12-8-22

PTSAByrdBlastByrd High School, PTSA Byrd Blast

Yellow Jacket Sports (December 5 – December 11)

12/8 Lady Jackets Varsity Soccer vs. West Monroe | 5:30 pm

New Today 

Byrd Choir will present Carols and Cocoa on Tuesday, December 13th, at 6:00 pm.  The event will feature free cocoa and be held in the Jack’s Java Courtyard.  Come out and listen to the beautiful carols of the season with our choir.  It will surely brighten your spirits!

Calling all talented Jackets!! Buzzfest, the spring skit and talent show hosted by Student Council, will be holding talent auditions on January 24th and January 25th from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. in the auditorium. Please sign up for an audition spot with Mrs. Carberry in room 202 by January 12th. 

We’ve got salads for sale all this week in the Hydroponics Lab!  Come and grab one for your lunch!  We have $2.00 and $3.00 salads!

Seniors – If you didn’t get pictures made this past summer, Harrington House will be here on Tuesday, February 14, from 7:30 am until 9:00 am for pictures.  This is a one shot picture and they will provide the cap and gown.

Students – WorkKeys scores are available.  Students in the WorkKeys/ACT Prep class should have gotten their scores in class on December 1st.  Other students should pick up their scores in the counseling office.

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

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.

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.

College Visits – Army National Guard December 13

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.

Beta Club is working with Batteries Plus to collect toys for the Shreveport Fire Department’s Operation Santa Claus.  Homerooms can compete to collect the most toys for the chance to win a Donut party on December 20th.  Please donate new, unwrapped toys for girls and boys to your Homeroom teacher or to Ms. Waters in rm S112.  Collection ends the morning of December 19th.

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.

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’.

 


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.

Join C.E. Byrd Choir at their Christmas Performance, “Carols and Cocoa” on Tuesday, December 13 in the courtyard next to the library. Admission and hot cocoa will be free! Come support the choir!


Student Opportunities:

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.

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 Friday, December 16th.  Thanks for your generosity to help another Byrd organization!  You are appreciated.

 


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.

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

 

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.