The BA Bulletin - December 2, 2024

Weekly News Capturing the BA Way!

From Ms. Foster Arbaiza,

Welcome Back Cougars!

I hope everyone had a restful and rejuvenating fall break. We are excited to jump back into the swing of things as we head into the final stretch of the semester. Here are some key updates and celebrations to keep you informed:

EOC Retests are happening this week. Please check below for the schedule and reminders. Best of luck to all students retesting—we believe in you!
ACP Week Schedule is just around the corner. Be prepared for ACP exams starting soon. Details about the schedule and review opportunities will be shared in advisory and through your teachers. I will send out the schedule in next week's (12/9) bulletin.
Report Cards for Semester 1 will be available shortly. Keep an eye on PowerSchool to review your grades and progress.
Updated Ranking Information for Students is coming soon! Students in grades 10 - 12 & families, be sure to check in with the counseling office for more details if you have questions.
PSAT Results are now available on the College Board website. Students who participated can log in to view their scores and explore next steps to prepare for college readiness.

Cougar Pride Spotlights:

Mock Trial and NAF Night Successes: A huge congratulations to our students and staff for the incredible dedication and effort showcased during these events. Your hard work and teamwork continue to inspire our Cougar community.
NHS Achievements: A big shout-out to our National Honor Society students for their outstanding contributions. Your leadership and commitment to service are making a difference in our school and beyond!

See below for all things BA Week 16!

Student and Staff Celebrations

Mock Trial Team Competes in Chicago

The BA Mock Trial team had such a great competition in Chicago! They competed against the National Champions of Ireland, the state champions of Oregon and many other teams. And they looked good! They even scrimmaged two teams from Korea. And they had so much fun—Chinatown, Navy Pier, a boat cruise, the Bean, and much more! Thanks to everyone for your support!

NAF Hosts First Intern Expo

We are thrilled to celebrate the success of our First Annual NAF Intern Expo, a groundbreaking event designed to spotlight the incredible internship opportunities and achievements within the NAF program. This expo provided students and families with a firsthand look at the real-world skills and experiences gained through these internships, showcasing the pathways our students take toward professional growth and career readiness.

The event also served as a pivotal platform to inspire future participation, with the goal of maintaining and increasing enrollment in our NAF program. Through interactive displays, student testimonials, and community engagement, we demonstrated how NAF prepares students for success both in and beyond high school.

We look forward to making this an annual tradition that celebrates the hard work of our students and the partnerships that make these opportunities possible!

Senior College Visits: Exploring Prairie View A&M and Texas A&M

Our seniors recently had the exciting opportunity to visit Prairie View A&M University and Texas A&M University, experiencing firsthand what life is like on two dynamic college campuses. These visits provided students with valuable insight into academic programs, campus culture, and resources available at each institution.

From touring facilities to engaging with current students and faculty, our seniors gained a deeper understanding of the opportunities that await them in higher education. These experiences inspire our students to envision their future paths and prepare for life after graduation. We are proud to support their journey toward academic and personal success!

BA NAF Engineering Students

On 11/13, BA Engineering students visited the Verizon HQ in Las Colinas to learn about upcoming technology, infrastructure plans, and internship opportunities. The students were really excited about the visit and came away with a deeper understanding of how a corporate workspace operates.

Celebrating Our New National Honor Society Inductees

We are proud to announce the induction of our newest members into the National Honor Society (NHS), a prestigious organization that recognizes students who excel in the four pillars of scholarship, leadership, service, and character.

These outstanding individuals have demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence by maintaining a high GPA, exemplified strong leadership skills both in and out of the classroom, served their community through meaningful volunteer efforts, and upheld the highest standards of integrity and character.

Their dedication and hard work have earned them this esteemed recognition, and we look forward to seeing the incredible impact they will continue to make within our school and beyond. Congratulations to our new NHS inductees!

Cougar Country News

Important Items for This Week

Read below for all important items this week:

Monday (12/2) -

A Day

Progress Reports go out in Advisory

Tuesday (12/3) -

B Day

English I EOC Retest

Wednesday(12/4) -

A Day

English II EOC Retest

Thursday (12/5) -

B Day

Biology/USH EOC Retest

Friday (12/6)-

A Day

Algebra I EOC Retest

Upcoming Events

📚 EOC Retests and ACP Testing Information

Mark your calendars! EOC Retests are scheduled for the week of December 2-6:

English I – Tuesday, 12/3
English II – Wednesday, 12/4
Biology & U.S. History – Thursday, 12/5
Algebra I – Friday, 12/6

In addition, ACP Testing will take place the week of December 16.

Detailed testing schedules will be shared with students and staff after Fall Break on 12/9.

Please plan accordingly and encourage your students to prepare for these important assessments!

Tutoring Schedules are located below.

8th Grade Pep Rally and Open House - January 2025

Hello BA Families! 🎉

We’re so excited to invite our future Cougars and their families to THREE upcoming events! 🐾 Join us on December 16th from 6PM - 7PM for an 8th grade parent information session. Come and learn all about how Bryan Adams is your #1 choice and the premiere East Dallas neighborhood school!🏫✨💚

January 24th for our 8th Grade Pep Rally 🎺, where you’ll get to experience the incredible BA spirit and see what makes our school community so special! It’s a fantastic chance for future students to feel the energy and pride that make BA unique! Parents are welcome to attend as chaperones for their students. (Must ride the bus and get Voly clearance)💚

Then, don’t miss our BA Open House on January 25th from 10 AM - 12 PM 🏫✨. This event is open to everyone interested in learning more about Bryan Adams High School, our programs, and our supportive community. Take a tour, meet some of our amazing teachers, and discover all the opportunities waiting for you at BA! 📚👩‍🏫

We can’t wait to welcome you and make you a part of the BA family! 🐾💚

Student Ranking Update

All students in grade 10th - 12th will receive an updated class ranking in the Spring Semester. The class ranking process is as follows:

All Students Ranked: Every student in their graduating class receives a class rank. This rank is determined based on their cumulative weighted GPA.
Weighted GPA: Courses are assigned different weights depending on their difficulty (e.g., AP and dual-credit courses have higher weights than regular courses).
Calculation: Rankings are updated at specific points, like the end of semesters, to reflect academic performance.

Key Features:

Provides a clear and comprehensive ranking for all students, which is often required for college applications and scholarships.
Encourages competition and motivation among all students, not just the top 10%.
Helps students understand their standing relative to their peers throughout high school.

Report Card Night: Coming in January

We’re excited to announce that Report Card Night will take place in January! This event will give families an opportunity to review student progress, connect with teachers, and learn about resources to support academic success. Stay tuned for more details, including the date and time, as we finalize plans. We look forward to seeing you there!

Accessing PSAT Scores

PSAT scores will soon be available! Students can access their scores by logging into their College Board account at collegeboard.org. If they don’t already have an account, they can create one using their personal information.

Need help? Students can use an access code provided by the school to link their scores if they don’t appear automatically. For personalized SAT practice, they can link their scores to Khan Academy for free, tailored study plans.

For questions or assistance, contact the school counselor or visit the College Board’s help center.