ALL STUDENTS
How about a New Year’s Resolution to consistently get more sleep? It will help your physical, emotional, and academic health… and you’ll be happier too!
https://childmind.org/article/help-teenagers-get-sleep/
See more Sleeping Tips on the BHS Guidance website.
Consider this....What Straight-A Students Get Wrong If you always succeed in school, you’re not setting yourself up for success in life -
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/08/opinion/college-gpa-career-success.html
Friday Lunch Lounge continues!
Want a different place to eat lunch? Many students are enjoying a less stressful, fun experience in a quiet, small venue.
You are invited to come to room 277 on Fridays to hangout, play games, and meet some new people. Bring your lunch or enjoy some delicious pizza.
We are looking forward to meeting you!
Summer Plans? It's time to think about your summer plans. Please go to the BHS Guidance website for a helpful info sheet for many ideas. 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!
How about a New Year’s Resolution to consistently get more sleep? It will help your physical, emotional, and academic health… and you’ll be happier too!
https://childmind.org/article/help-teenagers-get-sleep/
See more Sleeping Tips on the BHS Guidance website.
Consider this....What Straight-A Students Get Wrong If you always succeed in school, you’re not setting yourself up for success in life -
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/08/opinion/college-gpa-career-success.html
Friday Lunch Lounge continues!
Want a different place to eat lunch? Many students are enjoying a less stressful, fun experience in a quiet, small venue.
You are invited to come to room 277 on Fridays to hangout, play games, and meet some new people. Bring your lunch or enjoy some delicious pizza.
We are looking forward to meeting you!
Summer Plans? It's time to think about your summer plans. Please go to the BHS Guidance website for a helpful info sheet for many ideas. 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!
SENIORS
BHS General and BU, Northeastern Scholarship Info:
More details available on the BHS homepage and the BHS Guidance website noted above.
The Brookline High Scholarship Committee would like parents to know that we use three criteria for choosing award recipients: academics, contributions and activities at BHS, and most importantly, unmet financial need. There are no merit scholarships per se given out through this program.
Specific applications are now available for tuition scholarships to Boston University (2 full-tuition renewable scholarships) and Northeastern University (2 half-tuition renewable scholarships). Applications are available online at the BHS homepage under 2019 BHS Scholarship Application. Applications must be completed ASAP.
The deadline for applying for all BHS scholarships for students attending ANY OTHER college is April 1. To make fair decisions, the Committee requires that families fill out the CSS Profile financial aid form, available at CollegeBoard.com. Please use code #0424. Please use the same application as above.
“Is it a Scam?” – Scholarship and other financial aid scams - Federal Trade Commission - http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0082-scholarship-and-financial-aid-scams
Beware of scholarship and other financial aid scams! This website can help you spot scams and avoid wasting your money.
Seniors – If you haven’t already, please say thanks to your teachers and counselor who supported you by writing recommendations for your application process. Just saying stopping by to say thanks and let them know where you stand with admissions or writing a quick note make a BIG difference to those who helped you!
Early Decision acceptances - please contact all colleges also applied to EA/RD and remove your name from their lists...and congrats!
As College Counselor Tara Anne Dowling suggests- “Say 'Thank you' as well as 'No, thank you'
--‘Thank you for taking time with my credentials’, ‘thank you for answering my questions’, ‘thank you for offering me a scholarship’ etc.
--‘No, thank you, I will be attending another college’ (you can say the name of your attending college if you feel comfortable)
This is done in myriad ways:
* via the online portal they may give you the option to decline your offer and say where you are going
* via email to the rep who has been working with you
* via post--did you get a big packet in the mail? There may be a postcard that asks for you to respond with info if you are declining the offer
What is goodwill and why does it matter?
--Admission officers very often become invested in the students they are reviewing. They have read your file, recommended you to the admission committee, and perhaps put you up for a scholarship. Hard work deserves a big thank you.
--You never know if you may need to transfer
--You may have a younger sibling or friend who will attend this university. How can a good relationship that helps other people be a bad thing?
What's in it for me?
--If good will doesn't move you (or good manners!) then think of kids on waitlists who are dying to find out if they can have that place that is currently being held by you. You can help colleges clean up their records and make room for other candidates!"
READ YOUR EMAIL IF YOU HAVE APPLIED TO COLLEGE! Set up and check your portal for each college. If you have questions, students should be contacting the admissions offices, not parents….. See this article for more info about documents to college - http://admitted.nacacnet.org/wordpress/index.php/2018/11/21/parents-before-you-yell-at-your-childs-school-counselor/
If you change your admissions requests or decide not to apply to a college on your original transcript release form, PLEASE NOTIFY YOUR COUNSELOR OR STOP BY ROOM 161 (Main Guidance Office) so we can update your requests.
Upcoming College Application Deadlines (Feb 1, Feb 15, March) - Remember that you are responsible to get all needed documents to your counselor, teacher, and the BHS Guidance office 4 weeks before your college deadline. Needed documents include: completed transcript request form, student self-questionnaire, parent brag sheet, list of colleges to any teacher who has agreed to write your recommendations. See your counselor if you have any questions.
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 AND SENIORS
TOMORROW.....Don't miss this year's USA Gap Year Fair event from 6-8:30 PM on Monday, January 14 at Brookline High School! Among the programs attending the fair, several are free (for example, City Year and Australian Working Adventures), and many offer generous scholarships (such as Irish Gap Year and Up With the People). Full list of participating Gap Year programs can be found on the BHS Guidance website.
PRE-REGISTER: usagapyearfairs.org/fairs
Guest Speaker: 6-6:45 PM MLK ROOM
Gap year advisor Julia Rogers of Enroute Consulting will kick off the evening with a dynamic presentation explaining the ins and outs of gap year options and offering tips for navigating your gap year research.
Fair: 6:45-8:30 PM CAFETERIA
During the fair, attendees will have the opportunity to speak with 46 gap year program representatives about their program offerings!
Another Gap Year opportunity - New York Times School Summer PreCollege and Gap Year experiences for ambitious high school graduates seeking a transformative intellectual adventure in New York City - https://www.nytedu.com/gap-year/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=image&utm_campaign=gy&Cid=7011G000000A4wq
and check out the comprehensive Teen Life Gap Year brochure attached below.
Seniors - Have questions about your Common Application? Need essay help? Not sure how to send your scores to colleges? Having trouble matching your Common App to Naviance? Still deciding on colleges to apply to?
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
CURRENT JUNIORS, SOPHOMORES, FRESHMEN
Thinking of a different educational experience next school year?
Maybe SWS (School Within a School) or ACE are the right fit for you? Both programs are open to current 9th, 10th, and 11th graders to apply.
APPLICATIONS FOR SWS The BHS School within a School applications are due February 13th. More information may be found here- To enter our lottery, students need to:
All important information, including the SWS application google form and information packet can be found at: SWSBrookline.org
Application process includes:
Visit one SWS class (January 7-18)
Visit one SWS Town Meeting (before February 13)
Attend the admission meeting during X Block on February 14.
Applications for ACE - Interested students should do the following:
Set up an appointment to meet with ACE Guidance Counselor, Kara Lopez.
Schedule a visit to an ACE class (through Kara).
Submit an ACE application by March 1st.
Parent/Guardian schedule an intake interview with Program Coordinator, Amy Bayer.
In addition, ACE Parent Information Night is scheduled for February 4th, at 6:30 in the MLK Room.
****************************************************************************
JUNIORS
Junior Seminar #1 will start this week in Advisory and Seminar #2 is scheduled during the mornings of ELA MCAS in March. More info to come. At this time, students can contact their counselor for more appointments– stop by, leave a note, send an email if they are not available.
WE ENCOURAGE ALL JUNIORS TO DO A FEW THINGS AFTER VIEWING THEIR PSAT SCORES:
1- MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR COUNSELOR TO DISCUSS SCORES AND START THINKING ABOUT COLLEGE PLANNING
2- USE THE FREE ONLINE KHAN ACADEMY LINKED TO THE PSAT REPORT TO LEARN ABOUT HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR SCORES
3- ATTEND THE 12/11/18 7pm EVENT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BHS JUNIOR YEAR TIMELINE AND TO HAVE AN IN-DEPTH EXPLANATION OF COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TESTING INFORMATION
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
Can going test optional help support diversity on college campuses?https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2018/04/26/604875394/study-colleges-that-ditch-the-sat-and-act-can-enhance-diversity?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20180426
*******************************************************************
SOPHOMORES
THIS WEDNESDAY.....SOPHOMORE PTO/BHS GUIDANCE-COUNSELING BREAKFAST – "Next Steps to Junior Year and Beyond" on Wednesday, January 16th 8-9:15 am in MLK room. Darby Neff-Verre, Lenny Libenzon and counselors of 10th graders will present to parents of sophomores. Muffins and coffee will be provided.
Sophomore Seminars have started in Gr 10 Advisory. Get to know your counselor, continue thinking about career exploration in relation to your upcoming course selection for Gr 11 and when planning your extracurricular activities.
PreACT score reports will be available in school during early March and a PreACT score report overview is scheduled for X block, Thurs March 7th.
BHS General and BU, Northeastern Scholarship Info:
More details available on the BHS homepage and the BHS Guidance website noted above.
The Brookline High Scholarship Committee would like parents to know that we use three criteria for choosing award recipients: academics, contributions and activities at BHS, and most importantly, unmet financial need. There are no merit scholarships per se given out through this program.
Specific applications are now available for tuition scholarships to Boston University (2 full-tuition renewable scholarships) and Northeastern University (2 half-tuition renewable scholarships). Applications are available online at the BHS homepage under 2019 BHS Scholarship Application. Applications must be completed ASAP.
The deadline for applying for all BHS scholarships for students attending ANY OTHER college is April 1. To make fair decisions, the Committee requires that families fill out the CSS Profile financial aid form, available at CollegeBoard.com. Please use code #0424. Please use the same application as above.
“Is it a Scam?” – Scholarship and other financial aid scams - Federal Trade Commission - http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0082-scholarship-and-financial-aid-scams
Beware of scholarship and other financial aid scams! This website can help you spot scams and avoid wasting your money.
Seniors – If you haven’t already, please say thanks to your teachers and counselor who supported you by writing recommendations for your application process. Just saying stopping by to say thanks and let them know where you stand with admissions or writing a quick note make a BIG difference to those who helped you!
Early Decision acceptances - please contact all colleges also applied to EA/RD and remove your name from their lists...and congrats!
As College Counselor Tara Anne Dowling suggests- “Say 'Thank you' as well as 'No, thank you'
--‘Thank you for taking time with my credentials’, ‘thank you for answering my questions’, ‘thank you for offering me a scholarship’ etc.
--‘No, thank you, I will be attending another college’ (you can say the name of your attending college if you feel comfortable)
This is done in myriad ways:
* via the online portal they may give you the option to decline your offer and say where you are going
* via email to the rep who has been working with you
* via post--did you get a big packet in the mail? There may be a postcard that asks for you to respond with info if you are declining the offer
What is goodwill and why does it matter?
--Admission officers very often become invested in the students they are reviewing. They have read your file, recommended you to the admission committee, and perhaps put you up for a scholarship. Hard work deserves a big thank you.
--You never know if you may need to transfer
--You may have a younger sibling or friend who will attend this university. How can a good relationship that helps other people be a bad thing?
What's in it for me?
--If good will doesn't move you (or good manners!) then think of kids on waitlists who are dying to find out if they can have that place that is currently being held by you. You can help colleges clean up their records and make room for other candidates!"
READ YOUR EMAIL IF YOU HAVE APPLIED TO COLLEGE! Set up and check your portal for each college. If you have questions, students should be contacting the admissions offices, not parents….. See this article for more info about documents to college - http://admitted.nacacnet.org/wordpress/index.php/2018/11/21/parents-before-you-yell-at-your-childs-school-counselor/
If you change your admissions requests or decide not to apply to a college on your original transcript release form, PLEASE NOTIFY YOUR COUNSELOR OR STOP BY ROOM 161 (Main Guidance Office) so we can update your requests.
Upcoming College Application Deadlines (Feb 1, Feb 15, March) - Remember that you are responsible to get all needed documents to your counselor, teacher, and the BHS Guidance office 4 weeks before your college deadline. Needed documents include: completed transcript request form, student self-questionnaire, parent brag sheet, list of colleges to any teacher who has agreed to write your recommendations. See your counselor if you have any questions.
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 AND SENIORS
TOMORROW.....Don't miss this year's USA Gap Year Fair event from 6-8:30 PM on Monday, January 14 at Brookline High School! Among the programs attending the fair, several are free (for example, City Year and Australian Working Adventures), and many offer generous scholarships (such as Irish Gap Year and Up With the People). Full list of participating Gap Year programs can be found on the BHS Guidance website.
PRE-REGISTER: usagapyearfairs.org/fairs
Guest Speaker: 6-6:45 PM MLK ROOM
Gap year advisor Julia Rogers of Enroute Consulting will kick off the evening with a dynamic presentation explaining the ins and outs of gap year options and offering tips for navigating your gap year research.
Fair: 6:45-8:30 PM CAFETERIA
During the fair, attendees will have the opportunity to speak with 46 gap year program representatives about their program offerings!
Another Gap Year opportunity - New York Times School Summer PreCollege and Gap Year experiences for ambitious high school graduates seeking a transformative intellectual adventure in New York City - https://www.nytedu.com/gap-year/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=image&utm_campaign=gy&Cid=7011G000000A4wq
and check out the comprehensive Teen Life Gap Year brochure attached below.
Seniors - Have questions about your Common Application? Need essay help? Not sure how to send your scores to colleges? Having trouble matching your Common App to Naviance? Still deciding on colleges to apply to?
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
CURRENT JUNIORS, SOPHOMORES, FRESHMEN
Thinking of a different educational experience next school year?
Maybe SWS (School Within a School) or ACE are the right fit for you? Both programs are open to current 9th, 10th, and 11th graders to apply.
APPLICATIONS FOR SWS The BHS School within a School applications are due February 13th. More information may be found here- To enter our lottery, students need to:
All important information, including the SWS application google form and information packet can be found at: SWSBrookline.org
Application process includes:
Visit one SWS class (January 7-18)
Visit one SWS Town Meeting (before February 13)
Attend the admission meeting during X Block on February 14.
Applications for ACE - Interested students should do the following:
Set up an appointment to meet with ACE Guidance Counselor, Kara Lopez.
Schedule a visit to an ACE class (through Kara).
Submit an ACE application by March 1st.
Parent/Guardian schedule an intake interview with Program Coordinator, Amy Bayer.
In addition, ACE Parent Information Night is scheduled for February 4th, at 6:30 in the MLK Room.
****************************************************************************
JUNIORS
Junior Seminar #1 will start this week in Advisory and Seminar #2 is scheduled during the mornings of ELA MCAS in March. More info to come. At this time, students can contact their counselor for more appointments– stop by, leave a note, send an email if they are not available.
WE ENCOURAGE ALL JUNIORS TO DO A FEW THINGS AFTER VIEWING THEIR PSAT SCORES:
1- MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR COUNSELOR TO DISCUSS SCORES AND START THINKING ABOUT COLLEGE PLANNING
2- USE THE FREE ONLINE KHAN ACADEMY LINKED TO THE PSAT REPORT TO LEARN ABOUT HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR SCORES
3- ATTEND THE 12/11/18 7pm EVENT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BHS JUNIOR YEAR TIMELINE AND TO HAVE AN IN-DEPTH EXPLANATION OF COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TESTING INFORMATION
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
Can going test optional help support diversity on college campuses?https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2018/04/26/604875394/study-colleges-that-ditch-the-sat-and-act-can-enhance-diversity?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20180426
*******************************************************************
SOPHOMORES
THIS WEDNESDAY.....SOPHOMORE PTO/BHS GUIDANCE-COUNSELING BREAKFAST – "Next Steps to Junior Year and Beyond" on Wednesday, January 16th 8-9:15 am in MLK room. Darby Neff-Verre, Lenny Libenzon and counselors of 10th graders will present to parents of sophomores. Muffins and coffee will be provided.
Sophomore Seminars have started in Gr 10 Advisory. Get to know your counselor, continue thinking about career exploration in relation to your upcoming course selection for Gr 11 and when planning your extracurricular activities.
PreACT score reports will be available in school during early March and a PreACT score report overview is scheduled for X block, Thurs March 7th.