New Student Page

List of 12 items.

• Enrollment Instructions

  Deadline: April 1, 2024
  For students offered admission on March 1, 2024. 
  
  

  The Finalsite online portal you used to submit the admissions application will now be used to complete the Enrollment Checklist and to enroll your student at Bishop Diego. If you have never logged into the Finalsite portal, please see the email sent on March 1st with your family’s portal authentication link. If you did not receive the email or cannot locate it, please reach out to Alexis Garcia at alexisgarcia@bishopdiego.org or 806-967-1266, ext. 114.
  
  

  You will need to complete these steps for each student in your family enrolling at Bishop Diego:
  
  

  1. Read and sign the tuition contract and pay the Tuition Deposit (or first installment) 

   

  • On page two of the contract you will choose how you would like to pay the tuition deposit of $1,000. For families choosing to pay in installments, these will be billed through Finalsite on the 5th of the month and the deposit is due in full by June 30, 2024.
  • On page three of the Contract, you will be able to view your child’s tuition rate for 2024-25. Any scholarships, tuition subsidies, or merit awards will be reflected on this page. As a reminder, 529 Plans can now be used for private high school education. For more information on Bishop Diego's tuition structure or how tuition subsidies are determined, please see the Affording Bishop page on our website, under the Admissions tab.
  • On page three, you will also be able to select how you would like to pay your tuition. *Families who receive a personalized tuition subsidy MUST select the 12 month payment option.
  • The $625 Digital Experience Fee (which includes the iPad and online texts & materials) will be divided across your payments.

  2. Set up billing within Finalsite

   

  • Each family must create a Finalsite Billing account and supply a method of payment, regardless of the tuition payment plan. 
  • Payments will not be accepted at Bishop Diego's office. 
  • This account will be used for any balance due for the tuition deposit and any miscellaneous fees throughout the school year (ex: field trips, NHS fees, senior fees, etc.).

  3. Complete the Student Emergency Form
  
  

  Enrollment is considered complete when the financial contract and Tuition Deposit (or first installment) have been submitted online and when the Finalsite account has been set up with payment information. 
  
  

  In early April, the 9th Grade Course Planning Form will be added to the Finalsite portal. You will receive an email notification that it is available and ready to be completed.
  
  

  In August, you will be prompted to log back into the Finalsite portal and complete the Acceptance of Student-Parent Handbook and Authorized & Acceptable Use Policy forms.

• Course Planning & Counseling Department Information

  The Bishop Diego Counseling and Student Services Department is excited to work with your family in the school year ahead. We are proud that our team provides specialized services to all students in Grades 9-12. We encourage you to reach out with any questions or requests for support.
  
  In early April, you will receive an email from our counseling department with course recommendations. At that time, you will also be notified that a Course Selection Form has been added to Finalsite portal. The selection form is where you can read about elective options, rank your student's choices, and sign up for a meeting with our academic counselor.

   

  Academic Counselor
  Mrs. Rosalba González-Hill
  gonzalezhill@bishopdiego.org
  805-967-1266 ext. 110
  
  College Counselor
  Ms. Dana Coppa
  dcoppa@bishopdiego.org
  805-967-1266 ext. 107
  
  

  Personal Counselor
  Mr. Aaron Eggman, MA
  

  aeggman@bishopdiego.org

  (805) 967-1266 ext. 109 

  
  Director of Resource Services
  Dr. June Szabo-Kifer, PhD
  jszabo@bishopdiego.org
  805-967-1266 ext. 202

• Athletics Information

  WELCOME TO CARDINAL ATHLETICS!
  

   

  Athletic Department Philosophy

  The Athletic Department is characterized by strong Catholic, core-values on which the School is founded. BDHS recognizes the importance of athletic activities providing students with important opportunities for a total education. All students are encouraged to participate in one or more of our athletic programs, regardless of their experience or skill level. Approximately 80% of our student body participates in at least one sport throughout their four years at BDHS.
  
  

  Info for 2024-25 coming soon!

• Textbooks & Supplies

  All student textbooks will be loaded onto the Bishop issued iPad which students will receive in August. There are a number of miscellaneous items that families may need to purchase for students depending on the courses in which they are enrolled.

  
  Specific 2024-25 materials coming soon.
  
  

  Math

  A graphing calculator is required for Algebra BC and all higher level math classes. The recommended model is the TI-84 Plus CE. While the cost for this model is approximately $100, it will be used for all four years of high school and possibly into college. 

  
  

  Art

  Students enrolled in one of our art courses pay a fee for expendable supplies & sketchbooks they use to create their artwork. Students keep any remaining supplies at the end of the school year. 

  
  

  Color & Design: $35 art supply fee 

   

  Ceramics: $35 supply fee

   

  Adv Art/Context & Application: $30

   

  AP Studio Art: $40
  
  Miscellaneous Supplies
  At the beginning of the year, students will receive more information from individual teachers about preferences for notebooks, binders, etc.  Generally speaking, students use less of these materials now that the majority of their assignments are completed on the iPad, however, they will likely still need a few items.

• Mandatory Summer Assignments - 10th, 11th, 12th grades

  Required for students entering the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades and some AP classes. Please see the Summer Assignments page on the website under Academics.

• How can I help my child prepare for freshman year?

  If you are wondering how to make sure your child is ready for freshman year, below are a few suggested ideas & activities. These are completely optional, but will help your child prepare for 9th grade. 
  
  If you have a child entering the 10th, 11th, or 12th grades, please view the mandatory work students must complete on the Summer Assignments page of the website, under Academics.

  
  

  Reading 
  Recommended (not required) reading assignment for freshmen linked here. 
  
  Most importantly, students should read literature of their choice daily over summer. 
  
  Math

  Our math department recommends these series of videos and practice problems from Khan Academy to help students reinforce foundational skills and prepare for the math class in which they will be enrolled. 

  
  

  Algebra AB or BC: Pre-algebra | Khan Academy

  Geometry: Get ready for Geometry | Math | Khan Academy

  Honors Algebra 2/HAT: Quadratics: Multiplying & factoring | Algebra 1 | Math | Khan Academy

   

  Writing 

  Jane Schaffer Writing Strategy

  This is an overview of the writing program used at Bishop. It is a good idea for incoming freshmen to familiarize themselves with it before the start of the year. Once they’ve looked it over, they can choose a few topics and practice!

  
  

  Novels

  If students would like to preview novels that will be read, titles for English 9 often include Of Mice & Men, The Odyssey, Night, and Romeo & Juliet. English 9 Honors titles often include Great Expectations, Romeo & Juliet, Night, and Of Mice & Men.

• Communication & Portals

  Newsletter

  Weekly newsletters come out on Sundays and will be posted on Parent Square by Ms. Meghan Cowan. You can also find them on our website under “News & Events” on the top menu bar, here. These are important to read in a timely manner as they include information about the week ahead. 

   

  Parent Square

  The majority of school-wide communication will come via Parent Square, including weekly newsletters and other information. New parents will be added by the first week of July. *IMPORTANT NOTE - If you already have an existing Parent Square account with another school or organization, the system will not send you a notification or invitation when you are added to Bishop Diego. Instead you will be prompted to combine accounts the next time you log into Parent Square.
  
  Please note, all communication with individual teachers will still take place via email, not Parent Square. 

  
  

  Finalsite (formerly SchoolAdmin)

  Finalsite is the online platform used for enrollment and billing. All families created a Finalsite account when applying for admission to Bishop. Parents will need to log back in each year to process re-enrollment, complete forms, and set up billing.

  
  

  BD Classroom/CANVAS: The portal for student assignments, grades, teachers and more. Students should check BD Classroom at least once a day to see homework & due dates, check assignments are received, & see grades.
  - During orientation in August, new students will be given password information and learn how to access BD Classroom.
  - A week before Back to School Night, parents will receive an email with codes and instructions to access their child’s BD Classroom account.
  - A special help session will be available for parents the night of Back to School.
  - You can view a BD Classroom tutorial from a couple of years ago here.
  - A link for the Parent BD Classroom Portal can be found here.
  
  

  BDTV

  This is a 7 minute broadcast 4 days a week during which current students receive news, announcements, and other important information. New episodes are posted on Bishop’s website daily.

• Dress Code & Bishop Apparel

  Please refer to the Parent/Student Handbook for specifics about the dress code. 
  
  Bishop Apparel
  

  • Cardinal Club sells a variety of clothing at various school and sporting events. Clothing will be sold at Back to School BBQ and home football games. Parents can also request to buy items via contacting our parent apparel rep at apparel@bishopdiego.org. *Subject to her availability.*   
  • Order from an outside supplier, linked here. Some parents have reported in the past that clothing sizes run large from this site.
    
  • Spirit Packs - These are sport specific sets of practice gear and apparel sold specifically for individual teams. Please keep an eye out for information from your child's coach about these as the window for ordering is often brief.

• Parent Volunteer Hours

  • 25 parent volunteer hours in service to Bishop Diego are required per family annually.
  • Opportunities to earn volunteer hours will usually be communicated through the Parent Square platform. Please see the Communication & Portals tab for more information about the Parent Square platform.
  • Valued at $20/hour. Families will be billed for unfulfilled hours at the end of the school year.
  • Hours may also be earned by purchasing items needed for various events & activities. One service hour may be earned for each $20 spent. A receipt will be needed to receive credit for these hours. *Note the mandatory Cardinal Event tickets in the fall and spring auction contribution valued at $100 do not count toward these hours.*
  • All parent volunteer hours should be logged by parents themselves on Parent Square.

• Student Community Service Hours

  • A minimum of 25 community service hours are required to be completed by students each year, for a total of 100 or more by graduation. 
  • Of the 100 hours, a maximum of 25% can be completed via Bishop Diego sponsored activities and opportunities. The remaining 75% (or more) must be completed through outside non-profit organizations.
  • Forms for submission of student community service hours are available outside Ms. Carr’s office or on the Forms page of the website.
  • Completed forms should be submitted to Ms. Carr. *Tip from past parents - keep a copy of student’s form for college application/scholarship process.

• FAQs - schedules, lunch, etc.

  School Hours: 8:20 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Except Thursdays when dismissal is 1:35 p.m.)

  
  

  Schedule

  M/T/F - all 7 classes, 45 minutes each

  W/Th - Bishop PLUS days, block schedule, 75 mins each

               W - Periods 1, 2, 3, 4

               Th - Periods 5, 6, 7
  
  On a handful of weeks throughout the year due to special events or circumstances, the “Bishop Plus” schedule will not take place (i.e., no block periods on Wednesday & Thursday, no early dismissal on Thursday). These weeks will be denoted on the school calendar as “No Bishop Plus” weeks.

  
  

  Teacher Office Hours
  Everyday, except Monday, from 7:45-8:15 a.m. teachers are available in their classrooms for students to ask for additional help. Teachers are also available during Cardinal Time on Wednesdays, from 9:40-10:10 a.m. Students needing additional help should reach out to their teacher to schedule an appointment.
  
  Snacks & Lunch

  Students may bring their own food from home or purchase meals and snacks on campus. The Cardinal Café, operated by NuCuisine, is open before school through the end of lunch, including during morning breaks. Students can purchase food at the cafe with card, Apple pay, or cash.
  
  If dropping off a lunch for your student during the school day, you can drop it off on the red cart in the front office. It gets wheeled out for students during lunchtime. *It is a seniors-only privilege to order lunch online via DoorDash or UberEats. 

  
  

  Dress Code

  Please see the parent-student handbook on our website for specifics about the dress code. On Mass days, approximately once a month, more professional dress is required. See handbook for details.
  
  Attendance
  To report your child absent, please send an email to attendance@bishopdiego.org or call the school office at 805-967-1266. *Email is preferred.*
  
  

  Important Contact

  Ms. Meghan Cowan, our front desk receptionist, is your first point of contact for any questions that may arise. She also keeps track of parent service hours. 805-967-1266, mcowan@bishopdiego.org

  
  
  
  

• Important Dates

  A link to the full school calendar and a list of important dates for the 2022-23 school year can be found here. 
  
  2024-25 Dates
  A detailed list of important dates will be out soon. In the meantime, mark your calendars for...
  
  Coffee in the Quad
  Friday, October 4, 2024, 7:45-8:20am
  Blessing of the Animals
  Friday, October 4, 2024, 8:20-8:50am
  
  Cardinal Event
  Saturday, October 5, 2024, 5:00-8:00pm
  
  Open House
  Sunday, November 3, 2024, 12:00pm