The Weekly Update #4
September 9th, 2026
Dear Birmingham Families,
We blinked and found ourselves a third of the way through semester one. Fortunately, the extreme heat has calmed as we approach Back to School Night and other early fall activities. This is a good time to check in with your student, review their grades on Aeries, and make sure they have a strong routine before and after school for both personal responsibilities at home and schoolwork.
Building a Strong Morning Routine:
A good morning routine helps students wake up the body, fuel the brain, and eliminate morning rush anxiety. If your student doesn’t already have one, please find a sample schedule you can adapt to below.
Grade Level Contracts
We will soon be rolling out Grade Level Contracts, modeled on our senior contract. While the senior contract is the most restrictive and carries the highest consequences, we want to begin acclimating students to these accountability systems starting in grade 9, so they’re better prepared by senior year. Elements of the Contracts can be found below.
Tardy Policy
Every grade level requires students not to be late to class. - 6 tardies in a semester → student must serve detention - 20 tardies in a semester → student is placed on the NO GO list (barred from dances and football games for the rest of the semester)
Attendance Requirements
Each grade level has a progressive attendance threshold that triggers the NO GO list:
Grade 9: 15 or more (Absences that trigger NO GO)
Grade 10: 12 or more (Absences that trigger NO GO)
Grade 11: 11 or more (Absences that trigger NO GO)
Academic Benchmarks (On Track for Graduation & University Eligibility)
Grade 9:
Requirements: Pass English, Math, and Science with a C or higher; earn 60 credits
Grade 10:
Requirements: Complete Grade 9 benchmarks; pass English, Math, Science, and History with a C or higher; earn 120 credits
Grade 11:
Requirements: Complete Grade 9 and 10 benchmarks; pass English, Math, History, and World Language with a C or higher; earn 180 credits
There are additional graduation requirements beyond these benchmarks, but if students stay on top of these core milestones, our counselors will ensure they meet every requirement for graduation, university eligibility, and NCAA eligibility.
Additional Contract Expectations:
- BCCHS ID: Students must always carry their BCCHS ID for both on- and off-campus events. Students may not be admitted to school events without one.
- The Birmingham Way: Violating “The Birmingham Way” (demonstrate positive behavior, be responsible, be on time) — on or off campus — will jeopardize participation in school events.
- Dress Code: Repeated dress code violations during school hours or at school events will result in disciplinary action and/or loss of, or removal from, BCCHS events.
Incentives:
REACH Cards — Students earn cards for acts of Respect, Empathy, Accountability, (positive) Choice, and Honesty. 25 cards can be redeemed for one item (up to $40 value) at the Student Store.
Attendance Incentives — Students earn monthly points based on attendance: - Perfect attendance: 14–22 points - 96%+ attendance: a smaller point amount - Points accumulate over the year and can be redeemed at the Student Store - Students with 96%+ attendance on the 50th, 100th, and 150th school days earn rewards such as an Agua Fresca, a Krispy Kreme donut, or a Raising Cane’s lunch
Upstander of the Month — Students who go above and beyond to help a peer or stand up against bullying can be nominated as an Upstander. They’re recognized with a photo and nomination statement posted outside the main office, and all Upstanders receive a certificate at the final PTSA meeting in May.
Academic Honors & Attendance Excellence — Recognized each grading period: - Silver Honors: 3.0–3.59 GPA - Gold Honors: 3.60–3.99 GPA - Platinum Honors: 4.00+ GPA - Additional certificates are awarded for most-improved GPA, perfect attendance, and 96%+ attendance
A Final Note
We embrace the growth and development of every student. We don’t expect a 9th grader to arrive with the maturity and mindset of a college-ready senior. Our goal is to support their progressive development over four years, so they leave Birmingham fully college and career ready.
We hope all Birmingham parents and guardians will partner with us on this four-year journey.
Principal Bennett
We had our first Class of 2027 Student Senate meeting on Monday, August 24th during lunch. We have a lot to plan, discuss, design and simply enjoy all that it entails this final high school year! ALL Seniors are welcome to join! We are currently working on our first Senior event, SENIOR SunRISE, which will take place on Friday, September 18th from 6:00 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. On the day of the event, students may come in their pajamas to enjoy breakfast with a mobile beverage cart , selfie photo booth, slim making, button/keychain/bracelet making, jumbo outdoor games, all while listening to their favorite music on our Prizant Football Field. Please note that students must arrive by 7:30 am to enjoy the festivities.
The first student progress report this school year will be submitted on Wednesday, September 16th. Our Back to School Night will be from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 17th with a minimum day dismissal on Friday, September 18th.
Schedule of Back-to-School Night Activities:
5:00-7:00 p.m.- Food sale, Families Pick Up Schedules & Visit Community Partners
5:30-6:00 p.m. - Student Performances and Information Tables on the Quad
5:55-6:00 p.m.- Welcome Announcements
6:00-8:00 p.m. - Classroom Visits
Lastly and most importantly, ANY Senior who has not already scheduled their Senior Portraits with White Studios must do so ASAP to prevent from being left out of the yearbook! Below is the link to set up an appointment at either the North Hollywood or Northridge locations. Pictures were supposed to be done on or prior to October 1st.
White Studios Appointment Link: https://www.whites-studios.com/book-your-appointment/
Something to look forward to in the next month is Homecoming! Homecoming Spirit Week is set for October 12th - 16th. Our Homecoming game will be Friday, October 16th and the Homecoming dance will be Saturday, October 17th.
More to come next month...Have a wonderful September month!
The 12th Grade Team
Mr. Elmore - 12th Grade Administrative Director
Mrs. Franco - 12th Grade Coordinator
Mr. Halic - 12th Grade Dean
Mrs. Gazarian - Counselor (A-F)
Ms. Galvez - Counselor (G-N)
Ms. Rocha - Counselor (O-Z)
Ms. Montoya - Psychiatric Social Worker
Ms. Sedani - 12th Grade Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Constanza - 12th Grade Clerk
Class of 2028 Families,
We will distribute Progress Report 1 to students on September 16th. Please ask your student for
their progress report then, or check their grades on Aeries. This is a very important year for
students, and we want to set them up for success after graduation. Please reach out to your
students’ teachers and counselor with questions or for support.
Back to School Night is on September 17. Because of this, September 18 will be a Minimum Day,
and students will be dismissed at 1:10 PM.
On September 18-20, we will be taking 96 juniors to Northern California for the College Trip. This
year, we had the highest number of applicants ever. It is wonderful to know that so many students
are excited to attend a four-year college. We sincerely wish we could bring every student on the
trip, but unfortunately, we can't. However, students still have an opportunity next summer to
attend an on-campus event @ UCSB where they can stay in college dorms. Please stop by the Blue
and Gold Center for more information about these opportunities!
Below are some photos from Club Rush- with our Class of 2028 Junior Senate!
Amanda Fitzpatrick
11th Grade Level Coordinator
(818)758-4428
H-68 A
Welcome back to campus, sophomores! We hope you had a restful summer and are ready to dive into a new academic year. Here’s what’s happening this month:
Key Dates to Remember:
Progress Report 1: September 16th (Passed out to students in period 2)
Back-to-School Night: September 17th
NO School: September 21st
Homecoming Week: October 13-18th
Homecoming Game: October 16th vs. Granada
Homecoming Dance: October 17th
Academic Tips:
● Start strong by organizing your schedule and setting goals.
● Take advantage of office hours to connect with Counselors, teachers, and other staff.
● If you are absent, it is your responsibility to ask for your missing work; don’t get behind!
Reminders:
● Check your student email for important announcements.
● Reach out if you need support—resources are here to help you succeed.-
● Dress Code: Remember to adhere to the school's dress code policy. Please refer to our school website for details.
● Digital Responsibility: Be mindful of your online presence and practice safe social media habits.
● Mental Health: Take care of your mental well-being. Reach out to school counselors or our PSW counselors if you need support.
● Cell Phone Policy - Schoolwide: Students must check their cell phones with the teacher upon entering class and pick them up at the end of class.
Below are some photos of the CLASS OF 2029@ Club Rush.
We Meet EVERY Monday @ Lunch in D-13 - Welcome to ALL Sophomores!!
Wishing you a fantastic September and a successful start to your sophomore year!
Best Wishes,
Amanda Fitzpatrick
10th Grade Level Coordinator
Office # H-68 A
(818) 758-4428
Happy fall to our Class of 2030 parents and students!
Tips for Success!
Progress report one will be coming out this month. It is an excellent way to check how your student is doing academically so far. Here are some tips for success:
Aeries
Monitor your student’s Aeries portal for grades, attendance, and missing assignments.
Google Classroom
Ask your student to log on to their Google Classrooms and click “View Your Work” to see what is “Turned In” or “Missing.”
Communicate with Teachers
Communicate with your student’s teachers through email or Parent Square
Tutoring in
General tutoring, SpEd tutoring, and EL tutoring- To be announced soon. Please keep an eye out for an announcement on Parent Square.
Link Crew after school in 406: general tutoring on Thursdays
**Tutoring may be available with individual teachers. Your student should ask their teachers.**
Setting Expectations with your student
What is your expectation of your student? (Ex. Grades of Cs or better)
What is the consequence if your student’s grades drop? (Ex. taking cell phone away, removing video game console)
Events
There are several upcoming events to get excited about!
On September 24th, students can purchase food to support clubs in our first Food Fest of the semester. Remind your student to bring cash if they would like to participate!
On September 25th, we will have a Class Spirit Lunch. This is a freshman only event hosted by ASB. Encourage your student to wear their class shirt on that Friday to join the festivities.
9th Grade Parent Night and Back to School Night are also on the horizon. Back to School Night is an important part of your child's time here at Birmingham! Please come meet your child’s teachers and see all that our amazing school has to offer on September 17th and come early to attend the Parent Night at 4:45pm !
We look forward to meeting you at Back to School Night next week!
Leila Haghi
9th Grade Coordinator
The 9th Grade Team
Edwin Avarca- 9th Grade Administrative Director
Leila Haghi- 9th Grade Coordinator/ Lead Teacher
Judith Riusech, Stephanie Scherrer, and Mercedes Vasquez- 9th Grade Counselors
Horacio Rodriguez -Psychiatric Social Worker
Angela Piliposian- 9th Grade Dean
Maria Salvatierra- 9th Grade Office Clerk/ Primary Parent Contact (818) 758-4443
ESL Classes 2026!
Online Parent Technology Classes 2026!
Hello Patriot Families!
Happy September! As we settle into the new school year, I want to remind our families that the Community School is here to support you and your students. Throughout the year, we will continue to connect families with resources, workshops, health and wellness services, and opportunities to be involved in our school community.
September is Suicide Prevention Month
This month, we are focusing on suicide prevention and mental health awareness. We are partnering with our community partners at San Fernando Valley Partnership (SFVP) / Rooted Here to host a virtual parent workshop focused on Mental Health.
Thursday, September 25
5:00 PM
Zoom
Available in English and Spanish
Families will have an opportunity to learn more about mental health, ways to support our students, and resources that are available to our school community.
Join us on Zoom:
Join the Mental Health Workshop
Join Us for CSAC
Families are also invited to join our Community School Advisory Council (CSAC) meeting! CSAC is an opportunity for families, students, staff, and community members to come together, share feedback, and help shape the programs and supports offered through our Community School.
Thursday, October 2
3:40–4:40 PM
Counseling Center
We would love to have our families at the table and hear your ideas and feedback as we plan for the 2026–2027 school year.
Your Community School is Here for You
Remember, the Community School Parent Center is open Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM. Families can stop by to learn about available resources, support and connections to community partners.
Thank you for being an important part of our Patriot Family. We look forward to another year of working together to support our students and families!
EduCare Updates!
