Dear Senior Parent(S)

November 2011

Dear Senior Parent(s):

I trust that you are excited about your son/daughter becoming a senior in August 2011. I applaud you and your son/daughter for reaching this momentous stage in life and I share in your enthusiasm. In order to make this a successful school year, all seniors are expected to help in setting a positive tone in Bladensburg High School; not just by what they say, bur by their positive attitude and responsible actions. As senior parents, I am asking you to emphasize the importance of this task the impact it will have on the entire student population.

The following is an overview of the 2011-2012 senior year and what will be expected of you and your student.

SENIOR PARENT MEETINGS

All meetings will be held in the auditorium and will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m.

__September 27, 2011* __December 15, 2011

__February 23, 2012* __April 26, 2012

*To eligible for extra graduation tickets, the parent and student must attend these meetings.

SENIOR GRADES

The county has a new numerical grading system that was adopted last school year. This new policy requires each student to earn no less than 240 points in each full year course and no less than 120 points in each semester course in order to pass the class. Please do not believe the myth that some mysterious essay(s) will miraculously allow your child to graduate if he or she fails a course. Grade recovery opportunities are at the sole discretion of the teacher of record and he or she is not obligated to allow any student make-up of any assignments for any absence that is unlawful (unexcused).

SENIOR CLASS DUES

***All packages and purchased items are non-refundable if the student fails to graduate, withdraws from Prince George’s County Public Schools, or is on a suspension at the time of the activity.***

Diamond Package - $370.00 / Deluxe Package - $260.00 / Basic Package - $90.00
This package includesthe Basic Package, oneyearbook, one senior t-shirt, two senior/parent breakfast tickets, one senior picnic, and one prom ticket. (Deposit - $100) / This package includesthe Basic Package, oneyearbook, one senior t-shirt, two senior/parent breakfast tickets, one senior picnic. (Deposit - $100) / This package includes the graduation ceremony cap and gown, graduation tassel, medallion, Senior Inauguration Ceremony, and high school diploma. (Deposit - $50)

Sincerely,

Glynis Jordan, Principal

Senior Prom and Graduation Ceremony Information

Senior Prom

The Class of 2012 will have the Senior Prom at the Greenbelt Marriott on Friday, May 25, 2012 from 7:30 p.m. to midnight. Parent volunteers are needed so please contact Ms. Toy as soon as possible.

Graduation Ceremony

With the current number of graduates, the ceremony site has been identified by the BOE.

·  Show Place Arena

·  June 6, 2012

·  9:30 a.m.

The last day for seniors has not yet been determined.

BHS Administration

CLASS OF 2012

REQUIRED ATTIRE FOR SENIOR EVENTS

SENIOR PICNIC

The Senior Picnic is a casual event in where all seniors spend their final time together in a relaxed social atmosphere. All students are to wear the senior t-shirt with jeans or jean shorts (finger-tip length or longer with no holes/cuts above the knee). Students with inappropriate jean attire will not be admitted and no refund will be issued.

SENIOR PROM

The prom is a formal social event that serves as the culminating gala for seniors to celebrate their final days of high school. Since it is a formal affair, young men must wear tuxedos or suits and young ladies must wear approved after-five dress. If a seamstress is going to make the dress/garment, administrators must pre-approve the design and pattern. Young ladies are to dress for respect, not attention.

GRADUATION CEREMONY

Young Men

·  Dress black pants

·  Black belt

·  White dress shirt

·  Dark solid color tie

·  Black socks

·  Black dress shoes

Young Ladies

·  White dress or white dress pants w/ white dress shirt

·  White or nude hosiery (if desired)

·  White shoes

· 

SENIOR DUES PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Diamond Package* $370.00

Due Date / Amount
June 20, 2011 / $50.00
September 8, 2011 / $50.00
November 7, 2011 / $135.00
February 6, 2012 / $135.00

*As an alternative, a parent can pay on the monthly plan of $52.86 during the months of September 2011 through March 2012.

Deluxe Package* $260.00

Due Date / Amount
June 20, 2011 / $50.00
September 8, 2011 / $50.00
November 7, 2011 / $80.00
February 6, 2012 / $80.00

*As an alternative, a parent can pay on the monthly plan of $37.15 during the months of July 2011 through February 2012.

Basic Package $90.00

Due Date / Amount
June 20, 2011 / $25.00
September 8, 2011 / $25.00
November 7, 2011 / $40.00

Important Note: Senior dues can be paid in full at any time before the first due date.

Basic Pricing for School “A La Carte” Items

Senior T-Shirt $25

Prom Cruise Ticket $125 per person

The prom ticket includes the following things

ü  Pick-up from the National Harbor Pier

ü  The cruise buffet, ice sculpture, and class cakes

ü  The cruise table decorations

ü  Security (5-6 persons) for the prom

ü  Music for Two Dance Floors (2 DJ for 4 hours)

ü  Prom favors for all attendees

Yearbook $100

Senior Picnic/T-Shirt (T-shirt required for student entry) $45

Picnic (Parent/Guardian) $25

Parent/Senior Awards Breakfast $30 ($40 after April 15, 2012)

Balfour will work directly with parents/seniors for announcements, name cards, memory books, and thank you cards.

Class of 2012 Key Persons

Important Note: Email is the best form of communication!!!

Class of 2012 Lead Administrator – Mr. Jackson

Mr. Christopher Jackson Email:

The Class of 2012 is divided over three administrators (assistant principals). All three administrators play an equitable role in insuring your child’s success.* Name assignments will be distributed in July 2011 after the enrollment has been calibrated.

Ms. Teresa Hall Email: A-G

Dr. Ronald Hollis Email: H-P

Mr. Chris Jackson Email: R-Z

*If you have a concern/question, contact your son’s/daughter’s assigned administrator.

Mr. Jackson’s responsibilities are as follows.

·  Direct administrative report to the Principal on Class of 2012 business

·  Monitors and manages all senior class activity planning and fiscal accountability

The Class of 2012 is also divided over three school counselors (Guidance). All three guidance counselors play an equitable role in insuring your child’s success by completing senior contracts, monitoring senior grades, providing access to college information, and monitoring senior graduation status. Name assignments will be distributed in July 2011 after the enrollment has been calibrated.

Ms. Cheyonne Christian Email: A-G

Ms. Consuelo Pettigrew Email: H-P

Ms. Gillian Caruth-Hunt Email: R-Z

Sponsors - Ms. Toy

Ms. Alicia Toy Email:

Key Responsibilities

·  The collection of senior dues and other activity fees

·  Supervising senior student meetings

·  Attending senior parent meetings

·  Senior fundraisers

·  Organizing senior activities

·  Selecting Ms. and Mr. Senior and the Prom King and Queen

·  Selecting Class of 2013 prom hostesses

·  Distribution of senior items

College Timeline for Senior Year

Senior year is finally here, and it's full of things to do to get ready for college. Use this senior year checklist to keep track of your progress and upcoming deadlines for testing, admissions and financial aid.

August

·  Sign up for the SAT (if you didn't take it as a junior, or if you aren't satisfied with your score, or if you've learned a lot since you first took it.)

·  Review SAT test results and retest if necessary

August – December

·  Visit with your school counselor to make sure you are on track to graduate and fulfill college admission requirements

·  Consider taking courses at a local university or community college

·  Keep working hard all year; second semester grades can affect scholarship eligibility

·  Ask for personal references from teachers, school counselors, or employers early in the year or at least two weeks before application deadlines. Follow your school's procedure for requesting recommendations.

·  Visit with admissions counselors who come to your high school

·  Attend a college fair

·  Begin your college essay(s)

·  Apply for admission at the colleges you've chosen

·  Avoid common college application mistakes

·  Find out if you qualify for scholarships at each college you have applied to

·  Start the financial aid application process

·  See your school counselor for help finding financial aid and scholarships

January – May

·  If you need it, get help completing the FAFSA

·  Ask your guidance office in January to send first semester transcripts to schools where you applied. In May, they will need to send final transcripts to the college you will attend.

·  Visit colleges that have invited you to enroll

·  Decide which college to attend, and notify the school of your decision

·  Keep track of and observe deadlines for sending in all required fees and paperwork

·  Notify schools you will not attend of your decision

·  Continue to look for scholarship opportunities

·  Keep track of important financial aid and scholarship deadlines

·  Watch the mail for your Student Aid Report (SAR)—it should arrive four weeks after the FAFSA is filed

·  Compare financial aid packages from different schools

·  Sign and send in a promissory note if you are borrowing money

·  Notify your college about any outside scholarships you received

College/Scholarship Links

Disclaimer: These are links recommended to the school and used by other high schools in the area. These are outside links not affiliated with Bladensburg High School.

Link to College Board Email Services

https://commapps.collegeboard.com/sma/servlet/independent?AffiliateID=1&BannerID=ba_189497

Links to Scholarship Dollars

http://www.scholarships.com

http://educationstart.org/edu/scholarship-portal/?kid=1BRIQ

http://www.alphasigma1914.org

http://www.blackexcel.org/

http://www.hsf.net/

http://www.college-scholarships.com/100college.htm

http://www.edufax.com/

https://www.brokescholar.com/

http://www.findtuition.com/

Links to Assistance Websites

Essay Writing www.scholarshipessay.us/

Career Skills/College Support http://www.yearup.org/