May News

Online Instruction Updates

Teacher Appreciation Week

May 4-8th was Teacher Appreciation Week! We're sad we didn't get to have our annual celebrations during Teacher Appreciation Week this year. Our students expressed "thanks" to their teachers during their online instruction sessions. We are so fortunate and grateful for our team of dedicated teachers!

New Students

We are pleased to welcome our new students that have enrolled! Our new students include 2 6th graders at our Northville campus, a 6th grader at our Deer Valley campus, an 8th grader at our Seattle campus, a 9th grader and 10th grader at our Castle Pines campus, a 10th grader at our Sammamish campus, a 7th grader at our Redmond campus, and new students at our Scottsdale campus.

Student Highlights

Congratulations to our seniors who are rounding the final bend of high school! We have 34 seniors graduating! We are adapting and postponing our graduation celebrations to stay aligned with stay-at-home orders. Here are a few of our graduates and their college acceptances.

Pictured (left to right): Carter, Noah, Robby, Nolan

Carter is planning to study Data Science at University of Michigan Ann Arbor this fall.

Noah was recently accepted to Oakland University Honors College - School of Engineering and Computer Science. He also received the Oakland University Academic Achievement Award. His scholarship totals $10,000.

Robby is planning to attend Oakland Community College this fall, and then he plans to transfer to Michigan State University in the future. His goal is to work for the Department of Natural Resources to help conserve the environment.

Nolan has been accepted and is going to attend The New School in NYC, studying Jazz and Contemporary Music at their College of Performing Arts!

We are thrilled to share news about a very distinguished award received by one of our students in Birmingham, MI. Haleigh earned the President's Volunteer Service Award for over 200 hours of community service while she was in China last summer! Her letter from the President says, "Each generation of hardworking and kindhearted volunteers helps to write a new chapter of American greatness, and our Nation is proud for your commitment to this honorable tradition."

Pictured: Haleigh, Volunteer Service Award letter from the President, Haleigh and student

Students are still getting hands on in their science classes. Our Deer Valley students have become resourceful and are using their backyards to creatively participate in their science projects - collecting soil, rocks, bugs, and more!

Scheduling

Take advantage of Brightmont's year-round offerings. Schedule a course this summer to get ahead and have a lighter course load next year or consider a skill-building program to strengthen key skills before the new school year begins. Enrollment for the 2020-21 academic year has also begun! Schedule and teacher requests are first-come first-served. Please contact a campus director to talk about enrollment.

Teacher Training Improves Student Learning

Brightmont provides training and professional development to our teachers to optimize your student's learning experience. Every week, teachers are given a new strategy or tool to apply to instructional sessions. Implementing these into one-to-one sessions helps students in areas such as motivation, focus, memory, pacing and comprehension. We have seen students become more empowered and engaged.



One of our latest tips for teachers was using a digital whiteboard which enhances collaboration and supports real-time visual learning needs. Our math teachers have been using this tool and have found it to be very helpful in our remote learning environment.

NEW! Reading Intervention Program

We are excited to announce our new Reading Intervention Program for students in K-12. This program is specially designed for students who struggle with reading and/or dyslexia. We help students improve as readers by using a multi-sensory curriculum based on the Orton-Gillingham approach. Learn more on our website and contact us if are interested in adding this program to your child's schedule.

College and Career Readiness

College Changes in Response to COVID-19

Application deadlines and requirements have changed for some colleges. Check the admissions department of the college you are interested in for specific details. A few changes include:



• extension of application deadlines
• allowance of unofficial transcripts
• elimination of ACT/SAT test score requirements

Sophomores, juniors and seniors can take advantage of these opportunities and resources:

• Online College Courses: Colleges across the nation are now offering more online courses in response to school closures. High school students can get ahead by taking college credit courses at their school of choice.
• Virtual Tours: Colleges are now offering virtual tours in lieu of campus visits during social distancing.
• Scholarships: Deadlines for some scholarships have been extended.

ACT® and SAT® Testing Dates

The June 6th SAT test date has been cancelled. The next anticipated test date is August 29, 2020. Get updates.

ACT is offering test dates on June 13th and July 18th at testing centers. If testing centers are not open, a makeup test date will be scheduled one week later. ACT test at home proctoring will begin late fall of 2020/early winter. Check the ACT website for more testing options and important updates.

AP® Exams

The College Board has scheduled AP exams from May 11-22 and students can take them at home. These are online, free-response exams that require all students worldwide to test at the same time. The exams will only cover topics that most teachers covered in class by early March. Learn more.

Upcoming Holiday

In observance of Memorial Day, students will not have class sessions on May 25.

Productivity Tips for Students

1. Create a designated area in your home for school work. Keep it functional but not too comfortable. Only use this area for classes and school work.

2. Create a daily schedule and stick to it.



3. Be on time and mentally ready for class sessions.