The whole community is Badger Awesome!

October 25, 2016

By BFHS Principal Kevin Dinning We are rounding the corner toward the end of the first quarter of school, and BFHS is moving full speed ahead. I am extremely proud of the high school students and staff because of their efforts to support the idea that we are a family. Education continually reinforces the notion that we never know what a given day will bring. The staff and students at the high school have supported our school and our system with a positive attitude and solution-oriented mindset. This willingness to communicate and work together to make our school a better place has set us up to have that start of the school year energy throughout the entire school year. I have seen outstanding growth from students and teachers in many areas in the short time that I have been at BFHS, and I am excited to see what the rest of the year holds for our students and our staff. Badger Awesome is continuing to present itself in many different forms this year, and I invite all of you to come and witness it yourself at the next public event sponsored by BFHS. On Monday, October 24, we put on a successful high school showcase, and our staff was able to share dinner with parents and community members coming to the high school to take part in Love and Logic, the Financial Aid Forum, or to gain information about Advanced Opportunities. It was great to break bread with staff, parents, and community members. The art program continues to focus on right-brain efficiency in drawing class, basic art students are displaying advanced skills, and PPTS continues to make sure our school looks on point. Our speech students are in the midst of demonstration speech presentations focusing on traditional cooking and baking topics and on some non-traditional topics like train sets, dog training, ceramics, ballet, FX make-up, fly fishing, magic tricks, card games, and video game strategies. English department students are currently completing their fall writing assessment on automation in the workforce and they encourage you to find out more about NaNoWriMo. They have also put out their first edition of The Writer’s Block, the student written and edited literary magazine! Look for the magazine to be distributed around town later this week. BCEA has teased a coming press release about their progress with negotiations, and I know they have been pleasing teachers around the district with coffee and donut drops. Nine FFA members travelled to Indianapolis for the national convention to attend workshops, presentations, and cheer on Thomas Smith as he was recognized as a proficiency finalist. The history department is excited to be offering more advanced opportunities like NIC History 102, AP Government, and they are looking forward to the March trip to Washington, DC. Mrs. Niewieroski and her students are focusing on career-based presentations and have created some outstanding media to represent an interesting career. Choir will perform their first concert on Thursday, October 27, at 7 pm in the Becker Auditorium at BFHS. The high school is continuing to support positive behavior through PBIS and saw eight classes qualify for a root beer float party with "Badgers Start on Time." Alpha+ is modifying “Skookum” for an upcoming competition in Spokane, and on November 12 they will be competing with local teams to shake the rust loose. Contact David Nix if you are interested in mentoring students in electrical engineering, construction, programming, or business. There have been many successes with Badger Athletics this month, and we will put something together to honor the accomplishments of fall sports after all teams finish their season. Volleyball and Cross Country are on their way to state this week, and Boys Soccer represented BFHS well at state against some tough competition. TSA, Technology Student Association, is working on fundraising ideas for a state trip in March, and we are excited to have them as a club! From the Counseling Office: * October 31-November 3 is Idaho College Application Week * November 3 - College Night – 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Parent information on Admissions, financial aid, senior project, scholarships, ACT/SAT prep, training to work, academic resources, and CTE programs * November 7 & 10 – Financial Aid Presentation – 5:30 p.m. in the BFHS Library I would like to send a huge "Badger Awesome!" shout out to the community that supports me. You are made up of teachers, students, parents, coaches, community members, district employees, family members, etc. It is an honor to represent Bonners Ferry and Boundary County, and I could not do it without all of you helping me along the way. Thank you all for your reasonable and respectful approach to offering feedback, expressing concern, and working together to improve everything we do! Be looking for some information in a future article on Jill Alexander’s commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Program and qualification as a QuestBridge Finalist! Keep being Badger Awesome!