Hall's Corner
January 31, 2025
Dear Families,
We had a great start to our second semester and third quarter. Report cards for quarter two will be live on the Parent Portal on February 12th. As a reminder, we do have an academic eligibility policy for students participating in sports, clubs/activities, and the visual/performing arts. Please see attached (LINK HERE).
This past week, we also celebrated the Lunar New Year together as an entire 9-12 student body through a mini-assembly program in grade level homerooms. Thank you to our International Club (advisor Jennifer Wheeler), our Asian Student Association (advisor John Clements), district videographer Eric Gruner, and our administrative team for helping to put together our homeroom celebration plan.
In addition to celebrating Lunar New Year, we had a guest speaker who spoke to all of our students about their use of technology, phones, and social media. Tom Kersting provided insights on how the use of technology for many teens has had serious impacts on their social, emotional, and health/well-being. Tom Kersting is a nationally renowned psychotherapist, author and television contributor. He is the author of Disconnected: How to Protect Your Kids From the Harmful Effects of Device Dependency and Raising Healthy Teenagers: Equipping Your Child to Navigate the Pitfalls and Dangers of Teen Life.
Attached are some additional resources families may find helpful when talking to their students about technology.
BHS Presents Mamma Mia!
Brighton High School is presenting “Mamma Mia!” at 7 p.m. Feb. 6, 7, and 8 in the Brighton High School Auditorium, Tickets are $15 and are available online or at the door.
ABBA's hits tell the hilarious story of a young woman's search for her birth father. This sunny and funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. The story-telling magic of ABBA's timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, creating an unforgettable show. A large cast, non-stop laughs and explosive dance numbers combine to make “Mamma Mia!” a guaranteed smash hit for any theatre. A mother. A daughter. Three possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you'll never forget!
The cast includes Taylor Howe as Sophie Sheridan (Yelena Haefner-Busza is the understudy); Casey Howe as Donna Sheridan (Sophie Pincus is the understudy); Henry Ager as Sam Carmichael; Clem Beach as Bill Austin; Sage Rinella as Harry Bright; Tobin Smith as Sky; Samuela Botwey as Tanya Cresham-Leigh (Fiona Hughes is the understudy); Soph Miller as Rosie Mulligan (Mila Lobos is the understudy); Katey Laird as Lisa; Brooke Allen as Ali; Charlie McBane as Pepper; and Javier Smith as Eddie.
The ensemble includes: Michelle Arnold, Sophia Baker, Norah Collins, Kara Filmore, Yelena Haefner-Busza, Victoria Hayashi, Sydney Hubbard, Fiona Hughes, Teja Jensen, Gabby Kappy, Makenna Keenan, Mila Lobos, Mary Elizabeth Lundy, Phoebe Martin, Molly McIntyre, Cypher McNulty, Hannah Meltzer, Jada Phelps, Sophie Pincus, Jennifer Puckey, Maria Shalaeva, Adia Shetler, Denise Snyder-Smith, Sophia Stilson, Solstice Toner, Carys Vaisey, Juliana Vasquez-Colindres, Aralina Yarbrough, and ZiYang Zou. The dance captains are Sophia Baker, Kara Filmore, and Molly McIntyre. Naomi Kleiner is a Middle School Apprentice Performer.
The technical crew includes Stage Manager Hudson Sloan; Assistant Stage Manager Lauchlan Presley; Rhys McLendon on sound; Stella DeRisio on sound FX; Jordyn Raville on lighting; Alexis Sharp is the board operator; Ashe Nipe and Connor Mitchell are the spotlight operators; Arwen Hull and Jordan Inzinna are the Deck Leads; Laina Cohen and Anna Sackett are on props. The deck crew includes: Arnab Bandyopadhyay, Charlotte Marcus, Colby Rinella, Ellie Pratt, Nora Hiller, Rio Sama, Ronin Sellix, and Tessa Lindstrom.
The Artistic Director is Glenn McCarty, the Vocal Director is Alison Cuchiarale, the Choreographer is Jessica Padilla, the Orchestra Director is Sarah Staebell, the Technical Director is Jack Witmer, and the Production Manager is Kathryn Muniz.
On Thursday, January 30, 2024, Dr. Hall, joined by Courtney Stern and Jennie Viggiani to shared information on program planning, course selection process and timeline for 2025 - 2026.
Also discussed were graduation requirements, flex and lunch!
A recording of the meeting can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCO5G_QX3TA&ab_channel=BrightonCentralSchoolDistrict
The 2025-2026 Program of Studies and Course selection guide is available at Brighton High School - Program of Studies & Elective Videos
The TIES
Program provides trained volunteers to support students with developmental disabilities
from grade 3 to the age of 21 so that they can successfully participate in any afterschool activity
or community event.Volunteers are students within our school district in grades 8 through 12,
who attend a workshop that presents valuable information about the importance of belonging,
disability awareness, friendship building, and effective support strategies. We rely on our
volunteers to make the TIES program successful. Contact Sarah Mehta to get involved at 518 626
1298 (text) or sarah_mehta@bcsd.org
SAT and ACT BOOT CAMP
The SAT and ACT Exam Boot Camp class is being held at BHS on Saturday, February 1st from 9:00 a.m. to 3:0 p.m. in Room 158. The SAT/ACT Boot Camp thoroughly reviews the essential reading, writing, math, and test-taking skills and strategies for the most current versions of both exams. We’ll also outline the additional content and action steps needed for greater progress toward the highest test scores. The next session after this one is March 1st. Spring dates will be available soon.
Our Spring/Summer 2025 session class dates will be available at our website in late February. Writing Your College Application Essay will be offered by BHS teachers weekly throughout the summer. An SAT and ACT Boot Camp will be held in August. The summer session of Driver Education starts July 7th. It will meet on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Register for these classes (and more!) at https://brightonschools.revtrak.net Questions? Contact the Brighton Community Education Office at mona_zamiarski@bcsd.org or 585-242-5200 ext. 5595.
Financial assistance may be available through the BCSD Student & Family Support Fund. Contact Ms. Ingle the BHS Counseling Center for more information.
New York State Driver Education
The next session of the New York State Driver Education Course starts in April 2025. Registration for the class will begin on Tuesday, March 11th. All information about the course is available through the Brighton Community Education website listed below. You do not have to be a Brighton student to register. However, BHS students are enrolled and assigned to cars first. The class fee is $640. This class fills quickly; make sure you review the class information before registration opens so you can reserve your spot as soon as registration opens!