Hello, Bobcats!

​For Seniors who are on track to graduate, the last day of classes will be May 15.  It is imperative seniors, as well as all students, continue to engage in their virtual classes daily and complete all work in a timely fashion. 

Boca High's Virtual Graduation will take place on Friday, May 29, at 8:00 PM.  The graduation will be streamed at palmbeachschools.org and on YouTube.  In addition, it is available on The Education Network Comcast channel 234 and AT&T U-verse channel 99.  For those without cable, who use an antenna, choose channel 12.2 (CBS 12's sub channel).

Seniors, if you still want to purchase a cap and gown for family pictures you may do so by going to https://www.herffjones.com/graduation/.  The deadline for ordering is May 10.   Also, once schools reopen, you will be invited to come have your picture taken by Mr. Sweeten in your cap and gown.  You will also have the option of having a photo taken with me presenting your diploma.

Seniors – it is my hope we can get back to “normal” sooner rather than later and be able to hold some of the events you have missed out on due to the school being closed.  At this time, we, of course, do not know when schools will open and/or when large gatherings can take place again.  However, if possible, we will plan events for a future date. 

We are still working on the logistics of cap and gown and yearbook distribution as well as our retrieval of textbooks, computers, band equipment, uniforms, etc.  As soon as I have more information, I will let everyone know.

Beginning May 15^th, Deans will accept schedule reviews via email Monday-Friday from 8:30am-3:30pm via email. Please contact your assigned administrator.

• Dr. Bradley D, P allison.bradley@palmbeachschools.org
• Dr. Bustamante S, N melvin.bustamante@palmbeachschools.org
• Mr. Coram H, I, L, Z ryan.coram@palmbeachschools.org
• Ms. Lent A, E, W stephanie.lent@palmbeachschools.org
• Dr. Lewis F, Q, R, Y jaqua.lewis@palmbeachschools.org
• Mr. Michaels B, K, X john.michaels2@palmbeachschools.org
• Ms. Sloan C, J kala.sloan@palmbeachschools.org
• Mr. Wasserman G, O, T, U evan.wasserman@palmbeachschools.org
• Dr. Welter M, V tom.welter@palmbeachschools.org

Beginning June 8^th, all schedule reviews will be completed by Mr. Michaels. Please visit the school website at http://brhs.palmbeachschools.org/ to see if schedule reviews will be conducted virtually or on campus.

Stay well, Bobcats.  I miss you all!
Susie King, Ph.D.
Principal

PTSA Updates

This year we increased our membership from 850 members to 1013 this year.  With social distancing, it can be difficult to access information. Our PTSA has opened its website and all of its resources to the Boca High community until June 30, 2020. Please feel free to access the newly opened RESOURCES (Parent Resources, Teacher Resources, and Student Resources).

If you are not a PTSA member and would like to receive the newsletters until June 30, please send your email to our newsletter chair. 

Annual Auction

On February 22, 2020, Boca High PTSA held its annual auction.  Our school can’t thank you enough for all of your generous donations to make our school a better place. We understand that this national crisis impacted certain auction items.  If your auction item has been negatively impacted by the coronavirus outbreak, please let us be aware by June 30, 2020.

Career Finder

ATTENTION SOPHOMORES!!!!

If your sophomore student has taken the PSAT, they may access the premium version of Career Finder, to learn about career opportunities that fit their interest. Get started today! Have your student log into their College Boardaccount, search for Career Finder, click the Start Exploring button, accept Request for Approval, and you can access all of the tools. Need help navigating? Review our online guide!

Online Auction

Thank you to all who participated in our 2nd Annual Boca High Online Auction.  It was wonderful to see the support of our teachers, administrators, parents and community as we tried to raise additional funds.  If you were a winner, please make sure to pay the invoice sent and we will be completing "drive by porch deliveries" to ensure you receive your items. Please contact us if you have any questions. 

Teachers

AICE TESTING

• Although the Cambridge ‘sit down’ exams have been cancelled, students will receive a grade and a certificate from Cambridge International. Students will still receive college credit and AICE Diplomas, if they qualify. Cambridge requires teachers to submit Forecast grades so they will use those predicted grades, along with coursework.  
  
• Forecast grades are based on Cambridge grades, using a letter system: a through u. a, b, c, d and e are all passing grades.  The grade of “ungraded” is not passing. 
  
• The grading will be a complex process with teacher and Cambridge input.  We will send students’ work (i.e. essays, projects, ‘mock’ exams, and other coursework) to Cambridge so Cambridge can verify and determine the final grade.  
  
• See the Cambridge COVID-19 page for updates. 
• Please email Ms. Cahan, AICE Coordinator, with any questions.

AP EXAMS

• Click on the above 2020 AP Exam Information image to open the document.
• All Advanced Placement tests will occur from May 11th - May 22nd. 
• College Board has modified each exam to allow for an at home virtual administration.
• Each exam length has been shortened to fulfill a 45-minute test window.
• Teachers at Boca Raton High School are working hard with their students to ensure exam readiness and success.
• All students currently enrolled in an AP class are expected to test during the May 11th - 22nd window in order to be eligible for college credit and the weight of the college level class factored into their HPA.
• Please direct any questions to Ms. Stephanie Lent

CLASS OF 2021 - CURRENT JUNIORS

• Class of 2021! Next year you will finally be a Senior and we have some information regarding your Senior Portraits. Please visit the link for a 90-second video from our School’s Exclusive Photographer, Cady Studios. Be sure to watch the entire video and fill out the contact form, so you will receive information on how to schedule your Senior Portraits. 

FACEBOOK

• Stay in the loop with up to date information by joining our Facebook PTSA Group 
• An interactive group where you may ask questions, communicate with other parents, post events, share information.

GRADUATION PARADES

• Call a friend who lives in one of the neighborhoods and see if you can join on their lawn.
• Volunteer and coordinate another area. We will be happy to support and promote!

MEAL DISTRIBUTION

• Boca High is a Meal Distribution site 
• The next school-based, free-food distribution will be Thursday, May 7 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 51 locations. Parents or guardians who pick up meals on Thursday will be picking up a kit with three days worth of meals for each child. 
• Those picking up meals are encouraged to wear yellow to show support for the District’s School Lunch Heroes.
• Twice-a-week meal distribution will return on Tuesday, May 12 and Thursday, May 14, and continue through the month of May.
  
• Meals are FREE to anyone under 18 years of age (under 22 for ESE students), regardless of financial need.
• https://palmbeachschools.org/news/what_s_new/feeding_sites_open_during_school_closure
  

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

• May is mental health awareness month. Although mental health awareness is and should be promoted every day, this gives mental health the opportunity to have a specific platform to spread the word.
• 1 in 4 people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives.
• Started in 1949 by Mental Health America (MHA), the purpose of Mental Health Awareness Month is to raise awareness and educate the public about the realities of living with these conditions and provide strategies for attaining mental health and wellness.
• The school district has launched 561.432.6389 as a hotline number for mental and behavioral health concerns which will be supported by the district’s mental health professionals from 8AM – 4:30PM Monday-Friday.
• School based counseling services is suspended until Palm Beach County Schools resume classes.  Youth and Family Counseling will continue to service clients via telephone. Anyone wishing to talk to their therapist may call 561.242.5714.
• CINS/FINS Prevention Services Children In Need of Services/Families In Need of Services) call 561.868.4456, 24/7 FREE Non-residential Counseling for youth ages 6-17 and their families.
• Safe Harbor Shelter Program Respite Services are available for youth, ages 10-17, who may be in crisis and need respite; struggling with parents. Counseling available for families. Domestic Violence respite and Probation respite services also available. Contact information: 561.868.4456 24/7. For additional info: www.chsfl.org/
• National Alliance on Mental Illness PBC  NAMI can help navigate individuals or a loved ones experiencing anxiety, depression, loneliness or other mental health challenges to mental health support. Individuals can be connected to a resource or therapist if they are insured or uninsured. Resource line: 561.588.3477. NAMIpbc.org
• More resources can be found here.

MR & MS BOCA HIGH - TOP TEN FINALISTS

• CONGRATULATIONS to the finalists for Mr. & Ms. Boca High! Best of luck as you move on to the next phase.
• Boys - Tyler Alexander, Jack Doyle, Wensley Eveillard, Nick Lopes, and Daniel Ortega
• Girls - Rebecca Drewry, Jada Fernandes, Micaiah Joseph, Giullia Santos, Hanna Yousef  

SAT

• College Board has added a new SAT administration for Saturday, September 26, 2020.  This date will be for the SAT only (no SAT Subject Tests).  Registration for the 2020-2021 SAT administrations will open the week of May 26.  At this point, June registrants will be able to transfer their seat to a future test date.
• The May 2nd and June 6th SAT and SAT subject tests have been canceled. https://pages.collegeboard.org/collegeboard-covid-19-updates

SCHOLARSHIPS

• Ms. Marcus, in our College & Career Center, has been keeping up with scholarships as they are released and has issued a new Scholarship Bulletin #25.
  
• There is a dedicated Scholarship page on the PTSA website where all scholarship bulletins can be found.

SCHOOL RESOURCE INFORMATION

• Palm Beach School District Parents & Students Resource Page
• For general questions call the District Helpline 561-969-5840, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• For technical questions call the IT Service Desk, 561-242-4100, Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. beginning on March 30.

YEARBOOK

• As we do not know when we will go to back to school, we are keeping yearbook pre-sales open at www.yearbookordercenter.com (school #18) for $95.
• As of April 9, 2020, Dr. King has reopened the free and reduced yearbooks option.  PTSA helps to supplement students in need.
• If you have not ordered yet, do it soon!  Once they are gone, that is it!
• We are working with our publishers, and if school does not re-open, we will figure out how to get the books to the kids. 
• Want to join Yearbook next year?  Join their Google Classroom to fill out an applications - use code g3nrtl2 to access.

AICE 

Last Day of School for Seniors

• Per a school-wide call from Dr. King on 4/21/20, Seniors' last day of school will be May 15th.
  

Graduation

• Palm Beach County School District has made the decision to hold a virtual graduation.  Boca High Virtual Graduation will be held on Friday, May 29 at 8:00 pm. 
• How to watch virtual graduation:
  • Watch streaming graduations at palmbeachschools.org or YouTube
  • The Education Network available on Comcast channel 234
  • AT&T U=verse channel 99
  • Those without cable TV, who use an antenna, choose channel 12.2 (CBS 12s subchannel)
    
• Graduate Together: America Honors the Class of 2020 is a one-hour primetime special airs on ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, and will be streaming on multiple online platforms.  Tune in on Saturday, May 16 at 8:00 pm.

Palm Beach County PTA Scholarship 2019-2020

• Palm Beach County PTA has extended its scholarship application deadline to May 15th.  For more information, click here.
  

Yard Signs for Graduates

• 24x18 one-sided print is $25.00 and includes setup.
  
• 47x23 one-sided print is $45.00 and includes setup.

A portion of the proceeds will go to the first responders at Boca Raton Regional Hospital.