It’s been a long year of COVID, with many people struggling with physical, mental health and academic challenges, food and housing insecurity, racial and ethnic injustice. Through it all, please remember that We Are Brookline High Warriors - This is hard. You can do it. We can help you!
Four important guidance related messages and events are highlighted here again this week:
Four important guidance related messages and events are highlighted here again this week:
- Almost everyone’s mental health has been affected this past year. Be sure to take some time to read recent messages from BHS. (This information is also listed below and attached to this email.) Take the time to take care of yourself too!
- Students in Grades 9-11 will continue to add their course requests for 2021-22 into their student portals through 3/30. See attached portal instructions given to students in hubs/advisories last week. As courses are considered, school and life BALANCE for each student is key. Students should have heard from their teachers regarding course level recommendations. They also should be aware of what credits they need to earn a BHS diploma by their graduation. The 2021-22 BHS Course Catalog is now available on the BHS homepage
- There will be 2 IPRs (progress reports) for this Quarter 3. The first IPR was posted to student and parent portals on Monday 3/8. Please be sure to review this information. It’s great to validate academic successes and to provide constructive problem solving with your student in areas of challenge. Have your student reach out to their teachers and available academic supports if needed.
- This week is a regular week of school. No special schedule!
Keep in mind that any new updates to the Weekly Update are highlighted in blue.
Dates to Note-
March 9-30 - Portal open to add electives, wellness for senior year
April 5 - Deadline for course level changes. Next opportunity to override is after two week waiting period in September. Please consider your student’s teacher recommendations and reach out to the teacher (or counselor) if you have any questions.
April 6 - Quarter 3 ends
Mental health Supports:
Also for parents/caregivers – Need some support right now?
BRYT Central is offering free Parents Supporting Parents groups open to all caregivers. See attached flyer for details.
Don’t worry alone!
ALL STUDENTS
One Year Anniversary Drive Through Food Drive
Date: Saturday 3/27/21 Time: 9:00 am - 12:00pm for food drop off
We will be there later organizing and delivering, but please drop off as early in the day as possible. as we try to begin deliveries by about 1:30 pm. Location: BHS - In front of the main entrance, 115 Greenough St., Brookline, MA 02445
Details: We hope to be on the front steps at BHS. If the weather doesn't work for this we will be in the atrium, but will leave a sign at the food drop off spot. You can drive down Greenough Street and leave the food right on the sidewalk or we will gather it from your car.
See email attachment for items to bring.
Number of Grocery Deliveries - We are up to 48 BHS families currently receiving grocery deliveries as a result of these food drives with the possibility to add more.
Volunteers - We might need some more volunteers/delivery drivers for this Sunday. Please email [email protected] if you are interested. If we have enough, we will put you on the April list!
There is a new science help center at BHS run by peer tutors that started last week! Feel free to stop by if you need help in your science classes, or want to ask a quick question.
Science help center times: Tuesday's X-Block, Wednesdays afterschool (12:15-1:00), and Friday's X-Block.
Meeting Link: https://zoom.us/s/95851906783?pwd=cTBHUDRVTXBLVU1qb3RrVWVoTEFMUT09#success
Meeting ID: 958 5190 6783
Meeting Password: 7mKpKY
Please email [email protected] for any questions!
Are you interested in sharing your art with a supportive group of peers, or simply coming to enjoy other’s work? Look no further than SWS Art Show, Friday, April 16th at 6:30pm. Artists across the school will be able to auction, donate, or just share all of their hard work. The event is open to anyone interested in coming - - so come! Fill out this link to get involved, and email [email protected] for more information.
BHS Students taking AP Exams – Total Registration email was sent to you recently but you can also see the updated AP exam information and BHS exam schedule attached to this email.
Students – Looking for some connection with the BHS community? Check out the attached flyer that lists both in-person and remote student groups and community opportunities happening now at BHS!
Download the official Brookline High School App! Created by the App Development Club, the BHS App is an innovative product that transforms your high school experience.
Get real-time schedule tracking. Chat with students in your classes. Make school wide announcements. Make new friends. All through the BHS App!
To download, search “Brookline High School” on the Google Play or Apple App Store; or visit https://bhsappdev.github.io.
Students – Need help in math? Check this out…. Student-led Math Center with the guidance of Mr. Paris and Ms. Kostant. Every morning from 7:30 to 8:15, they hold a Zoom Meeting that students can join to receive help in any of their work in math. Here’s a link to the daily Zoom Meeting: (https://zoom.us/j/96741784699?pwd=QW4yNzZMSlRUR2NQcjhBRmFOQ052Zz09).
BHS Club and Extracurricular information:
BHS is creating the first girls rugby team at BHS this Spring! Check out their website - https://brooklinegirlsrugby.wixsite.com/my-site. Currently recruiting for the boys and girls teams!
Interested in playing or have questions?
Girls Captain: [email protected]
Boys Captain: [email protected]
Are you interested in getting involved with the BHS community and finding a concrete group of peers to call your own, all while honing your theatrical skills? Look no further than BHS' Drama Society, led by it's student exec board and teachers, comprising in-school classes, community events, and shows! At the high school, drama courses include Drama 1/1A (full and half year courses for students just getting involved,) Drama 2/2A (a continual buildup of growth extending from Drama 1 classes,) and our upper-level BETCo and Needs Improvment options! In the future, on Thursday and Friday, March 4th-5th, the States Devised Show will go up at 7:00pm each night, written by the students themselves! The following week on Thursday and Friday, March 11th-12th, the Spring Play will premiere, (also at 7:00pm each showtime and student written.) AND, if you weren't enticed enough to get involved, auditions for the annual Student Directed Festival will be happening March 17th, with several student-lead pieces to possibly be cast in! Keep an eye on incoming information, and we can't wait to (hopefully) meet you!
BHS Drama Society Exec Board
*visit our Instagram @bhsdramasoc, TikTok @brooklinedramasociety, and website brooklinedrama.weebly.com to stay clued in on upcoming events!*
Want to learn more about environmental racism and take action in the fight for climate justice? Join BHS Amnesty International, the Environmental Action Club, and Sunrise Brookline in Climate Justice Month. This group will continue to host three more different events each Wednesday focused on education and actions surrounding climate justice.
This Wednesday, they’ll discuss different local and federal legislation surrounding climate change and phonebank. For our last event, we’ll listen to a speaker and engage in a conversation about the climate crisis and its implications. We’ll be meeting at 7:30pm for around an hour each Wednesday of the month.
Lastly, if you come to 3 out of the 4 events you will be eligible to win a prize!
To sign up, use this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1uks8OlUWKFn5aKeYzxXy30H0WaTxNq1y3lNgB0gpqVg/edit
COVID Related Resources
Mutual Aid Brookline (MAB) shares this information…
FREE SERVICES
211 COVID Vaccine Appointment Assistance Over the Phone - Ongoing - Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
A new Vaccine Scheduling Resource Line has been launched to help residents 75 and older more easily schedule an appointment if they do not have internet or are unable to use the website at www.mass.gov/COVIDVaccine.
The call center will be staffed with over 500 representatives who can provide live phone support to assist residents with booking an appointment.
The line will be open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM. Live call center workers will be available in English and Spanish, and 100 additional languages will be available through translators. Call center workers will have the same access to appointments that users will see on the public website.
The line can be accessed by dialing 2–1–1 and selecting the prompt for “Help Scheduling a Vaccine Appointment.” Residents may have to wait on the line given expected high call volume.
Summer Opportunities and Jobs:
Opportunities 2021 for BHS students– Summer is only 3 months away and it’s time to think to sun, temperatures in the 80’s and interesting ways to spend your summer. Thanks to BHS Career Counselor Kate Kennedy and counseling intern David Ehrlich, please copy and paste this google doc in your browser for more info: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1o7GiMWRfEo2ByK8I7d1EvNRgF4h4NkGHKT9T64XtuNU/edit
And here’s a link to the Teen Life updated 2021 Summer Programs guide - https://indd.adobe.com/view/68806d31-27c9-4616-bfa7-7283711259c0. A great resource for many summer opportunities!
Resources for remote volunteer opportunities for BHS:
Try checking out this community service link from the free resource Teen Life - https://www.teenlife.com/category/volunteer/volunteer-boston/
SENIORS
Understanding Financial Aid Award Letters Webinar – The 2nd webinar in a financial aid workshop series is being offered on Saturday 3/20 @ 11:30am in collaboration with MassEdco. This is a workshop that is federally funded and geared for low income/first gen students/families. For all other families, MassEdco is a resource in more of a 1:1 way in which students can contact them directly. See attached flyer entitled “Understanding Financial Aid Award Letters”.
And another opportunity to understand Fin Aid Award Letters for all BHS Families - When your college financial aid package arrives, please join MEFA (MA Educational Financing Authority)…… After the College Acceptance
Thursday, March 18, 2021 | 7:00pm - 8:00pm
This webinar provides valuable guidance for high school seniors who have received their college acceptance letters and financial aid offers and are trying to make the college decision. Topics include an overview of different types of financial aid, an explanation of how to calculate the balance due at each college, and methods for paying the college bill. Register at : https://www.mefa.org/events/after-the-college-acceptance2
The alternate date is Thursday, April 08, 7pm. Register at
https://www.mefa.org/events/after-the-college-acceptance4
REGISTER TO VOTE BY APRIL 14th! Anyone who is 16 and older is eligible to register, and anyone 18+ can vote. There is a Select Board election happening MAY 4th, make sure your voice is heard on a local level!
Here is a guide we have put together: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LsSNlSNrVuZEZffWoAYD_o2h2sNo0W9ITtTeMgjlkNQ/edit?usp=sharing
Check out this slide for more details: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/182lgVG6yTEo8G8zHuiQbbeKCGCFYmBaHd_R4sBsvLJs/edit?usp=sharing
Stay tuned with Sunrise Brookline for more info!
Brookline Scholarship application period ends on April 15. All students who would like to be considered for the BHS scholarships (which are need based) need to submit their scholarship applications and CSS Profile by April 15th.
The scholarship application link is: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdp0n0dznzcGGiZ12S8sfE57lyshVlD_DOKqlfyjz_2yK0l1w/viewform and can also be found on the main page of the BHS website.
The CSS Profile is located on the College Board website. It must be completed and submitted to the BHS Scholarship Fund - code 0424.
The March BHS Scholarship Letter is now available – please see the attached letter
If you got into a school and you are 100% sure you will not go there, please let them know (especially if this is a state school). Colleges are experiencing a huge increase in applications this year, and are therefore using waitlist and deferrals--so your email might help another student get in.
Interested in applying to Framingham State University? You have a great opportunity to get accepted on the spot at Framingham State University…. Join FSU and BHS for a Virtual Admissions Decision Day. Register to meet with an FSU admissions representative to discuss your application and receive your decision (please note, in some cases FSU will not be able to provide a decision at the time of meeting, but will let you know what your next steps are. Application fees will be waived for participating applicants). Here are the steps:
1) Make an appointment for the zoom session. Important: this will be a zoom meeting with the FSU Admissions Counselor who makes the admission decisions. Please come on time & represent BHS well.
2) Complete Commonapp.org for FSU, or FSU’s own application. Framingham State does not require an essay. To get the fee waiver, there is a question on both the FSU App, and then on the Common App (in the FSU questions) that asks if you are eligible for a school specific waiver. Select "official campus visit." It's okay if you submit the app before the meeting, once the meeting takes place FSU will make sure the app fee is waived.
3) Complete the transcript release form, & email Mr. Libenzon ([email protected]) to indicate that you will attend the on-the-spot session.
Thinking about a post grad path that is NOT college specific? Check in with your counselor and/or Kate Kennedy, the BHS Career Counselor, for ideas and resources.
SENIORS AND JUNIORS
Save the Date - Evening online webinar event from author and presenter Harlan Cohen on Wednesday, April 14 @ 7pm- 17 Things You Need To Do Before College: New York Times bestselling author Harlan Cohen delivers helpful tips and strategies for students and parents during this info-packed interactive live virtual event. Learn about the latest research, trends, and plans college campuses are making to welcome the Class of 2021. This event is perfect for seniors, parents and juniors in the college planning process. There is no cost to attend. Registration link is coming!
JUNIORS
Missed the BHS College Fair last week? Time to attend some virtual COLLEGE FAIRS!
National Portfolio Days
Students can register to attend any of the free, online National Portfolio Days. Copy and paste this link to your browser - https://nationalportfolioday.org/about-national-portfolio-day-events/
Upon registering, participating students will receive information on how to upload their portfolio for the virtual reviews. Representatives will access their work while the review happens virtually on the day/time of the scheduled event.
NACAC Virtual College Fair
Encourage your students to register for free at virtualcollegefairs.org.
More than 500 colleges and universities will present more than 1,500 Zoom sessions for high school students on January 31. It's a great day to explore, ask questions, and demonstrate interest... all without leaving home.
BigFuture Days Midwest is on Thursday, March 11., 4:00-8:00pm. Go to https://pages.collegeboard.org/big-future-days to register. Before you attend BigFuture Days, be sure to save a list of the colleges you are most interested in to be organizes as you connect with BigFuture. If you are unsure about a college, you can check out their website, social media properties, or profile page on BigFuture. For more information about what to do before BigFuture Days Northeast, visit this page. You’ll be able to connect with admissions representatives and current college students from the following schools and more! Click on the school name to view their profile page on BigFuture.
March 31 - Virtual Panel re: College Support Services for Students with Learning Differences - 6:30pm
Many colleges & universities remain test-optional for the Class of 2022. Copy and paste this link to see the regularly updated list from FairTest - https://www.fairtest.org/more-half-all-us-colleges-and-universities-are-alr
BHS Librarians are offering….. FREE online ACT/ SAT/ TOEFL test prep support continues. Any junior can register for any or all sessions to support their admissions testing preparation. Check out the attached flyer and register here - https://forms.gle/2y1uxvhMs9j7xW2M7
9th and 10th Graders
Sign up for the Peer Leadership Class - CE5900 Peer Leadership and Public Health - How do we change people’s behavior? Drawing from public health, social work, and psychology, students will learn about many of the complex social, emotional and health issues that affect today’s youth and how to address them. Students in the course will design and implement new ways to help Brookline youth, focusing particularly on maintaining mental health, creating a more accepting school culture, developing healthy relationships, preventing the abuse of alcohol and other drugs, and reducing stress. Students will learn skills such as facilitating groups, using media and social media, and preparing presentations for parent groups, Wellness classes, and public hearings. In addition, students will develop experience in public speaking and leadership, learning to be successful not only in this class but also in future endeavors.
Meets Z block 2-3 mornings a week. Some outside of class presentations to Wellness classes and evening forums. Teacher Abby Dean, MPH, LICSW for questions [email protected]