Panther Update

Panther Families,

I hope that everyone is doing well. It was great to see so many of you at our Walk Around Conferences on Wednesday evening. I hope that it was a good and helpful night for each of you.

Our students are working hard at finishing the quarter strong, competing in State Competitions, Band Competitions, and Drama Rehearsals, and so much more. I have no idea how our Panthers are able to balance so many things and still be so impressive at school. Even in the most difficult of times, I find Panthers that make it a point to check in on each other. BLHS is a great school and it is a great place to be.

First quarter ended today and teachers will be submitting their grades soon so please be on the lookout for them. Please reach out to your teachers if there are any questions or concerns. Our teachers are amazing and they work extremely hard to serve our students and our families.

We had some information go out this week that may pertain to your students. If you have not had your picture taken for the yearbook and If you would like to be included in this year's class sections of the 2022-2023 Yearbook please come to Mr. Paffrath's room 303 on Tuesday November 8th at either lunch (10:35-12:10) or Tuesday after school (2:20-2:50.) This is your LAST CHANCE to have your picture included in the class sections of the yearbook. Seniors families, please be sure to see the Senior Meeting Information below and see the links to submit your pictures or Senior Ads.

Fall has definitely set in. This time of year always makes me think of staying warm with indoor activities. There are a number of bugs going around so please take care of yourselves and each other by getting enough rest, washing hands, eating well, and keeping your fluids up. If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, please stay home and check in with your teachers and your google classrooms to stay plugged in. Your teachers are amazing and they will work with you. Please be sure to call in your absences within 24 hours.

Also, please see the inclement weather information in the “Helpful Information” section below. It’s pretty cold out there and the weather can impact school in a moment’s notice. Be sure to remind the new drivers in your family to take their time and to drive safely. This is especially important as ice becomes more of a reality.

As always, remind your students that if they “see something” to “say something.” An easy way to report concerns is through the district’s Report It link or through the BLHS’s Incident Report link found in every teacher’s Google Classroom. We will address every concern and we are committed to keeping BLHS a safe and healthy place for all of our students.

Important Graduation Date Announcement (Originally Shared 10/28)

• I am excited to announce that we have a date set for the Class of 2023 Graduates!

• Graduation will be at 4:00pm on June 12th, 2023 at the Tacoma Dome.

• There will be more information to come about tickets, practice times, and all other festivities that surround this special day. Stay tuned!

See Important Upcoming Dates and Events After the “Helpful Information” section.

Helpful Information

• Inclement Weather

• With the weather changing, I want to share the link for the Inclement Weather information from the district.

• BLHS Drama Club Fall Production 11/17-11/19

• WHO: Bonney Lake High School Drama Club

• WHAT: Trap by Stephen Gregg

• WHEN: 11/17 at 7 pm ;11/18 at 7 pm ; 11/19 at 2 pm and 7 pm

• WHERE: BLHS Performing Arts Center (PAC)

• TICKETS: Call 253-891-5714 for phone orders, cash and credit card sales at the door

• TICKET PRICES: $8 students, seniors and military ; $12 adults

• Graduation - Save the Date!

• Monday June, 12th - 4:00pm @ the Tacoma Dome

• More information to come. Stay Tuned!

• Senior Information

• November 4th Senior Class Meeting Information

• See the Josens Flyer Below or go to the Bonney Lake High School Hub.

• Order your Cap & Gown, Custom Announcements, Class Rings, Senior Memorabilia, School Apparel.

• Senior Order Week November 6th - November 12th.

• This week only = Free Shipping on graduation items & Free Companion Ring.

• Order by December 12th to Guarantee Early Bird Pricing, Official School Announcement, Discounts.

• Senior Prowler Newsletters

• Senior Night Information Presentations

• Scholarship Deadlines

• College Visits

• FAFSA / Financial Aid

• Cap and Gown Orders

• Senior Ads

• The time is now to order Senior Ads. The deadline is December 16th.

• The process is a little different this year. Please use the link below to get purchase and to set-up the ad for your Senior Yearbook.

• Jostens Senior Ads Link

• Senior Ad Flier with QR Code

• Counseling Services

• Find links to the many services that our amazing Counselors provide.

• Career Day Speakers Needed

• BLHS will hold a Career Fair at school on November 21st and we are looking for people who are willing to come in to present.

• If you have an interesting career and may be interested in presenting at our fair this year, please contact us at our Main phone number and we will connect you with our Career and Information Specialist. 253-891-5700

• Bonney Lake Retro Spirit Gear Is On Sale Again By Popular Demand

• $25 for Crew Necks, $30 for Hoodies

• Pick Yours Up At The BLHS Bookkeeper.

• HIV/AIDS Prevention Curriculum- Parent Review Night

• Washington State law requires that every student receive HIV/AIDs prevention education in grades 5 through 12.

• Because this unit covers sensitive topics, Washington State law and SBLSD Board Policy require that parents are provided the opportunity to preview these lessons.

• The detailed for the first opportunity for families to attend a curriculum night for families who have students in 8th grade Skills for Life or 9th grade Health classes are below;

• December 8, 2022 4:30-6:00pm

• Location: SBLSD Administration Building, Board Room

• There will be another opportunity for families of 6th-12th graders who will study this Health-related content during 2nd semester. There will also be an opportunity for students in other grades to preview the curriculum in the Spring of 2023.

• Parents wishing to exclude their child form the HIV/AIDs curriculum required by our state must preview this curriculum and sign an exclusion form.

• Veterans Day Assembly Help and Honorees

• If you have family members who have served, if you know of a staff member who has served, or if your student is enlisting please send Mr. Clarke an email with the subject line “Veterans Day Honoree” no later than Monday 11/7. Please attach a picture if you would like to be included in our Wall of Honor.

• If you are a BLHS Alumni and a current member of the armed services or a veteran, please send Mr. Clarke an email with the subject line “Veterans Day Alumni Honoree” no later than Monday 11/7. Please attach a picture if you would like to be included in our Wall of Honor.

• Please let us know if you would like to send a picture to be in our Wall of Honor or if you would like to attend the assembly.

• If you are a veteran who would like to attend the assembly, please send Mr. Clarke an email with the subject line “Veterans Day Honoree.”

• 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

• Thanksgiving Meal Opportunity

• Bonney Lake Food Bank, in collaboration with community partners, will be providing Thanksgiving meals for those in need.

• If you need assistance or have any questions, visit the website and click "NEED A MEAL?"

• Please reach out to Ms. Rienzo to take advantage of this opportunity - andrea_rienzo@sumnersd.org OR 253-891-5731

• Holiday Gift Opportunity

• Bonney Lake High School has been adopted by a locally organized group to support our students and families who have a greater need during the winter holiday by providing gifts around a $20.00 value to brighten up their holiday season.

• For those families who participate in this support they will receive a phone call from Ms. Rienzo to make arrangements to pick up the items two weeks before winter break begins.

• Please reach out to Ms. Rienzo to take advantage of this opportunity - andrea_rienzo@sumnersd.org OR 253-891-5731

• Safety

• 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.

• Parking Lot

• 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.

• 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.

• Get Information

• Bonney Lake High School Web Page : Daily Announcements, Clubs & Activities, Sports, Parking, Upcoming events, etc.

• 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.

• 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 ** If you are an athlete, in season, a Dr. note is required.

• Transportation

• Buses

• Please see the following link for SBLSD Bus Transportation Information

• Use this tool to find your specific bus route information.

• 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.