BCIT MEDFORD NEWSLETTER
APRIL 2024
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Can you believe it's already spring? With warmer weather and blooming flowers, it's the perfect time to check out some of the upcoming events on campus. This newsletter is packed with exciting news about upcoming events, club activities, and academic achievements.
Spring State Testing dates have been set for our last round of required testing for the students. Be sure to talk to your child about testing and to contact your guidance counselor if you have any questions. Ninth grade students in Algebra I (May 21 & 22) and currently enrolled in English (May 14 & 15) will be testing along with all eleventh grade students taking the State Science assessment (May 21 & 22).
Graduation is fast approaching, and we know emotions are running high. Information with important details and deadlines for graduation will be e-mailed to students and parents in the very near future. Be sure to review this carefully in the coming weeks. Don't hesitate to reach out to Dr. Bouchard with any questions. We're all here to ensure this momentous occasion is unforgettable for your graduate and your family.
Thank you,
Mike Parker
Principal BCIT Medford
UPCOMING EVENTS
MAY 2: Honor Roll Breakfast
MAY 8-9: Spring Dance Concert 7PM
MAY 17: Half Day Students
MAY 17: Prom, The Merion, 6PM
MAY 23: Activity Period - Class Elections
MAY 23: Spring Music Concert 7PM
MAY 27: CLOSED - Memorial Day
MAY 30: VOTAG Induction 6PM, TWG Book Signing 7PM
JUNE 3: Senior Picnic - Liberty Lakes
JUNE 4: Sports Awards 6:30PM
JUNE 5: Senior Awards 1PM
JUNE 6: Senior Sunset Social 7:30PM
JUNE 7: Yearbook Distribution
JUNE 9: Yearbook Distribution
JUNE 13-14: Sem 2 Finals & Half Day Students
JUNE 17: Half Day Students & Graduation 7PM
STAY CONNECTED!
MEDFORD TECH JAGUARS - OFFICIAL ONLINE STORE
STUDENT ADDRESS/INFORMATION CHANGE FORM
Any address change must be submitted to the School Counseling Department in writing. This is the only way to ensure proper busing information is submitted to transportation. The Student Address/Telephone/Information Change form is available via the BCIT Medford Campus homepage under School Counseling Center.
TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
Click here to view the contact information for all sending districts
FRESHMEN/SOPHOMORE DANCE
HOMEWORK CLUB!
Students must sign-up in the Counseling Department at least 24 hours in advance so late buses can be arranged.
STUDENT PICK UP DURING SCHOOL HOURS
The safety of our students is our main priority. Guardians and authorized emergency contacts may pick up a student during school hours in the Main Office. When arriving in the Main Office, a driver’s license or state/federal issued I.D. must be presented. Students will not be released to anyone who does not provide proper identification.
Guardians must send written authorization in the form of an email in order to authorize someone who is NOT listed in Genesis to pick up their student. A representative from the main office will also call the main contact(s) to verify the written notification. The email should be sent to mainoffice@burlcoschools.org from the email address listed in Genesis and include the following information:
Date
Student’s name and grade level
Name of the person picking up the student
Time and reason of departure
Your name and relationship to student
Your phone number (phone number must match what is listed in Genesis)
The person being designated to pick up their student must present a driver’s license or state/federal issued I.D. when arriving at the Main Office. Once the email is received, the student will be released.
Please review the contact information in Genesis for your student to ensure that the most current information has been provided. Should you have any questions or need additional information, please contact the Main Office at 609-654-0200 ext. 8411.
AFRICAN AMERICAN ARTS FESTIVAL
ONLINE PAYMENT SYSTEM...GET SIGNED UP!!!
Medford Tech online payments are active for General Obligation (ID’s, books, etc.) and various student activity payments (Homecoming, Activity Dues, Senior Trip, Prom, etc.). To make an online payment, please click HERE and create a MySchoolBucks account; then find your product and make a payment.
PLEASE NOTE THAT MY SCHOOL BUCKS IS NOT FOR SCHOOL LUNCH PAYMENTS!
All parents/guardians of freshmen students should create a MySchoolBucks account. Please reference the online user guide below for assistance.
Creating A Parent Account (Click link - scroll halfway down page and look for MSB link on right)
SCHOOL LUNCH INFORMATION
Visit the Food Services website for lunch menus, free and reduced lunch forms, etc.
IMPORTANT!!!!
Please complete the Free & Reduced Lunch Application to see if you qualify! This will also help with several other educational areas.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
Please take the time to visit our student-activity information. We encourage every student to get involved in at least one club/activity. Please visit both of the links below for more information.
Click here for the link to all the Medford Clubs
BCIT PERFORMING ARTS: SPRING DANCE CONCERT
BCIT FOUNDATION: PRIDE PROGRAM
PRIDE Program promotes positive academic efforts and behaviors - consider donation to BCIT Education Foundation
PRIDE is a nationally recognized program that supports positive student academic achievement and good behavior. The acronym embodies Personal Responsibility In Daily Effort. For many years, our BCIT Foundation has been very generous in the support of our PRIDE Program at BCIT. BCIT students recognize the PRIDE Program as a way to be acknowledged for putting forth his/her best efforts. Students may earn PRIDE incentives through various avenues such as academic accomplishments, club or sport participation, attendance and good behaviors.
Through monies raised by the BCIT Foundation, the PRIDE Program has provided items that supplement our local BCIT high school budgets. More recently, over the past two school years, the Foundation has provided the following:
- Staff member of the month trophies (prohibited by our purchasing manual)
- Earned student weekly incentives for PRIDE activities, such as Wawa and Dunkin Donut Gift cards; BCIT water bottles; BCIT PRIDE ear buds
- Funding for PRIDE events
This past year, almost 500 students on our Medford Campus and 600 students on the Westampton Campus, per marking period, were recognized as PRIDE recipients. Valuing the need to promote the continual support of the PRIDE Program, the BCIT Foundation's hope is that with the popularity of the PRIDE Program and its proven results, parents, local businesses, and members of the community may consider making a donation to the Foundation.
When giving to the BCIT Foundation in support of the PRIDE Program, donations will directly support PRIDE Program incentives.
To learn more about the program, and how to donate, please contact Foundation Director at (609) 267-4226, ext. 8335.
BCIT FOUNDATION
SPRING MUSICAL: HAIRSPRAY
ATTENDANCE POLICY (UPDATED MARCH 2020)
Every student is expected to be in school every day, all day.
- Should the student be absent in excess of six unexcused days per semester, then he/she will be placed on non-credit status.
- Students who exceed a total of nine or more days with excused or unexcused absences from school for the semester will not be eligible for noncredit remediation, and may be referred to the Superintendent for consideration for referral to the Board of Education for action.
- Partial absences caused by lateness to school or early departure from school will be counted toward non-credit. Each partial absence will be equal to at least .25 of a day. Four (4) such partial absences shall equal one (1) day absence for the purpose of non-credit.
- All excused absences require written documentation to verify the nature of the absence. Parent letters excusing a student for attendance purposes are not acceptable. Medical notes need to be from a medical professional. Please review the policy below regarding approved excused days. If your son/daughter is dealing with a prolonged medical issue, please communicate with your guidance counselor and we can work together to develop a plan.
UPCOMING: CREDIT MAKEUP SESSIONS & FINALS
READ ACROSS AMERICA WEEK
On March 6, BCIT-Medford NHS students went to Chairville Elementary School to celebrate Read Across America Week wiht a book and a crazy hat.
Medford's NHS students read their favorite childhood stories to Chairville's 1st Grade students. All of the students, both high school and 1st grade, really enjoyed spending time together and loved sharing the job of reading.
2024 BURLINGTON COUNTY TEEN ARTS
On March 14th, BCIT Medford Art & Entertainment Tech students participated in the annual Burlington County Teen Arts Festival.
10th grader Noah Johnson's short film "Outside" was selected to move on to the NJ State Teen Arts Festival in June. He will be representing Burlington County. Congrats, Noah!
MEDFORD ATHLETICS
All student-athletes must register online each season (fall, winter and spring) for athletics.
Click Here For Athletic Registration Information
In addition, each student-athlete must have a valid physical and other required forms on file with the nurse’s office prior to participation in athletics. The school’s physician must approve all physicals completed by any private physician prior to final clearance.
Our school physician performs physicals at each campus twice a month. We recommend that student-athletes get a physical at school as this helps to streamline the approval process (less paperwork). If a student athlete plans on getting a physical at Medford Tech, they must sign up in advance in the nurse's office.
For more information and updates about Medford’s athletics (coaches, schedules, required paperwork, etc.) please reference the Athletics website.
We encourage all students to get involved in athletics. Especially as an incoming student, becoming part of a team is a great way to instantly make twenty or thirty new friends.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact the specific coach or the Athletic Director.
A complete participation packet with signed consent forms must be submitted to the Athletic Department in order for a student-athlete to tryout in any sport. Packets are available on the school Athletics website. Please review the website for additional information regarding our programs. Please ensure to submit all required forms - click the link below for more information.
ATHLETIC PACKET & REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Varsity Softball
JV Softball
Varsity Baseball
JV Baseball
BCIT MEDFORD COUNSELING DEPARTMENT
All Grades:
It is advisable that any student who is currently struggling in a class to reach out to their teacher for additional help. School Counselors are also available, by appointment, to discuss grades and interventions.
Community Service:
Stay involved in school community based extracurricular activities that interest you or enable you to explore career interests.
College-Bound Juniors:
Fall and winter are very important times for you to be visiting college campuses so you know where to apply next September! Campuses give a completely different impression in the summer when they are deserted than during the academic year.
SAT Practice:
SAT Skills and Practice can be found on the www.collegeboard.org website.
FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION:
Looking for national scholarships? Complete the registration at www.fastweb.com to receive email notifications of scholarship programs.
Visit www.meritaid.com to find merit-based scholarship opportunities from colleges before you apply. This website can help students with merit-based scholarships from colleges that reflect your accomplishments and interests.
Another good resource for researching scholarships is www.finaid.org .
Paper FAFSAs will no longer be delivered in bulk to high schools. Students are able to obtain a paper FAFSA by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). Students are encouraged to file the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov for faster processing. A PDF version of the FAFSA is also available for download at www. studentaid.ed.gov.
The US Department of Education sponsors www.studentaid.ed.gov, which provides helpful information on preparing for college, types of financial aid, determining who is eligible for financial aid, how to apply for aid with the FAFSA, and information on repaying your loans.
PRIDE WEEK
Congrats Pride Week Winners: Class of 2024!