BHS November 2023 Newsletter

Principal's Message

It’s hard to believe that we have reached the month of November and the close of the First Marking Period! We have had a very successful start to the school year and look forward to lots of exciting events ahead. Congratulations to our Marching Band and Color Guard (pictured above), who are the 2023 US Bands Group 5A State Champions! If you haven't seen their Katy Perry themed show, be sure to check it out at our Thanksgiving Day football game versus Stratford High School, which will be held on Thursday, November 23rd at 10:00am.

We are looking forward to welcoming over 400 BHS students at our Homecoming Dance this Saturday, November 4th. I would like to thank our Student Government Advisor, Mr. Garrett Covino, as well as our Officers for their excellent planning and preparation for what is sure to be a fantastic evening! On Friday, November 10th, Bunnell will be hosting an in-person Veterans Day luncheon and celebration for Stratford’s veterans. We look forward to this wonderful event in which we have the opportunity to give back to those who served.

As I emphasized at Open House, parental involvement is paramount to our school’s success. Please consider getting involved in one of our many parent groups - the Bulldog Club and Post Prom Committee are always looking for additional support!

Please read the weekly updates that are sent every Thursday and consider contributing to one of our many fundraisers in support of BHS. Be sure to visit our website regularly and follow us on Instagram (@bunnellbulldogs) or Twitter (@drkgraf) to keep up-to-date with Bunnell’s latest news and events. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have. Thank you for your continued support.

With Bulldog Pride,

Dr. Graf

Guidance

BHS School Counseling Team

Mrs. Alyce Borgersen - borgersena@stratk12.org

Ms. Patty Costa - costap@stratk12.org

Mrs. Amanda Ferrara - amandaf@stratk12.org

Mrs. Carrie Gettings - gettingsc@stratk12.org

Mrs. Francesca Koebbe - koebbef@stratk12.org

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

ASVAB Exam - The ASVAB (Career Exploration and Military Entrance) exam will be offered to BHS students on December 14th. Students must sign up to take the exam if they are interested in testing. The sign up sheet will be emailed to all students and families in grades 10, 11, and 12 the last week in November. Sign ups will close on December 8th. Any questions regarding the ASVAB exam, please contact Mrs. Ferrara at ferraraa@stratk12.org.

FAFSA - We will be holding 2 FAFSA College Planning Financial Workshops. Please click on the date you wish to attend and fill out the form.

November 2nd

In addition to the FAFSA Workshops, Ms. Chelsea DeLucia of Conntac Inc. will assist seniors with setting up their FSA ID and eventually assist families with filling out the FAFSA application. The FSA ID should be completed in order for students to complete their FAFSA form beginning December 1st. Sign up information will be sent to seniors and reminders will be posted in the Class of 2024 School Counseling Google Classroom.

Scholarship Bulletin - Parents of students in grades 9-12 are encouraged to view the Monthly Scholarship Update highlighting several opportunities for BHS students to earn college financial support or pursue internship and career training.

Winter Sports registration is open on FinalForms now through 12/1/23.

If you require any support during the process, scroll to the page bottom and click "Use Support". Please register at: FinalForms and follow the prompts to create your account, create your students and sign your forms.

Tryout dates and time can be found here: https://www.stratfordk12.org/o/bhs/page/winter-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 - materaa@chc1.com to schedule a sports physical examination.

Thank you for your assistance in streamlining our paperwork process at Bunnell High School.

Athletics

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

Bulldog Undergound

Check out the Bulldog Underground, Bunnell's Podcast series, hosted by Baeram Alfreh, Kevin Bravo, Daphne Grijalva, Madson Thomas-Ferguson, and Producer Julia Murphy. The podcast can be found on Spotify, Youtube or Apple Podcasts by searching bulldog underground.

All Bunnell students have been assigned a district-owned chromebook and charger. The district expectation is that all students will fully charge their chromebooks each night and bring them to school every day. There are many assessments that cannot be completed on personal devices. Please carefully review the district's Chromebook Protection Policy and consider purchasing the low-cost insurance which will cover accidental screen breaks, liquid spills, and other claims. Students experiencing technology issues, please email Bunnell's librarian, Mrs. Pellegrino, at pellegrino@stratk12.org for assistance.

Students are welcome to check out books before school, after school, and during study hall with a pass from an academic teacher. For book recommendations, help with research and citation, and access to our databases, please see our library website.

Are you looking for a particular book? Check out our Destiny Library Catalog or explore our newest books on Bunnell's LibraryThing. You can also make a recommendation for purchase of titles we don't own!

Free ebooks and digital audiobooks are available through the Stratford Library's Hoopla and OverDrive platforms. All you need is a Stratford Library card. The Stratford Library is now loaning wifi hotspots and chromebooks for home use.

Library News

Mrs. Pellegrino, Bunnell High School Librarian, can be reached at pellegrino@stratk12.org.

Yearbook News

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

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.

UNDERCLASSMEN - We just had an overwhelmingly successful run of photo days for students in 9th, 10th, and 11th grades. Unfortunately, we did miss students due to absence and to disillusionment about their hair that day. We will be scheduling a retake day at the end of November or beginning of December. The date is not set until packages are in students’ hands. We will keep you posted via email from the Main Office. Students will be made aware via the morning announcements. Lastly, follow us on Instagram! We will post the retake/absence date there. Students who desire a retake photo will be responsible for emailing Mrs. Martire for an appointment. They will also be charged a small fee of $5. Students who were absent that day will receive a pass to their photo appointment.

The appointments will take 5 minutes each.

SALES - 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 for a $10 discount at YearbookForever. This is our lowest and best price of the year. The discount will end January 1, 2024. Personalization options like name stamps are only available until January 24. After that date, books cannot be personalized. Order early to make your student's book even more special. Once you buy the yearbook, add a note or reminder to your calendar so you don't panic and buy another one in April. Print out your receipt and put it in a holiday card for your student.

AD SALES are OPEN! - Ad sales are open online at YearbookForever. We sell to businesses and to senior parents. Businesses can upload cards, contact information, and photos online or send information to Mrs. Martire. 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 February 29. More information to come at a later date.

CANDID UPLOADS - Please share your photos with us! We know you have great photos of orientation, first day, sporting events, and so much more. Send us your photos via Yearbook Snap access code: bunnell.

MESSAGE TO SENIORS FROM OUR SECTION EDITORS - It's Gabriela Czaja and Ella Myers from yearbook, co-editors of the Senior Section. We want to make sure all of the seniors have a special shoutout. Our Senior Section of the 2024 yearbook is going to be amazing. Senior quotes will not be under your portrait, so if you choose to have a senior quote, and if it is approved by administration, it will go into this section we are developing. This is a place to put in your own photos and text to commemorate your years at Bunnell. DEADLINE IS NOVEMBER 17!!!! Senior Form

GALLERY OF EXCELLENCE - We won an award! Check it out.

Explanation of 2023 GALLERY OF EXCELLENCE Distinction

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 flyer

Attendance

Other News

Parent Teacher Conferences will take place on Wednesday, November 15th. In an effort to maximize the opportunity to meet with your child's teacher(s), afternoon and evening conferences are available. Conferences this year will be offered both virtually and in-person by appointment only. All conferences are by appointment only. Please see the times listed below:

Afternoon: 11:45am - 2:15pm
Evening: 6:00pm - 9:00pm

This year we are using E-collect forms in the Parent Portal to schedule conference appointments. Should you need help accessing your Parent Portal, please consult the main office. Additionally, you can find information and directions on how to select your appointment times by clicking here.

The portal will be open for scheduling conferences beginning at 7:30am on Monday, October 30th until 11:00pm on Friday, November 10th. If you opt in for a virtual conference, you will receive a Zoom link from the teacher(s) you have made an appointment with in your email. Please note - no conferences will be held for Advance and/or study halls.

If you have any difficulties or questions, please contact any of the main office secretaries.

Free & Reduced Lunch

Stratford Public Schools is pleased to announce our participation in the State of Connecticut’s State Transition Assistance for Breakfast and Lunch (STABLE) program. Please click here to read the letter from Mrs. Pamela Mangini. 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.

There is a new addendum for the Free/Reduced Lunch Application. Addendum C English / Spanish talks about the new increased income guidelines for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that went into effect on October 1, 2023.

Bus Transportation

All students who are eligible for bus transportation were issued a bus pass on Monday, October 2nd. 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 responsible 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 a few 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 fill out a Parking Application form. Please email Mrs. Sabia at sabiam@stratk12.org with any questions.

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 ECollect on the left-hand side of the navigation toolbar.

- Part 1 Student Emergency Contact Form (Student/Parent Information)

- Part 2 Student Emergency Contact Form (Emergency Contact)

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

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

- Stratford Public Schools - Pesticide Notification

Once you have updated the Student Emergency Contact Forms (Parts 1 & 2), please make sure you opt-in for emails and phone blasts by clicking the correlating boxes. If you have any concerns, please contact the main office at 203-385-4250.

PTSA

PTSA Meeting, December 4th - Our next meeting will be Monday, December 4th at 7:00pm in room B111. Please contact the PTSA with any questions at bunnellhsptsa@gmail.com.

Water Bottles - Thank you to everyone that purchased a Bunnell Water Bottle! The orders have been placed and we will be in touch when the shipment comes in!

Holiday Fair, December 9th - Save the Date for our 1st ever Holiday Fair! It will take place on Saturday, December 9th from 10am-1:30pm. The fair will have 20+ vendors for your holiday shopping! Entry is free! More details to follow.

Chipotle Dine Out Night, December 12th - Grab some friends and head to Chipotle in Stratford dinner! Dine in or Pick Up on Tuesday, December 12th from 4pm - 8pm. A percentage of the proceeds will benefit the PTSA.

Bunnell Bulldog Car Magnets and Stickers - We now have Car Magnets ($4) and Vinyl Stickers ($2) available! Please visit our online store for details and to purchase with a credit card or email bunnellhsptsa@gmail.com to order with cash or check.

Please join the Bunnell PTSA! We hope to help the school community and we need your help to do that! Please join the PTSA by visiting our online store!

Join our Facebook Page - Everyone is invited to join our Bunnell High School Community Page! It's a great way to connect with other families and find out about everything that's going on at Bunnell. This page is run by the PTSA and is just for members of our community. Please answer the questions and agree to the page rules so we can approve your requests to join.

Post Prom

Post Prom Meeting - Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 5th at 7:00pm in room B111. Hope you can come!

Vazzy's Dining Night - We're hosting a dining night at Vazzy's on November 7th from 12:00pm - 8:00pm. It's good for dine-in or takeout. You just need to mention BHS Post Prom or bring in the flyer.

Clothing Drive - We'll be running our 2nd Annual Clothing Drive on November 11th and 12th. Drop-off will be in the Bunnell parking lot from 9:00am -12:00pm both days. Please support this event and get ready to clean out your closets!

Board & Brush - This event is planned for Monday, November 13th from 6:00pm - 9:00pm. Come with a friend! Access code is bulldogs.

$24 for the Class of '24 - our campaign to raise $24 for each senior of the Class of '24 has begun! If you have a senior, or if you would like to sponsor one, cash or check can be sent into the main office or mailed to Jessica DeManche at 20 Fairfax Dr, Stratford, CT 06614

Contact the Post Prom Committee at bunnellpostprom@gmail.com.

November 2 - Last Chance Senior Photos
November 4 - Homecoming Dance
November 7 - Election Day - No School
November 10 - Veterans Day Observed - School in Session
November 13 - PowderPuff Game - BHS v SHS - Penders Field
November 15 - 1/2 Day - Parent/Teacher Conference
November 16 - 1/2 Day PLC
November 22 - 1/2 Day - Holiday
November 23 - Thanksgiving Day Football Game BHS v SHS - HOME
November 23-25 - No School - Thanksgiving
November 27 - Return to School
November 28 - Blood Drive

Important Dates

blocks with letters spelling upcoming events

Bunnell High School Newsletter