The Weekly Update #4

Dear Birmingham Family Parents and Guardians,

As fall is upon us and families begin to explore options for their 8th grade students for 2025-2026, I wanted to provide information that you can share with family and friends who will soon make the important decision on where to send their student to high school.

The 2025-2026 Lottery Application Window opens 10/26/2024 and ends 1/24/2025.

• We will have a Virtual Enrollment information Day on October 26, 2024, at 11:00 AM. During the event, we will review the application process, lottery, home school requirements, priority enrollment, waitlist and more. A zoom link will be posted on or just before October 26th : https://www.birminghamcharter.com/admissions/application-process

Please know that the lottery has limited spots which results in a long wait list for those that don't submit their lottery application during the window.

• We now have waitlists at every grade level and weren't able to admit hundreds of rising 9th graders this past year.

• Because of the increasing demand to attend Birmingham, we will now validate addresses for those who apply as attendance boundary students to ensure the lottery process is fair for all.

• If you don't live in our attendance boundary and you'd like to have a chance to attend Birmingham, please make sure you submit your lottery application during the window from 10/26 - 1/24.

• The LAUSD School Choice application deadline is usually due in the middle of November, so it's a good idea to do a little research about our school before committing to the LAUSD School Choice program.

• Consider some of the unique opportunities and accomplishments of our school in just the past two years.

• 99% Graduation Rate and 81% University Eligibility Rate

• UCLA Early Academic Partnership Program Partnership School

• One of two schools in Los Angeles to partner with The Academy Group offering $20,000 scholarships and mentorships for selected students from high school though career entry.

• https://theacademygroup.com

• 2024 California Distinguished School

• 2024 College Board AP School Honor Roll – Silver Award

• National Education Equity Lab School of Excellence (with Birmingham student course access to Stanford, Penn, Brown, and Yale courses online)

• We’ve also been blessed with award winning Theater, Music, and Dance programs including opportunities to compete across the state

• We offer 9 Career Technical Education Pathways

• Students have three languages of study to choose from including Spanish, French, and ASL

• 18 Open Division City Championships in the last two years

• Educare After School Enrichment Program and During the Day Achievement and Commitment to Excellence (ACE) Program to support student success.

• 250:1 student to counselor ratio

• Free College Bound Summer Institute and Career Academic Preparation Academy including overnight stay during the summer in the UCLA dorms for 50 rising seniors and 50 rising juniors

• Free Parent Ambassador Program for 25 parents including an overnight stay at UCLA to learn all about the college experience for students.

• Full time Activities Director

• 2 college counselors and a career counselor

• 7-person multi-disciplinary support team including a social worker for each grade level

• Link Crew to support acclimation and building connections for all new students in grade 9

• 24/7 security on campus with over 160 cameras to ensure student safety and security

• To learn more about Birmingham, please see the following Birmingham website links

• Dream It. Do it: https://www.birminghamcharter.com/dream-it-do-it

• Admissions: https://www.birminghamcharter.com/admissions

• Community: https://www.birminghamcharter.com/our-community

Senior Sunrise was a success! Seniors started with having a yummy breakfast that included pancakes, hash browns, sausage and eggs. We then had a private barista trailer company that provided a variety of warm drinks! It was great to see Seniors partake in this yearly tradition in which they come together before school to enjoy the festivities. Seniors participated in jumbo games, a “Selfie” photo booth, Senior button making and sash making areas and lastly, they were able to write a letter to their future self.

Another BIG event that we are quickly approaching is, HOMECOMING and this year's theme is "Fantasy”. You do not want to miss the float parade at our Homecoming Game on Friday, October 18th. The Senior Class Senate will be decorating their float train based on “Cinderella” and the Halftime Show will include performances by marching band, dance, cheer and Senior Royalty Court reveal along with a firework show! The Homecoming Dance will be held at our Gym on Saturday, October 19th from 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm. Tickets are on sale at the Student Store before school, at lunch and after school. However, the Homecoming kick off celebration begins 4 days prior with the HOCO Spirit Week beginning on Monday, October 14th.

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 Appoint Link: https://www.whites-studios.com/book-your-appointment/

Enjoy the Start of the Fall Season!

The 12th Grade Team

Mr. Elmore - Administrative Director

Mrs. Franco - 12th Grade Coordinator

Dr. Garnish - 12th Grade Dean

Mrs. Brown - Counselor (A-F)

Mrs. Perez - Counselor (G-N)

Mrs. Palacios - Counselor (O-Z)

Mr. Ermoian - Psychiatric Social Worker

Ms. Sedani - 12th Grade Administrative Assistant

Mrs. Mirazakhanian - 12th Grade Clerk

Happy October Junior Families!

The semester is almost halfway done! We are so excited with the hard work and progress you are making.

Over 545 students received notification that they are on Honor Roll for the 1st progress report. This is an amazing accomplishment and we are so proud of your hard work! Keep it up!!! The next progress report will be coming out at the start of November.

Graduation Checks happened last month. All students have been informed about their current graduation and college status. Parents/Guardians should have received their updated Graduation and College Eligibility Status Letter in the mail and via email as well.

Next month we will be taking a group of juniors to 7 colleges in Northern California. This is going to be a great experience for them to see many schools they may not have visited before. If you are considering attending a 4 year college, start looking right now! Here is a site you can use to continue the search: https://collegematch.prephero.com/.

Hey there! We had an amazing September, and we can't wait to tell you all about it! Here's a recap of the events:

Our first-ever Sophomore Assembly was on September 13th & 16th, delivering important information to our 10th-grade students.

The Class of 2027 Student Senate participated in Club Rush on September 13th, giving everyone a chance to explore all the awesome clubs at BCCHS.

Back to School Night on September 19th was a blast! It was fantastic to see our students and their parents checking out schedules and grades, all assisted by our incredible 10th Grade level team. October 1st, Parent Night provided support and resources for parents of students struggling academically.

Get ready for some exciting October events:

- October 4th: First Home Football Game

- October 11th: Club Picture Day

- October 14th-18th: Homecoming Spirit Week

- October 14th: Pep Rally (1st period for 10th grade)

- October 18th: Homecoming Football Game, Float Parade

- October 19th: Homecoming Dance (tickets are on sale in the Student Store)

- October 24th: Food Fest (During Lunch- Cash only)

It's going to be an amazing month, and we can't wait to see you there!

Amanda Fitzpatrick 10th Grade Level Coordinator

(818)758-4428

Class of 2027 Student Senate Advisor Birmingham Community Charter High School

Dear 9th Grade Families, we are midway through our fall semester!

It was a pleasure meeting so many of you at our Back-to-School Night last month, and we hope to see you on campus again soon. Birmingham offers many opportunities for parents to engage, and you can read more about that and view our Parent Calendar here:

https://www.birminghamcharter.com/our-community/parent-center

Our students also have many available opportunities to network, meet new people, and get involved in campus activities. Encourage your student to join clubs, seek out tutoring in room B71 before and after school, and come to Freshman activities like the Freshman Tailgate or Freshman Movie Social that we just had. There are also many field trip opportunities such as the Natural History field trip at the end of the semester, the UCLA field trip this fall, and the UCSB field trip in the spring. Please encourage your child to attend at least one event this semester!

Lastly, please remind your child to continually check their Birmingham email and their Google Classroom assignments. Counselors and teachers send emails often, and it is important that students check their emails daily so they do not miss out on important information.

As always, please reach out to anyone on our team if you have any questions or concerns.

Leila Haghi

9th Grade Coordinator

The 9th Grade Team

Edwin Avarca Leila Haghi

9th Grade Administrative Director 9th Grade Coordinator/Lead Teacher

Oversees 9th grade Academy Coordinates/supports students and staff

Hiyas Mutia, Sabrina Marquez, Cindy Martinez, & Brooke Lopez

9th Grade Counselors & PSW

Supports students academically and emotionally

Melissa Reisbord Rebecca Venegas

9th Grade Dean 9th Grade Office Clerk

Addresses discipline and behavior matters Leads on attendance/communication

Primary parent contact- (818) 758-4481