Thank you to everyone who reads these updates from BHS Guidance! Moving forward, all new information and events coming up in the next week will be highlighted in red for easier reading.
ALL STUDENTS/PARENTS
This Wednesday April 3 is a ½ day for all BHS students. Please see the April 3 schedule on the BHS homepage.
Day of Silence - Wednesday, April 3rd
On this day, students and staff are invited to stay silent for the whole school day in order to bring attention to the millions of people worldwide who remain silent about their true sexuality and/or gender identity out of fear. This year, the Day of Silence will occur BEFORE Day of Dialogue, so that teachers can more easily discuss Day of Dialogue assemblies after the event.
Day of Dialogue - Thursday, April 4th
On this day, the GSA will sponsor assemblies on a range of LGBTQ issues. Teachers will be able to bring their classes to these assemblies in the auditorium, the MLK room, and will also have the opportunity to hold discussions in their classrooms.
ALL STUDENTS/PARENTS
This Wednesday April 3 is a ½ day for all BHS students. Please see the April 3 schedule on the BHS homepage.
Day of Silence - Wednesday, April 3rd
On this day, students and staff are invited to stay silent for the whole school day in order to bring attention to the millions of people worldwide who remain silent about their true sexuality and/or gender identity out of fear. This year, the Day of Silence will occur BEFORE Day of Dialogue, so that teachers can more easily discuss Day of Dialogue assemblies after the event.
Day of Dialogue - Thursday, April 4th
On this day, the GSA will sponsor assemblies on a range of LGBTQ issues. Teachers will be able to bring their classes to these assemblies in the auditorium, the MLK room, and will also have the opportunity to hold discussions in their classrooms.
TRANSITIONING TO COLLEGE: EXPERT GUIDANCE AND ADVICE FOR PARENTS OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH ADHD, LEARNING DISABILITIES, AND AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (LEVEL 1) – see attached flyer for full day parent workshop in Newton, April 6, 2019, Sliding Scale Fee available. This workshop is NOT Public Schools of Brookline affiliated or endorsed.
Friday Lunch Lounge continues! AND NEW DAY ADDED FOR ALL LUNCHES THROUGH EARLY MAY! Thanks to the support of a few interns and our BHS nurses, we will be offering Lunch Lounge in Room 279 (College –Career Center) during all 3 lunches every Tuesday. BRING YOUR OWN LUNCH ON TUESDAYS!
Any student can join for one Tuesday or Friday lunch or become a regular. Pizza will continue at the Friday lunches only, plus time for fun conversation or space to have your own quiet lunch space. Please join us in Room 277!
A SURVIVAL GUIDE TO PARENTING TEENS The BHS PTO presents Joani Geltman: Talking to Your Kids About Sexting, Drinking, Drugs, and Other Things that FREAK YOU OUT. April 3, 2019 at 7 pm in the BHS Auditorium. Joani Geltman, MSW, an expert in child development and parent-teen relationships, returns to Brookline for “A Survival Guide to Parenting Teens.” Using humor and more than 30 years of experience, Geltman shares stories and advice that defuse some of the anxiety parents feel as their children move through tricky developmental milestones. Parents will learn about setting realistic expectations and appropriate limits, social media “do’s and don’t’s,” and how to identify and deal with teen experimentation with sex, vaping, marijuana, and alcohol. Parents will head home with a greater understanding of their teen’s behavior and needs, as well as very practical parenting tools they can begin to use immediately. Please register for this free event.
It's time to think about your summer plans!
Please go to the BHS Guidance website for a helpful info sheet for many ideas (updated 1/31/19). Note that programs listed here are not all inclusive and do not suggest that Brookline High specifically endorses any program. Remember to read the intro at the top of the info sheet. See your counselor for more feedback or questions!
Some suggested summer pre-college opportunities with financial aid available - http://blog.collegegreenlight.com/blog/summer-pre-college-programs-2019/
Please note that attending a pre-college program at any particular college does not usually offer any special consideration during future admissions at that school.
JUNIORS AND SENIORS
Understanding College Student Support Services for Students with Learning Differences: On Tuesday, April 2rd, at 7 pm in the MLK room, BHS Guidance Department will present a panel of college admission professionals and BHS specialists who will answer your questions about specialized and general supports available at colleges for students with learning differences (including students with IEP, 504 or ICAP plans). This night is geared to juniors and seniors and their parents/caretakers.
SENIORS
Mark your calendars for MA Educational Financing Authority’s Paying the Bill presentation – Wed April 10, 7pm, BHS Auditorium - Parents and students are invited to attend a free seminar on understanding financial aid award letters and making a plan to pay the college bill. This seminar is offered through MEFA, the Commonwealth’s authority on planning, saving, and paying for college. An experienced MEFA representative will provide an overview of the college payment process, including the details of financial aid award letters, using payment plans, different financing options, and how to minimize debt. Before the seminar, be sure to visit MEFA’s website — mefa.org — to download a copy of the seminar presentation in English or Spanish and explore other tools and resources to assist you in the college planning process. And make sure to bring your financial aid award letters to the seminar to get all of your questions answered after the presentation.
Interesting opportunity for students heading to college next year….. Brookline American Legion Post 11 Multi-Media Scholarship Hackathon on April 7 from 10am-6pm, 386 Washington St Brookline. During the hackathon, you'll be challenged to make a short multi-media project that supports or highlights the local community. It should be related to the assigned theme, which will be announced at 10:00 AM on the day of the event.
Use any medium you want. A short video, a website, interviews, maps, a local guidebook - it's all good!
You can work alone or in teams of up to three. You can form your team ahead of time or seek teammates at the event. You don't have to stay at the event all day - you may come and go to work on your projects. You may win college scholarships for high school seniors and other prizes.
At 6:00 PM you'll present to our panel of judges. Your presentation should be 3 minutes max. After everyone has presented winners will be announced!
Sign up at this link - https://go.brooklinepost11.com/2019
Please check out the most recent Scholarship Information letter on the BHS Guidance website.
Thinking about an alternative plan to 4 year college? You are not alone! Almost 10% of last year’s BHS graduates planned to attend a 2 year technical or community college, work full time, or considered the military. Please see Kate Cordner, the BHS Career Counselor, on Tues- Friday in Room 279 or 280 for more info.
JUNIORS
MAKEUP JUNIOR SEMINAR #3 RESCHEDULED TO X BLOCK THIS THURSDAY 4/4, Room 279- College/Career Center.ALL JUNIORS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND THIS 3RD AND FINAL SEMINAR!
BHS College/Program Fair was a great success! If you missed it or would like another College Fair option - NACAC College Fair – Thurs 4/4 – 9-12, 6-8:30pm or Fri 4/5- 9-12 , Boston Seaport World Trade Center
https://hub.nacacnet.org/viewtemplate?render=pdf&tid=a2K1a000000LuLU&id=a0k1a00000j344iAAA
Free/ less expensive ways to prepare for College Admissions Tests:
College Board offers eight official SAT practice tests available for free, both online and on paper - https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/practice/full-length-practice-testsSFMC_cid=EM122966-&rid=46930439
Brookline Adult and Community Ed spring term begins Monday, March 25th and is offering 2 SAT classes. One is a class focused on test prep planning for both SAT and ACT and the other is a class that focuses on the actual test-questions, test-taking techniques, etc.
See these links:
https://www.campusce.net/brookline/Course/Course.aspx?c=3456
https://www.campusce.net/brookline/Course/Course.aspx?c=2841
Juniors- Starting to research colleges? Wondering whether to take the SAT, ACT, or go test-optional? Thinking about when you should take these tests? Make an appointment with your counselor (email or leave a note, if needed) OR see Mr Libenzon, BHS College Counselor, in College-Career Center 279 or office 280
College Applications and SAT/ACT essay – to take or not to take?
SAT essay info:
https://blog.prepscholar.com/schools-that-require-the-sat-essay
ACT essay info:
https://blog.prepscholar.com/complete-list-which-colleges-require-act-writing-all-schools
SOPHOMORES
PreACT score reports/ test booklets are now available for pick up at your counselor’s office. Please do not miss any classes to pick up your materials. Thanks!
9th GRADERS
Thanks to all 9th graders for participating in the SBIRT (Screening, Brief Interventions, and Referral to Treatment) screening last week!
Friday Lunch Lounge continues! AND NEW DAY ADDED FOR ALL LUNCHES THROUGH EARLY MAY! Thanks to the support of a few interns and our BHS nurses, we will be offering Lunch Lounge in Room 279 (College –Career Center) during all 3 lunches every Tuesday. BRING YOUR OWN LUNCH ON TUESDAYS!
Any student can join for one Tuesday or Friday lunch or become a regular. Pizza will continue at the Friday lunches only, plus time for fun conversation or space to have your own quiet lunch space. Please join us in Room 277!
A SURVIVAL GUIDE TO PARENTING TEENS The BHS PTO presents Joani Geltman: Talking to Your Kids About Sexting, Drinking, Drugs, and Other Things that FREAK YOU OUT. April 3, 2019 at 7 pm in the BHS Auditorium. Joani Geltman, MSW, an expert in child development and parent-teen relationships, returns to Brookline for “A Survival Guide to Parenting Teens.” Using humor and more than 30 years of experience, Geltman shares stories and advice that defuse some of the anxiety parents feel as their children move through tricky developmental milestones. Parents will learn about setting realistic expectations and appropriate limits, social media “do’s and don’t’s,” and how to identify and deal with teen experimentation with sex, vaping, marijuana, and alcohol. Parents will head home with a greater understanding of their teen’s behavior and needs, as well as very practical parenting tools they can begin to use immediately. Please register for this free event.
It's time to think about your summer plans!
Please go to the BHS Guidance website for a helpful info sheet for many ideas (updated 1/31/19). Note that programs listed here are not all inclusive and do not suggest that Brookline High specifically endorses any program. Remember to read the intro at the top of the info sheet. See your counselor for more feedback or questions!
Some suggested summer pre-college opportunities with financial aid available - http://blog.collegegreenlight.com/blog/summer-pre-college-programs-2019/
Please note that attending a pre-college program at any particular college does not usually offer any special consideration during future admissions at that school.
JUNIORS AND SENIORS
Understanding College Student Support Services for Students with Learning Differences: On Tuesday, April 2rd, at 7 pm in the MLK room, BHS Guidance Department will present a panel of college admission professionals and BHS specialists who will answer your questions about specialized and general supports available at colleges for students with learning differences (including students with IEP, 504 or ICAP plans). This night is geared to juniors and seniors and their parents/caretakers.
SENIORS
Mark your calendars for MA Educational Financing Authority’s Paying the Bill presentation – Wed April 10, 7pm, BHS Auditorium - Parents and students are invited to attend a free seminar on understanding financial aid award letters and making a plan to pay the college bill. This seminar is offered through MEFA, the Commonwealth’s authority on planning, saving, and paying for college. An experienced MEFA representative will provide an overview of the college payment process, including the details of financial aid award letters, using payment plans, different financing options, and how to minimize debt. Before the seminar, be sure to visit MEFA’s website — mefa.org — to download a copy of the seminar presentation in English or Spanish and explore other tools and resources to assist you in the college planning process. And make sure to bring your financial aid award letters to the seminar to get all of your questions answered after the presentation.
Interesting opportunity for students heading to college next year….. Brookline American Legion Post 11 Multi-Media Scholarship Hackathon on April 7 from 10am-6pm, 386 Washington St Brookline. During the hackathon, you'll be challenged to make a short multi-media project that supports or highlights the local community. It should be related to the assigned theme, which will be announced at 10:00 AM on the day of the event.
Use any medium you want. A short video, a website, interviews, maps, a local guidebook - it's all good!
You can work alone or in teams of up to three. You can form your team ahead of time or seek teammates at the event. You don't have to stay at the event all day - you may come and go to work on your projects. You may win college scholarships for high school seniors and other prizes.
At 6:00 PM you'll present to our panel of judges. Your presentation should be 3 minutes max. After everyone has presented winners will be announced!
Sign up at this link - https://go.brooklinepost11.com/2019
Please check out the most recent Scholarship Information letter on the BHS Guidance website.
Thinking about an alternative plan to 4 year college? You are not alone! Almost 10% of last year’s BHS graduates planned to attend a 2 year technical or community college, work full time, or considered the military. Please see Kate Cordner, the BHS Career Counselor, on Tues- Friday in Room 279 or 280 for more info.
JUNIORS
MAKEUP JUNIOR SEMINAR #3 RESCHEDULED TO X BLOCK THIS THURSDAY 4/4, Room 279- College/Career Center.ALL JUNIORS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND THIS 3RD AND FINAL SEMINAR!
BHS College/Program Fair was a great success! If you missed it or would like another College Fair option - NACAC College Fair – Thurs 4/4 – 9-12, 6-8:30pm or Fri 4/5- 9-12 , Boston Seaport World Trade Center
https://hub.nacacnet.org/viewtemplate?render=pdf&tid=a2K1a000000LuLU&id=a0k1a00000j344iAAA
Free/ less expensive ways to prepare for College Admissions Tests:
College Board offers eight official SAT practice tests available for free, both online and on paper - https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/practice/full-length-practice-testsSFMC_cid=EM122966-&rid=46930439
Brookline Adult and Community Ed spring term begins Monday, March 25th and is offering 2 SAT classes. One is a class focused on test prep planning for both SAT and ACT and the other is a class that focuses on the actual test-questions, test-taking techniques, etc.
See these links:
https://www.campusce.net/brookline/Course/Course.aspx?c=3456
https://www.campusce.net/brookline/Course/Course.aspx?c=2841
Juniors- Starting to research colleges? Wondering whether to take the SAT, ACT, or go test-optional? Thinking about when you should take these tests? Make an appointment with your counselor (email or leave a note, if needed) OR see Mr Libenzon, BHS College Counselor, in College-Career Center 279 or office 280
College Applications and SAT/ACT essay – to take or not to take?
SAT essay info:
https://blog.prepscholar.com/schools-that-require-the-sat-essay
ACT essay info:
https://blog.prepscholar.com/complete-list-which-colleges-require-act-writing-all-schools
SOPHOMORES
PreACT score reports/ test booklets are now available for pick up at your counselor’s office. Please do not miss any classes to pick up your materials. Thanks!
9th GRADERS
Thanks to all 9th graders for participating in the SBIRT (Screening, Brief Interventions, and Referral to Treatment) screening last week!