Benicia High School Panther Post
December 2022
BHS Vision Statement
Benicia High School will inspire learning with integrity in order to find personal success in an ever-changing world.
Expected Student Learning Results:
- Communicator and Collaborator
- Critical Thinker and Problem Solver
- Creator and Innovator
Principal's Letter
Hello Panther Families,
Here are a few important upcoming events I want to highlight for you so that we have as much participation as possible! Everyone at BHS wishes you a wonderful holiday season.
Panthers Athletic Hall of Fame:
Benicia High School is holding a meeting on Monday, December 5th at 6:30pm in room L116/117 for those interested in learning more about our vision of starting an athletics Hall of Fame, those wanting to contribute ideas and help us brainstorm, and those wanting to participate. #GoPanthers
Parent Speaker Series - See flyer below and links to register for events:
Benicia Unified School District has created a series of events aimed to address the requests of our school community and important topics and trends for our students. We encourage you to register to attend as many of the events as possible so that we all can learn and grow together in order to best support all of our students. Topics include:
- Ending the Silence - mental health conditions and resources
- Dangers of Youth Vaping
- The Importance of Allyship in Support of LGBTQ+ Youth
- Understanding Social Media and Today's Youth
- Planning Early for College: Choice & Research
- College Affordability
Wellness Week at BHS:
Student Leadership is hosting Wellness Week prior to finals to provide students time to destress, study, and prepare for final exams - as well as enjoy the holiday season. Please see the flyer below for the special events each day from Monday, December 12th through Monday, December 19th.
Special Bell Schedule for Finals Week:
Monday 12/19 - Regular 6-period schedule with 3:35pm dismissal
Tuesday 12/20 - Finals Day #1: Period 1, Access, Period 2 with 1:50pm dismissal
Wednesday 12/21 - Finals Day #2: Period 3, Access, Period 4 with 1:50pm dismissal
Thursday 12/22 - Finals Day #3: Period 5, Period 6 with 12:50pm dismissal
BHS Educators of the Year:
We want to share the announcement and recognition of our Benicia High School Educators of the Year. Thank you to all of the staff, students, and parents who submitted nominations. We have two Educators of the Year: one certificated staff member, meaning a teacher or counselor, and one classified staff member who is part of our non-teaching staff on campus. Congratulations to our Wellness Center Technician, Lynn Hoyle, and to Math teacher and PBIS lead Justin Koeppen. They will both move on to consideration for our Benicia Unified School District Educators of the year and potentially to Solano County and State consideration as well. Thank you to all of our amazing staff at Benicia High School.
Go Panthers!
Principal Brianna Kleinschmidt
Upcoming Events at Benicia High School
- Thursday, December 1st: Special Student Forum during lunch to discuss Prom
- Saturday, December 3rd: Advanced Dance Show at 7:00pm in the Performing Arts Building
- Sunday, December 4th: Benicia Grad Night Fundraiser at the Benicia Clocktower (info below)
- Monday, December 5th: Panther Athletics Hall of Fame Info Meeting at 6:30pm in L-116
- Tuesday, December 6th: Willie B. Adkins Program - Tuesdays at 5:30pm in room L116/117
- Friday, December 9th: Improv Show at 7:00pm in the Performing Arts Building
- Tuesday, December 13h: School Site Council Meeting, 3:50pm in room A-107
- Tuesday, December 13th: Willie B. Adkins Program - Tuesdays at 5:30pm in room L116/117
- Wednesday, December 14th: PTSA Board Meeting, 6:00pm
- Friday, December 16th: Common Planning Time Schedule, student dismissal at 2:30pm
- Monday, December 19th: Regular 6-period Bell Schedule, 3:35pm student dismissal
- Tuesday, December 20th: Finals Day 1 Schedule, 1:50pm student dismissal
- Wednesday, December 21st: Finals Day 2 Schedule, 1:50pm student dismissal
- Thursday, December 22nd: Finals Day 3 Schedule, 12:50pm student dismissal
- Thursday, December 22nd: End of Semester 1 grading period (grades released January 13th)
- December 23 - January 8th: School Closed for Winter Break
- Monday, January 9th: School Resumes, start of Semester 2
- Friday, January 13th: Semester 1 grades released & Academic Eligibility notice
Now Hiring! Job Openings at Benicia High
We currently have job openings at Benicia High School and are sharing the positions and links to the postings with you in hopes of spreading the word and encouraging people to apply. Please share these postings with others who may be interested. Those interested can learn more about the position and apply directly from the links below.
- Campus Supervisor #313 (7-hour day + school events)
- Student Supervision Room/Campus Supervisor/Office Assistant (7.25-hour day)
- Temporary Campus Supervisor (8-hour day + school events)
- Substitute Campus Supervisor (Middle & High Schools)
- Senior Food Service Assistant (8-hour day)
- Food Service Assistant (6-hour day)
- Food Service Assistant (3.75-hour day)
- Spring Athletic Coaching Positions
Correction - Friday, December 9th!!
2023 Variety Show
Hey BHS Panthers! Do you have any unique or hidden talents that you would like to show off? Then, you should sign for the Benicia High 2023 Variety Show. We are looking for students who have special skills that they would like to showcase. Variety show sign-ups will open on Monday, November 7th and will close on Wednesday, December 14th. There will be a form on the school website where you can sign up to audition. Auditions and practices will take place during the month of January, and the Variety Show will be on Friday, January 27th, in the PAB at 7 pm.
Important dates to keep in mind:
- Sign-ups: Monday, November 7th - Wednesday, December 14th
- Auditions: Tuesday, January 10th - Wednesday, January 11th
- Audition Results: Thursday, January 12th
- Variety Show Mandatory Meeting: Friday, January 13th
- Variety Show Practices at 6pm: January 23rd, 24th, and 25th
- Dress Rehearsal: Thursday, January 26th
- Variety Show: Friday, January 27th at 7 pm in the PAB
Benicia Grad Night Fundraiser Sunday December 4th
Mele Kalikimaka Holiday Market coming December 4th, 12-4 pm @ Benicia Clocktower
Join us Sunday, Dec. 4th @ the Benicia Clocktower where Benicia Grad Night is hosting a FREE Holiday Marketplace from 12-4 pm. All vendor fees will benefit the Benicia Grad Night 2023 Celebration.
Come find one of a kind unique gifts and enjoy lunch from Merna's Hawaiian Kitchen.
- Enjoy Live Music
- Live Comedy Performances
- Eat Delicious Food, Desserts & Cafe
Mele Kalikimaka Market has been arranged through the generosity of Merna's Hawaiian Kitchen, supporters of Benicia Grad Night for over 10 years.
For more information about Benicia Grad Night, to purchase a ticket, or to donate/volunteer, please visit: https://www.beniciagradnight.net/
Is Your Academic Plan Ready?
This year BHS students can use a new feature of Aeries called the Academic Plan. The Academic Plan helps students choose classes that meet their educational goals so they can get the best out of their high school experience. Students and parents can see the Academic Plan in Aeries and use the tools to view and understand planned completion of graduation requirements and college entrance requirements.
For 12th graders, the academic plan is already complete, but students should still use these tools to confirm they have completed all graduation and A-G requirements for 4-year colleges, if applicable.
While most of the 9th through 11th grade students have started to work on their Academic Plans, many have not yet completed and submitted their plans. Please talk with your student to review their plan and possibly help them complete and submit. Once submitted, their Counselor will review their plan prior to meeting with the student 1-on-1 in the second semester. Additionally, we will use Academic Plans as the main part of course requests for 2023-2024 class schedules. Students can make changes and submit their revised plans to their counselors - the plans are not final.
Parents should familiarize themselves with the features of the plan as there are tools you might find helpful when talking to your student about college or career options. Please use the links below for more information.
Academic Plan Student Worksheets
Important Information for Class of 2023 - New Requirement
Class of 2023 Families:
We want to share information with you about the new FAFSA requirement for the Class of 2023. This information went out to Seniors via school email and to families via ParentSquare on November 3rd.
Assembly Bill 469 requires schools to make sure that high school seniors complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA). Students/Families may elect to opt out of this requirement by submitting an opt-out form to our Counseling Office by December 1, 2022.
To date, 161 Benicia High seniors have completed the FAFSA (49% of seniors). We provided a Financial Aid Night event and have the recording available here for your reference:
LINK TO FINANCIAL AID NIGHT RECORDING
For more information about this requirement and responses to "Frequently Asked Questions" please read pages 2 through 5 of this document.
If you prefer to opt-out of this requirement, you must print, complete, and submit Page 1 of this document to our Counseling Office by December 1, 2022.
If you would like further assistance, please contact Senior Counselor Emily Rainey at erainey@beniciaunified.org
Thank you!
BHS Administration & Counseling
New: Wellness Center Events during Access
The Wellness Center will be offering a variety of scheduled activities, classes, and groups during Access. On "Wellness Wednesdays" we will focus on the body with classes such as mindfulness, yoga, and meditation. On "Thoughtful Thursdays" we will focus on the mind and mental health, and will have Social-Emotional Learning classes, small group discussions, art classes, and more.
Students received an email with information on how to sign up for these offerings.
We are looking for community partners/professionals who would be willing to teach a class or lead a discussion under the umbrella of wellness or mental health. If you are interested, please email Lynn Hoyle at lhoyle@beniciaunified.org to connect.
Benicia Mentor Program
What is the Benicia Mentor Program?
The mentoring program started in 2002 at Liberty High and expanded to Benicia High and
Benicia Middle Schools in 2009. The mentors are community members who volunteer their
time to connect with and support students.
What is a Mentor?
A mentor is vetted through the BUSD and is not meant to take the place of a parent or
guardian, but is an adult friend whom a student can speak with about what may be going on in
their lives. The mentor is not there to correct, tutor, or change student, but to be role models
who are able to share from their life experiences. The mentor and student meet weekly on
campus, during the school day. Also, if there comes a time when we feel your student is in
danger to themselves or others, the mentor will communicate their concern to the school
administration for further action.
Why a need for a Mentoring Program?
As we are all well aware of, the past 3 yrs. have been unprecedented. Some students are better
at “covering up” their needs, frustrations, and fears than others are. Many students are trying
to figure out how they fit into today’s world and how they will be able to deal with the threats
of violence, changes to laws that may affect them, or if there will be employment waiting for
them when they graduate. There are times a student would rather bounce things off an adult
who is not their parent or guardian. It is by no means a put down to the parent, but it is a good
thing that another caring adult can be there for your child.
How Do You Get Your Student Involved?
I am Ric Small and I have been involved in the mentoring program from the beginning. I would
be more than happy to answer any questions you may have and to get your student signed up.
We have a form for the parent/guardian and student to sign. Please contact me at 707-333-
4509, or ric@alonzosmall.com.
Care Solace Available for Community Support
Mental health and well-being is a priority for feeling safe, comfortable, and ready to learn at school. In support of this, we have invested in several resources that you can access whenever you need help. You are not alone and it is an act of bravery and strength to seek help. We encourage you to use our on-campus resources and save the community resources so you can easily find them if you or someone you know needs help.
Access help by visiting the Wellness Center
Sign up for support with a counselor or ask to talk with a school psychologist
Talk with a trusted staff member
- BUSD has partnered with Care Solace to support our community’s mental health
If you or a family member is looking for help with mental health or substance use, Care Solace can quickly find treatment options matched to your needs, regardless of the circumstance. Care Solace’s care navigation services are confidential and complimentary to Benicia Unified School District’s students, staff, and their families. Care Solace’s team is available 24/7/365 and can support you in any language.
If you would like to use Care Solace to help you find a provider:
Call 888-515-0595, available 24/7/365
Visit www.caresolace.com/beniciausd to search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.
In an emergency:
Call 911 or and request a Crisis Intervention Trained (C.I.T.) response
Go to the closest emergency room for support
Call the National Suicide Prevention & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org
Text “Hello” or “Home” to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor
Trevor Lifeline LGBTQQ+ Crisis Support: 1-866-488-7386
Design Your Own Senior Dedication For Your Class of 2023 Graduate:
Congratulations to BHS student Ava Ramirez
Congratulations to Ava Ramirez - one of the student winners of the Directing the Change Hope and Justice art and film contest in Solano County! Ava won Second Place: Hope and Justice with her piece titled “As We Rise”: We stepped away from our screens and into the streets and we marched. We marched for our lives, for our rights, for love, and for equity.
Ava has been working hard on her portfolio and art accomplishments for the past several years. She submitted this piece and it was displayed in the gallery at the California State Fair. The piece was created on an acrylic block, which leads to her written statement about plastic:
"Plastic is a material widely recognized as a danger to our Earth, and yet, as the Pandemic took over, plastic entwined itself into every new norm in our lives quickly becoming the very material we would communicate through. As plastic partitions and masks muffled our voices, we retreated into our worlds, seeking safety. The world stopped and was moving faster than ever. Digital media removed our masks, a safe space behind a screen, showing us our voices cannot be stifled. Not now. Basic human rights have been ignored, and trampled upon, in crises. Access. Access to medicine, vaccines, equity, equality. Much like the plastics churning in the ocean, issues rose to the surface, swollen from pain, and humans chose to speak up. We stepped away from our screens and into the streets and we marched. We marched for our lives, for our rights, for love, and for equity. A new sun, toxic rays of light begging for attention. We cannot forget what we have gone through for change to happen. This virus touches everyone, everything. Six feet apart. They stand, masked, determined, and even when they crumble, they won’t stop. They will never go away. Plastic."
College & Career Field Trips for BHS Students
Benicia High School's College & Career Center is providing four free student trips this year to visit a range of colleges and employers throughout the area to help students learn about the various options as they plan for life after high school. Students interested in attending one of the quarterly field trips should stop by the College & Career Center, room H-109, or the Counseling Office to pick up the forms and reserve a seat. Bus transportation will be provided by the school district. Students can request a free school lunch, bring their lunch, or bring money to purchase lunch during the trip.
Dates for the trips:
February 15th
March 28th
Questions? Contact Ms. Marwick in the College & Career Center or via email at gmarwick@beniciaunified.org
We Invite YOU to join the Willie B. Adkins Program!
Benicia High School is excited to announce our continued partnership with the Willie B. Adkins Scholars Program and invite students to apply to participate for the 2022-2023 school year! We recently completed our first year of partnership and want to grow this program and recruit more students to join for this second year of the program at BHS. The students who have participated have found this to be a very positive and helpful experience!
From September 20th through May 23rd, the program meets every Tuesday in room L-116 at Benicia High School, with Study Hall from 5:30pm-6:30pm and the Program Meeting from 6:30pm-8:30pm. They are also planning a Spring Break College Tour this year!
Willie B. Adkins Scholars Program is a college preparatory program, working to ensure that students are leaving the program with the right tools and a good understanding of what's expected of them beyond high school. Through their strategically planned year-long curriculum, activities, and events, they strive to meet these objectives. For more information about the program, please visit: https://www.williebadkins.com/ourservices.htm
Paper - Live Tutoring Service for All BHS Students
Stuck on homework? Need help preparing for a test?
Too shy to ask a question during class?
Paper is here to help!
Paper connects students to a real human tutor 24/7, 365 days a year, on ANY subject through a live chat feature. Students can also submit written work (essays, lab reports, college applications, writing prompts, resumes and more) and receive feedback in less than 24 hours.
Full access to Paper is available to students now!
Go to app.paper.co/login and login with your school account, or
Click on the Paper app on your Clever dashboard
Students - try these Paper Prompts for ideas to start using Paper!
Marquee Birthday Wishes!
Make your student's birthday extra special with a Marquee Birthday Wish! For $20 you can put their name in lights on the BHS marquee and send a birthday wish they'll never forget.
1. Submit the information using this Google Form - must be submitted at least 5 days prior to the requested posting date.
2. Purchase the Marquee Wish on the BHS Webstore. Message requests will not be posted unless they are also paid in advance.
This is a fundraiser for the BHS Associated Student Body and benefits students through school activities.
Student Parking Passes
Student Parking Passes are FREE, but students must register using the link below. Once a student has submitted the registration information needed, the information will be reviewed and a parking pass will be issued to the student (delivered to them in class). If information is missing or needed, the student will receive an email in their student email account with further instructions.
Buy Your Panther Spirit Wear Online!
Panther fans can now purchase spirit wear online with a range of items and accessories and proceeds benefitting our general athletics program. Items are delivered directly to you - including hats, blankets, jackets, shirts, backpacks, wall decals, and more. You can even design your own items!
https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/california/benicia/benicia-high-school
We will still continue to offer spirit wear sales on campus that benefit our Associated Student Body (ASB) and various team wear. Thank you in advance for supporting your BHS Panthers!
Join our PTSA & Participate in Our School Community!
Benicia High School is proud to partner with our Parent-Teacher-Student Association (PTSA) and work together to build a positive school community. Last year we were successful in growing our membership, adding to our Memory Brick project in Drolette Stadium, and meeting our goal to donate $10,000 to the purchase and installation of 6 more water bottle filling stations across campus.
Join us! Become a member today - every parent, family member, student, and staff member can join PTSA for just $10 per person. (Membership link below)
Support our fundraisers! Add us as your charity of choice on AmazonSmile, make a direct donation along with your membership purchase, and check here each month to learn about our current fundraisers. Every dollar makes a difference or our students!!
We look forward to having you join our PTSA and become a member of this amazing school community!
Amazon Smile - An Easy Way to Donate to Your PTSA!
Amazon Smile is now available on the Amazon app also!
Student Work Permit Information
For students seeking a work permit for after school or weekend employment, Ms. Gladi in the College & Career Center is available to assist you. To start the work permit process, the student must work with their potential employer to first fill out the “Intent to Employ a Minor and Request for Work Permit.” The student can then email the document to Ms. Gladi at mgladi@beniciaunified.org for review and completion.
Free Breakfast and Lunch for All BUSD Students!
We are pleased to announce our district-wide participation in the National School Lunch and School
Breakfast Programs with the California “Universal Meal”. All students enrolled in the Benicia School
District will receive breakfast and lunch free of charge each day they are at school. All food and
beverages served at BUSD schools meet state and federal requirements.
Families still need to complete the Free/Reduced Meal Application on the BUSD web site for the following other benefits:
Student eligibility for Pandemic-EBT benefits (more information below)
Student eligibility for discounted services such as Advanced Placement Exams and home internet/WiFi services
Discounted college application fees
School eligibility for significant additional State Funding
How to access the Free/Reduced Meal Application:
- Apply on line at: http://www.myschoolapps.com/
- You will be notified with the results
Form to Request Special Meals or Accommodations
Should a family need to request special meals or accommodations for a student for medical purposes, please use THIS FORM and email the completed form to smurcia@beniciaunified.org.
BHS Communication Guide
Communication is a key component to a successful school community. Our team of administrators, counselors, teachers, case managers, and staff members work to provide the best communication possible throughout the year and ask that you partner with us in this effort.
An area of concern regarding communication are the online forums and apps such as the “Benicia Happenings” group on Facebook, Next Door app, and similar pages/social media sites. On several occasions, incorrect information has been posted and negative or bullying remarks have been directed towards the school, staff, parents, and other individuals. Spreading false information is extremely disruptive and may compromise the work of the school and school safety. Posting negative and disparaging comments damages the positive school culture we work to create every day.
In high school we encourage students to grow to be self-advocates and to communicate for themselves. Most concerns can be addressed and solved when the student proactively and positively communicates directly with their teacher or their counselor. For further assistance, we provide a communication guide on our website with information on who to contact and the timeline to expect a response.
In an effort to provide high quality communication, we ask that questions be directed to school staff via email or phone so that correct information can be provided. When in doubt, contact the school. Our Main Office number is (707) 747-8325 and if you are not sure who to email you can send your question to BHSInfo@beniciaunified.org and we will direct it to the correct person to assist you. We also recommend use of our website, school-operated social media accounts, and monthly newsletter to access accurate and timely information. We thank you in advance for your support in this effort.
BENICIA HIGH SCHOOL
Email: BHSinfo@beniciaunified.org
Website: bhs.beniciaunified.org/
Location: 1101 Military West, Benicia, CA, USA
Phone: (707) 747-8325
Facebook: facebook.com/BeniciaHighPanthers
Twitter: @BeniciaHighBHS
District programs, activities, and practices shall be free from unlawful discrimination, including discrimination against an individual or group based on race, color, ancestry, nationality, national origin, immigration status, ethnic group identification, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, pregnancy, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or related recovery, parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or genetic information; a perception of one or more of such characteristics; or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.