MARCH 2016 ENROLLMENT
Manual
No.1
all boys school in the South Bay - and not just because we're the only one!
Bellarmine Class of 2020 Welcome to Bellarmine! Now that you have been accepted, you can enroll. The following pages will help you navigate the process. A.M.D.G.
PLATO:
THE BEGINNING IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE WORK Starting at a new school can be as intimidating as it is exciting. We hope this manual helps boost your excitement and keep the intimidation factor to a minimum.
PRESIDENTIAL FEATURE
WELCOME FROM THE PRESIDENT He graduated from Bellarmine 28 years ago and he still bleeds blue.
28 years ago, he left BCP for Stanford. He's been our admissions director, assistant principal and principal. Now he's president and his son is a member of the class of 2020.
W
elcome to Bellarmine College Preparatory! Congratulations on your son’s acceptance. We are looking forward to forming a strong partnership with you in the education of your son. The 450-year-old Jesuit school tradition seeks to educate young people’s minds, hearts, spirits, bodies and imaginations according to the values of the Gospel. We take the responsibility of our mission and our partnership with you
seriously, and we are grateful for your confidence in us. Your son and you now become part of the 165-year-old tradition that is Bellarmine. The class of 2020 will be responsible for carrying on that tradition of excellence in academics, Christian service programs, athletics, campus ministry, Immersion trips, speech and debate, music, retreats, robotics, theatre productions, publications, and so much
more. I am delighted that Bellarmine can present so many opportunities for our students to experience success, growth and an increase in self-esteem. And I join you as a proud parent of the class of 2020, as my son will also be a freshman this coming year. At their February meeting, Continued on next page ...
PRESIDENTIAL FEATURE
18
Bellarmine’s Board of Trustees set the tuition for the 2016-2017 academic year at $19,665. If you have applied for financial aid, a letter has been sent to your home with the status of your application. To secure your son’s place in the freshmen class for the academic year 2016-2017, please pay your deposit through the online enrollment system found at bcp.org/bell2020 (click on the "Enroll" button) by March 22, 2016.
To secure your son’s place in the freshmen class for the academic year 2016-2017, pay your deposit through the online enrollment system found at bcp.org/bell2020 by March 22, 2016. It is a pleasure to welcome you and your son to our Bellarmine Family. We hope that he will find our educational experience a life-changing one, with faculty and staff who are excited to be part of his life and will guide him in a very personal and effective manner, and accompanied by other young men who will become lifelong friends. I look forward to getting to know you in the coming years. Sincerely, Chris Meyercord ‘88 President
COME AN 8TH GRADER
LEAVE A BELL
Spend an evening at Bellarmine next week!
MARCH 15, 2016 6:30-8:00pm All accepted students & parents are welcome. No need to RSVP. Just show up, check out the BCP store and enjoy the campus with all your new friends.
PIZZA!
! US & N BO early ells: m eB me Co on th :00p m er ll @ 4 00p e h c a 5: pm 0 eb e @ 0 s 5: Ba oss @ s r l l c l a La yb oBel e l l #G Vo
Park in campus lots off Hedding St. Campus store hours: 5:30-8:30pm
WELCOME AND
CONGRATS! By Seamus Gallivan '16 ASB President
I'm not going to lie, it is a little odd to be writing a welcome to students I will never actually meet. Though, I must say that I feel like I've already met you. Being a part of the incoming freshman class, you will certainly feel any or all of these emotions at one point: excitement, fear, prepared, unprepared, nervous. I was in your same shoes four years ago. Being the only student from my middle school attending Bellarmine, I felt mostly anxious. But it all works out, trust me. Everyone's Bellarmine story has a beginning, middle and end. My ending happens to be tapping frantically on an iPad in an attempt to inspire a bunch of eighth graders. Yours will be a juxtaposition of your beginning as well, and one of yours will end the same way mine is; writing to welcome the class of 2024. Bells, my advice to you is this: soak it all in. Life is too short to waste high school only worrying about the tests you have approaching in the next week. Enjoy Bellarmine - join a club, tryout for a sports team, audition for a musical, take a ceramics class, spend time in Mr. Adams' garden, attend a Kairos retreat, give back to the community, and do it all in a spirit of gratitude. You are the lucky few, whether you know it or not. Four years from now when you walk across the Liccardo balcony gripping your diploma, you will look out into the audience and see your brothers. You will see the men you have studied with, sweated with, and prayed with for four years. And believe me when I say that there are no other faces in the world you would rather see. Congratulations and welcome from myself and the entire student body. AMDG.
NOMADIC
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24
5
steps to enroll
1
Bellarmine uses online enrollment and Smart Tuition management systems. Tuition of $19,665 (inclusive of the non-refundable deposit of $1,500 due Thursday, March 22nd) must be paid using the process outlined below. As part of Bellarmine’s continuing 1:1 program, the school will issue a tablet device to each student at the beginning of the school year. The cost of the device is included in the cost of tuition. However, each student is required to pay an additional $35 per year limited loss and damage fee . The $35 fee is due with the first tuition payment and must be paid prior to being issued the tablet.
Go to bcp.org/bell2020, click on the "Enroll" button and use your Ravenna account information to log in.
2
Update your contact information.
3
Pay your deposit with a VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or AMEX.
4
Enroll with Smart Tuition and select your payment option. If you have a returning upperclassman, you will bypass this step and automatically be added to the pre-existing account. Select the # of payments that work best for you (1, 2 or 11) Select payment date(s): - 1 payment due July 5th - 2 payments due July 5th and November 5th - 11 payments due the 5th or 20th of each month, June thru April Select a payment option (personal or cashier check, money order, ACH from checking or saving account or credit card). * Please note additional 2.65% fee for using a credit card
5
Review and complete necessary health forms.
Save the Date! RED indicates a REQUIRED event
Welcome Night! from 6:30-8:00pm - 15 Online Course Request system opens - 16 Deposit & Health History Form due - 22 Mothers' Guild Fashion Show Kickoff - 22 Online Course Request system closes - 25
MARCH
APRIL
Essay due if requesting Rhetoric - 6 ALEKS math proficiency exam closes - 9 Mothers' Guild Installation Luncheon - 15 Freshman Parent Night - 17
MAY
JUNE
Summer Program ends - 21 Class schedules available online - 29
14 - Summer Program begins 17 - Final 8th grade report card due 24 - Health Forms A & B due to Admissions
JULY
AUGUST
Freshman Retreat - 8 & 9
5 - ALEKS math proficiency exam opens 13 - English 1 Honors proficiency exam 17 - Dads' Club Father-Son BBQ 19 - Biology/Biology Honors proficiency exam 21 - Language proficiency exams
19 - Freshman Orientation 21 - Get Acquainted Party 22- Freshman Orientation 23 - First Day of Classes
OCTOBER
For more details on these and other events, go to bcp.org/bell2020 and follow us @bellarminebells on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
30+ ACADEMIC COURSE OFFERINGS FOR INCOMING FRESHMEN
SUMMER PROGRAM RUNS FROM JUNE
14TH TO JULY 21
BEST. SUMMER. EVER.
Bellarmine's co-ed summer program for students entering grades 6 - 12 consists of an extensive offering of academic courses, as well as enrichment seminars and athletic camps. It's perfect for students who want to take a class just because it sounds interesting, remediate or move ahead in a subject, explore new interests, hone existing skills, or just have fun. The Summer 2016 catalog of offerings is now available and online registration is open!
GO TO BCP.ORG/SUMMER
Fashion Show Kick-off Tuesday, March 22, 2016 6pm - Social 7pm - Meeting Liccardo Center
Bellarmine Mothers' Guild (BMG) welcomes you!
MG. more an akes!
Share in your son's high school education. Enrich the Bellarmine community. Make new friends.
Join us for our Spring events!
86th BMG Installation Luncheon Sunday, May 15, 2016 10:30am - Mass Leontyne Chapel 11:30am - Social 12:00pm - Lunch Liccardo Center
RSVP to both by going to the calendar at bcp.org/bell2020
C
D BBQ
Dads' Club Father-Son BBQ
Sunday, April 17, 2016 11:00am-2:00pm The Quad
To RSVP go to the calendar at bcp.org/bell2020
UBER-PRACTICAL SECTION #1
COURSE REQUEST INFO By Carey Byron, Scheduler Extraordinaire THIS DOCUMENT WILL NOT BE TURNED IN. PLEASE USE THE FOLLOWING PAGES TO BEGIN THINKING ABOUT PREFERRED COURSES. YOU MAY WANT TO PRINT THE PAGES AND MARK YOUR CHOICES TO HAVE HANDY WHEN YOU GO ONLINE TO MAKE YOUR INITIAL COURSE REQUESTS (ANY TIME FROM MARCH 16TH TO MARCH 25TH). Detailed descriptions of courses can be found on the website: Go to bcp.org/academics. Click "Departments and Curriculum," then the name of a Department on the left.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PROFICIENCY EXAMS? Math tests everyone Every student will be tested for placement in Mathematics, whether he wants an advanced Math course or not. ALEKS is taken at home between April 5th and May 9th.
All advanced courses require proficiency exams For students who want to pursue more advanced courses in other areas, Proficiency Exams are also offered in English, Modern and Classical Languages, and Science. Proficiency in the subject must be shown for placement in a higher-level course. Please note that if you select a higher-level course, you are making a commitment to attend the exam.
Notifications & Conflicts Students taking a Proficiency Exam will be notified of their placement by email in midMay. If you have an unavoidable conflict with any of the test dates, please email tcouncil@bcp.org about the possibility of rescheduling.
SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT You should consider taking a proficiency exam if you think you may be prepared to take on an advanced level in a particular subject area. Even if you do qualify for the advanced course, you are not obligated to take it. In fact, if you place into multiple advanced courses, you should be wary of taking more than two as the adjustment to high school alone and college preparatory coursework is significant. Although there are seven periods in our schedule, you do not need to fill every one. While many students find that having a free period is quite helpful in getting homework started, or meeting with a teacher or other students, it is important to note that fulfilling Bellarmine’s graduation requirements ordinarily means at least one semester with seven courses. Many students find that freshman year, as opposed to later years, is a good time to take a seventh class. Another option is to take summer school at some point. For example, taking Foundations the summer before freshman year is a good way to help retain a free period later on. NOTE: Mandarin as a language choice for non-heritage speakers is extremely demanding and challenging, requiring additional time to be successful. The additional task of learning characters may require significant application of time and energy. This document and others can be downloaded at bcp.org/bell2020
OUR TWO FRESHMAN COUNSELORS WILL BE AVAILABLE VIA EMAIL AND PHONE FROM MARCH 21ST TO 25TH TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS REGARDING COURSE REQUESTS: LAST NAMES A-L CONTACT MR. COLLETTI: CCOLLETTI@BCP.ORG OR (408) 537-9288 LAST NAMES M-Z CONTACT MR. SARRETT: ESARRETT@BCP.ORG OR (408) 537-9265
English You may select either: English 1 English 1 Honors If you select English 1 Honors, you must take the English Exam on Wednesday, April 13th from 4:30-5:30pm in the Liccardo Center. Please bring a blue or black pen. The English 1 Honors exam consists of two parts: an objective section and a subjective essay. Students will be asked to examine a poem in detail, answer specific questions, and compose a short essay. The subjective portion is evaluated according to structure, depth of analysis, focus and style.
Social Science
The freshman curriculum includes one semester of either World History: Axial Age to the 1700’s or Rhetoric. Rhetoric enrollment is limited and students are selected by the instructor based upon their submitted essay. Students selected for Rhetoric will not be able to take World History. (The other semester of the freshman year is completed with a Visual/Performing Arts class.) You may select either: World History: Axial Age to the 1700’s Thematic exploration of world history from the Axial Age to the 1700’s that focuses on the development of close reading, analytical writing skills and the interpretation of primary documents. Rhetoric This course provides the student with an introduction to written and oral techniques of persuasion, argumentation, exposition, discussion and the analysis of controversial current issues. Students will develop their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills and will learn how to research, analyze and organize materials for effective oral presentation and argument. The pace of this course is rapid and designed for the student who is both self-motivated and disciplined in study skills. Excellent time management skills are required. Students who wish to pursue the competitive speech and debate program are especially encouraged to take this course. (Students who are accepted into Rhetoric are discouraged from taking an independent/summer debate camp, as campers will not be allowed to debate until the second half of their freshman year.) If you select Rhetoric, submit the following to Mrs. Jones (kjones@bcp.org) by May 6th: 1) A paragraph explaining why you would like to be enrolled in Rhetoric and; 2) A typed essay agreeing or disagreeing with the statement: “Agree or disagree with the following and explain why: The United States ought to promote democracy in the Middle East.”
Mathematics Bellarmine uses ALEKS, an online, adaptive math assessment tool, to measure math proficiency of incoming freshmen and place them into the Bellarmine math curriculum. We allow each student up to three attempts to complete his assigned ALEKS exam, at his convenience, during an assessment period that opens at 8am on Tuesday, April 5th and closes at 11pm on Monday, May 9th. We will use the highest score among his attempts for placement. The student will have the option to practice with ALEKS between assessment attempts. All exams are taken at home. The objective is to offer each student ample opportunity to demonstrate his level of math knowledge in order to achieve the most accurate placement. All incoming freshmen must take an ALEKS math exam, even those who wish to take Algebra 1. Math course selection must be done through the online course request (OCR) system. However information about requesting math courses, and information about the math testing and placement process, can be found on the Math Placement web page. Please go to bcp.org/bell2020 and click on "Math Placement" in the Next Steps – Request Courses section. After you have submitted your online course request (OCR) information, and the OCR deadline has passed, the Math Placement Team will contact you via email to communicate which ALEKS proficiency exam you will be taking, and provide your ALEKS login information. Please do not contact the Admissions Office or Math Department until you have received the aforementioned email. If for some reason you do not receive the email by Monday, April 4th, please contact the Math Placement Team at deptmath@bcp.org.
Science You may select either:
Earth Science (does not require an exam) Biology Biology Honors If you select Biology or Biology Honors, you must take the proficiency exam on Tuesday, April 19th from 4:00-5:00pm. Report to the Flag Pole located at the corner of University & Elm St. The main focus of the Biology and Biology Honors exam is proficiency in Chemistry. It is a comprehensive, multiple-choice exam. Subjects covered include: measurement and the metric system, the Scientific Method, critical thinking skills, math skills and introductory General Chemistry - including matter, atomic structure, the periodic table, bonding, nomenclature, chemical reactions and energetic states. We recommend that students review their junior high school science notes, particularly those related to General Chemistry. If a student qualifies for Biology Honors, he does not have to take the class. He can, instead, opt to take regular Biology or Earth Science. In the event a student does not qualify for either Biology or Biology Honors, he will automatically be placed in Earth Science.
Modern and Classical Languages Most students will not need to be tested in Language, and will simply choose from one of the following five options. If you’re not planning to take a proficiency exam, please indicate your desired level one course, indicating first choice and an alternate choice. Select a first choice and an alternative:
OR select one of the advanced options:
American Sign Language 1
American Sign Language 2
French 1
French 2
Latin 1
Latin 2
Mandarin 1
Mandarin 2
Spanish 1
Spanish 2
If a student has substantial experience in a language, he can attempt to test out of level 1. In this case, select the level 2 option and plan to attend the Exam on Thursday, April 21st, from 4:00-5:30pm in O'Donnell Hall. If you choose Spanish, after submitting your request online, you will be asked what type of Spanish experience you have: elementary/middle school, immersion or native speaker.
Religious Studies All students are required to take one semester of Hebrew Scriptures (in the Fall) and one semester of Christian Scriptures (in the Spring). Students are not able to fulfill the requirements for Religious Studies by taking classes off campus. You must select both:
x
Hebrew Scriptures
x
Christian Scriptures
REMEMBER TO GO TO YOUR CLASS HOMEPAGE, BCP.ORG/BELL2020, FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING ENROLLMENT, COURSE REQUESTS, PROFICIENCY EXAMS AND MUCH MORE.
Visual and Performing Arts Students are required to take at least three semesters of art to graduate. Those students not taking music must start with a one-semester “Foundations” course (either Visual or Performing Arts) – and then later take two semester-long courses in the same discipline of art. (Ex. – Visual Foundations + Ceramics 1 + Ceramics 2, or Performing Foundations + Acting 1 + Acting 2.) The Foundations courses will be offered in our Summer Program, but space is limited. A non-music student may opt to take a level 1 course during freshman year in addition to Foundations, if he chooses. Note: this means he will have seven classes in one semester, unless Foundations is taken in summer school. Select a first choice and an alternative: Chamber Orchestra Performance-based ensemble for students who have previous experience playing stringed instruments. Class begins at 7:40am multiple days per week. This is a year-long course and will take up a free period in one semester. If requested, you’ll be asked which instrument you play. Email sched@bcp.org if your alternate course is a semester-long option. Percussion Ensemble Performance-based ensemble for individuals interested in playing percussion instruments (including pianists who are interested in learning keyboard percussion instruments). Previous experience is encouraged but not required. This is a year-long course and will take up a free period in one semester. Email sched@bcp.org if your alternate course is a semester-long option. Symphonic Band Performance-based ensemble for students who have previous experience or are currently learning to play woodwind or brass instruments. Class begins at 7:40am multiple days per week. All students who play saxophone, trumpet, trombone, euphonium and tuba will be concurrently enrolled in Jazz Ensemble and will receive credit for both courses. This is a year-long course and will take up a free period in one semester. Email sched@bcp.org if your alternate course is a semester-long option. Foundations – Visual Art Exploration This course will explore the fundamental artistic principles (i.e., line, shape, value, composition, craftsmanship, etc.) of the visual arts through a wide range of drawing and painting projects. After this course, students can complete their requirement by taking two semesters of: Art, Ceramics, Graphic Design or Photography. This is a semester-long course. Foundations - Performing Art Students will learn the fundamentals of expression through a variety of performance techniques, including acting, stage movement and improvisation. After this course, students can complete their requirement by taking two semesters of Acting or Dance. This is a semester-long course. Please do not request any Foundations courses through the online course request system if you plan to take it in Summer School.
Visual and Performing Arts(continued) Non-music students may opt to also take the first semester of a specific discipline after completing a Foundations course. This option is not open to music students in freshman year. This will take up their free period in one semester, unless Foundations is taken in Summer School. Some students have found it helpful to have two of their three semesters of art completed by the end of Freshman year. You may select either: Acting 1 For the beginning/intermediate actor to learn about and practice the art of acting on stage. This is a semester-long course. Dance 1 An introduction to the fundamentals of jazz, tap, ballet and hip hop dance. This is a semester-long course and will be available pending student interest. Art 1: Drawing & Painting An introduction to the various techniques of drawing, painting and design, using a wide variety of media. This is a semester-long course. Ceramics 1 Introduction to the various techniques of ceramics. This is a semester-long course. Graphic Design 1 Learn design principles and create artwork using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. This is a semester-long course with limited enrollment. Photography 1 An introduction to photography in which students learn how to use a digital camera and manipulate photographs using a digital darkroom. Students will also study composition, the history of photography, prominent photographers and career options in photography. This is a semester-long course.
Optional Electives Bellarmine has a seven period schedule. If the student only takes one semester of Art during the school year, he will have a free period in each semester. If the student takes two semesters of Art (either a music course OR Foundations plus a level 1 art course), the student will have a free period for only one semester. As a reminder: many students find that freshman year, as opposed to later years, is a good time to take a seventh class, either by taking a Fitness & Health (F&H) course or a second semester of Visual and Performing Art (VPA). Or a student may choose to fill his free period with one of the following elective courses. You may select either: Exploring Computer Science & Engineering A projects-based course that provides students with an overview of the diverse fields of computer science and engineering. This is a semester-long elective course. Cross-Training and Nutrition Students in this class will participate in vigorous Cross Training fitness activities intended to develop overall strength, cardiovascular endurance, balance and self-confidence. Students also learn the basics of healthy food preparation, food labels & purchasing, and nutritional influences on athletic and academic performance. This is a semester-long elective course and counts toward the two semester F&H requirement; all students will still take the Fitness & Health class in their sophomore year. Introduction to Fitness This class is designed to orient students to cardiovascular fitness, resistance weight training, athletic sports and activities, and general health and nutrition practices. This is a semesterlong elective course and counts toward the two semester F&H requirement; all students will still take the Fitness & Health class in their sophomore year. Introduction to Journalism This course introduces students to the fundamentals of print journalism as well as practical, historical and ethical aspects of journalism. This is a semester-long elective course.
20 pieces of advice for the class of 2020
Written by Peter Boennighausen '17 and Pranaya Pahwa '17
Technically speaking pajamas and slippers are banned by the dress code, but sweats and flip-flops are not. In the presence of teachers, always refer to what you’re wearing (the former) as the latter.
Do not procrastinate as much as the writers of these helpful hints have.
If you don’t make a sports team, remember you go to school with 415 other dudes. It’s not the end of the world.
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Thankfully, you’re not walking a thousand miles, and you don’t live in a cliché. But still, the first step is trying.
The first two words you must learn, in any language, are “Go Bells!” "Ukuya iintsimbi!"
It is better to have loved and lost than never loved at all. Quote poetry to impress girls.
We have 10 min. passing periods. You could walk from O’Donnell to Lokey and back again in that time. Lincoln memorialized Gettysburg in less time. We wrote these tips in less time. You have no excuse to be late.
Never ask the Cindy’s ladies which one of them is Cindy.
If your wildest dream is to feel like you’re riding a subway during rush hour, go to the lunch line 7 minutes into lunch. Otherwise, get there early, or get there late.
If you’re reading this, it’s too late. Go Bells and have a great freshman year!
Pretend not to care for, but be secretly obsessed with, curly fries.
Ask your teachers for advice. They know a lot more about life than your fellow freshmen.
As JUG’s prove, God will not look kindly upon those who do not shave.
This isn’t third grade. Ditch the roller backpack.
To thine own self be true. Also, don’t plagiarize in English class.
It takes stress to make a diamond. Shine on you crazy diamond.
Family time is more important than Battle Royale time.
“I’m a freshman” combines both selfdeprecating humor and a great excuse. Use it often.
Never engage a debater in sustained conversation.
3rd floor Sobrato bathrooms are the best kept secret on campus. But don’t tell anyone we told you that. The first rule about 3rd floor Sobrato bathrooms is not to talk about said bathrooms. Also, soap.
UBER-PRACTICAL SECTION #2
HEALTH FORMS INFO By Terry Council, Admissions Guru IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS' HEALTH INFORMATION TO BE UP-TO-DATE, ACCURATE, AND ON TIME. STUDENTS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ATTEND FRESHMAN ORIENTATION OR BEGIN THE SCHOOL YEAR IF THE FOLLOWING HEALTH RECORDS ARE NOT COMPLETE. SERIOUSLY! The following pages contain copies of all required health forms. They can also be downloaded at bcp.org/bell2020 and as part of the enrollment process. The Health History Form and a selfaddressed, postage-paid envelope are included in the decision letter sent to your home. PLEASE NOTE: all Bellarmine students must have an annual physical exam, scheduled to take place between May 13th and June 24th. This will allow the physical to meet our deadline and remain in effect for the duration of freshman year. Physical exams completed before May 2016 will be accepted as long as we receive a copy of the next physical (when it occurs) between January and May of 2017. Email Terry Council at tcouncil@bcp.org with questions.
Bellarmine College Preparatory is a community of men and women gathered together by God for the purpose of educating the student to seek justice and truth throughout his life. We are a Catholic school in the tradition of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the Founder of the Society of Jesus. As such, our entire school program is dedicated to forming "men for and with others" - persons whose lives will be dedicated to bringing all their God-given talents to fullness and to living according to the pattern of service inaugurated by Jesus Christ.