Bristol County Agricultural High School: Aggie Weekly-September 9th

Good Afternoon Students, Parents, and Community Members:

This week’s HIGH 5 CLUB Senior of Week-ANTHONY ASHE

COVID Guidance

DESE and DPH issued a joint memo with COVID information for the upcoming school year aligned with the new CDC guidance released last week. This upcoming school year, districts and schools should focus their COVID mitigation strategies towards vulnerable and symptomatic individuals, while minimizing the need for more restrictive districtwide COVID policies. The Commonwealth is not recommending universal mask requirements, surveillance testing of asymptomatic individuals, contact tracing, or test-to-stay testing in schools. Districts and schools are reminded that there is no longer any statewide masking mandate in schools (other than school health offices) and there is no testing requirement for schools. As always, any individual who wishes to continue to mask, including those who face higher risk from COVID19, should be supported in that choice. CDC Guidance: Recommending that if you test positive for COVID-19, you stay home for at least 5 days and isolate yourself from others in your home. You are likely most infectious during these first 5 days. Wear a high-quality mask when you must be around others at home. Click here for the official website.

1. If after 5 days you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication, and your symptoms are improving, or you never had symptoms, you may end isolation after day 5.
2. If the you have a negative test on Day 5 or later, you do not need to mask
3. If the individual is unable to mask, they may return to work/school with a negative test on Day 5 or later
4. For symptomatic individuals, DPH recommends a second test within 48 hours if the initial test is negative Regardless of when you end isolation, avoid being around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 until at least day 11.

Bristol Aggie Education Foundation: The event is back! The Bristol Aggie Education Foundation, Inc. is hosting their 4th Farm to Table Feast. This premier fundraising event has raised over $100,000 which has been used to support staff and student initiatives within the school and provide start-up grants for student driven agri-businesses. We look forward to this year’s event with even more enthusiasm as we aim to improve our fundraising efforts. Join us on Bristol Aggie's picturesque campus and enjoy a dinner prepared using locally sourced ingredients including some raised by Bristol Aggie students. The menu will feature delicious recipes from Janice Dey of The Westporter. Dance under the stars to live music. You do not want to miss the live auction and raffle! Click here for tickets.

Preparations are underway for Saturday's Farm to Table Feast on our campus. We always look forward to this wonderful event each year. Tickets are available on our website.

Are you looking for ways to help teachers?: This week, we were notified that Mrs. Hopkins (our new science teacher) was the recipient of a grant from Donors Choose. Anatomy and Physiology students will delve deeper into their study of the human body this year by studying histology (the study of tissues). As we learn about the body's systems and organs, we'll also take a look at the microscopic structures that keep our bodies functioning and discuss the diseases that occur when cells go awry.

Completing a histological survey of the body gives students a deeper appreciation of the complexity of living organisms. Additionally, my aspiring scientists have the opportunity to develop proficiency operating a microscope to be college-ready!

The BCAHS Science Department will receive an assortment of mammalian slides (class sets of 12 bone, blood, skin, neurons, trachea and adipose slides) through generous contributions through Donors Choose.

If you are interested in donating to any of our teachers,, you can do so through the platform, Donors Choose. See below for some of our current teacher fundraising opportunities.

https://www.donorschoose.org/classroom/8237857

In the Classroom:

Landscape Design and Contracting (LDC): On Thursday, Mr. Latham’s junior LDC students were cutting back weeds on our campus. We are always so impressed with their quality of work.

Flori: Junior and senior flori students create flower arrangements from sustainable flowers that they grew on campus.

Arbor Firewood For Sale

As the year begins again, the arbor program will once again be selling firewood. All funds raised will go directly to our student arbor account. It is $250/cord and you must arrange to pick it up. We will load it for you but you must supply the vehicle. The average full size pickup bed holds roughly a half cord. Payment (check or cash) will be expected upon the acceptance of wood. Checks are preferred and can be made out to B.C.A.H.S. with student arbor in the memo. The wood is all seasoned and ready to burn this year. It is a mix of hardwood (mostly oak with some maple and cherry mixed in) that can be used for indoor stoves and fireplaces. The sale will be on a first come first serve basis. If you would like to buy wood please fill out this order form.

Admissions

2022 Congressional App Challenge

The Congressional App Challenge is the official computer science competition of the House of Representatives. Since its inception in 2013, the Congressional App Challenge has grown to become the most prestigious prize in computer science. Over 30,000 students have participated in the Congressional App Challenge across 340 Congressional Districts in 50 states and five U.S. territories. This year, we are pleased to announce that the Office of Congressman Jake Auchincloss will be participating in the 2022 Congressional App Challenge.

From now until November 1st, Rep. Auchincloss will be hosting a Congressional App Challenge for middle school and high school (grades 6-12) students of all coding skills who reside in the Massachusetts 4th Congressional District. The Congressional App Challenge urges all students to enter the competition, as it encourages critical thinking and creativity for those of all computer science experience levels.

We hope that you will encourage your students to get involved in this transformative initiative. In congressional districts around the country, educators have assigned the program as extra credit, implemented it as a part of their curriculum, or assigned it as a special project. To learn more about the rules, prizes, and more, you can visit the Congressional App Challenge website here.

STUDENT SERVICES

Attention Sophomores-SBIRT

September 12, 2022

Dear Bristol Aggie 10th Grade Families,

This year we will continue instituting a state mandated screening program (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment-SBIRT) in tenth grade related to the use of alcohol, marijuana, nicotine, and other substances. Screenings are interview based and will be conducted in confidential individual sessions by Student Services staff. We will utilize the CRAFFT+N interview. A copy of the screening tool is attached here for you to review.

Students who are not using substances will have their healthy choices reinforced by the screener. The screener will provide brief feedback to any student who reports using substances or is at risk for future substance use. This program focuses on harm prevention and does not generate disciplinary action. Results of the screening will not be included in your student’s school record. Please be aware that the screening results are confidential unless the information disclosed leads to the student being at risk for imminent medical harm or the information requires the screener to fulfill the obligation of a mandated reporter.

If you would like to opt your child out of this screening, please fill out the SBIRT Opt Out Form by Friday, September 23rd. In addition, the screening is voluntary and students may choose not to answer any or all of the screening questions. Screenings will be conducted from Monday September 26th until Wednesday September 28th. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to one of the school adjustment counselors listed below.

Sincerely,

Beth Boudreau Andrea O’Connell

School Adjustment Counselor School Adjustment Counselor

508-669-6744 x.1213 508-669-6744 x.1217

bboudreau@bcahs.com aoconnell@bcahs.com

Student Services

ATTN: Sophomores and Juniors!

We will be hosting the PSAT/NMSQT test on Wednesday, October 12, 2022. Testing will take place from approximately 8:10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Student Commons or another space on campus. This is an opportunity to prepare yourself for taking the SAT test. For those students who may have already taken it last year - you do not have to take it again but it is completely up to you.

If you are interested in taking the PSAT/NMSQT please fill out the Google form linked below. The PSAT/NMSQT is only open to sophomores and juniors and does cost $18 dollars. You are permitted to take it both your sophomore and junior year. You must be logged into your Aggie email in order to register through the link below:

PSAT/NMSQT SIGN UP HERE

The deadline to pay and reserve your spot will be Sept. 13, 2022. Please bring the $18 in cash (preferably) to Mrs. Dias in the Student Services office before the end of the school day on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 to secure a spot. Only BA student emails will be accepted as we need to make sure to collect emails.

If you have any questions please see your counselor - Ms. Kochan or Ms. Costa!

Activities and Athletics: We always encourage our students to participate in afterschool activities and sports. In order to get the full high school experience, joining an afterschool club is a great way to meet students in different grades and majors.

BRISTOL AGGIE AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES AND ATHLETIC 2022-2023

Mission Statement: It is the policy of the Bristol County Agricultural High School not to

discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin,

sexual orientation, disability, age, economic or homelessness status, or pregnancy or

pregnancy-related condition in its educational policies as required by Title VI, Title IX,

Section 504 and Chapter 622. Translation Requests - If you would like a translation of

athletic information, please contact the Main Office. The district ensures that all extracurricular activities are accessible to all students regardless of race, sex, gender identity, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or homelessness and ensure that all students have the opportunity to participate on the sports team consistent with their gender identity.

Archery - a club where students of all skill levels can come to enjoy Archery with other students. (VACANT)

Beekeeping – Keep bees and process honey (VACANT)

Class Officers – Class officers represent a single class (9th grade, 10th grade, 11th grade and 12th grade). Each class has a group of class officers that are made up of a President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. Class officers help organize class activities and fundraisers. (Class Advisors are as follows:

Freshmen – Mrs. Hopkins (DHopkins@bcahs.com)
Sophomore – Ms. Hussey (SHussey@bcahs.com)
Junior – Mrs. Stevens (TStevens@bcahs.com)
Senior – Ms. Kochan (KKochan@bcahs.com)

Drama – The goal of Drama club is to enable students to gain an appreciation for the arts and to participate in dramatic activities. (Ms. Couto-SCouto@bcahs.com)

Drill Team (tryouts are necessary) – A group of horses and riders and riders performing choreographed maneuvers. (Mrs. Bosworth-CBosworth@bcahs.com)

Extends Program – An after school academic support program that offers two teachers to assist students in receiving academic help in their classes. It is also an environment that allows students to make up tests and do their homework in a supervised setting. – Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 – 4:30.

Mrs. Mills (HMills@bcahs.com) , Ms. Zuber (KZuber@bcahs.com), and Mrs. Kazijian (TKazijian@bcahs.com)

FFA - FFA is a national student run organization that focuses on premier leadership, personal growth and career success. It is an intracurricular student organization for those interested in agriculture, leadership and furthering their knowledge in specific agricultural areas. (Ms. Blanchette-LBlanchette@bcahs.com /Ms. Canuel- SCanuel@bcahs.com)

Fishing Club - a club where students of all skill levels can come to enjoy fishing with other students. (Mr. Costa-CCosta@bcahs.com)

GSA Club - Genders and Sexualities Alliance provides a safe place for students to meet, support each other, and talk about issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. (VACANT)

Geek Club - The Geek Club is a place for students to share their common interests. Examples include: Doctor Who, Magic: The Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, Pokemon, Star Wars, Anime, Writing, Drawing, and many others. All are welcome! (Mr. Johnson-CJohnson@bcahs.com)

National Honor Society - The National Honor Society is a nationally recognized organization that honors and supports scholarship, leadership, character, and service. Membership is by invitation only for students that meet this criteria. (Ms. Katie Zuber- KZuber@bcahs.com)

Peer Mentor Program - Freshmen students are mentored by an upperclassmen for support, encouragement, and goal setting as they begin their high school career. (VACANT)

Student Council – This group of students help share student ideas, interests and concerns with the student and staff population. They often also help raise funds for school-wide activities, including social events, community projects, helping people in need and school reform. (Ms. Szurley-HSzurley@bcahs.com/Ms. Reilly-KReilley@bcahs.com)

Yearbook Committee – Students assist with the collection and management of school photos from various student activities and events. Students also organize student information pertaining to their senior yearbook. (Ms. Reilly-KReilley@bcahs.com)

Athletics - Athletic Director-Mr. Poloskey (KPoloskey@bcahs.com)

Fall Sports

Boys Soccer: Mr. DeMello (DDeMello@bcahs.com)
Girls Soccer: Ms. Couto (SCouto@bcahs.com)
Varsity Cross Country: Mrs. Fornari (DFornari@bcahs.com)
Junior Varsity Cross Country: Ms. Gagne (RGagne@bcahs.com)
Varsity Volleyball: Mr. McKeen (AMcKeen@bcahs.com)
Junior Varsity Volleyball: Ms. Costa (KCosta@bcahs.com)
Freshman Volleyball: Mrs. Delano (SDelano@bcahs.com)

Winter Sports

Boys JV Basketball: Mr. Gadry (JGadry@bcahs.com)
Boys Varsity Basketball: Mr. Davis (SDavis@bcahs.com)
Girls JV Basketball: Mr. Rose (SRose@bcahs.com)
Girls Varsity Basketball: Mr. Johnson (MJohnson@bcahs.com)
Wrestling: Mr. Poloskey (KPoloskey@bcahs.com)

Spring Sports

Baseball: Mr. DeMello (DDeMello@bcahs.com)
Junior Varsity Softball: Mrs. Fornari (DFornari@bcahs.com)
Varsity Softball: Ms. Moriarty (SMoriarty@bcahs.com)
Varsity Lacrosse: Mrs. Rebello (kelly.rebello7@gmail.com)

Yearbook:

Yearbooks are now on sale and can be purchased at Balfour.com. The cost is $40 until November 29, when the price will increase to $45, so order early! Personalizations and accessories can be purchased for additional charge.

Families and friends of seniors may also purchase Ad Space to leave a special message for their student. See the online store for more details. The deadline to purchase an Ad Space is January 31, 2023.

Fall Sports:

Freshman Volleyball: Freshman volleyball hosted Diman on Wednesday for their season opener. They all played hard and worked together as a team! #BAPride

Cross Country: On Wednesday, we hosted Bristol Plymouth for a Cross Country meet. The boys team did well and the girls won their meet. Well done everyone!