Bunnell High School

Bunnell High School Newsletter

January 2025
students on stage

Principal's Message

Happy New Year, Bulldog Families!

I hope this Newsletter finds you healthy, well-rested, and energized to begin a new year. The month of December was busy with the hustle and bustle of the holidays and we look forward to settling back into our routines as we round the corner and head into the second half of the school year. It’s hard to believe that in just a few months, members of the Class of 2025 will be walking across the stage at Commencement - but until then, there is much work to be done! 

This month, the English and Math departments will begin administering the Winter NWEA assessment to students. Please encourage your child to take these tests seriously, as they are important measures which will help us identify critical areas of academic growth. Midterm Assessments will take place from January 21st through the 24th. Both high schools will be operating on half day schedules during the week of Midterms. Please reference the following schedule for more detailed information. Course Selection for the 2025-2026 school year will begin after Midterm Exam week and will continue through the month of February. More information about this process will be sent to families in the upcoming weeks.

This year, we will continue to place a strong emphasis on high quality, meaningful instruction for all students. Our data teams are analyzing a wide range of student data, most recently the Fall 2024 PSAT scores, which will be used to inform instructional practices. Currently, our school is in the process of completing a School Growth Plan as a follow-up to our NEASC Collaborative Conference, which was held last April. We look forward to implementing this plan over the next year and a half in preparation for our Decennial Accreditation visit in 2026. 

Please be sure to visit our website regularly and follow us on Instagram (@bunnellbulldogs) or Twitter (@drkgraf; @bunnellbulldogs) to keep up-to-date with Bunnell’s latest news and events. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions or concerns. I wish you and your family a safe, happy, and healthy New Year.

With Bulldog Pride, 

Katie Graf

School Counseling Department

words describing guiding

Follow us on INSTAGRAM: @bunnellguidance

BHS School Counseling Team

Mrs. Alyce Borgersen - borgersena@stratk12.org

Ms. Patty Costa - costap@stratk12.org

Mrs. Amanda Ferrara - ferraraa@stratk12.org

Mrs. Carrie Gettings - gettingsc@stratk12.org

Mrs. Francesca Koebbe - koebbef@stratk12.org

Mrs. Candice Parauka, Secretary - paraukac@stratk12.org

Please click here for the January Scholarship Bulletin

The School Counseling Department will be hosting 11th grade students and parents for a College & Career Planning workshop on Tuesday, January 28th at 7:45 a.m in the BHS auditorium. Parent participation is strongly encouraged as you play a vital role in helping support your child's journey into adulthood!

Click here to register for Career and College Planning Workshop

There will be upcoming district-wide FAFSA workshops held at Bunnell and Stratford High Schools for families who need assistance with the application. The first session will be Saturday, January 11th at Bunnell. All of the Information regarding dates and sign up information has been shared with families through email. 

Click Here to Register for FAFSA Workshop

The school counselors are continuing to meet with seniors for postsecondary planning meetings. Seniors who applied early are already starting to hear about admissions decisions and are getting excited about their future plans.  Students who continue to need assistance with planning beyond high school should reach out to their counselor.

Spring sports registrations will open up beginning on 1/6/25 through Final Forms.

If you registering a student for athletics for the first time, you are encouraged to review the instructions on creating a Final Forms Account here: Final Forms Parent Playbook

Please register at: https://stratford-ct. finalforms.com/ and follow the prompts to create your account, create your students and sign your forms. If you have previously registered your child and forgotten your login credentials, please do not create a duplicate account.

If you require any support during the process, scroll to the page bottom and click “Use Support”.

Tryout dates and times can be found here: https://www. stratfordk12.org/o/bhs/page/ spring-sports

A valid physical is required for participation in tryouts. If needed, please contact the School Based Health Clinic for more information about securing a sports physical before tryouts begin. Please contact  Angela Matera: (203) 385-4299- materaa@chc1.com  to schedule a sports physical examination.

Academic Eligibility for spring sports is determined by Q2 grades (2 or more failures in Q2 will result in being academically ineligible for tryouts). 

Athletics

bulldog with bunnell athletics across it

If you have any questions, please contact our Athletic Director, Mr. Wayne Thrall at thrallw@stratk12.org

BHS Athletics website

Yearbook News

Email Mrs. Martire for any Yearbook questions at martireh@stratk12.org

Follow us on Instagram - @bunnellyearbook

Reminder:

We are exceedingly proud of the magazine quality of our 200+ pages of text and photographs. Yearbook students learn the basics of publishing, including: online design, photography, interviewing, copy writing and editing, and sales. This is a student produced publication and created as part of an in-school course. In the event that there are misspellings and errors in our publication, we apologize in advance. It is a year-long project put together by hard working students, and mistakes are bound to happen.

CELEBRATE 2025 WITH THE GIFT OF A CUSTOMIZED YEARBOOK!

No photo-sharing app can rival the historical value of a hardcover text-and-photograph-filled yearbook.  Bunnell High School yearbooks are on sale now and can be purchased at https://yearbookforever.com/.  

Our lowest price of the year, $75, has been extended until January 5.  On January 6, books will be $85. 

Personalization options like name stamps are only available until January 25.  After that date, books cannot be personalized.  Order early to make your student’s book even more special. 

AD SALES TO GRADUATES are OPEN - Ad sales are open online at https://yearbookforever.com/. We sell to businesses and to senior parents.  Senior ads are easy to create in our Walsworth yearbook software online. Follow the steps to choose photos, fonts, colors and ad size. Beautiful, custom messages to your graduate are just a click away. 

Five gorgeous ads have already been created by our Bunnell parents.

We will have a senior ad night in February to help interested parents create a beautiful tribute to their graduate. Online ads can be made at any time.  Ad sales will close March 1. 

Email Mrs. Martire with questions and for help martireh@stratk12.org

CANDID UPLOADS - Please share your photos with us! We know you have great photos. Send us your photos via Yearbook Snap  access code: bunnell.

Parent Advisory Committee

We are excited to share a new opportunity for families to get involved in our school community - the BHS Parent Advisory Committee! We're looking for parents/guardians to join us as we focus on school-wide events and teacher and staff appreciation! This is a more informal group with fewer meetings and less commitment but still a chance to get involved! Our main fundraiser will be a holiday fair in November and planning is in full swing! Please reach out to Sue Marcus if you're interested in helping out sesuemarcus@yahoo.com or join us virtually on Monday!

Join our Facebook Page - Everyone is invited to join our Bunnell High School Community Page! https://m.facebook.com/groups/1723870744295218/?ref=share&mibextid=db2PCj

It's a great way to connect with other families and find out about everything that's going on at Bunnell. The page is run by the Parent Advisory Committee and is just for members of our community. Please answer the questions and agree to the page rules so we can approve your request to join.

Post Prom

Post Prom Committee Meeting: January 2025

$25 for the Class of '25 Fundraiser - Please support the Class of 2025! Our goal is to raise $25 for each senior in the Class of '25. If you have a senior or would like to sponsor one, please click here for more details.

Bulldog Club

Bunnell High School Bulldog All-Sports Booster Club was formed in 1984 for the express purpose of providing support for interscholastic athletic teams and programs at Bunnell High School. Our teams and student-athletes have benefited greatly from the continued support of the Bulldog Club. The success that our teams have achieved in recent years is a direct result of the collective efforts of hundreds of dedicated student-athletes and coaches at Bunnell as well as the support of the Bulldog Club in providing financial assistance and promoting school spirit. The Bulldog Club seeks to significantly increase parent membership and involvement this year. Please consider joining!

The primary source for funds for the Bulldog Booster Club is the sale of All-Sports All-Seasons Pass to regular season home athletic contests (excludes Thanksgiving Day Football game and SWC/CIAC playoff games). Purchasing a Bulldog All-Sports All-Season Pass is a great way to show your support and get you into all regular season athletic contests here at BHS.

Bunnell Bulldog Club All-Sports All-Season passes can be purchased online by clicking here.

Free & Reduced Lunch

In August, the Stratford Public Schools issued a letter regarding important updates to the Food Services Program. Starting August 29, 2024, both breakfast and lunch will be charged to students unless they qualify for free or reduced lunch.  Please click here to read the letter from Mrs. Pamela Mangini. 

All lunch applications from the 22024-2025 school year are in effect until Friday, October 11, 2024. If a new application is not filled out prior to October 11, 2024, your child's lunch status will automatically be reset to full pay.

The school lunch online payment system of the Stratford Schools is myschoolbucks.com. Parents may use this system to make payments online and/or to check student balances.  If you experience any problems with this or have other questions, you may contact Myschoolbucks toll free at 1-855-832-5226. Of course, students may make cash or check deposits directly into their accounts at any time.  Cash/check deposits must be placed in an envelope accompanied by the student’s name and ID number (to keep your child’s ID number confidential, do not write the student’s name on the outside of the envelope).  If there is more than one student in a family in any Stratford school, one student may enter the deposit to their siblings account as long as each student’s ID number is indicated as well as the amounts to deposit to each account. Cash/check deposits should be given directly to the cafeteria supervisor. Other information regarding the automated “Point of Service” in the BHS cafe may be found on the district website by clicking here. All parents are strongly encouraged to fill out the online Free and Reduced Lunch Application. Paper versions are available in the main office.

Bus Transportation

All students who are eligible for bus transportation will be issued a bus pass on Monday, October 14th. On Wednesday, October 16th, Durham bus drivers will start enforcing the bus pass. Students must take the bus they are assigned to and have their pass at all times. If your student does not have their bus pass or tries to take a different bus, the driver will not allow them on the bus and students will be reponsible for finding their own transportation home. If your student should lose their bus pass, they must see Mrs. Sabia in the main office before Block 4 of the school day. There is a $2.00 fee for a lost pass.

Campus Parking

There are still spaces available for licensed drivers who are Juniors and Seniors to park on campus. The fee is $50.

If you would like to have your student park on campus, please click here for the BHS Parking Application link. Students must upload a copy of their driver's licence - permits are not eligible to "hold" a space. Once the form is filled out, payment for your parking pass is required. Parking passes will be available for purchase during a student's lunch, study hall or after school.

Each car must have a sticker and be registered with the main office to park on school grounds; unregistered cars may be ticketed or towed. Please see Mrs. Sabia in the main office for further information.

PowerSchool Portal Access & ECollect Forms

In order to maintain up-to-date student records, we are asking parents and guardians to review and update their information in PowerSchool under the Student Contact Information Update on the left-hand side of the navigation toolbar. Please click here to access the directions.

- Part 1: Student Information which is automatically pulled from PowerSchool. Please review this.

- Part 2: Address Update is only needed if you have moved from your current residence.

- Part 3: Parent/Guardian Information is automatically pulled and may be updated if needed.

- Part 4: Emergency Contact Information may be updated if needed.

- Part 5: Agreements (see below)

- Stratford Public Schools - Media Release (Consent/Declination of District Media Policy)

- Stratford Pesticide Notification

- Stratford Public Schools - No Child Left Behind Act (Military Opt In/Out)

- Step 6: Electronic Signature must be completed in order for the changes to take place.

Once you have updated the information, your child's schedule will be released. The portal will open on Friday, August 23, 2024 after 12:00pm.

If you have any concerns, please contact the main office at 203-385-4250.

All incoming juniors (grade 11) are required to have an updated health assessment and immunization record on file with the school nurse prior to the first day of school on August 29th in order to meet the requirements of state law and local Board of Education policy.

The School Based Health Center offers physicals for any student in Bunnell High School. Please reach out to them by going to their website - sbhc1.com or calling them at 203-380-6705.

Questions can be directed to the Health Office at 203-385-4257.

Nurse's Corner

school nurse with bandaid

The BHS Nurse can be reached at 203-385-4257.

Attendance Matters

attendance matters with an apple

BHS Attendance Secretary

Mrs. Maria Goga bhsattendance@stratk12.org

203-385-4254

Research shows that attendance is directly related to student achievement. Our school day begins at 7:30am - it is critical that your child attend school on time, every day - this includes the Advance period. If your child is going to be absent, please call Bunnell's attendance line at 203-385-4254 or email Mrs. Goga at bhsattendance@stratk12.org. If your child is struggling to attend school, please reach out to his or her Administrator or School Counselor who can assist you in finding the appropriate resources to support your child.

Include, Engage, and Inspire Every Family

Chromebooks - The IT department will be offering Chromebook Insurance. Please be sure to read the District's Chromebook Policy and reach out the the BHS IT Technician, Steven Reilly, or the BHS Library CIA, Roberto Velasco-Crespo, with any questions.

If your child is having issues with their chromebooks or student portal, please have them reach out to our IT department in the Library.

The Stratford Library Association has teen programs running throughout the month of December. Please click here to see what they are offering this month!

Library News

books spelling out library

Roberto Velasco-Crespo, Library CIA

Steven Reilly, IT Technician - reillys@stratk12.org

  • January 6 - Three Kings Day - NO SCHOOL

  • January 8 - 8th Grade Open House Night

  • January 11 - FAFSA Saturday Family Support (snow date 1/25/25)

  • January 14 - Senior Group Photo

  • January 20 - Martin Luther King Day - NO SCHOOL

  • January 21 - 24 - Midterm Assessments - EARLY DISMISSAL

  • February 12 - Data Collaboration - EARLY DISMISSAL

  • February 14-17 - Presidents Day Recess - NO SCHOOL

  • March 1 - FAFSA Saturday Family Support (snow date 3/29/25)

  • March 4 - Blood Drive

  • March 5 - Data Collaboration - EARLY DISMISSAL

  • March 7 - Junior Ring Dance

  • March 26 - SAT Day - EARLY DISMISSAL

Important Dates

blocks with letters spelling upcoming events

Bulldog Underground

bulldog with microphone

Bulldog Underground - Season 3 is back!! Meet your new hosts - Divinity, Keneil, Matilda, Nate and Berto.

Click on a link to check them out!

on SPOTIFY - https://open.spotify.com/show/6PCRwrPLt5Fz7OIv4V7EP9?scrlybrkr=7dae4da0

on APPLE PODCASTS - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bulldog-underground/id1658838576

on AMAZON MUSIC - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9d688f4c-bfbe-4795-b841-c5f956af8800/bulldog-underground

on iHEART RADIO - https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-bulldog-underground-236988402/

Main Office - 203-385-4250

  • Dr. Graf, Principal x3305

  • Mr. Koch, Assistant Principal - Grades 9 and 11 x3307

  • Ms. Minort-Kale, Assistant Principal - Grades 9 and 12, x3330

  • Mr. Tatto, Assistant Principal - Grades 9 and 10 x3311

Attendance Office - 203-385-4254

School Counseling Center - 203-385-4255, 203-381-2000 (f)

School Nurse - 203-385-4257

School Based Health Center - 203-380-6705

Athletic Director - 203-385-4260

Important Phone Numbers

blue phone

Be sure to follow BHS on social media to keep up with all the Happenings!

Instagram:

  • #bunnellbulldogs

  • #drkgraf

  • #bunnell_athletics

  • #bunnellstudentgov

  • #bhs_scribe

  • #bunnellyearbook

  • #bunnellguidance

  • #bunnellhsbandstudents

"X" (formally Twitter)

  • @drkgraf

  • @BunnellBulldogs

  • @Bunnell_HS

  • @LaurelBunnell

  • @BunnellBand

  • @BHSScribe

Follow Us

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"Stratford Schools is committed to establishing and sustaining an equitable community that achieves the District's equity mission to end the predictive value of race and ensure each individual students' and staff memebers' success. The Board of Education rejects all forms of racism as destructive to its mission, vision, values, and goals."