Update 5/24/2020
Hello BHS Families,
I hope that you are well. We are quickly approaching the end of the school year for all students. Please note the following:
-5/26-5/29 is our “Virtual Spirit Week”. We hope that students will participate and enjoy it! It is also the last week of classroom instruction, meaning Friday 5/29 is the last day students may be receiving new material.
-Credit Recovery is by invite only and is designated for students who have struggled to complete assignments that might cause them to either earn a fail or incomplete for a course. Parents will be notified if a student has been recommended for Credit Recovery sessions.
-PLP (Personalized Learning Plan) work days on 6/4 and 6/5 should be taken advantage of by students. Seniors have already completed them as it is a state graduation requirement. They can attest to the value of getting them done with fidelity with the assistance of their teachers.
-Senior Chromebooks will be collected at a time yet to be determined. The IT department is meeting in the coming days to create a plan for this. Details will be revealed shortly.
-Once we receive more guidance, we will publish guidelines about how students can safely enter the building to collect any of their belongings and also bring back books and other school property. Based on state guidelines in regard to limiting large gatherings, this process will span over a number of days with small groups of students allowed in at a time.
Please see the attached schedule and let me know if you have any questions. Thank you.
End of the School Year Schedule-Parent and Student Communication.pdf
Best
Principal Green
Update 5/21/2020 – Graduation Information
Hello Members of the Class of 2020,
I hope that you are well. Time is moving fast as we get to the end of the school year. Over the next few weeks, the Burlington community is rallying to support you and send you out into the world to begin your adult lives.
I am writing to give you some reminders and to update you on our graduation planning. Please fill out the surveys you received by email as you vote for your student and teacher speakers for our virtual ceremony. We need this information by tomorrow, Friday 5/22!
As I let you know before, some aspects of our graduation activities will be live but in compliance with state safety requirements. Beginning on June 1 over the span of three days, graduates and their families will be given appointment times to come to BHS with seniors in their cap and gown. You will have the opportunity to walk our front courtyard to a graduation station that would entail you picking up a certificate/invitation and ringing the bell (one our BHS graduation traditions). One car per family will be allowed in the school parking lot at the curb near the front entrance giving them the ability to take photos/videos and generally cheer you on as you do your “Graduation Walk”. Our staff will also be taking photos of you, which will be used for the virtual ceremony which will air on June 12.
Graduates will be allowed to decorate your caps, obviously with appropriate messages! You and your families will get more details in the coming days so that you know what day to come and exactly how you will participate the day of. I look forward to seeing all of you in the next couple of weeks. Let’s go Seahorses!
Best
Principal Green
Update 4/11/2020 – BHS Continuity of Learning Plan
As we move from state-mandated “maintenance” to “continuity” it means that teachers will be able to teach new material and assess student understanding of new material. Given the fact that we are in a time of crisis, we want to approach this new phase of learning with compassion. Many of our “maintenance” systems will stay in place as we move into continuity.
Teachers will continue to be available via email. You should expect at least one synchronous class per week, per teacher. When the teacher holds a virtual class , it will be using Google Hangouts/Meet. These classes will only meet at the times specified in the attached schedule. If your student is unable to attend the class, they will still have opportunities to access “new” learning electronically, via Unified Classroom. We still suggest that students complete blue day assignments on blue days and the same for white days.
Please note the following FAQs
What is my child’s number one priority during this time?
- Mental, emotional, and physical well being
- BHS has numerous supports in place to help students who are struggling; this includes School Counselors, Case Managers and Student Support Services
Are we taking attendance?
- Yes, per state mandate.
- Teachers will be recording student attendance weekly.
- Students will be marked present for the week if they: turn in assignments on Unified Classroom, attend a Google Meet class session, or email their teacher during the week.
How much work should my student expect to do each week?
- A maximum of 90 minutes per class, per week
- Many teachers will continue to offer enrichment resources as a supplement for students who would like to work ahead
How much new curriculum will be introduced to students?
- Teachers are working to identify critical proficiencies/skills to focus on for the remainder of the school year. They are meeting weekly to determine essential progress. Teachers will complete a portion of previously planned material
How will my student know what their assignments are?
- Teachers will continue to email the weekly work plan on Monday mornings by 9am. All assignments for the week are on the weekly work plan. Additionally, students can access the assignments in Unified Classroom.
When are assignments due?
- All assignments for all classes are due Friday at 4pm.
Does this quarter count?
- Yes. Student learning will be assessed this quarter, though it is not expected that students will have as rich an experience as they would in a face-to-face scenario.
What will show up on my child’s transcript and report card?
- BHS has aligned with a number of Vermont high schools to create a system which values student progress. See below for details.
- Yearlong courses: Because students had the opportunity to provide a significant body of evidence of learning throughout the year, teachers can provide accurate scores for student learning. Students will receive a letter grade on their transcript based primarily on their learning in quarters 1-3. In order to maximize equity and opportunity, the average of quarters 1-3 cannot go down during Continuity Learning, but can be raised through work they do through quarter 4. However, in order to be eligible for a grade on the transcript, students must participate during the Continuity Learning phase; students who do not participate will earn an Incomplete on their transcript.
- Semester courses: Students have not had sufficient time to demonstrate a body of evidence of learning for second semester courses. Teachers may not be able to provide accurate scores for learning targets in second semester courses at this time, so students will receive one of the following scores on their transcript: Pass with Distinction, Pass, or Incomplete.
- Pass (P): Students who show sufficient evidence of achievement (either at the on the Q3 report card or by the end of the year) and continue to participate during Continuity Learning will receive a P on their transcript.
- Pass with Distinction (PD): Students who maintain/improve their current skills and who continue to demonstrate sophisticated levels of achievement during Continuity Learning will receive a PD on their transcript.
- Incomplete (Inc): Students who do not participate in Continuity Learning will earn an Incomplete on their report card and transcript. These students will have an opportunity to change this after the school year.
- Seniors will need to resolve all incompletes in order to be eligible for a diploma
What happens if my student cannot participate in Continuity Learning?
- Students who do not participate in Continuity Learning will earn Incomplete scores on their report cards and transcripts. We are working on ways for students to make up this work at the end of the school year, over the summer, and/or in the fall.
What if my student needs extra help?
- Teachers will be available to support students. If your student is overwhelmed with the workload, please communicate with the School Counselor.
What if my student has tech issues?
- Please call 864-8437 and leave the student’s first and last name, contact phone number, description of the issue and student I.D. number if possible.
Will there be a final exam week?
- Students can expect to have end-of-year assessments, but there will not be a traditional exam week.
Is there going to be a YES program?
- Unfortunately the YES program has been canceled for this year.
Are Habits of Work and Learning being assessed during Continuity Learning?
- Habits of Work and Learning will not be assessed during Continuity Learning.
Click this link for a larger view of the BHS Class Schedule.
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Update 3/30/2020
Hello BHS Community,
I hope that all of you are well. I apologize in advance for the volume of emails you are receiving, but we deem it necessary during our current situation. As promised, I write to you to share the guidelines that our teachers will be using for the duration of “Maintenance Learning”.
Our goal is for students to have more consistency in our current program and more ability to pace themselves appropriately.
Here is what you can expect from your teachers moving forward:
- Every Monday morning, students receive an email from each teacher by 9am. It will include all assignments for the week. (This week you will be emailed the first Weekly Work Plan on Wednesday 4/1. Work will be due on 4/3.)
- All assignments will be due by Friday at 4pm. Teachers will suggest pacing for completing the work in their emails.
- All assignments will also be posted in Unified Classroom on Monday by 9am.
- Attached, please see a sample “Weekly Work Plan” email.
Teachers will be available via email. Some teachers are making themselves available for video conferences with students, but this is not a requirement for students or teachers during maintenance learning. If your teacher holds a video study group, it will be using Google Hangouts/Meet. Your study groups will only meet at the times specified in the attached schedule, should your teacher decide to hold study groups. This will eliminate students needing to choose between different learning opportunities if they were happening at the same time. We still suggest that students complete blue day assignments on blue days and the same for white days.
BSD will be moving to “continuity” of learning on April 13th. We will provide more guidance at that time once our plans have been approved by the Vermont Department of Education. Please continue to support your students as they first focus on their physical and emotional well-being, then school work. Thank you.
Best,
Principal Green
Please click on this link for a sample weekly work plan and for the study group schedule.
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Update 3/15/2020
Hello BHS Families,
I write to you during an unsettling and uncertain time. Please know that we are doing all that we can to support our students, faculty and staff. As we have no official order to shutdown, my job is to let you know what BHS has done and is doing to prepare for Monday and beyond.
- We worked with students to ensure that they had access to their email using their Chromebooks
- We encouraged students who were missing chargers to replace them before they left school Friday
- We have adjusted our schedule for Monday to include all Blue and White day classes so that all teachers will have the opportunity to meet with all of their students with instructions and assignments in case we are shut down
- Faculty were given close to 100 free online resources in regard to virtual learning
Here is what you can expect and not expect
- We will not be able to support an all school, real-time virtual learning portal similar to our daily schedule. Unfortunately, the college model would not work for us
- Some students can expect to be sent for example, learning videos
- Students will continue to view and receive assignments via Unified Classroom
- Some classes might create arranged “virtual chats” if possible, which would give them an opportunity to interact directly with their teachers
- Students should be checking their email numerous times per day as they receive directions from teachers
- Students will earn credit for assignments completed if we are closed
Please also know that a plan is also being developed in regard to food in the event that we are closed. I don’t have all of the details at this point but know that there would be a district communication with an explanation.
There are so many things to consider and it seems that updates come hourly. That being said, there are so many things that I am trying to resolve and account for that I know I can’t remember it all with each communication. So, please be patient with me in terms of multiple emails. We are doing our best!
Best,
Principal Green
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Welcome to the Reef!
BHS is a senior high school serving approximately 1000 students in grades 9-12. At Burlington High School, students, faculty/staff members, and families work together to create and cultivate a learning community that encourages students to learn, lead, and serve.
I am excited to return for year two as the Principal of Burlington High School. Year one flew by and the summer seemed even shorter! We took many positive steps last school year and we are ready for more.
I believe that we have a responsibility to educate every child. All students are different, with a unique set of learning styles and needs. Ultimately, I believe they are all capable of excelling. We are committed to using a variety of strategies to engage all students, using a student-centered approach. A high level of achievement continues to be possible as we are fortunate to have a dedicated and professional faculty and staff that works tirelessly to ensure student success.
We value our students and all that they bring to school every day. Through building solid relationships based on Restorative Practices, we will provide an environment where all students feel supported by at least one adult in the building.
Families are an integral part of our students’ success. We look forward to collaborating with our families through frequent communications, volunteer opportunities and other community gatherings. Take some time to get to know us through the website. If you would like more information, please do not hestitate to contact us.
Let’s go Seahorses!
Noel L. Green
