Good Morning Bellaire High School Families,

Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, October 10^th  for 9th-grade students to take the PSAT. Also, Wednesday, October 11^th, is the PSAT for all 10th and 11^th grade students. A handful of 12th-grade students will take the SAT on Wednesday of they didn’t take it last year. All students are being notified via their HISD Outlook email, too. Testing rooms will be posted inside the building near the main entrance of the school for easy reference.

The campus will be on a modified bell schedule for October 10^th and 11^th.  Click here to see the modified bell schedule for these two days.

Tuesday, October 10^th

PSAT for all 9th-grade students. Starting at 8:30 a.m. Please have your child at school no later than 8:20 am so he or she can be in the building and seated. All 10^th, 11^th, and 12th-grade students will have a late start day on October 10^th and enter the building at 11:30 a.m.

Wednesday, October 11^th

PSAT for all 10th and 11^th grade students. A handful of 12^th graders take the SAT. Please have your child at school no later than 8:20 am so he or she can be in the building and seated. All 9th-grade students will have a late start day on October 11^th and enter the building at 11:30 a.m.

At Bellaire High School, we believe in creating as many opportunities as possible for our students to own their futures. That’s why we offer the PSAT/NMSQT® (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) to our students. Whether your child is thinking about attending a two- or four-year college, is going straight into the workforce, or isn’t sure what they want to do after high school, the PSAT/NMSQT can help make their path clearer. Results from the PSAT/NMSQT provide insights into your child’s academic strengths, along with areas they can work on while still in high school. [If your child took the PSAT 8/9 or PSAT 10, they’ll see their progress from one test to the next]. Taking the PSAT/NMSQT can also help your child to:

• Enter the National Merit® Scholarship Program if they meet the program requirements specified in the PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide.
• See where they are and set a target for where they want to be.
• Practice and prepare for the SAT®.
• Find out what AP® courses they’re ready to take.
• Plan and pay for college.
• Connect to their future career.

This fall, the PSAT/NMSQT will be administered in a new digital format—followed by the SAT in spring 2024—that will provide an overall easier testing experience for students. Your child will take the PSAT/NMSQT on October 10th and 11th using a school-issued device or a device provided to them that day.

Watch this video to see what students can expect from the digital PSAT/NMSQT. If you or your child have questions about the PSAT/NMSQT or college and career planning, please reach out to me or your child’s counselor—we’re here to help!



The Bellaire High School testing coordinator is Gregory Mills, and he can be reached for questions about the PSAT/NMSQT and the SAT at gmills1@houstonisd.org

Thank you, and have a nice weekend.

Michael Niggli, Principal

Bellaire High School

Stronger Together Campaign - Please Consider Donating

The 2023 Stronger Together Annual Campaign is raising funds to enhance the educational experience of ALL BELLAIRE HIGH SCHOOL students during THIS school year.

Please go to bellairepto.org to donate and find out how funds benefit your student.

9th Grade Parent Meeting

This meeting will focus on the transition to high school, getting involved and connected, and creating strong habits. We hope to see all of our freshman parents at this meeting. The garage will be available for first come, first serve parking. Please enter through the door that is at the end of the sidewalk for the parking lot exit in the courtyard. The meeting will be held in the auditorium. We will have you in and out in 60 minutes. #ClassOf2027

Qualifying Electives - Pass/Fail Waiver Form Submission

This week, the Counseling Department presented to fine arts, athletics, and JROTC classes regarding the Qualifying Elective form. By turning in this form, you are opting into converting a numeric grade to “pass” to remove the grade from the student’s GPA.

Please read the information below carefully and if you like to submit a Qualifying Elective form, you can download a waiver form here.

The option to convert a numeric grade of 85 or higher to a “pass” applies only to:

• High school students (9^th-12th) enrolled in qualifying elective courses. Courses that Qualify: Athletics, Art, Band, Choir, Cheer, Dance, Drill Team, Guitar, JROTC, Orchestra, PE, Piano, and Theater. 
• Upon receipt of a fully executed intention statement, submitted by the student to their Counselor. 
• Fall 2023 Deadline: October 6, 2023
• Spring 2024 Deadline: February 27, 2024 (only for courses added to the student’s schedule for the spring semester after the end of the first grading cycle in the fall)
• Courses taken in 9th grade through 12th grade.
• Qualifying elective courses must be taken in HISD.
• The option to convert a numeric grade of 85 or higher to a “pass” may be applied in up to four (4) qualifying elective courses for no more than 2.0 state credits during a student’s high school tenure. 
• A numeric grade must be assigned to a high school student’s first full, fine arts and physical education credit (1.0). Any additional fine arts and physical education credits can be converted to a “pass” if the course grade average requirements are satisfied. 
• Courses designated as Career and Technology Education (CTE) do not qualify as qualifying elective courses.
• Students receiving a “pass” for the semester grade average will receive a 0.5 credit value.
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The slide deck shown to students can be located here.

If you have any questions, please contact your counselor.

Meet and Greet Class of 2027 Parents

This is a Meet & Greet for the Bellaire High School Class of 2027 Parents. Wednesday, October 4th, from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the '401, 6700 Ferris Street. We will meet on the side patio.

COME JOIN US!

HEAR MORE ABOUT THE

C/O 2027 FUNDRAISING

INITIATIVE AND MEET

MEMBERS OF THE PTO

Enjoy light bites. Drinks and

other food can be purchased.

Hosted By:

Lauren Blackburn, Melinda Cooper, Hope Canon/Digital Delight, Lauren Garrow, Julie Goldberger, Jennifer Heemer, Mindy Kaplan, Meric Pinkerton, Margaret Pinkston, Courtney Tardy, Mindy Vondenstein

Special Thanks to:

Kristi Coffey/The '401

Fall Senior Survey

It's never too early to start looking and talking to college reps! Join us for the Bellaire High School College Fair October 11th! #Cards2College

Romeo and Juliet

Red Bird Productions presents Romeo and Juliet Oct 12-14. Tickets can be purchased in the Black Box or at the door. Students and Staff $5 and General Admission $8.

9th - 11th Grade Make-Up Pictures

The make-up/retake day for 9th-11th grade school pictures is Oct. 17. Students who missed the original picture day will automatically be put on the list to have their photo taken that day. Students who wish to have their picture retaken need to email andrea.negri@houstonisd.org by Oct. 6.

Information about the retake time and location will be emailed to the student the week before.

Class of 2024 Parent Meeting

Calling all parents from the class of 2024! Come out and meet with us on October 18th! You will hear from our Registrar, College Access Counselor, and Class of 2024 Senior Sponsors. The meeting will focus on the college application process, scholarships, transcripts, and senior dues, and will include some early information about prom and graduation. We will start at 6:30 pm in the auditorium. Parking will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis in the parking garage. We will have you in and out in an hour. #ClassOf2024

Have You Submitted the Socioeconomic Information Form?

This form impacts our funding! Please make sure that this form is updated or completed for the 2023-2024 school year. 

To complete the form online:

Log in to the HISD Connect Parent Portal, which can be found on the Bellaire H.S. website on the left-hand side under Helpful Links. Once inside the Parent Portal, you will see on the left-hand side a link to FORMS. 

It is very important that we receive this form from everyone. Please email Ms. Giesemann if you have questions or need a paper form.

Friday ~ Spirit Wear on Sale

The Spirit Store is open every Friday for students during Cardinal Hour.

Online orders will be filled once a week and can be picked up on Friday or delivered to your student's 6th-period class.

Please email pegdan@mac.com with the student's name and room number for delivery.

Homecoming October 29th

Calling all Cardinals! Homecoming is October 21st. The day will start at 10:00am with a Tailgate at Butler Stadium. Kick-off against Sam Houston will be at 12:00pm. The tailgate is free for all to attend. Bellaire clubs and organizations who wish to have a reserved space should fill out this form. Football tickets will be available for purchase online here.

The Homecoming Dance will be at Bellaire High School at 8:00 pm. Homecoming Dance tickets will be $30 and sold during Cardinal Hour the week of Oct. 16th. This year, only currently enrolled Bellaire High School students are eligible to attend the Homecoming Dance. Guests from outside the school will not allowed. School or government IDs are required for purchase and entrance into the dance. Tickets are not transferable and cannot be refunded.

Yearbooks are on sale!

The Bellaire Carillon Yearbook is currently on sale! The first 50 yearbooks sold this year will go for $70. Make sure to buy your yearbook now!

Schoolinks Replaces Naviance

Students now have access to Schoolinks. They can access it via their Clever account. Parents and students can gain more information on Schoolinks via this link. To get a head start, students can set up their Schoolinks profile and explore the platform and what it has to offer.

A reminder for seniors to submit their brag sheets to their counselor and teacher at least 30 days in advance of college deadlines. Our counseling team is committed to meeting all college application deadlines.

For any questions about Schoolinks, please contact Bellaire HS College Advisor Jelicia Hunt at jelicia.hunt@houstonisd.org

Visit with College Reps

Be on the lookout for college visits each week in our College Center. We will update the list each week as we confirm additional representatives.

Submitting a SAF (Student Assistance Form):

Do you have concerns for a student’s social or emotional health or academics, or does your student need resources for school? Anyone can submit a SAF for a student for non-emergency concerns. Submitting a SAF connects students to their Counselor, our School Social Worker, Ms. Lasprilla, or our Wraparound Specialists. Here is the updated SAF link for the 2023-2024 school year.

Freedom From Period Poverty Project - Funded!

Thank you, Bellaire Parents, for caring about equity in our public school!

One again, our project was funded just a few days after being posted!

The baskets in the girls' restrooms will be soon refilled by the Italian National Honor Society's volunteers for the remaining of the semester.

Grazie!

October 10 - 9th Grade Parent Meeting at 6:30 pm

October 11 - College Fair

October 13 - No School for Students

October 18 - Senior Parent Meeting at 6:30 pm

October 20 - Homecoming Tailgate Pre-Game Butler Statium 10:00 AM - Kickoff

October 20 - Homecoming Game vs.Sam Houston @ Butler 12:00 PM

October 20 - Homecoming Dance at Bellaire HS at 8:00 PM

Thank you to the Bellaire PTO Corporate Sponsors for 2023-2024