The Defender Bulletin (October '23)
October 2023
October 2023
WELCOME/HOW TO NAVIGATE
Welcome to The Defender Bulletin, the BSHS school-wide newsletter for families and stakeholders. This monthly newsletter contains important announcements, upcoming dates, celebrations, and academy specific information. Please scroll though the different sections to stay up-to-date on all things Bryan Station!
UPCOMING EVENTS
October 2 - October 6: Fall Break, No School
October 9: College Week! (check out the CCR Canvas Page for info/activities)
October 10: FCPS College and Career Fair for all FCPS Seniors
October 14: ACT Bootcamp (sign up here)
October 19-22: Fall Play, George Orwell's 1984 (more info below)
October 25: Senior Picture Retakes (8:30-12:00)
October 27: JAG Officer Initiation Ceremony
October 30: 4:00-7pm: Day of the Dead Cultural Event
November 6: Underclassmen picture retakes (8:30-12:00)
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS/INFORMATION
Attendance Notes/Absences
Attendance Notes to Excuse Absences:
Within 3 days of students return to school, turn in note by:
Email: from parent/guardian address to BSHSAttendanceOffice@fayette.kyschools.us
Digital: bit.ly/BSHSParentNote
Fax: 859-381-3331
Paper: Turn in to Attendance Box outside of Room 301
TARDY SWEEPS
If students are tardy to class, they are swept to our RESET room for a restorative conversation and are still required to complete any work. We have increased the time between classes from 4 minutes to 5 minutes to allow plenty of time to make it to class. Students can request to use the restroom during class after the first 10 minutes and before the last 10 minutes of each class. If a student is in the hallway during class time without a pass, they are swept to our RESET room.
STUDENT BADGES
Badges have been distributed to students. Please read the badge policy:
Why badges?
- They promote the safety and security of our building
- They promote a sense of professionalism by requiring the proper form of identification (many colleges and companies require badges)
Student Responsibility:
- Students are required to have a badge to enter the building. If they do not have one, they are required to check in at the wellness center.
- If you’ve lost your badge, a charge of $1.00 will be added to your account in Infinite Campus.
- In order to use the restroom, you will need to produce your badge and have it visible while in the hallway.
ESS/After School Tutoring
Our after school tutoring program (ESS) is open to all students who would like extra help in math, science, social studies, or English/language arts. Services are provided from 3:30 to 5:00 PM on Monday through Wednesday each week. We offer Lextran bus passes to students who need them for transportation home.
Students should report to the library before 3:30 on Mondays through Wednesdays in order to participate. Please email Stacey.middleton@fayette.kyschools.us with any questions.
YOUTH SERVICE CENTER
The Youth Services Center at BSHS exists at BSHS to help remove non-academic barriers that keep students from learning in the classroom. This mission remains despite changes in budgets and programming.
Some current programs that the YSC offers are:
- Defender Pantry - The Pantry is open and appointment times can be made for food pickups. Food Assistance Sign Up
- Resource Request- Please see the BSHS YSC Website for any other questions, requests or to keep up with the BSHS Youth Services Center.
Reach out to Whitney Young with any questions at whitney.young@fayette.kyschools.us
Testing Updates
Many 12th graders signed up for another attempt to take the ACT in October. Most seniors will take the test on October 17. Students scheduled to test on another date have already been notified via school email. The window to sign up for the test is closed. If your child signed up to take the test, encourage them to get plenty of sleep the night before, have a hearty breakfast, and to bring a fully charged Chromebook (with the charger) to school. Free Test Prep materials can be found at https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation/free-act-test-prep.html
Many 10th and 11th graders signed up to take the PSAT in October. Most students will take the test on October 25. Students scheduled to test on another date will be notified via school email. The window to sign up for the test is closed. If your child signed up to take the test, encourage them to get plenty of sleep the night before, have a hearty breakfast, and to bring a fully charged Chromebook (with the charger) to school. Khan Academy test prep can be found at https://www.khanacademy.org/sat
PTSA Needs You!
The Bryan Station High School PTSA needs you! The PTSA is a great way to get involved with your BSHS community and brings together parents/guardians, teachers, and students interested in making a difference in your school.
Fall Play: 1984
Bryan Station's Theatre Presents: George Orwell's 1984! Come see the show on 10/19, 10/20 and 10/21 at 7:00 or 10/22 at 3:00. Tickets are $5 for students and $7 for adults. We hope to see you there!
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS
The Hispanic group will celebrate Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) on Monday, October 30th from 3:30 to 7 PM. We plan on having information about this day, food, dance performances, dance lessons, music, altars, face painting, papel picado (paper cutouts), and a Catrina/Catrin costume competition.
Dia de los Muertos is all about honoring and remembering family and friends that have "passed over," mostly by setting up altars with their favorite foods, drink, and photos. We want to focus on the traditions of different regions and how these help us remember to focus on the joy of living!
New Program Alert: AVID
AVID = Advancement Via Individual Determination
- AVID is an in-school academic support program for elementary through higher education that is designed to increase school-wide learning and performance.
- AVID places students in challenging classes and offers a support system to ensure that students can be successful in those challenging class
- AVID is new to Fayette County but has been around since 1980. We have pilot programs in Bryan Station Middle School, The Academies of Bryan Station, Morton Middle School and Lafayette High School.
COLLEGE AND CAREER CENTER
CCR Announcements
WKY Scholar Luncheon
- WKU hosted a Scholar Luncheon to celebrate the academic achievements of our students. We were thrilled to honor the hard work and dedication put forth over the last 3 years! Congratulations from the college and career center.
College Week
- October 9th will start college week! Students needing assistance will need to register at bit.ly/collegeappday23.
Electronic permission slips for the college fair are due 9/28. Please check your email titled "Senior College and Career Fair," and submit it by the deadline.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
View All Scholarships
- October Scholarship Highlight: Landon Hayes Scholarship
- The Better FAFSA will open in DECEMBER! Find out about important changes and create your FSA ID HERE.
- FSA ID Guide
- FAFSA Completion Guide
- ALL Resources
Please view the picture to the right to see more events and information from our College and Career Coach, Brandy Ashford. Reach out to her with any questions at brandy.ashford@fayette.kyschools.us
COUNSELING SECTION
STAFF SHOUTOUTS
Laura Martin
We would like to welcome Ms. Martin to Station Nation. Ms. Martin joined us as a 1st year teacher, and has been "all in" within her role as an English teacher. She is already modifying lessons for each class, contacting home with student concerns and following up with parents. Lastly, she is prioritizing building relationships, and has a friendly smile on her face during these interactions.
Deanna Boyd
Mrs. Deanna Boyd started her career at Station as a Behavior Intervention Specialist and has been a Social Studies teacher for the past six years. Additionally, Mrs. Boyd is the Academic and SLC Development Lead for the EMR Academy. Mrs. Boyd always has great relationships with her kids and does a great job helping our kids get to class on time. Thanks Mrs. Deanna Boyd for Defending Station!
Uriah Albrink
Mr. Albrink has embraced Bryan Station this year as he's built relationships with students and staff. He has quickly embodied our commitment to the safety of our students. Thanks, Mr. Albrink!
Bertha Johnson
We're so excited to have Ms. Johnson back with us this year! She always brings her positive spirit into hallway conversations with students and incorporates academic supports into all her lessons. She leads by example and brings great ideas into the EMR Academy.
John Byard
Coach John Byard has stepped in and helped in so many ways this year for new staff members and classes where there are long term subs. He works as an Assistant Athletic Director and is a member of the Special Education Team. John is a positive team member and a pleasure to work with. He is a great example of our commitment to positive work environment and defending station.
Bukola Ake
Ms. Bukola Ake is a new member to Station Nation, and the EMR Academy. She started her teaching career in Maine and is very knowledgeable in her content area and loves teaching Math. She previously taught Algebra I, Algebra 2 and College Algebra. Ms. Ake is caring and patient, yet maintains high expectations for her students. Ms. Ake's students know that they can expect relevant and engaging lessons when they walk through the door of her classroom.
Jack Grimme
Mr. Grimme is a 1st year Career and Tech Ed teacher in the Leadership Academy. He is currently teaching our Foods and Nutrition classes. Jack is a contributing member of the Leadership Academy SLC, and always willing to lend a hand to assist where needed. Mr. Grimme has continually sought out feedback and growth opportunities. Welcome to Station Nation, Mr. Grimme!
Lili Blair
Lili Blair is an English teacher in the IT Academy. Additionally, she in the Student Support Lead, and PBIS Co-Chair. Ms. Blair continues to seek out new and innovative ways to provide High Yield Instructional Strategies to her English students. If you visit Ms. Blair's class, you will often see her kneeled down next to a student , or small group of students, providing scaffolds and support for academic achievement. Lili is a teacher leader in the building, and continues to hold students to the positive expectations we have for our students at Station.
STUDENTS AT WORK
Need more help? Reach out to customersuccess@smore.com