BC DISPATCH - Bear Creek High School

BC DISPATCH

JULY 2017

Bear Creek High School 9800 West Dartmouth Place Lakewood, Colorado 80227 (303) 982-8855

Dear Parents/Guardians:

We are extremely excited to welcome you to the 2017-18 school year. We are looking to build off a very successful 2016-17 school year that saw Bear Creek High School recognized by U.S. News and World Report as a top 50 high school in Colorado, by the Washington Post as One of the Most Challenging High Schools in America, and by the Colorado Department of Education as a Governor's Distinguished Improvement Award recipient. Our staff stands ready to support the needs of students and families as we embark on another quality year of academics and activities. In order to sustain and grow our excellence, it will continue to require a team effort. Together we can help our students' young minds achieve greatness. To support your son/daughter in maximizing their full potential, we ask that you assist your child in the following important ways:

A large part of success for adults and students alike is a strong work ethic to include regular attendance and solid organizational skills. For your student to receive the full benefit of instructional programming, which the BCHS has thoughtfully crafted, they need to be fully present. This means coming to school on time and being well prepared. Please note that classes are in session each day from 7:15AM to 2:30PM with students being dismissed at 2:00PM on Thursdays. Please pay close attention to the Attendance Reporting section of this newsletter, as the length of time allowed for excusing absences has changed. Please reinforce the importance of timely attendance with your student. This will serve them well now and in the future.

Students have much to accomplish during the course of the school year. Being organized and informed will ensure they remain on track for success. In order for students to maximize their classroom success, they will need to invest time outside of the classroom through homework activities focused on demonstrating and expanding their understanding of critical concepts. Tips for improving study/organizational skills such as time management may be found at the following website: . The Infinite Campus Parent Portal (see article in this issue) should be checked regularly to review student progress and attendance. Please know that our counseling and instructional staff are prepared to support you and your student as they strive for success.

 Please take the time to carefully review the important information in this edition of the BC Dispatch. Enclosed you will find important dates, dress code expectations, schedules, and critical registration reminders. We hope you find the BC Dispatch to be helpful and you may look for future editions on our newly re-designed website at:

Along with being involved in your student's daily progress, we invite you to be engaged in the broader school community through active participation in school-based committees such as our PTSA and Accountability. The PTSA is a wonderful, active, and supportive organization centered on student success. They assist with many activities including After Prom, volunteer coordination, and student scholarships. Accountability is focused on school goals, student programming, activity updates, budget issues, and other important items. These vital groups meet monthly. We saw an increase in attendance and activity with both of these committees over the past school year and we are excited to get even more parents involved. Great schools need community partnerships to be successful!

We look forward to an incredible school year - one that will create both opportunities and challenges for your student. I want to personally thank you for entrusting us with the education of your children. We do not take this responsibility lightly. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to let me know how we can be of assistance.

Sincerely,

Mr. Lynn Torr Principal Bear Creek High School

PARENT PORTAL INFORMATION

The parent portal is a wonderful tool parents can use to keep track of their students schedule, grades, and attendance. It is updated as soon as information is entered.

Parent portal passwords will remain the same as long as you have students in Jefferson County Schools. The account is linked to the parent, therefore it does not change. You will be able to see all of your children regardless of which school they attend.

Students also have access to parent portal through their own account. The user name is their student I.D. number. In May of 2012, the district had a forced password change for all students. Students needed to change their password in order to get into school computers and many other applications they use in school. This password is the password they will use to access the parent portal.

If you have forgotten your parent portal password, or your account needs to be reset, please contact Rose Schmidt at (303) 982-8727 or in the main office for assistance.

RESOURCE CENTER

Once again we are approaching the beginning of a new school year hence the list of necessary items your child will need to start his or her school year will soon be coming. Depending on the size of your family and the number of children you have to help with supplies, this time of year can be somewhat stressful. I would like to offer up some suggestions on some community resources that may be able to assist in providing some of the school supplies your child may need. Keep in mind that due to the large number of families requesting this assistance the supplies get depleted very quickly. It is adviced that you contact the community agencies as early as possible. The Jeffco Action Center located at 8755 West 14th Avenue in Lakewood puts together packets of school supplies every year. Their office is located on the corner of 14th Avenue and Colfax. Their telephone number is (303) 237-7704. Every school year Bear Creek Community Church puts together some backpacks filled with school supplies for students in need. Again, supplies are limited so please let your child's counselor know of their need at registration. Anyone needing additional assistance for clothing, medical, dental, counseling referrals, etc., is welcome to

contact me at (303) 982-8810. As a resource for the school I am here to provide support for students and their families. My hope is that by providing any needed support services, we can help students better achieve academic success in the school. Lisa Pontine, School Psychologist, (303) 982-8810

ALL STUDENTS REPORT FOR CLASSES ON FRIDAY,

AUGUST 18, 2017 FROM 7:15 A.M. TO 2:30 P.M.

Required 9th GRADE ORIENTATION Thursday, August 17, 2017 7:15 A.M. ? 2:30 P.M.

All 9th grade students are to report to Bear Creek High School at 7:15 A.M. Please meet in the commons area. Upper class mentors will guide you through the events of the day. Lunch will be available for purchase in the cafeteria.

Please bring: Your class schedule Notebook with a pen/pencil

All Upper Classmen new to BCHS Grades 10 ? 12

Please join us for an orientation on Thursday, August 17th 10:00 a.m. ? 11:30 a.m.

Get to know your school.... You will have an opportunity to tour the

building, walk through your schedule, meet your teachers and counselor, and learn more about Bear Creek High School.

We look forward to meeting you!

Registration Information for August 2017

Jeffco Schools requires that all parents log on to their Jeffco Connect account and update their student's information every year AFTER JULY 1st. You will not be able to complete the registration process on August 8th or 9th unless you have completed this step.

Here are some things to know about this process: You can log on to Jeffco Connect with the same password as your parent portal account. Even if all of the information is correct, you must still click on the submit button to show you have completed the update. If you do not have an account or have forgotten your user name and/or password, please contact us for assistance. Please DO NOT CREATE ANOTHER ACCOUNT. We will have record that you have completed this update, so you will not need to print anything to bring to registration to show that you have done this step.

The remainder of the registration information can be found on the Bear Creek High School website at



A checklist is available on the website, and will provide more information about the items that need to be completed prior to registration. We will have computers available at registration to complete these items and update your student's information if you do not have access to a computer or the internet at home. Please plan on extra time if you need to utilize the school's computer resources during registration times.

Other important items: Fees can still be paid online and are available through your Jeffco Connect account after July 31st. Student IDs will be taken at registration, so please be sure your student attends with you. Student IDs are required to ride the bus, use the Internet, purchase a parking pass, check out library books and must be carried by the student at all times. Athletic fees and packets will still be collected at registration.

Schedule for Registration:

August 8th:

August 9th:

7:30 ? 8:00 Marching Band (11th and 12th only)

7:30 ? 8:00 Marching Band (9th and 10th only)

Seniors:

8:00 ? 9:30 A ? L 9:30 ? 11:00 M ? Z

Doors close at 11:00 a.m.

Juniors:

12:00 ? 1:30 M ? Z 1:30 ? 3:00 A ? L

Sophomores:

8:00 ? 9:30 A - L 9:30 ? 11:00 M - Z

Doors close at 11:00 a.m.

Freshmen:

12:00 ? 1:30 M - Z 1:30 ? 3:00 A - L

Doors close at 3:00 p.m.

Doors close at 3:00 p.m.

Dress Code

Students are expected to dress appropriately to attend Bear Creek High School.

If a student's dress or appearance is determined to be disruptive, offensive, inappropriate, unsafe, vulgar, unhealthy, or promotes discrimination, the student will be asked to correct the questionable dress and may be assigned disciplinary consequences.

Inability to remedy the situation may result in parent contact and the student being sent home. Refusal to comply with such request may result in suspension for insubordination.

Our Dress Code includes: No hats or headwear (including hoodies) may be worn inside BCHS during school hours. Students must wear shoes. Students may not wear clothing that advertises or promotes alcohol, drugs, violence, or that includes sexual innuendos. Chains, spikes or pointed studs are not permitted. Undergarments should not be showing. Clothing should be worn as intended by the manufacturer and fit appropriately. Clothing identified with gang association/affiliation may not be worn at BCHS or school events. Students may not wear clothing that reveals chest cleavage, mid-drifts or buttocks. All shirts/tops must have straps and not have cut outs. Shorts and skirts must be an appropriate and non-distracting length and remain at that length throughout the day. Decisions regarding the appropriateness of student dress will be at administrator discretion.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON SCHEDULE REQUESTS AND CHANGES

Students and Parents Please Read: Counselors and administrators make every effort

to honor your student's scheduling requests. Your student should be enrolled in 7 classes as a freshman, 7 classes as a sophomore and at least 5 classes as a junior or senior. Freshman and sophomores must have 7 classes including Study Hall; these are not optional. At registration, please review your student's schedule and ensure that all core and required classes (such as

English, Social Studies, Science and Math) are listed. If there are problems with your student's schedule, please read the following information on scheduling changes. If you have any further questions or concerns, please have your student contact his/her counselor after school begins.

Schedule Change Policy: Schedules will ONLY be changed for one of the following reasons:

1. You are scheduled into the wrong level of a class.

2. You did not take or pass the prerequisite for a class.

3. You do not have enough classes on your schedule.

4. You are missing required classes from your schedule.

Schedules WILL NOT be changed for the following reasons:

1. You changed your mind about a class that you requested.

2. You want a different teacher, class period or lunch.

If schedule changes are made, students will be placed in the section with the smallest number of students and therefore teacher and period requests will not be honored. Students may not have their electives in the semester of their choice. This is unavoidable due to class availability.

FEE PAYMENT FOR THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR

Beginning on Monday, July 31, 2017, fee payment for your student can be made online through Jeffco Connect. You may make payment for the 2017-18 school year with your debit or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover are accepted).

To access Jeffco Student Fee Payment, go to our school's home page and click on the Jeffco Connect link, or go to the Parent Portal at . Once you are logged into Jeffco Connect, click on the "Jeffco Student Fee Payment" link on the left side. Help guides are available on the page. A receipt will be sent via email confirming your payment. For fee payments made by parents beginning July 31st, for the 201718 school year, no convenience fee will be charged.

If you do not wish to take advantage of the online system, fee payment can be made at the school during August registration.

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