​BHS Counseling Dept Weekly Updates – Week of Sept 13, 2021

Welcome to the 2021-22 school year! 

The two week schedule freeze is now in place until Monday 9/20.  Students need to continue attending all the classes in their current schedule UNLESS A COURSE IS MISSING OR WAS NOT REQUESTED (IN MARCH 2020). If a student still desires a “change of mind”/ change of curriculum level schedule change by 9/20, the student should be talking with their parent-guardian and current teacher about a possible change, then contacting their assigned counselor to see if a change is possible when working with curriculum coordinators and deans. We can not assure that all schedule changes requested after 9/20 can be made due to limited seats in classes and other challenges that may be part of a request.
 
If a student has questions/concerns/or just wants to say hello to their counselor, please encourage your student to stop by their counselor’s office when not in class. Please note that counselors are continuing to work through needed schedule corrections and may be slow to respond for the next few days. Advise your student to leave a note or send an email to their counselor if they are not available. We’re here and ready to support EVERY BHS student!  

 
As I’ve done in the past, all NEW UPDATES will be highlighted in BLUE each week for easy scanning of newest info! Have a good week everyone!
 
FAMILIES
 
Mutual Aid Brookline is a group of community members who have been coordinating food deliveries and donations for groceries, medication, and other critical assistance since the start of the pandemic. 

• Thanks to special, one-time funding from the Brookline Community Foundation, MAB will be giving out a limited number of money drops of $300 per household on a first-come, first-serve basis to Brookline community members who complete an online form or call our hotline at preset times.  We’re not a charity, we just want to take this rare opportunity to distribute some funds to our neighbors, to use however you want! (As a note, if you need food, our delivery program already covers that separately, so get in touch! We’re hoping this money can help with other needs.)  We will have several opportunities for you to get in on the drops:

 
· Drop 2 sign-up opens at 8am on Saturday, September 18th for up to 15 households
· Drop 3 sign-up opens at 8pm on Monday, September 27th for up to 15 households
· Drop 4 sign-up opens at 12pm (noon) on Tuesday, October 5th for up to 15 households  
Please read the full FAQ here, so you will be ready to sign up: shorturl.at/bmxzT. A PDF version is also attached below.  You will find the link to sign up for a money drop in that FAQ, but it will only work at the times above. Check the FAQ at those times to sign up! If you prefer calling, you can also call our hotline at (617) 651-1468 during drop times to ask our volunteers to sign you up.  If you or a friend in Brookline want a money drop but need translation help, the sign-up form will be translated, and we will also have translators available to help on the phone at specific times (listed in the FAQs above).  Please let us know if you have questions, by replying to mutualaidbrookline@gmail.com or calling our hotline at (617) 651-1468. Our hotline is currently voicemail-only, so leave a message and we’ll get back to you!

• Brookline Porchfest - Saturday the 18th - Arts Brookline - Saturday the 18th, 12pm - 6pm - Brookline Porchfest returns to an in-person event this September! The sixth annual Brookline Porchfest will be held in the afternoon on Saturday, September 18, 2021 with a rain date of Sunday, September 19, 2021. It will once again be a day to enjoy music, family and friends. Over the past five years Brookline Porchfest has featured hundreds of local performers celebrating music and community. From 2016 to 2019, musicians shared their craft on porches throughout the town. In 2020, during the pandemic, Brookline Porchfest went virtual to keep the spirit of Brookline Porchfest alive. Brookline Porchfest features a broad range of music genres. These have included a barbershop quartet, an 8-piece klezmer band, blues bands, rock bands, jazz groups, Forró musicians, the Brookline Symphony Orchestra, singer/songwriters, the Boston Typewriter Orchestra, a clarinet choir, heavy rock musicians, and a ukulele sing-a-long. More information can be found at www.BrooklinePorchfest.org.

• FREE SERVICES
  • ***NEW*** SNAP/EBT Clients Can Use Their Cards for Stop and Shop Delivery - After the long wait, EBT can now be used to set up either pickup or delivery from Stop and Shop! More info: https://www.mass.gov/snap-online-purchasing-program and https://stopandshop.com/pages/snap-ebt-overview.

·       ***NEW*** Coupons for the Brookline Farmers' Market Available - Brookline Department of Public Health - This grant will provide 500 Brookline residents and their families with coupons to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables as well as other food products during the 2021 farmers’ market season. Individuals and families of two will receive $40 in coupons while households of three or more will receive $80 in coupons. The coupons will be valid at the Farmers’ Market through Thursday, Oct. 28. Brookline individuals and families who reside in Brookline Housing Authority sites or whose household income meets federal poverty guidelines are eligible to participate in the program. Beginning in mid-August, staff from the Brookline Department of Public Health will schedule registration dates at the Brookline Senior Center and various BHA sites to register people who qualify for the program. Information on the location and times to sign up for the program will be available at www.brooklinema.gov/health or by calling 617-730-2295 after Aug. 16. Coupon books for the Farmers’ Market will be distributed at the time of registration. More info: https://brooklinecovid19.com/2021/08/16/brookline-department-of-public-health-awarded-grant-to-help-families-in-need-access-farmers-market/.
·       Brookline Food Pantry Has Moved  - PSA: The Brookline Food Pantry has moved from their St Paul St location over to United Parish at 210 Harvard St! (The other locations at Egmont St and High St remain the same.) https://www.brooklinefoodpantry.org/
·       Free Tablet and/or Internet - Ongoing - Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Relations - Have you been isolated during the pandemic with limited access to technology or the internet? Are you relying on a small phone and a limited cellular plan? The Town of Brookline is offering a FREE tablet and internet service to qualifying elders or adults living alone. For questions about participation in the Tech Buddies Pilot Program, call or email Sarah Kaplan, Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Relations, skaplan@brooklinema.gov, 617-730-2329
 
Hungry? Please check out-

• Brookline Thrives, a free weekend food program for students, starts Friday, September 17. Thrives is available to any family who may benefit from additional food options over the weekend. There are no financial qualifications. Register your student to receive Thrives bags at school on Fridays or pick up bags in person on Fridays from 5-6pm at 226 High Street, Community Room or 55R Egmont Street, Community Room. Go to www.brooklinefoodpantry.org/brookline-thrives.html for details, register, or get involved.

 
- USDA announces free lunches for any Brookline student for this school year 2021-22, regardless of meal eligibility – go to https://publicschoolsofbrooklineschoolnutrition.com/
 
ALL STUDENTS
 
Not sure who to contact at BHS for student support questions? 
Please see attached documents:

• BHS Support Staff Roles 
• BHS Counseling Resources List
• Mental Health Supports Parent Letter 2020.21

 
Need Student Tech support? Or Parent Portal access support? 
Please go to the BHS website homepage (http://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/) and click the Student Technology and/or Aspen Parent Portal links
 
 
PSB can offer financial assistance for school activities to qualified families -

• Go to this PSB link  - https://www.brookline.k12.ma.us/Page/2210
• The form can be filled out on your computer and, with the supporting documents, emailed to financialassistance@psbma.org. We accept photos and scans of all the documents.     
• You can contact your school's secretary if you need help emailing the documents. 
• This application procedure covers most school fees in the full school year: fees for Athletics, Instrumental Music, and other program and field trip fees.
• This application procedure covers Brookline Early Education Program Tuition.
• This application procedure does not cover optional field trips or programs and school lunch, which require a separate application for Free/Reduced fees
• In order to maintain your eligibility for this school year, you MUST submit a new application, along with current supporting documents.

 
BROOKLINE TEEN CENTER
Save the date for BTC's Block Party, Friday, October 1st, 3 -7pm.  For the month of September, the BTC will be open from 2:30pm-6:30pm on Thursdays and Fridays starting 9/10. Masks are required for all persons in the building.

 
Social Lunch/ Lunch Lounge is back at BHS - 115 campus!
Social Lunch/ Lunch Lounge is offered for all of the students who may or may not have some social connections in classes, including new to BHS students.  It is a welcoming, inclusive drop-in lunch community that engages kids with the “social scaffolding” of friendly conversation, other kids interested in making friends, and a warm and familiar staff member. At this time, Lunch Lounge is offered for these lunch blocks in Room 279 (Guidance College and Career Center): 
Week A - Monday E -Lunch B only
                      Wednesday C - Lunch A and B 
                      Friday D - Lunch A and B
Week B - Monday E - Lunch B will start week of 9/20
                      Wed C - Lunch A and B
                Friday D - Lunch A and B
 
New to BHS and ready to meet some new friends? 
Come join the BHS Outdoor Adventure Club on a special weekend hike for students new to BHS.  We'll explore some awesome trails in Blue Hills Reservation, about 30 minutes from Brookline.  This 90 minute hike will be a great way to meet some people and explore one of Boston's best gems of natural beauty.  We may offer two hikes - an easy beginner one and a more challenging one - depending on how many folks sign up!
 
Details:
Hike is Saturday September 18th
We will be providing transportation. Leaving from BHS front steps at 8:30am
You are also welcome to meet us at Blue HIlls and come and go on your own
We'll provide snacks. All you'll need is comfortable sneakers and a water bottle
To RSVP, email paul_epstein@psbma.org and betsy_davis@psbma.org
 
Brookline High Fall Cheer Team is having their final tryout tomorrow,  Mon Sept 13 3:15-5:30pm. Anyone interested should sign up on familyID and attach their recent physical. Please talk to Ms Cells in room 301 at the main campus with questions or email her @ meaghan_cells@psbma.org. 
Student athletes do not need to have any experience, but should be interested in learning and trying their best with a positive attitude. 
 
Community Service Opportunities for BHS Students:
Student Directors of the Brookline Tutor Mentor Program (BTMP) are looking for tutors. The BTMP was founded in 2014 with the goal of connecting high-schoolers and middle schoolers both through academics and a supportive mentor system. We individually pair middle school students and high-achieving high school tutors based on students’ academic needs and interests. We aim to offer a tutor and a role model for kids who are struggling academically, need an extra challenge, or just want a friend. The Brookline Tutor Mentor Program is looking to recruit high schoolers to tutor and guide middle school kids. Being a tutor-mentor is one of the most fulfilling positions in the community. Not only will you receive community service hours and a good addition to your resume, but as a high school student, tutoring gives you an opportunity to truly engage with and support a middle school student. Whether they are struggling with school or need advice from a friendly face, the tutor-mentor program is their rock that can be relied on at any time. As role models, our job is to motivate young students and aid them in growing into mature young adults. Students and their mentors often create deep bonds that transcend age differences and continue even beyond the Tutor-Mentor Program.
Please note: This year, the BTMP schedule is completely remote for the time being due to COVID-19. Because of this, tutoring hours are flexible! Tutors will be offered a large selection of times to meet with their students. If you apply, please regularly check your email for updates on meeting times, etc. If you are interested in giving back, earning community service hours, and adding something meaningful and unique to your resume, apply at https://bit.ly/BTMPTutorApplication. Please email btm@brooklineteencenter.org if you have any questions!
 
Computer Science and Math Teaching Opportunity with gbSTEM!
Yuen Ler Chow and Elena Su,  BHS alum and current freshmen at Harvard and MIT,  are the co-founders of the Greater Boston STEM Program (gbSTEM), an enrichment program that delivers free introductory computer science, mathematics, and engineering courses to elementary and middle school students in the Greater Boston area. Since March 2020, they have brought free virtual lessons to over 500 Massachusetts youth.
They are looking for passionate high school students to join the gbSTEM community and teach classes either in-person or remotely through Zoom. Volunteering as an instructor will show initiative, strengthen your resumé, and allow you to contribute to the community.
The program will run from September 26th to June 18th, 2021. The deadline for instructor applications is September 17th, 2021. 
The application form and all course descriptions can be found on their website: https://gbstem.org
 If you have any questions, please contact gbstemprogram@gmail.com.



Leadership Academy for Black Identifying Young Women – Apply to have a Black Harvard Woman as your mentor for Grades 9-12 - Association of Black Harvard Women AVS Leadership Academy Mentor program:
Named for the first Black woman to graduate from Radcliffe College, the Alberta V. Scott Leadership Academy (AVS) gives participating Black high school women* the opportunity to cultivate leadership skills and individual creativity with the help of Black women* college mentors. Mentors and scholars participate in weekly discussions on a variety of topics ranging from college readiness and career aspirations to maintaining physical and emotional health. AVS meets Saturday mornings (excluding holidays and vacations) from 12:00 – 1:30 PM EST on Zoom, with monthly optional in-person outings. Prior to a session, mentees should notify the AVS directors at abhwavs@gmail.com if they will be absent.  This application is due by Sunday, September 19th, 2021 at 11:59 PM.
Our first meeting for the fall will be on Saturday, September 25th, 2021.  For more information, please visit our website, https://abhwomen.org/avs-leadership-academy, or feel free to email the AVS Co-Directors, Jolade and Tolu, at abhwavs@gmail.com.  *We are proudly a space that embraces all Black women, femmes, and people who identify with Black womanhood. All are welcome to apply!
 
POC High School Process Group at the Brookline Center:
This group is an inclusive space for high school aged young people who identify as people of color to come together and connect. This group will provide a space for adolescents to explore their own racial identities, delve into race as a construct and to seek support for race-related stress. It will be primarily a process group, but the structure can be flexible and may incorporate skills training in order to meet group members’ needs.
 
Time: Tuesday 4:00pm – 4:50pm
Setting: TBD
Leaders: Kunaal Doshi, MA and Liana Sandell, MSW - (kunaaldoshi@brooklinecenter.org) & (lianasandell@brooklinecenter.org)
Frequently Asked Questions:
This group is open to new members at this time and is billed through members’ health insurance, [BCBS, Cigna, Aetna not accepted; self-pay rate available].
* Unless otherwise indicated, groups are running virtually via zoom.
* Members must be physically in Massachusetts to participate in group each week.
* Most groups are billed through insurance; Self-pay rate is $40/week, $90 for initial 1:1 session.
* There are two ‘free’ absences for the academic year for any missed session $25 absence fee for each missed session beyond the first two, (does not apply to DMH Flex groups or folks with Masshealth insurance).
* Current Center clients can connect with existing providers for a referral to group.
* New clients to the Center must contact Intake to be considered for group [617-860-2084]
* New clients should expect to schedule one or two 1:1 sessions with the group clinician(s) to get to know one another in advance of joining the group.
 
 
What does the BHS GPA look like this year and why?  Please see the attached overview for more information. The ongoing BHS GPA determination for future classes will be determined later this school year. 
 
SENIORS 
 
Calling all seniors! 
On Monday during T block, BHS Guidance department  will present the Post High School Planning session for seniors in the auditorium.  This is a mandatory assembly for all seniors.  Students should go to their advisory for attendance, then walk with their advisor to the auditorium.  You can download a copy of the presentation, along with the BHS College Process Guide, by going to this page:
http://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/guidance/senior-parent-night2940341
 
SENIOR PARENT NIGHT - Thank you to the 200 parents-guardians who joined this presentation last Thursday Sept 9. BHS college counselor Lenny Libenzon presented the "nuts and bolts" of applying to college from BHS. 
Topics included: "releasing" transcripts from BHS, Early Action and Early Decision, college essay tips, and more. We also covered some basic information regarding Gap Year, military, and employment resources, as well as changes in the college process due to the pandemic. This virtual meeting was recorded and can be viewed at 
https://psbma-org.zoom.us/rec/share/p2Ph1Wv7hfo1kYTLvtq3XN0oXpg-QviTLDpRP2o-NmFnZTWec6waneEIXySG1CRM.HgEdVpFAsKSHauy1 
Passcode: e7B&5&.q
 
 BHS Guide to Applying to Colleges is a good introduction to the nuts and bolts of applying to college from BHS. Document also attached to this email. 
 
College Representatives Virtually Coming to BHS Seniors again this year!
Every fall, BHS hosts admission counselors from many of our top universities.  They come specifically to talk to you and answer your questions. It is a great opportunity for you to connect to colleges without traveling! This year, the visits will be virtual, and after school (starting at 4 pm).  You will need to sign up for visits through Naviance (https://student.naviance.com/colleges/visits).  Please take a look at this list and sign up.  If you need help logging in to Naviance, email Lenny Libenzon or your counselor.
Rep visits at BHS will start Monday 9/20 – Seniors can attend any and all college sessions of schools they plan to or are interested in attending. The schedule and REQUIRED zoom link registration can be found on your Naviance homepage. This is a wonderful way to learn more about colleges, ask important questions, and show demonstrated interest!
 
Announcing the 18th Annual Brookline High School College Essay Writing Workshop  - Saturday, September 25, 2021      8:30 am to 12:30 pm @ BHS, In Person
Sponsored by the BHS PTO and led by BHS faculty, this annual event helps seniors craft essays for college applications.  BHS teachers will provide a volunteer orientation. This one-day opportunity really benefits BHS seniors as they start preparing college applications. Please consider joining us. Students should register online here. Workshop flyer attached to this email too. Parent/Community Member volunteers needed too - Questions? Contact mlshetty303@gmail.com or cthall68@comcast.com or jrgreene277@gmail.com
Other application essay writing support at BHS:
     - Check in with your counselor or Mr Libenzon (BHS College Counselor) for essay support too!
     - We continue to recommend the College Essay Guy website for lots of great FREE advice for seniors and essay writing suggestions - https://www.collegeessayguy.com/
 
SENIORS– READ YOUR EMAILS! Especially if you are applying to college this Fall!
 
Seniors - You will be asked to review your unofficial transcript for any missing classes or errors in your upcoming senior seminars. Contact your counselor with any questions or concerns.
It is your responsibility to be sure your transcript is accurate before giving BHS permission to send to any colleges or post HS grad programs.
You should be checking that you are earning all required credits towards graduation this June 2022 too.
English- 4 credits
Science - 3 credits
Social Studies/History - 3 credits including US History
Math - 3 credits (4 years required for UMass State colleges/universities)
World Language - 2 credits (same language)
Elective - 3 credits distributed across Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Career/Tech, Community Service
Wellness - .5 Lifetime Wellness, 3 - .25 wellness credits
+ additional credits to earn minimum total credits of 22
We will not be sharing any GPA information with colleges on official transcripts. See your Naviance account for your current “working” BHS GPA.
 
College Application Reminders:
 
You’ll learn more about these steps in the assembly tomorrow 9/13 and in senior seminars….Help the BHS counselors and teachers support your application process by meeting these deadlines. Submit your electronic transcript release forms, your self-questionnaire, your parent/caregiver’s “brag” sheet, and give notice to your teachers who have agreed to write recommendations for you.
 
College Deadline                                                     BHS Deadline
October 15                                                                 Monday, Sept 20
November 1                                                               Monday, Oct 4
November 15                                                                        Monday, Oct 18
December 1                                                               Tuesday, Nov 2                                  December 15                                                             Monday, November 15
January 1                                                                   Monday, November 29 
(includes no school December break)
January 15                                                                 Monday, December 13
February 1                                                                 Wednesday, January 5
February 15                                                              Tuesday, January 18
 
Seniors – When submitting your transcript release forms electronically, please:

• use the updated link shared by your counselor - stay tuned!
• be sure to list your college names and addresses CORRECTLY AS THEY APPEAR OFFICIALLY ON THE COLLEGE’S WEBSITE OR NAVIANCE. The processing of your request is slowed down by not including the official name of the college or putting in wrong information.

 
Interested in a Gap Year?  Please refer to the Gap Year resources shared in Lenny Libenzon’s powerpoint mentioned above from the 9/9/21 senior parent presentation and also look into https://quakervoluntaryservice.org/
BHS Guidance will be offering a Gap Year [virtual] presentation later this year.. 
Stay tuned!
 
 
As mentioned in Lenny Libenzon’s Post High School Planning presentation, NACAC offers Fall Virtual Fairs. The virtual fairs are offered on Sept 28, Oct 3 and 24, and Nov 2 and 14. Go to this link for all the info!
 
JUNIORS
 
BHS will be offering the Saturday PSAT on October 16, 20201 at the high school. Online registration and more details will be shared by email to juniors in hub/advisories and families during the week of Sept 20. 
 
MIT Beaverworks is excited to announce the BWSI Fall Program (virtual) for 11th Grade female students starting in October. The program is completely free, all students need are laptops and wifi to be a part of the program.  If a student does not have a laptop they can reach out to us for a loaner so make sure that doesn’t stop anyone from signing up. They are offering the following programs:
· Girls Who Program Autonomous Cars
· Girls Who Design, Build and Fly Model Aircraft
· Girls Who Want to Learn Many Interesting Things
· Girls Who Program Cognitive Assistants
· Girls Who Program Autonomous Cars – BWSI-Pacifi­c
· Kwaj Mini-RACECAR Middle School (Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands)
 WHO: High School 11th Grade Female Students
WHEN: Saturdays 11am-2pm (EST): October 16, 23, 30, November 6,13, 20, December 4, 11, 2021
WHERE: Virtually, through Zoom!
REGISTER: https://mit-bwsi.formstack.com/forms/bwsi_fall2021
Must fill out application link to be considered. Students must sign up by September 30, 2021.
 
SOPHOMORES
More news to come! Have a good, positive start to your 10th grade year on the Greenough 115 campus.
 
 
9TH GRADERS
 
Auditions for the 9th Grade Play, Almost Treasure Island, will take place on Sept 17 & 20th. The 9th Grade Play is a wonderful opportunity for new students to meet each other, cultivate an interest in theater, develop friendships and become part of a great community in the BHS Drama Society. No experience or preparation necessary! See complete information about auditions and helping with set/costumes/props etc at www.brooklinefopa.org or email elena_maimonis@psbma.org with any questions.