11-18-22

PTSAByrdBlastByrd High School, Jackets in the News, PTSA Byrd Blast

Yellow Jacket Sports (November 14 – November 20)

11/18-19  Boys and Girs Swim 2022 LHSAA Division 1 State Championship @ Sulphur Parks and Recreation Aquatic Center, Sulphur, LA

11/18-19 Lady Jackets Varsity Soccer Loyola Tournament

11/19  Men’s Varsity Soccer vs. West Monroe @ West Monroe | 10:00 am

11/19  Men’s Varsity Soccer vs. Ouachita Parish @ West Monroe | 3:00 pm

 


New Today

Astra Club Officers – We have the opportunity to attend the Junior Achievement Student/Mentor Luncheon on February 16, 2023.  If you would like to attend, please see Mrs. Prothro or email her at MProthro@caddoschools.org.  I need to know by TODAY if you would like to attend.  This is a nice luncheon with business leaders from all over our area.  You will be excused from school. 

Calling all students – The Mendeleevian Society is looking for submissions for our annual Mendeleevian Society Symposium in March. If you are interested in participating or would just like more information scan the QR code on one of the flyers located around the school or see Mrs. Comerford in S202. The deadline is TODAY.

StudentsPlease come out and support your Lady Jacket soccer team! They kick off their season TODAY at Byrd at 5:30 versus SSA.  TOMORROW they play here at 9:30 am against Northshore and then at 12:40 they play at Loyola versus Hannon.

Congratulations to the HOBY delegates: 1stEmilija Majstorovic • 1st Alternate – Jackson Cooper • 2nd Alternate – Piper Heun

Get your tickets to the Byrd Drama fall production of the murder mystery comedy, Clue. Performances are November 30th – December 4th. Tickets are $12 and are available on Local Level Events or by scanning the QR code on the posters hanging up around school. Tickets are also available at the door. For more information, contact the Byrd Drama Department at byrddrama@gmail.com, 318-364-2900, or by visiting byrddrama.weebly.com.

Astra Club – The baseball team has asked us once again to donate gift cards of any amount $5-$25 for their Buzz Bash coming up in early 2023.  Each $5 amount will count as a volunteer hour.  For example, a $5 gift card counts as one hour, a $25 gift card would count as 5 hours, etc.  Please bring them to Mrs. Prothro by December 16, 2022.  Thanks for your generosity to help another Byrd organization!  You are appreciated.

Students – BPCC is also offering an ACT Prep class on December 3rd.  Scan the QR code on the flyers around the school to get the specifics.  

March ACT – In March 2023, 10th, 11th, and a select group of qualifying 12th-grade students will have an opportunity to take the ACT here at school at no cost to the student.   If your student has an IAP, IEP, or ELL plan which includes classroom accommodations, a request can be submitted to ACT for approval to take the ACT with those same accommodations.  Parental consent is required before the request can be submitted.  A copy of the ‘Consent to Release Information to ACT’ form will be given to students on Monday 11/28 to take home to parents.  Contact Penny Eason at peason@caddoschools.org or call me at 318 364 – 5470 no later than Friday 12/9/2022 to give ‘Consent to Release Information to ACT’.

Final Exam Schedule:

Thursday, December 15, 2022 – 2nd and 4th Period Exams

Friday, December 16, 2022 -1st and 3rd Period Exams

Monday, December 19, 2022 – 5th and 6th Period Exams

Tuesday, December 20, 2022 –Makeup Exams and 7th Period Exams

School will be released at 1:00 p.m. each of these days.

COVID – Schools are still required to report POSITIVE cases of COVID-19. If a Byrd student tests positive for COVID-19, please contact Lisa Walker Johnson, Assistant Principal for a return to school plan as per the current guidelines. You will need to report the day the student tested positive and the last day the student was on Byrd’s campus. Lisa Walker Johnson, Assistant Principal • lwjohnson@caddoschools.org or 318-364-5462


MORE INFORMATION

College Visits – Digital Media November 28

2022 FALL LEAP 2025 EOC RETEST – The 2022 Fall LEAP 2025 testing window will open November 29, 2022. This administration will be for those students who have previously been unsuccessful on parts of the LEAP 2025 exam. Only select students are eligible for the retest. Eligible students will be given individual notices of the dates and times they are scheduled to test. Contact LWJohnson, Assistant Principal if you have questions and/or concerns. lwjohnson@caddoschools.org or 318-364-5462

Track – All students interested in Indoor Track please contact Coach Plaza at jeplaza1932@gmail.com or (318) 272-1671.  First Practice is Monday, December 12th at the Byrd track.  In order to participate at the first practice session you must contact Coach Plaza prior to December 12.

Winter 2022 Louisiana Tech Dual Enrollment–Deadline to Apply December 2nd. Winter quarter registration is only available for students who were not able to register for fall quarter classesStudents already enrolled in a dual enrollment course and wish to continue, will wait for spring quarter registration. CLICK HERE for full details.

Students – ACT Boot Camp for the December test will be Saturday, December 3, from 12:00 until 3:00 pm in the Learning Center.  If you wish to sign up, please call Sherri Moss at 318-572-5507 or register.  Space is limited!

ASVAB Test – If your child would like to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Test (ASVAB) I need his/ her name by December 9, 2022. We are offering this to all 11th graders, and any 12th graders who indicate that they are interested. The test will be given on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, in the Learning Center.  Please encourage your students to sign up. This is a great way for them to find out what will benefit them most when they graduate from high school. This is the only time this test will be offered at Byrd this year.   If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Prothro at MProthro@caddoschools.org.

ACT Fee Waivers are available in the Counseling Office for juniors and seniors who meet the criteria for free/reduced lunch. Students are eligible for 4 fee waivers during their junior and senior years. When registering for the ACT with a fee waiver, students receive free ACT prep available through their ACT accounts. Please see your counselor if you have any questions.

Seniors – You must complete one of the following financial aid steps IN ORDER TO GRADUATE: 1)Complete the FAFSA (available at studentaid.gov) This is your TOPS application, as well as application for federal grants and student loans; 2) Complete the Louisiana TOPS form- if you are not completing the FAFSA (available at mylosfa.la.gov). If you choose this step, you must print a confirmation and bring it to the Counseling Office; 3) A parent or legal custodian, or a student legally emancipated or of the legal age of majority, may certify a waiver in writing to the LEA (See Mrs. Byrd for this form) . Only one step is required- you will not complete the FAFSA and the TOPS form. The FAFSA is also the TOPS application. The FAFSA application is available beginning October 1st. Students should complete the 2023-2024 FAFSA application using 2021 income tax information. The FAFSA Completion Guide is attached to this e-mail and is also available on the Class of 2023 Canvas page. CLICK HERE for FASFA Completion Guide.


Support Your Fellow Jackets!

Byrd Baseball Booster Blanket Sales – Support your fellow jackets by purchasing a spirit blanket! These make great Christmas gifts and we have them in hand ready to deliver. CLICK HERE to order.


Student Opportunities:

StudentsAre you interested in participating in Film Prize Jr? If you have an idea for a short 3-10 minute live-action film, are interested in script writing, pre-production, editing, or filming, see Mrs. Smith in room S307 as soon as possible!

Student Opportunity – SUSLA Aerospace Tech Center Open House

Students – If you have any interest in having your student’s interest and career potential assessed, the AIMS (Aptitude Inventory Measurement Service) test is hoping to come to Shreveport in January if there is enough interest.  CLICK HERE to read the attached letter and CLICK HERE for more information.

 


Scholarships & Contests

Student of the Year – We are beginning the process of selecting our 2023 Student of the Year. The selection process and procedures for resolving issues and disputes related to the selection of candidates are attached. Please review this information and contact Amanda Byrd at asbyrd@caddoschools.org if you have any questions. CLICK HERE for Student of the Year Guidelines and Grievance Procedures

Students – If you are interested in entering any poster contests, please see your teacher or Mrs. Prothro. CLICK HERE for info.

Students 9-12 th grades – Do you have 100 or more volunteer hours from March, 2022 to March 1, 2023? If so, you are eligible for the Presidential Volunteer Service Award which is a national award to recognize people who are committed to community service to make our world a better place. Please bring your volunteer sheets with your total number of volunteer hours to Mrs. Prothro or email them to her at MProthro@caddoschools.org. If you have any questions, please call (364-5455) or email Mrs. Prothro. Any community service through school, nonprofit organizations and church activities can be counted toward your total number of community service hours. Attached is a volunteer log sheet if you would like to use it; however, you do not have to use this one. I will accept any log sheets that has the activities and hours listed. The deadline is March 1, 2023. CLICK HERE for log.

10 -12th Grade Students – The Jumpstart Summer Enrichment Program (JSEP) is sponsored by the Office of Diversity Affairs at Louisiana State University Health Shreveport. The program targets students interested in pursuing careers in Medicine, Dentistry, Biomedical Research or Allied Health Professions. The JSEP program allows area high school students, grades 10-12, the opportunity to participate in eight weeks of hands-on research activities mentored by faculty at LSU Health Shreveport. Students must be 16 years old by the start of the program (June 1, 2023). CLICK HERE to apply. The applications will open November 1st. The deadline to apply is January 20th.  Please see your counselor for more details.

Raising Cane’s Color Your Cane Contest • November 4 – November 16 – Drop your coloring sheet at any Shreveport-Bossier Restaurant for a chance to win! One winner will be selected from each location. First place winner will receive the basket, and a Kid’s Combo Card for each person in their class! Places 2-5 will receive a kid’s combo award. Winner’s Announcement – November 17th Raising Cane’s will notify the Principal of the students selected and will identify arrangements for pick up. CLICK HERE for coloring sheet.

Perspectives is now accepting entries for this year’s publication. Perspectives is C.E. Byrd’s literary magazine. We publish all types of creative writing and visual art created by current Byrd students. Selected entries are published in a beautiful, full-color magazine printed at the end of the school year. All students who are published in the magazine will receive a free copy to enjoy. Look for QR codes around the school or ask your English teacher for the entry form. Deadline: February 3. Use this link to submit your entry: https://forms.gle/hhxnF6bsF97LqBZPA

SeniorsThe Christmas on Caddo Fireworks Festival Scholarship application is available in the Counseling Office and the Class of 2023 Counseling page. First place winners will earn a $350 scholarship. Application deadline is Monday, November 28th.

JuniorsThe Coolidge Scholarship is a full-ride, four-year, merit scholarship that may be used by recipients for undergraduate study at any accredited college or university in the United States.  Any high school junior who plans to enroll in college in the fall of 2024 and is an American citizen or legal permanent resident is eligible to apply.  Winners may use the scholarship to pursue any academic major. The scholarship application, along with additional information, can be assessed on the scholarship site: www.coolidgescholars.org.   More detailed information can also be found on the Class of 2024 Canvas page. The submission deadline is 5:00 p.m. eastern time, Thursday, February 23, 2023.

 

CLICK HERE for all scholarship opportunities.

CLICK HERE for a full list of community service opportunities.

CLICK HERE for a full list of contests.
CLICK HERE for printable Byrd Blast.