association:

• Promotes strong school to community collaboration and engagement

• Recognizes community and student achievements and service

• Serves to advocate for all children and families

• Dedicated to educational success, health and wellbeing

Parents! We want you to get involved! Our PTA (Parent Teacher Association) has done an outstanding job on helping our students and staff in the past, and we want that positive relationship to grow! Thank you in advance for joining our Mayfair Middle/High School PTA! Click here to visit the Mayfair PTA Facebook Page.

This program helps our PTA raise funds for the school by logging shopping and dining receipts from participating malls. We can win up to $10,000 for our school!

https://shopandlog.wufoo.com/forms/schoolcents

Did you know that free online tutoring is being provided by the BUSD district? Students can log in to Paper using their school district's Clever accounts (which uses the student's school email/password), or they can download the Paper app!

PAPER Online Tutoring is available for all students in 4th-12th grade through their Clever account. Students may ask tutors questions through the chat feature using the PAPER APP to get help with homework, feedback on their writing, support with studying for assessments, and even help with college/scholarship essays! The APP can be found in the Google Play and Apple APP store.

Click here to register for a free parent webinar (provided in English and Spanish). If your child needs more information about how to use PAPER, they can watch the following videos for more information:

Click here to watch the video titled "How Do Students Access 24/7 Live Help on PAPER?"

Click here to watch the video titled "How Do Students Use PAPER's Essay Review?"

We build futures for our students by providing a pathway for all students to become responsible, informed, productive citizens who can compete in a diverse world.

The Bellflower unified School District produces graduates who are globally competitive learners. Through equitable access to high quality academic, social, and applied learning, students are ready to excel in college, careers, and life.

Instagram/Twitter(x)/Facebook: @Mayfair_BUSD

Website: https://mayfairmonsoons.org

Location: 6000 Lakewood Ave., Lakewood, CA 90713

Phone: 562-925-9981