
Hall's Corner
November 17, 2023
School will be closed for Thanksgiving Break, Wed - Fri, November 22 - 24.
Dear Bruin Families and Students:
We started Quarter 2 on Monday, 11/13. Grades will be posted to the Parent Portal on 11/22. How did you do academically? If you not only passed your courses and feel you did the best possible work you could do, wonderful… continue that hard work and your plan for success!
However, if you did not have the academic quarter you were hoping for, 2nd Quarter is a new start for you! You have to do something different though and reflect on why you didn’t have the best of quarters. Talk to your parents, teachers, counselors, and administrators about what you can do this quarter to make a positive change! If you don’t, you may get the exact same results you got this past quarter. We are here to help; you just need to reach out and we can make a plan to turn things around quarter 2.
FRESHMEN, Class of 2027 – REMEMBER, if you don’t pass your courses for the year, you don’t earn credits, and you don’t move on to the next grade level. Unlike middles school, there is no social promotion to the next grade. You must earn at least 5.5 credits to be a 10th grader! Again, if you need help, this is the time to make a change and QT 2 can be your new start!!!!
Report Cards
This year, Twelve Corners Middle School and Brighton High School will be distributing report cards electronically through Parent Square instead of mailing printed report cards. You will receive an email or mobile app alert from Parent Square with a link to access the report card. Parent Square will require you to sign in to view the report card. If you’ve never created a Parent Square account, you can do so by following the Register prompt here: https://www.parentsquare.com/signin. If you don’t remember your password, click the Forgot Password button to reset it.
If you would like a paper copy of your student’s report card to be mailed to you, please contact 585-242-5000, maryellen_schultz@bcsd.org or josie_leyens@bcsd.org for Brighton High School and 585-242-5100 or sherri_hellman@bcsd.org for Twelve Corners Middle School.
Be well,
T. Hall
College & Career Counselor Announcement
We are excited to announce that Courtney Stern is now our first full-time College & Career Counselor and Work Based Learning Coordinator at BHS!
Ms. Stern has been supporting all BHS students in a part-time capacity for the last five years, and we look forward to expanding her role within the school community.
- Collaborate with our School Counselors to support each student’s individual journey toward graduation and beyond.
- Continue to co-coordinate our Work Based Learning program, creating opportunities for job shadowing, internships, and student employment.
- CDOS credential coordination with our School Psychologist and Special Education department.
- Oversee EMCC registration and enrollment.
- Liaison to college and career representatives.
- Assist students with their post-secondary exploration and application process through Senior Office Hours and 1:1 appointment.
- Coordinate visitations with college, trade, and military representatives and organize field trips.
- Support our student athletes through the NCAA eligibility process.
- And more!
Students and families can schedule individual meetings with Courtney through her Booking Page or contacting her directly:
(585) 242-5000 x4529
Most high schools outside of NYC do not have a counselor dedicated to career development or post-secondary goal setting; we’re lucky to be one of the only districts in our area to support a position like this!
PTSA Meeting with the Principals BHS & TCMS, held November 15
TOPIC – Vaping and Teenage Users
A taping of the PTSA Meeting with the Principals – TCMS and BHS
from November 15 can be viewed at _https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5sBNg7BZCY&ab_channel=BrightonCentralSchoolDistrict
Vaping and e-cigarette use among teenagers – What parents need to know about nicotine vapes and THC vapes, why kids vape and where they get their vapes, the health risks associated with vaping, marketing campaigns targeting teenagers, Brighton statistics on vaping, treatment programs, what Brighton is doing to address the problem, and more.
Join Dr. Hall and Ms. Edmunds, along with social worker Lance Mitchell and URMC medical professional, Dr. Susan Gasparino for our presentation.
Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month, or as it is commonly referred to, American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. This month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. Throughout the year, and especially during November, we celebrate the rich traditions, languages, and contributions of indigenous people.
If you would like to learn more, please check out some resources and online events for families organized by The Library of Congress and other related groups. Additionally, Smithsonian offers online and in-person events as well as resources.
A note on Thanksgiving from District
Celebrating Thanksgiving
As part of our work around Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Education we are taking a thoughtful look at different parts of our curriculum and instruction with our students including holidays such as Thanksgiving. As you may know, many Native American images found on Thanksgiving cards, decorations, and some school materials are very stereotypic. They are often based on a "composite" view of Native Americans rather than on accurate and diverse Native American lifestyles and traditions. As a consequence, Thanksgiving imagery serves to teach and reinforce children's misinformation and stereotypic thinking about Native Americans. Moreover, the story of Thanksgiving is usually told from only one side -- that of the European pilgrims who came to America. Rarely is it told from the perspective of the people who were already here.
Through our work with students our hope is to help children understand that Thanksgiving means different things to different people. Some families celebrate Thanksgiving and others do not. As we talk about Thanksgiving, we hope to help students understand it as part of a larger effort to learn accurate information about Native Americans of the past and present. Additionally, it offers a chance to talk about gratitude in light of the Native Americans who provided food and resources to the colonists. As we give thanks this season, we hope you will find ways within your family to reinforce these lessons and help instill in our children an appreciation and accurate understanding of all cultures.
If you are interested in more resources, please see the list below.
Additional resources:
- Book list with books written from the Native perspective: https://coolmompicks.com/blog/2015/11/21/childrens-books-about-thanksgiving-from-native-perspective/
- American Indian perspectives on Thanksgiving: https://americanindian.si.edu/sites/1/files/pdf/education/thanksgiving_poster.pdf
From The Office of Curriculum and Instruction: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
November 2023 DEI Updates
In Brighton, we define diversity as race, gender, sexuality, ability, socioeconomic status, and cultural identity in all forms overt and hidden. We believe that these differences are what make us each unique, special, and important as human beings and prepare each individual to be a good citizen in a multicultural world. Why do we do this? Because all students and staff should be an equal member of a school environment that honors and respects the individuality of one another. Our Brighton Schools regularly engage in equity work reviewing the strengths and needs of our programs, curriculum, environment, and interactions with others. Some of the Fall 2023 highlights of this ongoing work are listed below. More information can be found on our district website: https://www.bcsd.org/domain/802.
Fall 2023 School Based Equity Team updates:
· CRPS is working on reviewing student, family and staff social emotional learning survey data. Additionally, this team is creating professional development opportunities for all staff, working together to process ongoing issues and concerns and planning school wide celebrations through the year.
· FRES school based equity work is focusing on developing schoolwide norms and agreements while also building capacity of staff members to support professional learning throughout the school year.
· TCMS has been reviewing data from spring social emotional surveys and narrowing the focus this year to “unstructured spaces” such as hallway, dismissal, cafeteria, etc. Staff received training on 2023 NYS legal update and best practices for creating a safe, supportive and affirming school environment for transgender and gender expansive students.
· BHS is comparing student survey data from 2022 to 2023, particularly around students’ written responses around sense of belonging. Additionally, this team is focusing on what students need to be successful in AP and College courses, including investigating barriers to students taking or being successful in AP courses.
A Snapshot of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Activities:
· Author Liza Weimer visited both CRPS and BHS! At CRPS, the focus was on celebrating kindness while at BHS she spoke about themes of allyship, upstanders, and helping students speak up against injustice and hate.
· CRPS, TCMS and BHS are hosting Fulbright Scholars through the University of Rochester. Teachers from Israel, Uganda and India are visiting classrooms and working with teachers and students.
· Building celebrations of heritage and history are happening all around the district including Hispanic Heritage Month, Native American History Month, Diwali, Veteran’s Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Patriot’s Day and more!
· Brighton celebrates peace, gratitude and partnership in many ways: TCMS Pen Pal program with local nursing homes, ShinShinim students from Israel working with teachers and classrooms at TCMS and BHS, “We are One” interactive Peace Board at FRES, TCMS Veteran’s Day Assembly, CRPS Celebration of World Kindness Day, Red Ribbon week in all school buildings and our districtwide ENL family potluck picnic.
TCMS Presents Shrek the Musical Jr.
Friday, November 17 and Saturday, Novemer 18
7pm in the BHS Auditorium
Tickets $10 - Reserved Seating
Purchase tickets online - showtix4u.com
Picture Retakes on December 1st.
BHS will have a second session of picture retakes from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. on December 1.
All students that have not yet been photographed need to be on December 1st, so that a student ID can be created.
ATTENTION AP STUDENTS Exam Payments Due December 1
STUDENTS PLANNING TO TAKE THE EXAMS MUST ACT BY DECEMBER 1ST
AP Exams will take place May 6-17, 2024. AP Exam fees are $98 per exam and are due by December 1, 2023.
Students enroll in AP Classroom in the beginning of the year in their AP class, which essentially orders an exam for them. Any exam ordered after the November 15th deadline will incur a $40 late fee. To prevent being charged a late fee, please make sure your student is enrolled in AP Classroom for their respective AP courses. Please go to the BHS Website, or see the attachment below, for more important information and procedures.
ATTENTION CLASS OF 2024
Brighton Graduation Online Orders Now Through December 1st!
Hello Brighton Class of 2024!
Your graduation order period is going on now! Please remember to place an order for your cap & gown and other graduation items by Friday, December 1st!
Click here to place your order online today!
The cap and gown unit alone (including tassel for ceremony) can be found here.
Please call (585-377-4778) or email us (scott.fitch@jostens.com) with questions or to place your order over the phone. Looking for a catalog? A complete packet can be found in the main office.
Thank you and we look forward to helping you celebrate your senior year!
Jostens - Fitch Office
Phone: (585) 377-4778
E-Mail: scott.fitch@jostens.com
Mail: PO Box 162, Fairport NY 14450
PTSA Family and Student Assistance is available through your counselor. See this link for the form.
Students in the News
Request or Sponsor Thanksgiving and December Holiday Baskets
The Brighton Central School District and Brighton Food Cupboard - a program of Jewish Family Services - are working together to offer Thanksgiving and December Holiday baskets to families who would benefit from them. Information can be found on the District Web Page HERE.
Check out the Counseling News for Senior Fall Happenings
Calendar of Upcoming Events at BHS
Nominate Someone for a Brighton Believers Award
The Brighton Believers Awards are presented to people who exemplify the five character traits highlighted in the motto, “Brighton Believes."
Criteria
- Nominees must live or work in the town of Brighton.
- Nominees must demonstrate the character traits of Brighton Believes in their work, school, community involvement, public service, extracurricular participation, etc.
- Anyone may submit a nomination.
- There is no deadline this year, as we’d like nominations to come in throughout the 2023-24 school year.
Process
To complete a nomination, please fill out this form. You need not be limited by the lines in the form. You can submit your nomination by mail or in person to Brighton Believes Council, 2035 Monroe Avenue, Rochester, NY 14618; or e-mail to Jeff_Green@bcsd.org. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jeff Green at (585) 242-5200 ext. 5535.
Recipients will be recognized at a Brighton Central School District Board of Education Meeting on a date to be determined. The recipient will be invited along with the person who submitted the nomination.
Brighton Community Education
Brighton Community Education offers the following classes for high school students throughout the school year. If you have questions, please send an email to ce@bcsd.org or call the office at 585-242-5200, Ext. 5595.
SAT and ACT Exam Prep Boot Camp
Taught by Chariot Learning--Upstate New York’s most well-known and respected test prep organization--this 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. This class meets at Brighton High School multiple times throughout the year.Complete class information, meeting dates for each session, and registration are available at brightonschools.revtrak.net. You do not have to be a BHS student to register for this class. Questions? Please contact the Community Education office at ce@bcsd.org or 585-244-5200, ext. 5595.
New York State Driver Education
This course is offered at Brighton High School (BHS four times a year – fall, winter, spring, and summer. Brighton Central School District partners with a program coordinator and instructors who are Monroe One Educational Services (BOCES) employees. Dates for the next session are posted as soon as they are provided to BHS from BOCES. BHS students are enrolled on a first-come, first-served basis. Prepare to register for this course by reading general information about the current session here (see the Student Info Sheet). Complete course details and registration information are available at brightonschools.revtrak.net. Questions? Please contact the Community Education office at ce@bcsd.org or 585-244-5200, ext. 5595.
2024 JUNE EXAM SCHEDULE
June Exam weeks schedule is here! Please get the dates on your calendars!
ATTENTION BHS Families and Students
2024 JUNE EXAM SCHEDULE
FINAL DRAFT
SAVE THE DATES for FINAL EXAMS
June 14 – June 24
Students with scheduled exams are expected to be there for ALL EXAMS!
Resources
BATHROOM EXPECTATIONS – violations will lead to consequences.
- ONLY one person per bathroom stall.
- No loitering or hanging out in bathrooms. If students are waiting for available stalls or urinals, they should wait in the hallway or choose another bathroom.
- Bathrooms are for urinating, defecating, and attending to personal hygiene issues. They are not for eating, socializing, or vaping. Students have a right to privacy when using the restroom and should not have to navigate through students vaping or hanging out.
- Students should get in and get out. Period.
- Nicotine Vape use/possession will result in Saturday detentions, ISS, and treatment programs for nicotine addiction.
- THC containing vapes use/possession will result in out of school suspension and treatment program referrals for substance use/abuse.
- Selling of vape devices/drugs will result in long-term suspension.
We have stepped up our cleaning schedule throughout the day and have increased security monitoring of all bathrooms at BHS. We have heard you and we need your help to make all of our bathrooms clean, safe, and welcoming.
Food Services
School Picture Code
- Students who were absent for Picture Day and had pictures on makeup day, please use the Retake Order Code: 79066MF to place your order at: https://inter-state.com/Order. To see your Order History, check your Inter-State Account.
Senior Picture Guidelines
The BCSD site for yearbook with Senior Portrait info is up to date. This is the link to our page
Current COVID Guidelines
The CDC recommends that people who have symptoms of respiratory or gastrointestinal infections, such as cough, fever, sore throat, vomiting, or diarrhea, should stay home. Testing is recommended for people with symptoms of COVID-19 as soon as possible after symptoms begin.
- If people test positive for COVID-19, they should stay home for at least 5 days and isolate.
- Isolation may end after Day 5 IF people are fever-free for 24-hours without fever-reducing medication AND their symptoms are improving.
- Day 0 being day of symptom onset or positive test.
- If symptoms are NOT improving, the CDC recommends that the person continue to isolate until symptoms improve and they are fever-free for 24-hours without fever-reducing medication.
- After the person has ended isolation and when symptoms have improved, the CDC recommends that people wear a well-fitting, high-quality mask through Day 10, OR until two rapid tests, taken 48-hours apart, are both negative.
Administrator and Counselor Information
Click here for names and contact information.
Brighton Believes Resources
Safe School Helpline
1-800-4-1-VOICE ext. 359
1-800-418-6423 ext. 359
TEXT: 66746, TIPS