BRONCO BLAST

To read this newsletter in another language, click the link at the top of the email or click anywhere on this newsletter. A new tab will open on the right that will allow you to choose your language.

• 11/22-11/24: NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
• 12/1: Photo Re-take Day - 9th - 11th grade & Staff
  
• 12/8-9: Winter Wonderfest
  
• 12/13: FASFA Completion Workshop
  
• 12/21: Semester Exams
  
• 12/22: Semester Exams
  
• 12/25: Winter Break Begins - end of Semester 1
• 01/08: In-Service Day - staff only
• 01/09: School resumes

** Denotes newly added events to the calendar

The BHS counseling department will soon begin supporting students through the 2024-25 school year course request process. Detailed communication about the ‘24-’25 course request process will be emailed to families on Monday, November 20th.

Using the BHS Course Guide, we encourage all students to request courses based on their own interests, goals, and post-secondary plans. Before requesting courses, please have conversations with your student to discuss interests, goals, and secondary plans and how those connect to course requests and future plans. The Infinite Campus course request portal will open for students on Monday, November 20th through Sunday, December 3rd at 11:59 pm.

After the Infinite Campus course request portal closes, students will begin meeting with counselors during the months of December and January to finalize course requests/make any necessary changes.

• Freshman - Dec. 11 & 12. Counselors meet individually with freshmen in their PE class to review course selections

• Sophomore - Dec. 6 & 7. Counselors meet individually with sophomores in their PE/Health classes to review course selections

• Junior - Counselors will hold individual meetings with juniors starting after Winter Break to review course selections

Over the past several years, many course teams have developed authentic summative experiences that more accurately measure student learning. The shift to authentic summative experiences has made it possible to rethink the number of days needed for traditional final exams. Given that the overall number of traditional final exams has decreased over the past few years, it is possible to reduce the number of school days dedicated to traditional final exams each semester from three to two.

Classes that have final projects, portfolios, performances, or other unique formats will not meet during final exam days. Only classes that have an 85-minute Final Exam will meet. Teachers will communicate directly with students if they are meeting on December 21 or 22 for a Final Exam. Most Math, Science, Social Studies, and AP/Dual Credit courses will have traditional final exams this Winter. Most students should have at most 4 final exams total over the two days. If a student has more than 2 exams in one day, they may choose to work with their teacher to move an exam to another day in a period where they do not have a traditional final exam.

Students and teachers have a 50-minute lunch break each day from 11:30 to 12:20. School buses will run on normal schedules.

As is past practice, December 20, 2023, is reserved and may be the first day of Final Exams if emergency closure days are forecasted for December 21st or 22nd.

Final Exams cannot be scheduled early due to family vacations or other conflicts. If a student misses their exam, they should try to make it up during the two exam days if possible or they will need to take it in the testing center or make arrangements with their teacher when school resumes in January.

In June 2023 the Barrington 220 Board of Education approved the district's new strategic plan, Framework 220, which will guide the district's work over the next few years. The plan consists of six strategic priorities. One of the priorities is Community Partnerships & Communication. Please click here to take our 3-minute external communications survey!

November is federally recognized as National Native American Heritage Month (NNAHM). During this month, American Indian and Alaskan Natives are honored and celebrated for their rich and varied cultures, traditions, history, and societal contributions. NNAHM gives us an opportunity to become more educated about Native Americans, increase our knowledge of unique challenges faced by this population, and better understand how historical trauma—such as colonization and genocide—has impacted Native peoples.

NEXT PTO MEETING

will be Monday, December 11, 9:15am. To RSVP for future meetings and a faster check in, sign up for PTO emails here.

“PACK THE BUS” THIS WEEKEND WITH BARRINGTON GIVING DAY!

Stop by the Jewel Osco in downtown Barrington this weekend to help us “PACK THE BUS!” November 18 & 19. Check the Barrington Giving Day website for details.

For more opportunities to brighten the holiday season for members of our community and make a positive impact, we can:

- VOLUNTEER our time to make this event a success, and/or

- DONATE ITEMS: donations of new (or gently used and clean) items may be dropped off at “Red Box” locations around town or at the donation center in South Barrington Saturday mornings.

The safety of our students and staff is always our top priority and we commit to offering a safe

and secure educational environment. Barrington 220 is now partnering with an Illinois school safety helpline aimed at providing students a place to report information that might prevent bullying, suicide, and campus violence. Safe2Help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It allows students to confidentially share school safety issues via a mobile app, text, email, or phone call. You will notice that the "See Something, Say Something" button on our district and school website now links directly to the Safe2Help contact page. We are asking that all students, parents, staff, and community members now use this platform to report safety concerns. In the case of an emergency, call 911.

Website: https://bhs.barrington220.org/
Location: 616 W Main St, Barrington, IL, USA
Phone: 847-381-1400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BHS220/
Twitter: @BarringtonHS220