Happy October!
These BHS Counseling Dept Weekly Update emails are sent to all students and the 1st contact parent/guardian listed on the students’ X2 accounts.
This week is a four day school week with Wednesday 10/5 off for Yom Kippur. Please see the 4 day week schedule on the attached document shared on this email. Next week will be another 4 day school week with Monday 10/10 off for Indigenous Peoples Day.
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. If the counselor is busy with another student or attending a meeting, advise your student to leave a note or send an email to their counselor.. We’re here and ready to support EVERY BHS student!
These BHS Counseling Dept Weekly Update emails are sent to all students and the 1st contact parent/guardian listed on the students’ X2 accounts.
This week is a four day school week with Wednesday 10/5 off for Yom Kippur. Please see the 4 day week schedule on the attached document shared on this email. Next week will be another 4 day school week with Monday 10/10 off for Indigenous Peoples Day.
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. If the counselor is busy with another student or attending a meeting, advise your student to leave a note or send an email to their counselor.. We’re here and ready to support EVERY BHS student!
As our collaborative partner B-PEN (Brookline Parent Education Network) suggests MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES are available!
These days, mental health is a challenging concern, and suicide is an especially tough topic. But September was Suicide Prevention Month, and it offers a good opportunity to open the discussion in your family. PBS’s “Facing Suicide” offers a good launchpad, and NAMI offers terrific resources. If you have any particular concerns, B-PEN urges you to contact your child’s school counselor or BHS social worker Abby Dean ([email protected]).
A high quality short article on the Grown and Flown website - College Counselor: This Matters More Than Anything Else - https://grownandflown.com/high-school-college-mental-health/
As we all continue to learn about our world and each other, I wanted to share some additional information originally offered about Hispanic Heritage month from September 15-October 15 in the first Weekly Update of the year. I have started checking the PSB site Educational Equity in Brookline link on the PSB homepage this year which is full of resources about the diversity of our Brookline community. I learned that the terms Hispanic and Latino are NOT interchangeable. I would suggest checking out these links for more information and understanding:
- https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-difference-between-hispanic-vs-latino-5082005#toc-hispanic-vs-latino
- https://www.britannica.com/story/whats-the-difference-between-hispanic-and-latino
As I’ve done in the past, all NEW UPDATES will be highlighted in BLUE each week for easy scanning of newest info!
FAMILIES
BHS Head of School Anthony Meyer writes - Join Back to School Night, this Thursday 10/6, - 6:30-9:00pm
This is our signature home-school partnership event. You will follow your student’s schedule, traveling in their figurative shoes from class to class. You will marvel at how they move about our campus and at the Brookline High School educators who teach and work with your kids every day. Assistant Head of School Hal Mason and I will send out more details shortly. For now, reserve from 6:30 to 9pm and plan not to park at BHS that evening.
MBTA Green Line Work (D Line Riverside Impact) - MBTA Green Line work has begun and interruptions will be in effect from now until October 30th. Please see the flyer from MBTA which outlines work to be done. https://www.mbta.com/projects/green-line-track-upgrades-2022
All PTO information, including evening events with BHS Deans, can be found by grade level on this site - https://www.bhs-pto.org/
Snacks have arrived! Thank you for your generous donations so students continue to enjoy snacks in our counseling offices at both 22 Tappan and 115 Greenough! If you’d still like to donate by sharing your favorite snack from Amazon, please send the goodies to BHS Guidance/ 115 Greenough St/ Brookline 02445.
USDA continues free lunches for any Brookline student for this school year 2022-23, regardless of meal eligibility – go to https://publicschoolsofbrooklineschoolnutrition.com/
ALL STUDENTS
BHS LIBRARY HOURS
Monday 8:00am-4:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am-3:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am-4:00pm
Thursday 8:00am-4:00pm
Friday 8:00am-3:00pm
A youth center intern at the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC) is running the Supporting Students Health Initiative (SuSHI) program. SuSHI is an after-school program for greater Boston high schoolers who are Asian/Asian American and are interested in learning more about health, wellness, identity, resilience, and other important topics and participating in group discussions in a close-knit supportive group setting with two co-facilitators. They are recruiting all years of high schoolers for the program. Check out this link to learn more and apply - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfiPVLoShyR7AXpZQM_yvZZTvBryD8DgISFuSCZFWj7N0cp6g/viewform
A Boston-based organization called School the World partners with Latin American governments to build schools in Panama, Honduras & Guatemala. Interested in a travel abroad program? Here’s one that includes full fundraising by the applicant to cover the cost of the adventure…. And all of the funds go to community service projects in the country visited. Applicants commit to raise money to contribute $3,750 toward the cost of the trip, and School the World holds multiple sessions to guide them in fundraising as well as educate them about the local culture where they will travel & build the school.
This unique learning & travel opportunity and here's a link to more detail on their website: https://schooltheworld.org/travel-with-us/
Interested in getting certified as a Lifeguard? See the attached Lifeguard flyer.
Good article about Friendship Changes in high school - offered by Grown and Flown website - High School Counselor Has Advice for Teens who have Friend Problems - https://grownandflown.com/teens-sometimes-struggle-to-keep-friends/
School Photo make up day is in Schluntz Gym on Nov. 9th, between 7:30 am and 3:00 pm. This is the only make-up day for both staff and students.This is also the time for picture retakes, if needed. Students should go to the Schluntz Gym on their own during the day but not miss any class time.
The Student Council and Judiciary branches of BHS government are still accepting applicants. More information below about deadlines and process:
Please apply to be on the Judiciary- application deadline extended!
What is Judiciary?- In addition to the Legislature and Student Council, BHS has a student/faculty judiciary. You may not serve on the judiciary if you are in the Legislature or Student Council. Judiciary is a branch of the BHS government that helps students understand their rights under the handbook. When a student believes that their rights have been violated, they can appeal to the judiciary to help them sort out the problem. Judiciary is not an elective process. When there are seats available on Judiciary, the current members interview interested students and pick the strongest candidates to join them. This year, there are multiple open spots on Judiciary.
- APPLICATION will now be due Monday, October 3rd. Students will be chosen/notified by Oct 14th, 2022.
- Must be elected to this position, but not by the student body. The election happens by coming to the first student council meeting and making a short speech to the newly elected members of the legislature. These representatives vote on who will fill the 8 extra spots.
- Timeline below with more explanations
- NO APPLICATION NECESSARY. Simply come to the meeting on Tuesday 10/4 in room 403 at 2:00 pm (during Faculty Collaboration time).
Taking an AP course at BHS? AP Registration is now open until Nov 15, 2022-
The 2023 AP Registration will opened Monday September 19th. Please see the attached letter below with details about how to register. PLEASE NOTE: THERE ARE TWO STEPS TO REGISTER, YOU MUST COMPLETE BOTH STEPS! Registration ends on Nov 15, 2022.
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 [email protected]. 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.
Lunch Lounge is back at BHS - 115 campus! It’s getting chilly outside. Join other students for a quiet, peaceful spot to eat and get to know other students.
All students in Grades 9-12…..Social Lunch/ Lunch Lounge is offered for all 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. Games, drawing materials and fun is offered… Just bring your own lunch!
Lunch Lounge is offered for these lunch blocks in Room 277 @ the 115 Greenough campus:
Every Monday E block - both lunches
Every Wednesday C block - both lunches
Every Friday E block - both lunches
Support Resources for students outside of BHS:
Do you know a teen in need of support who is currently vaping or using other nicotine products? Our long-running Project CONNECT support group has been adapted so students can connect virtually with a skilled facilitator and other teens to gain skills to promote a healthier life stye. This is a grant funded, 6-week virtual group that will be starting October 3rd at 5:30 EST. Attached is a PDF with more information about the program and information on how to register.
Tasha Thomas, MA
Caron Treatment Center
Comprehensive Addiction Treatment. Recovery for Life.
[email protected]
800-678-2332 ext 6117 (Main SAP Office)
www.caron.org
Clubs at BHS:
Keep in mind that students can join most clubs during any point in the school year, not just on the sign up day at the Club Fair. The current list of clubs can be found on this link - https://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/clubs-and-activities-list.html - from the BHS website homepage. An online Club Fair slideshow will also be available soon!
Community Service Opportunities for BHS Students:
We are looking for students to help plan and execute this year's Ability Event happening at BHS on November 16th!
Opportunities include:
-Planning interactive tables for the event
-Creating a lesson on Ability/Ableism for advisory
-Running a table on the day of the event
-Sharing your voice if you are an individual with a disability
If you are interested or have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Gray at [email protected] See below for more information about last years ability event:
Last year's Ability Event consisted of a lesson during advisory introducing ableism, a video featuring staff and students at BHS sharing about their experiences as individuals with different abilities, and an interactive experience in the atrium with a host of tables dedicated to a variety of educational and hands-on activities in connection to learning more about the disability community and promoting inclusion. These activities included a table with fidgets, learning how to use communication devices, a hearing simulation, a color blindness test-hosted by the library.
Brookline Thrives, is a program of the Brookline Food Pantry that works in partnership with the Public Schools of Brookline to provide free weekend meals to school children to reduce the number of students starting the school week hungry. Brookline Thrives is always in need of help with packing bags and making school deliveries. Please consider signing up to volunteer! Bag packing/Delivery of Food Bags Sign Up at this link - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0e45a8a722a5fd0-september
Tutoring services are being offered by a group of high-achieving Brookline High School students! Brookline Youth Tutoring and Enrichment is a non-profit organization founded in 2019 by a BHS student that offers tutoring in exchange for donations to mental health research. Our organization is well-renowned, helping over 50 students, raising over $30,000, and receiving outstanding reviews. One-on-one tutoring lessons in all subjects are catered to the student's needs and tutors are experienced, flexible, patient, and responsible. Tutors can help review material, get a head start on future material, prep for standardized tests, or teach new subjects. Please visit our website brooklineyouthtutors.weebly.com, or contact [email protected] for more information.
BYTE Management
brooklineyouthtutors.weebly.com
MA Partnerships for Youth 2022-2023 Poster & Public Service Announcement (PSA) Competition -
The Theme for This School Year’s Project is: THE EARTH LOVES YOU. LOVE IT BACK.
Suggested Topics for Posters and PSAs include:
● Reduce Paper Consumption
● Save Electricity
● Save Water
● Bring Reusable Bags to the Grocery Store
● Walk to School or Take a Bike. Carpool when Possible
● Download an Environmental App
● Start an Environmental Club
● Educate Others on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s)
● Recycle, Recycle, Recycle
● Buy a Water Bottle and Fill it at
Fountains
● Turn Off Your Phone
● Don’t Send Chemicals into our Waterways
● Plant a Tree
● Protect Our Environment and Safeguard our Natural Resources
This year’s theme is based on the continued movement to be Green and Sustainable. Our Earth depends on YOU to educate and help others become more environmentally friendly and conscientious.
The deadline for POSTER submissions is Friday, January 20, 2023. The deadline for PSA submissions is Friday, April 28, 2023.
- Poster Project Student Application link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v4kUEoxQP0zkZhk-9pc4sXDN2rlEVw9K/view
- PSA Student Application link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P2b2AJ0KzNEl09DHOu0Gg_5rOHJUuSdE/view
For additional information, please contact Margie Daniels, Executive Director at [email protected]
Language Virtual is looking for new teachers! About us: Language Virtual is a global community of students who are either teaching, or learning English. We connect students all around our world through 1-on-1 English lessons. Currently, we have students in around 15 countries including Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Nicaragua. How the process works: Once a student signs up, we match them with a high school teacher and the student can contact the teacher directly about scheduling. Usually the teaching sessions are only 30min-1hour long and you receive community service hours. You can view our website for more details and the sign up pages: https://www.languagevirtual.org/.
Teacher sign up page: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfJ4whEp2tl9ZFt7W-6ZskGdF4sfKdYg7cLpEwZ2eN-Ws-U-w/viewform?usp=sf_link Not someone who wants to read through our website? Watch this video: https://youtu.be/M9sXiU9KjF4
What you will be teaching: You will teach English to your assigned student through conversations, vocabulary, grammar, or homework help. You and the student can establish what they would like to work on in the 1st lesson. Don't worry about not speaking the same language as your student, they will know enough English to communicate on the basic level.
If you have any questions, feel free to message me at [email protected].
Career Exploration info for BHS students:
The ACE Mentor Program provides hands-on, project-based learning for students in grades 9-12 interested in architecture, construction, or engineering. This is a free, after-school program is available to our students but not affiliated with Brookline High or the BHS ACE program. It is back in person for this school year at several locations in Boston, two in Cambridge, and one online session. We are holding online information sessions for students, parents, educators, and non-profit managers to learn about ACE. Students, parents, and educators can pick the date that works for you for a one-time, 45-minute info session to learn more about ACE. Click this link for the full schedule of info sessions - https://www.acegreaterboston.org/events/
These information sessions are for new ACE students or returning students who want to learn what's new. Parents are welcome to join. Teachers, administrators, guidance counselors, and program staff may want to attend to learn more about this career mentorship program and all it offers. The session will be a free, low-pressure introduction to ACE Mentor Program.
BHS Career Counselor - Career Exploration is here!
Find Ms Kennedy, the BHS Career Counselor, at both BHS buildings:
Ms. Kennedy’s Schedule 2022/ 2023
@ 22 Tappen rm 237 Monday, Tuesday, Friday ALL DAY AND
Wednesdays 8:20- 10am (A & T block), Thursdays 1-3pm (E & F block)
@ 115 Greenough Street rm 280/ 279 (The College and Career Center)
Wednesdays 10am- 2:15pm (X, D and E block) AND
Thursdays 8:20- 1pm (A, B, D and G block)
It's time again for our first BHS Career Coffee Talk – Carpenter's Union:
Are you interested in learning more about the Carpenter's Union? Come to the College and Career Center room 279 (in the 115 Greenough Main Building) this Thursday October 6th X block to hear from a representative from the Carpenter's Union! We can't wait to see you there!
Come one! Come all! X block October 13 at 9:20am-
Check out the Brookline High College and Career Center Open House on October 13th during x block to learn about what we have to offer! Meet our College Counselor, Lenny Libenzon and Career Counselor, Kate Kennedy. Candy will be provided! We hope to see you there!
Are you interested in getting a job this school year? Check out the BHS Job Opportunities on the BHS Career Counseling website! This page will be updated throughout the year!
https://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/career-counseling1.html
Questions? Email Ms. Kennedy at [email protected]
Another nonBHS Career Opportunity- BHS students can attend on their own:
UMass Amherst Women in Engineering and Computing Career Day for High School Girls*
Monday, October 31st, 2022
Lincoln Campus Center, UMass Amherst
8:45 am to 1:15 pm (breakfast snack and lunch provided**)
$20 for students (scholarships available). Free for teachers and industry.
*While the event is geared towards high school girls, all genders are welcome.
** Lunch will be vegetarian but NOT vegan nor gluten free. Students may purchase other options with chaperone permission upstairs in the campus center.
Keynote Speaker: Monique Farrell, B.S. '14 Chemical Engineering and a native of Springfield, MA!
The UMass Amherst College of Engineering, in cooperation with the College of Information and Computer Sciences, will again be hosting our annual Career Day for regional high schools. For full and most up-to-date details please see our webpage.
Registration:
All (students, teachers, industry collaborators, and volunteers) should register through Eventbrite for sign-in, name badges, and indicating specific needs.
Ways to Pay Student Registration Fee:
Unfortunately, UMass cannot take payment through Eventbrite. Here are the options for payment:
- Day of event by cash, check (payable to UMass Amherst), or credit card
- (Site currently down) On-line via credit card »
- By Purchase Order
- By check (payable to University of Massachusetts, Mail to - Attn: Jessica Kazmier, College of Engineering - UMass, 127 Marston Hall, 130 Natural Resources Way, Amherst, MA 01003)
- Scholarship inquiries should be directed to Dr. Paula Rees via [email protected]
SENIORS
Today Sunday 10/2, almost 200 BHS Seniors participated in the Senior College Essay Writing Workshop. The organizers would like to thank the teacher leaders, Rob Primmer and Peter Sedlak as well as the 20 teachers who came in on a Sunday morning to read and give feedback on essays, help with brainstorming, and get the process started for our students.
Our amazing parent/guardian volunteers helped with absolutely every aspect of planning and executing the logistics and substance of the event. We also wanted to thank the front office and custodial staff at the high school for helping with all the details of making the space work. We also wanted to thank Wegman’s, Stop and Shop, and Trader Joes for once again donating breakfast and snacks for our teachers, volunteers, and seniors.
Most of all, we wanted to thank the PTO for funding this amazing event each year. Liz Stillman and Beth Jones.
Missed the Sunday’s BHS/ PTO College Essay Writing Workshop? Other options to support you-
- 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/
BHS Students interested in learning more/ applying to a HBCU (Historically Black Colleges / University)… Here’s a great opportunity to consider-
Building Bridges Student Events:
All students in grades 10-12 who plan to attend the Building Bridges - Information Sessions and College Fair on Thursday, November 3, 2022 at the Reggie Lewis Center (1350 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02120) are required to register by October 10, 2022. Please click here to access the link to register - https://www.lpeduservices.com/collegefair-registration
Information Sessions:
- The first information session will begin at 5:45 PM and will take place in the multi-purpose room in the Reggie Lewis Center.
- The second information session will begin at 7:15 PM and will take place in the multi-purpose room in the Reggie Lewis Center.
Sessions will provide attendees the opportunity to learn about the HBCU experience, their application process, and financial aid resources.
HBCU College Fair:
From 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM students will have access to attend the college fair in the field house at the Reggie Lewis Center.
Students must register before October 10, 2022. Students who do not register will not have access to this event. Please click here to access the link to register - https://www.lpeduservices.com/collegefair-registration.
On The Spot Interviews: Seniors Only
Seniors will have an opportunity for our on the spot interviews on Friday, November 4, and Saturday, November 5, 2022. Please note, not all colleges will be providing on the spot admissions - but have agreed to meet and strongly consider students for enrollment.
All seniors who plan to interview with admission representatives will be required to register. Students who are not considering attending an HBCU should not register for interviews. Seniors will be required to select their top five choices and will be given the opportunity to interview with a minimum of three schools.
Please click here to access the link to register - https://www.lpeduservices.com/hbcu-interview-registration-form. Students who do not register by October 7, 2022 may not receive an interview.
Mark your calendars…. Wed October 12 from 6:30-8pm on Zoom
BHS Parents and Seniors are invited to participate in the virtual panel discussion of college admissions, sponsored by the BHS Counseling Dept. Admission representatives will give updates about their schools and then answer audience questions. This fall, we have five colleges in attendance: Boston University, Northeastern, Mass Bay Community College, UMass Amherst, University of Vermont. Zoom info below:
https://psbma-org.zoom.us/j/97192408856?pwd=K1J4YVVzUGdHWXlMRmxCcVNoVk5GQT09
Meeting ID: 971 9240 8856
Passcode: 827670
Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority will host multiple web seminars that explain the financial aid and merit aid process, under
the title "Financial Aid 101." We recommend choosing one of the following dates: 10/6, 10/11, 10/20. All seminars start at 6:30. To sign up,
go to https://www.mefa.org/events
In addition, BHS is partnering with MEFA to host the FAFSA festival, where MEFA volunteers will help families fill out FAFSA. Help will be available in several languages. This event will take place on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, from 4:00pm - 8:00pm. To sign up,
go to https://www.mefa.org/events
Ms. McIntosh, the Gr 12 Deans Secretary, is asking all of you to fill out the mandatory Cap& Gown form for the graduation.
Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfu5q1OIaW3z3SNOwJBz558Ily11DQrJoUAn3Dm7Sj9Tt_4ow/viewform?usp=sf_link
BHS seniors and families are invited to the Nashoba Regional High School's MA State College Fair, open to all local families and students - Tuesday Oct 18, 2022, 6-8pm.
See attached flyer for more info.
Thanks to the 157 parents/guardians who joined the SENIOR PARENT NIGHT zoom Lenny Libenzon presented on 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 updates about admissions and BHS specific info from the Class of 2022.
If you missed the live zoom, you can view the recording of Lenny Libenzon’s
presentation here:
Zoom Recording (please note passcode below)
https://psbma-org.zoom.us/rec/share/FRW_-uxmqI2Q2LIQOuwo1qk1u0fOThc2ARQaQ0bH19IrvnqDtyaB-cuCdEDi9AEC.3F1B2uiwcUlQEHJw
Passcode: d%1Re?#f
The essential BHS College Application Guide is attached to this email too.
Parents of Seniors - Help out your student and complete the Parent “Brag” Sheet to share with your student’s counselor. This info will help the counselor write an even stronger college recommendation for your senior! And you can share your pride in your student’s achievements! See attached Parent Brag form
Students - Be sure to complete the Self-Questionnaire Form to hand off to your counselor. This info will also help your counselor write the most thorough and supportive recommendation letter for you. See attached sheets #1 and #2
Reminder - College Representatives are now virtually meeting with BHS Seniors.
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 9/19 – 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!
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 2023 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:
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
November 1 Monday, Oct 3
November 15 Monday, Oct 19
December 1 Tuesday, Nov 1
December 15 Tuesday, November 15
January 1 Wednesday, November 30
(includes no school December break)
January 15 Monday, December 12
February 1 Tuesday, January 3
February 15 Wednesday, January 18
These important deadline dates are also on the document shared with seniors.
Seniors – When submitting your transcript release forms electronically, please:
- use the updated link shared by your counselor
- 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.
SENIORS AND JUNIORS
BHS National Honor Society update - NHS is currently between advisors, with Lindsay Wise and Evan Mousseau having "retired" at the end of last year. The new advisor or team of advisors will be named/announced very soon.
In the meantime…. The most common question for kids at this point in the year is "How do I join NHS? Should I have heard something already?"
The answer that will likely remain the same under new advisors: In early October, an email with an application will go out to the school email address of all seniors who meet the NHS eligibility requirements of GPA and have a clear record with no academic dishonesty or conduct violations. That application will include space for them to report their completion of 15 hours of community service.
Juniors wondering about NHS are advised to keep working hard in their classes to maintain that GPA and to get involved with some community service opportunities that will help them complete 15 hours of service during their Junior year (including the summer months before senior year).
Some of the details may be subject to change under the leadership of new advisor(s) but this information is also shared with your student’s counselor as our seniors begin to apply to EA/ED colleges with November deadlines.
It’s time to think about financial aid for college…
Helpful Grown and Flown website article with financial aid tips and a walk-through to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). - https://grownandflown.com/how-to-complete-fafsa-css-profile/
The starting date in which the FAFSA can be submitted is October 1, 2022. BHS will be joining with MEFA (MA Educational Financing Authority) to offer the FAFSA Festival on Tues 10/25/22 from 4-8pm - virtual 1:1 FREE support for seniors/families to work with a qualified financial aid advisor to complete the FAFSA form. More details coming soon!
Starting to think about scholarships for college? See the attached Scholarship website resource finder for FREE options to help you!
JUNIORS
BHS will be offering the Saturday PSAT on October 15, 2022 at the high school. Online registration ends this Friday October 7. Please see the attached PSAT registration info sheet on this email for more information. Info sheets can also be found in the 285 counseling suite at the 115 Greenough building.
This is a test normed for juniors in high school so we recommend that most BHS juniors try this practice test.
The information will help guide planning regarding testing in each student’s college application process.
No need to prepare for the upcoming PSAT. It's practice! But there are free practice tests you can look at before the 10/15 test date at BHS.
Here's the link to Khan Academy's resources - https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/sat/full-length-sat-1/paper-sat-tests/a/full-length-psat-nmsqt
SOPHOMORES
10th Graders and Parents of sophomores -
Did you miss the virtual “coffee break” presentation in September on zoom?
The counselors of sophomores introduced themselves and shared important topics to keep 10th grader on track for a great start to the school year!
Here's the recording link:
https://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/guidance/sophomore-parent-coffee
9TH GRADERS
Hope your school year has started off well!
Stop by the 231 Counseling Suite at 22 Tappan when you have a free minute to say hello to your counselor - Ms Kennedy, Ms Young, Ms Bent, Mr Gorman, and Ms Neff-Verre (subbing for Ms Aggeler until her return from maternity leave in early November). Ms Figueroa is a counselor and dean for some 9th graders too!
Counselors are starting to spend time in your T block Hubs starting this week of Oct 6 for more introductions and a guidance seminar in circle format. See you soon!