Panther Update
Hello Panther Families,
Hello Panther Families,
In my daily interactions with our students I am regularly reminded why BLHS is such a special place. Having raised a teenager myself, I know that we typically do not hear the reports of the great things that are happening at school. It’s easy to focus on negative reports that we hear. Our brains are wired to do exactly that. However, I am lucky because, if I need to be re-energized or if I need to be re-motivated, all I have to do is walk around our school and see all of the good that our students are doing. For every one negative interaction there are hundreds of positive ones. Students check-in on peers all of the time. Students push themselves academically, socially, and/or extracurricularly all the time. In general, students come to school and bring their best selves and they make an impact, every day. This may sound hard to believe, but it is the most true statement I can make. We have a lot of good things happening around us. Sometimes it's hard to see the forest through the trees.
I’m known to brag about my daughter. She is a cast member at Disney World. Over 900 people interviewed for her spot and she got it. I am so proud of her. The other day I looked at a picture I have on my desk. It is of my daughter when she was four years old. She is at Disneyland. It was raining that day and she was wearing a Cinderella Dress when Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty came out from backstage. They saw my daughter and each of them grabbed one of her hands and they started skipping off with her. I happened to be able to snap a picture of that special moment. Disney calls that “Making Magic.” It truly was a magical moment that my daughter never forgot and now she is “Making Magic” for other young kiddos.
That reminded me of the power that one moment can have, one that is not necessarily planned or expected, but when the right person, with the right mindset, catches someone at the right time. It can create a memory and a feeling that inspires them for a lifetime. Drew Dudley calls these “Lollipop Moments.” They are moments when someone comes up to you unexpectedly and makes you feel like “you have mattered, you do matter, or you will matter in this world.”
When I talk with students in and out of the classroom, I try to remind them of the power that they have to influence those around them. It doesn't take much to create a “Lollipop Moment” for someone. Even the smallest smile, check-in, fist bump, compliment, forgiveness, or act of kindness can make a large impact. It just takes some intentionality. I remind students of the profound impact that 1700 students can have if they each did this even once a day. That power extends beyond our school to our community and further. The smallest actions, done consistently, create great change one interaction at a time.
Congratulations
Our Womens and Mens Wrestling Teams Competed at State Tournament “The Mat Classic” at the Tacoma Dome this weekend! Here are some words from our PCL Coach of the Year, Head Wrestling Coach, Coach Onufer and Coach Clever;
What can I say these wrestlers gave it everything. Super proud of each and everyone of them they laid it all out on the line. Sometimes things don't go as planned and that's ok we get back to the drawing board.
At 100 Lathem West took 4th
Lathem battled her way into the semi finals and took a hard loss. She wasn't happy she used that as fuel to fight back and get herself into the match for 3/4. Her last match was another tough loss but she handled it well. Lathem had an incredible tournament. She showed so much grit, determination and heart this weekend. I couldn't be more proud of her
At 144 Blake Miller took 4th.
Blake came out blazing and beat the top seeded wrestler in the bracket in the quarters. Takes a hard loss in the semis. He injured his knee in the semi finals matches but nothing was keeping him from wrestling. He battled back and won his match to get into 3/4 and finished up with 4th place. What a gritty performance well done.
At 150 Colby Ducatt took 3rd
Colby stormed his way into the semi finals in dominant fashion. Colby fought a tough battle and ended up losing in the semis. He was determined and fought his way back to a 3rd place finish. His ability to keep his cool and stay focused after a tough loss showed how mature he has become. Well done
Overall we placed 16th as a team out of 68 teams.
Thank you to our boosters, our coaching staff and our community for your continued support.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Upcoming Dates
Wednesday 2/21
Normal Wednesday
Thursday 2/22 (THIS IS AN IMPORTANT EVENT - SEE REGISTRATION TIMELINE BELOW)
Options Night for 9-11th Grade Students 6:00pm-8:00pm
Starts in the PAC
Please Spread the Word to Your Students.
Counselors will help families navigate;
Graduation Requirements
AP Class Questions
College Admissions Requirements
Skills Center
Running Start Options
Friday 2/23
Wear Teal!
Gymnastics competes at the state tournament on Friday Feb. 23 and Saturday Feb. 24. This meet is at Sammamish HS.
Individual competitors: Maya Skidmore, Alana Retchless, Taryn Campbell, Sabrina Edmiston, Auri Love.
Saturday 2/24
Gymnastics competes at the state tournament on Friday Feb. 23 and Saturday Feb. 24. This meet is at Sammamish HS.
Individual competitors: Maya Skidmore, Alana Retchless, Taryn Campbell, Sabrina Edmiston, Auri Love.
Girls Basketball competes in the first round of the 3A state tournament on Saturday Feb. 24.
They play at Bellevue College at 10am.
Win or lose, they will move on to the next round of the state tournament and that will be in the Tacoma Dome.
Saturday, 3/23
BLHS HOSA-Future Health Professionals is hosting a HeartSaver CPR class for any SBLSD students aged 12-18.
The class will be held at BLHS in room 461 on Saturday, March 23, from 9AM -Noon.
The cost of the course is $30.
The class is limited to 9 students and you can register at https://payments.sumnersd.org/.
Profits from this fundraiser will help support these HOSA students competing at the State Leadership Conference.
Questions can be emailed to kristi_martinez@sumnersd.org.
Registration for 2024-25 Classes
Students Are Starting The Process For Planning and Registering for 24-25 Classes
2/26 - Advisory 4 Year Plans (hour long advisory)
Graduation, college admissions, creating schedules for future goals
2/27 and 2/28 - 11th grade course entry in English
In English classes to prevent overloading the Skyward.
2/29 - 9th grade course entry in English
In English classes to prevent overloading the Skyward.
3/1 - 10th grade course entry in English
In English classes to prevent overloading the Skyward.
Counselors will work with students who do not have an English Class at BLHS including those who are registered for Running Start individually.
New Academic Support for Students - Mr. Maggs
Dear Panther Families,
We're excited to announce that starting next Monday, we will be offering dedicated academic support for all students every Monday morning until the end of the school year. These sessions will run from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM.
We understand that sometimes students may face challenges in certain subjects or may need additional assistance to reach their academic goals. Our Monday morning support sessions aim to provide exactly that—a supportive environment where students can receive the extra help they need.
Here are some benefits of attending these support sessions:
Our dedicated paraeducators will be available to provide one-on-one or small group assistance, ensuring that each student's individual needs are addressed. We will also be looking to add peer- tutoring as well. Extra support can often lead to improved academic performance. By attending these sessions regularly, students may see a positive change in their grades over time.
We encourage all students to take advantage of this opportunity to enhance their academic skills and reach their full potential. Whether your student needs help with math, science, English, or any other subject, our support sessions are here to assist them on their academic journey.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're here to support both you and your student every step of the way.
Thank you for your continued partnership in your student's education
Mr. Maggs - 11-12th Grade Assistant Principal
Electives Teachers Are Promoting Classes for 24-25 School Year
Attendance
Attendance is particularly important as we make our final push to the end of the Semester. When students are not here, they do not learn. Therefore, attendance is a major factor in student success in school and beyond. We start to worry when students approach 10% absenteeism. All research shows that this is a benchmark where students start to have a hard time. Please keep students home when they are sick, but also please encourage them to be at school when possible. Chronic absenteeism affects grades, grades affect anxiety and depression, anxiety and depression affect grades and attendance. It is a vicious cycle that, by working together, we can help our students to avoid. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you need support or if you have any questions.
Spring Sports
The time is now to register for Spring Sports!
All spring sports begin practice or tryouts on Monday Feb. 26th.
Registration is available on https://sumner-wa.finalforms.com/
All athletes must finish their registration process by coming in to Student Services to receive their clearance slip from Mr. Ferguson.
This must be done by 3:30 pm on Friday Feb. 23 in order to start on Monday the 26th.
Spring Sports:
Women’s Softball/Fastpitch,
Men’s Baseball,
Women’s Lacrosse,
Men’s Lacrosse,
Women’s Tennis,
Men’s Soccer,
Women’s Track,
Men’s Track.
Athletic Game Schedules
Link to the Website https://blhspanthersathletics.com/events
- Saturday 2/24
- Gymnastics competes at the state tournament on Friday Feb. 23 and Saturday Feb. 24. This meet is at Sammamish HS.
- Individual competitors: Maya Skidmore, Alana Retchless, Taryn Campbell, Sabrina Edmiston, Auri Love.
- Girls Basketball competes in the first round of the 3A state tournament on Saturday Feb. 24.
- They play at Bellevue College at 10am.
- Win or lose, they will move on to the next round of the state tournament and that will be in the Tacoma Dome.
Club Meetings Days and Times
Parking Lot & Inclement Weather Info
Dark Outside and Icy Roads
Please take extra care when dropping students off in the morning.
It is getting dark in the mornings and students and staff members can often be hard to see.
Also, with the changing weather comes icy conditions. Despite having deicing protocol, roads and parking lots can become slippery.
Here is a Link to our district webpage that describes the Inclement Weather Procedures.
Please share this information with your new drivers.
If you have a parking permit please review the Student Handbook pages 9-10 to ensure that we avoid as many issues as possible.
Third, please review this flow map for drop off and pick up.
Blue = Entrance Red = Exit
Cell Phone Policy
Students are free to use their cell phones before/after school, during passing times, and during lunches.
Students are not allowed to use their cell phones and headphones or have them out during class time.
The goal of our cell phone policy is to maximize the safety and the learning of our students in our classrooms while reducing inappropriate and unsafe behavior on electronic devices including; buying and harassment.
The goal is not to be a barrier for parent to student communication.
- Parents can message their students and they can respond during passing period, during lunch, or before or after school.
- In the case of an urgent message, please call the BLHS Main Office at 253-891-5700 and we will coordinate connecting you with your student.
We know this will be unpopular with many students but we care too much to ignore this important need.
Watch Dogs
Fathers, if you would like to be a part of keeping BLHS Safe while engaging with BLHS, please consider joining our Watch DOG Program at BLHS. See the QR Code below.