So glad to be back in our offices at BHS! Thank you for your understanding and support.
This is Week B for students in Gr 9-12. Special schedule due to Math MCAS on Tues and Wed this week. See attached schedule.
Q4 IPRs for Gr 9-11 students were uploaded to the portal on Tuesday 5/10. Please be sure to check this information to help support students who need to finish the school year with a push AND to congratulate students who are consistently doing good work.
This is Week B for students in Gr 9-12. Special schedule due to Math MCAS on Tues and Wed this week. See attached schedule.
Q4 IPRs for Gr 9-11 students were uploaded to the portal on Tuesday 5/10. Please be sure to check this information to help support students who need to finish the school year with a push AND to congratulate students who are consistently doing good work.
Given our rise in COVID-19 cases in our schools, and our increased number of clusters (three or more cases in a class over a seven-day period) at our schools, we made the decision to strongly recommend masks for all staff and all students. We will continue to monitor our case counts and the community metrics and remain open to altering these guidelines in the near future. The Brookline Department of Public Health, the Advisory Council on Public Health and Panel 4 will meet on Wednesday, May 18 to again review all data and metrics.
Just a brief reminder, we have two upcoming Flex Blocks for grades 10th, 11th, and 12th.
Flex 2: June 2, 2022 (Grades 10-11)
PLEASE NOTE, THERE IS NO FLEX BLOCK FOR 9TH GRADE.
Upcoming “Days Of” school wide conversations for the BHS school community:
This Thursday 5/19 - Day of Jewish Identity and Fighting Anti-Semitism
Thinking ahead to final exams dates and end of school days …. (And note that there will NOT be early final exams so plan accordingly and students should talk with their teacher/ dean if they will not be able to attend these exams. Makeup exams will need to be scheduled in the summer.)
- Thursday 6/16 - Final Exam, Day I
- Friday 6/17 - Final Exam, Day 2
- Monday 6/20 - No school: Juneteenth Observed
- Tuesday 6/21- All classes and all blocks meet.
- Wednesday 6/22 - Make-up Exams
- Thursday 6/23 - Final day of school, noon dismissal
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The focus on everyone’s mental health has been highlighted on most of the BHS Guidance/Counseling Weekly Updates over this past year and previously. More reminders and resources will be shared over this month as well.
“YOU ARE NOT ALONE” has been a constant theme around wiping away the stigma of mental health. Did you know that ½ of all lifetime mental health conditions begin by age 14 and 75% by age 24? EARLY INVENTION CAN HELP!
1 in 5 young people report that the pandemic had a significant impact on their mental health. (NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Illness)
How to Say the Right Thing to Someone Struggling: (MINDWISE Innovations website)
Seven in ten teens view depression and anxiety as major problems among their peers. Talking about these mental health conditions can be challenging – but it doesn’t have to be if you know the right words to say. Oftentimes, people with the best intentions end up using language that isn’t helpful. That’s why it’s important to be mindful of the words you use to show your support. You can use the ACT acronym as an easy way to remember how to help – Acknowledge what they’re feeling, show you Care, and help them by Telling an adult. Here are some tips on how you can ACT:
- “Tell me more about it.” – Instead of saying phrases like “get over it” or “you’ll feel better soon,” remember the power of being a good listener.
- “I’m here for you.” – Show your support by letting your friend or loved one know you care. You may not understand how they are feeling, but you can express your willingness to be there whenever needed.
- “It’s OK to feel this way.” – People who are struggling with their behavioral health often feel alone and hopeless. Remind your friend or loved one that you are sorry that they’re feeling this way. Fight the urge to come up with simple solutions. Depression is not a simple problem you can easily solve.
- “What can I do to help you?” – People with depression often feel tired and overwhelmed. Let them know you’re available. Taking on small tasks can make a big difference for someone who is struggling.
- “This isn’t your fault.” – Depression is a mental health condition that cannot be fixed with just a bit of positive thinking. Avoid saying, “This will pass.” Phrases like this minimize your friend’s or loved one’s feelings.
IMPORTANT NOTE – As always, thank you to students and family members for reading this weekly BHS Counseling/Guidance Dept Weekly Update. This weekly BHS Counseling/Guidance Dept update will continue to be sent out during the earlier weekday of each school week, but not over the weekend/Sunday. Your understanding and support are greatly appreciated!
These BHS Counseling Dept Weekly Update emails are sent to all students and the 1st contact parent/guardian listed on the students’ X2 accounts.
All NEW UPDATES will be highlighted in BLUE each week for easy scanning of newest info.
FAMILIES
BHS counselors try to keep their offices stocked with snacks for all students! Please help us keep our snack bins replenished by purchasing some snacks from our Amazon Wish List - https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/DNJR0WY0PSNT/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex
Your student will be SO excited! Thank you!!
And the Brookline Youth of the Year is….
Not so fast:)
Brookline High students are welcome to attend this annual event to celebrate the young leaders of our community next Tues May 24th from 7-9pm at the Coolidge Corner Theater. This event will honor 81 students this year, including 17 youth award recipients who were interviewed in the studio and 2 discussions with 6 other students who were part of team awards.
ALL STUDENTS
ACE is still accepting new students for the 2022-23 school year! ACE is a small program within BHS for rising 10-12th grade students who are seeking a highly engaging, experiential high school classes and offers opportunities to learn outside of the building through internships or college classes. ACE has had students attend highly competitive colleges and offers honors credit courses.
ACE still has space for interested students for next Sept. If a student wants to explore ACE, they need to attend an info. session and set up a classroom visit, as soon as possible. They should email [email protected] who will set this up.
Visit the ACE website for more info: www.ACEHighSchoolYourWay.com
In the wake of ongoing violence/racism against the AAPI Community, APAC (BHS' Asian Pacific American Club) wants to get more information from AAPI students and faculty about their experiences at BHS as an AAPI student or faculty member. This is the first step in making long-term, systemic change in our school community. We would appreciate any and all AAPI identifying BHS community members filling out this form. https://forms.gle/JJKWF3QmRnVCaVni7
Thank you for using your voice and being brave. Together we can make change
Do you identify as a South Asian teen/young adult? See the attached flyer for info about a free weekly zoom support group you may want to check out!
Check out the UPDATED Summer 2022 Opportunities document! Copy and paste this link for the most updated programs - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LZJQoWB4C-JLr13sXkUqEcBvCBraUo3eWYtMG_DUDac/edit
This document is being updated regularly with more opportunities including jobs, internships, and summer programs.
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 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 277:
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 only
Wed C - Lunch A and B
Friday D - Lunch CLOSED due to AP makeup testing
Lunch at 22 Tappan –
Does the cafeteria sometimes feel too loud or too crowded? Does it sometimes feel difficult to make friends with new people during the lunch block?
Come join Lunch Lounge on Fridays in room 206, a dedicated space to form positive relationships with peers! Games will be provided. Fun is optional and encouraged!
Club Opportunities at BHS:
People Not Prisons is facilitated by BHS junior Sari Frankl. After working on countless campaigns trying to save innocent people from being executed, her feelings of anger, hopelessness, and desperation for change made her want to work for prison reform.
There are five main aspects that make up the criminal justice system: law enforcement, prosecution, defense attorneys, courts, and corrections. People Not Prisons mainly focuses on prosecution (sentencing) and correction (what happens in the actual prisons themselves). At People Not Prisons, they work together to understand how sentencing works and imagine alternative rehabilitative scenarios rather than incarceration. There is also imagining of restorative programs that can be put into prisons that will be cost efficient, psychologically effective, supportive, and offer inmates a real opportunity for a second chance.
Above all, this club is about an open dialogue concerning inequity in the criminal justice system, inequity in sentencing, and inefficient rehabilitation programs within penitentiaries. Our generation has the opportunity to creatively, compassionately, and effectively rethink criminal justice and prison reform. This is a small, new club and anyone is welcome to join or stop by! Meetings happen Week A during X block in room 213. Please click the link below to sign up and get involved!
https://forms.gle/edpwPWrmDkNxyeBd7
Summer Job Opportunities:
Lifeguard Training and certification - get ready for a summer job AND possibly get the training for free! See the attached flyer.
The JCC of Greater Boston is excited to announce a new program of paid internships for summer camp staff. In addition to working with children, interns may attend a series of professional development workshops designed to give them a better understanding of career choices and paths in the non-profit world and beyond.
Make a difference in a child’s life! Camp Kaleidoscope, the JCC’s arts and science day camp in Newton, is now offering paid internships for counselors who know how to make a camper’s day extraordinary.
· Interns are rising 11th graders or older. Junior counselor interns ages 16 & 17 earn $2800-$3500. Counselor interns who are high school graduates or older earn a minimum of $4100 for the full summer. They supervise campers and may teach or co-teach theater, arts, sports, boating or other activities. All learn leadership skills and conflict mediation, make lasting friendships, and may take advantage of professional development workshops facilitated by industry leaders.
· Camp dates are June 27-August 19, with orientation the week of June 20. While we prefer staff who can commit to the whole summer, shorter commitments will also be considered. Send us a note and/or resume at [email protected]. More camp information is at www.bostonjcc.org/kaleidoscope. Job descriptions and application are at JCC Summer Jobs.
Other summer camp counselor jobs - There are a number of camp organizations looking for counselors NOW! See the BHS Guidance website / Career Counseling link summer jobs 2022 for more info - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LZJQoWB4C-JLr13sXkUqEcBvCBraUo3eWYtMG_DUDac/edit#heading=h.i9miodlpjya
Community Service Opportunities for BHS Students:
Brookline Teens, come design and paint utility boxes in Brookline playgrounds! Design Day is on May 22, 2022, at the Brookline Arts Center , from 11 am to 2pm. Lunch will be provided. The painting of the utility boxes will be in Fall once school returns. Students are welcome to join on either days. See attached flyer for more info!
GreenZine Brookline (https://greenzinebrookline.wordpress.com/) invites you to submit writing and artwork for it’s Spring 2022 issue. GreenZine Brookline is a Brookline K-12 online magazine that features work about the environment, climate justice, and the outdoors. We strongly encourage writers and illustrators with, or without, experience, to submit news, opinion, fiction, poetry, photography, illustrations or other creative media. This is your voice to address a world increasingly impacted by climate change. Not sure what to write? We have plenty of ideas and would love to have you join us.
GreenZine Brookline is collectively run by Brookline educators and offers students, staff and the Brookline Schools community a forum for news, opinion and creative expression about climate change, outdoor education and the environment. We highlight the excellent work being done by students, staff and parents in our school community, as well as the need for more.
GreenZine Brookline aims to amplify student voice and passion in order to catalyze conversation about climate change and outdoor education in our schools so that our students will be more resilient and prepared to lead in a climate-disrupted world. We are looking for a rising junior and senior co-editor for the 2022-2023 school year. Submit a letter of interest or any questions here: [email protected] to learn more.
Are you interested in food equity and hope to combat food security? Join Mutual Aid Brookline! We are an organization started during the pandemic to address the urgent needs of the community right here in Brookline, including grocery delivery, language access, and financial support. We are short on volunteers, donations, and need help as much as we can! Sign up here to join: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1YunqZkNG7cKLvp9FSb2UAJPUESM_bxTLNMixzfsD0u0/viewform
Brookline Community Fridge - Ongoing - Brothers & Sisters Cafe
15 Station St
The way the system works is that a business will host a space for the fridge and pay for electricity. The fridge is run by volunteers who perform tasks like removing expired food, keeping the fridge clean, donating food, and keeping a running list of what the fridge could use. Anyone interested can find more information on the Brookline Community Fridge Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/brooklinecommunityfridge/) or sign up to volunteer via this form: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c44a9af28abfdcf8-volunteer1.
BHS COMMUNITY SERVICE INFO - Even though Brookline High does not have a community service requirement for graduation, many BHS students become involved in their school or greater Brookline community through service. These opportunities provide a chance for students to better understand and give back to those in need, plus offer a direct strategy to deal with emotions and stress by making connections with others and becoming engaged with something larger than one’s self. Adding community service activities can be beneficial to your college applications down the road too!
You do NOT have to have community service officially listed on your BHS transcript for credit to have its impact be noted for your own sense of self or to colleges. If you do want to have community service hours count for BHS credit, please be aware of these important criteria:
- must be a service within BHS or Brookline or greater Brookline community
- any service hours beyond 50 MUST be approved by the BHS Community Service Coordinator ([email protected]) – see attached form
- 50 hours = .25 credit; 100 hours = .5 credit; 150 hours = .75 credit; 200 hours = 1.0 credit
- hours must be logged and verified by the service organization supervisor and Ms Gaffney at BHS
– Check out Teen Life by copying and pasting this link- https://www.teenlife.com/category/volunteer/?keyword=&location=boston&program-type=volunteer
- The BHS Community Service info on the school’s website has been updated with BHS specific community service opportunities plus opportunities in the Brookline/Boston area - http://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/community-service.html
SENIORS
CONGRATULATIONS to all seniors who have proceeded through the college process and have now made the decision about your
next step after BHS graduation!
If you are still sorting out your plan, the BHS Counseling Dept may be in touch with you to offer support and resources. If you would like to reach out, please contact your counselor, dean, special education liaison, or other trusted BHS adult so we can work with you to have a plan that you are proud of and excited about as you leave the BHS community.
Hello Seniors (and Caregivers)!
We write with a few important reminders about this Friday's deadline!
THIS FRIDAY, May 20, is...
1. the last day to purchase prom & AtPP tickets as well as your cap & gown for graduation. Payments can be made here.
2. the deadline to tell us about your food allergies or special diet considerations. Food (and lots of it, see below) will be served at the prom. If you have a food allergy or special diet considerations please provide the details to our deans’ secretary, Ms. Fagan, in room 162. We have extended this deadline from last Friday.
3. the deadline for seniors to submit your prom contracts! Outside-of-BHS guest contracts were due last Friday. You cannot attend the prom if your contract has not been submitted. Bring your signed contracts to Ms. Fagan in room 162.
Aaaaaaand, if you are planning on not being in school this Friday (no such thing as Senior Skip Day), you need to make sure your attendance can afford the AWOL.
Lastly, if you are struggling this week or next to meet deadlines or for any other reason, as always, please reach out to your dean, guidance counselor, or trusted adult. We are here to help you get to that finish line!
Sincerely,
Dean Redding & Dean Figueroa
Food at the Prom:
Stationary hors d'oeuvres: Vegetable crudite with garlic and onion dip, tortilla chips with salsa and guacamole
Passed hors d'oeuvres: Cheese quesadillas, Vegetarian spring rolls, Cheeseburger sliders, Andouille sausage kabobs , Antipasto skewers
Dinner buffet: Baby field greens salad, Caesar salad, Grilled asparagus, Tater tots, Penne primavera, Baked macaroni and cheese, Grilled marinated chicken breast
Dessert: Cupcakes, Cookies, Strawberry shortcake
Drinks: soda, bottled water, juice
Every year, BHS Guidance relies on our seniors to enter their college admissions results in Naviance. This helps our juniors and sophomores to then have updated scattergrams for each university. So we need you help now.
Please log in to your Naviance account and update your results for every college you have heard from (admit, deny, waitlist, etc). Here is how: Go to Naviance account and click "Colleges I Am Applying to," then click on the little pencil (Edit), and update your results.
PLEASE HELP US NOW! Juniors will be grateful!
SENIORS AND JUNIORS
Did you miss the BHS Counseling and Special Education Departments’ virtual "College Supports for Students with Learning Differences" panel? We discussed topics such as support available at colleges and then answered questions from the audience. The panel included Ms Neff-Verre and Mr. Libenzon (BHS Counseling Dept), Ms. April Zyirek (BHS Special Education Coordinator), Mr. Brendan McCarthy (BHS Transitions Program) and Admission Counselors from several MA colleges.
To see the recording and powerpoint, plus check out other resources, go to this link - https://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/guidance- and look for the blog listing “Zoom Panel: College Supports for Students with Learning Differences”.
JUNIORS
Brimmer & May School is happy to announce our second annual College Essay Writing Bootcamp this summer. This camp is open to all rising seniors who are interested in getting a jump start on their college essay, including editing and feedback by our college counselors (and former college admissions professionals). At the conclusion of this one week experience, students will leave with an edited draft of their college essay and a number of tips and tricks to guide them through their additional supplemental essays.
A flyer is attached with more information, including pricing, dates, and the registration link. This is not a BHS sanctioned opportunity. If you have any questions, you can reach out to our Director of Summer Programs, Cassie Abodeely, at [email protected]
There is a terrific opportunity coming up for families to learn about colleges through a Jewish lens in a condensed time-frame. CAJUE (Counselor Advocacy for a Jewish University Experience) is hosting a Strive Scan 6x6 Fair;
60 colleges from across the US and Israel are presenting, and you can hear from 18 of them in under three hours. Students, parents, and counselors should all register separately.
Please see the attached flyer for the list of colleges and more details. Each school has been asked to spend a good percentage of their six minutes on Jewish life.
Virtual Fair for Jewish Students
Monday, May 23rd
6:30-9:15PM
Thinking of Taking a Gap Year in Israel? Session at 6:00
Registration and much more information at strivescan.com/JewishStudentFair
Want to be considered for BHS National Honor Society as a senior?
Here’s what you should be doing:
- maintain an overall 3.3 or better BHS GPA
- complete minimum of 15 hours of community service (Sept 2021 – August 2022) - If you'd like a tool for keeping track of your community service, you can use this google doc organizer - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1OStrm_4nJw0_rheAZVLYJpWGwsTO1IHSXMfBbtWFJQI/edit#gid=0. Make and save a copy of it to maintain your own record. You'll be able to submit this as part of your application in your senior year.
- NHS info blast shared to all eligible seniors in May and applications completed in early Sept 2022
JUNIORS AND SOPHOMORES
PreACT takers… Ready to get your scores? Plan to join the PreACT score report zoom presentation on Thurs 5/19 during X block. Lenny Libenzon, BHS College Counselor, will provide an overview of the PreACT score report - zoom link below.
CHANGE OF LOCATION - Students can pick up their own report from their counselor at the end of the presentation in the BHS STEM COMMONS area. Please look for your counselor there at the designated tables.
We will not be distributing these score reports until 5/19 X block and afterwards. See you all then!
We will not be distributing these score reports until 5/19 X block. See you all soon!
Topic: Pre-ACT score explanation session
Time: May 19, 2022 11:10 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://psbma-org.zoom.us/j/91521697758?pwd=U0UzVTMyVCt2bUVkK0JQWjJnd1FvQT09
Meeting ID: 915 2169 7758
Passcode: 305963
SOPHOMORES
Thanks for putting in your best effort in Math MCAS today and yesterday!