The midpoint of Quarter 2 arrives this week. Teachers will be completing progress reports (IPRs) this Wednesday 12/9 and IPRs will be posted on the student/parent portals this Thursday 12/10.
BHS counselors at both the OLS and 115 Greenough buildings will be present both in person and remotely in our hybrid school plan. Students will be offered a safe, confidential space in the 285 guidance suite and near the 9th grade counselor offices at OLS to set up zoom meetings with counselors and social workers who may be remote on certain days. space to remotely talk with a counselor or social worker.
Students should contact their counselor directly for more information on how to set up these counseling zoom meetings while in-person at school. Various posters will be shared and posted this week with instructions about how to make appointments and also with QR scan codes that students can use from their phone to automatically connect with their counselor’s or social worker’s phone, email, or zoom office hours space.
BHS counselors at both the OLS and 115 Greenough buildings will be present both in person and remotely in our hybrid school plan. Students will be offered a safe, confidential space in the 285 guidance suite and near the 9th grade counselor offices at OLS to set up zoom meetings with counselors and social workers who may be remote on certain days. space to remotely talk with a counselor or social worker.
Students should contact their counselor directly for more information on how to set up these counseling zoom meetings while in-person at school. Various posters will be shared and posted this week with instructions about how to make appointments and also with QR scan codes that students can use from their phone to automatically connect with their counselor’s or social worker’s phone, email, or zoom office hours space.
ALL STUDENTS
Schedule Change for this week 12/7-12/11. This Tuesday 12/8 is an Early Release Day for all students in the district. BHS students will have E,F,G block classes and be dismissed at 12:40pm. Special Tuesday 12/8 schedule is attached.
From the BHS Nurses: As a reminder, a new state mandate requires that all students get a flu vaccine by December 31, 2020. Any questions should be directed to the BHS nurses’ clinics at OLS - [email protected]
and [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected]
Free Flu shots on Thursday Dec 10 2:45 to 4:45 at Lincoln School. Appointment Only. Open to Public Schools of Brookline students, families, teachers, staff and administrators, and their families. PLEASE NOTE: Due to high demand, we no longer have vaccine for INSURED ADULTS - we are only accepting Children and UNINSURED Adults at the Lincoln School flu clinic, Thursday, December 10, 2020. If you are an Insured Adult and require a vaccine, please coordinate with your PCP or local pharmacy.
See the attached flyer.
9th, 10th, and some 11th graders – Need some extra academic support in almost any subject area? Your BHS peers are here to offer excellent tutoring help?
Virtual X Bock Homework Center is now open to 9th graders, sophomores and juniors!
The Homework Center is staffed by some extraordinarily supportive peer tutors who are strong in Math, Science, History and English. The Zoom link is https://zoom.us/j/98810954213?pwd=c01EdmVpYnVMZDNNTEhxWkpMd0tnZz09
Another way to get academic support…..If you would like a specific subject peer tutor, please contact your teacher or counselor to look into getting connected to a National Honor Society BHS senior.
Mental health Supports:
Students - Feeling down? Always anxious or worried? Concerned about someone else in your life – friend, family member? Not sleeping well because your mind can’t shut down? If these questions sound familiar, please don’t worry alone.
Guidance/school counselors and other clinical support staff at Brookline High are here to listen, assess, and support you so you are not carrying these burdens alone. Please reach out to your counselor. You can also reach out to a BHS faculty member (including Darby Neff-Verre – Coordinator of BHS Guidance/Counseling) to start the conversation about how we can help you build strategies or get connected to feel safe and better about your situation. Contact your counselor at their email, zoom visiting hours, or phone.
HandholdMA.org is a new online initiative from DMH/CBHI to provide comprehensive, accessible, multi-lingual mental health information for parents, caregivers, and families. Parents-caregivers know their child better than anyone. You may still have a few questions. COVID-19 is putting incredible pressure on families. You might be noticing your child is struggling in new ways, or that old problems are getting worse.
It answers common questions such as, 'Should I worry?' 'What can I do?' and 'Who can help?'
Here's the link: https://handholdma.org/
Family Support Groups offered by BRYT Central. These groups will happen three times a week and will remain open to all parents (not just parents of BRYT students). There is now a Spanish language group up and running.
Currently, the times are:
Mutual Aid Brookline information:
Brookline Virtual First Light - Starts Thursday - Chamber of Commerce
December 3 - December 10
https://www.firstlight.brooklinechamber.com/
This year, First Light is going virtual! Join the Brookline Chamber of Commerce in celebrating our amazing local businesses for a whole week of fun. From family-friendly events to adult activities, check out the engaging online programming at our free First Light website. Use our interactive maps to explore all the different events our businesses have to offer -- from DIY crafts, to music and dance performances, to behind-the-scenes tours -- there's something for everyone.
Brookline COVID Testing Site - Mondays through Saturdays - Department of Public Health**
**NOTE: subsidy program for uninsured residents!**
Where: outside the Public Health building at 11 Pierce St.
Who: town residents, Public Schools of Brookline students and teachers, town staff
Test type: PCR swab tests
When: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments can be made by booking online. The testing program will run until Dec. 31.
How much: COVID-19 testing for symptomatic individuals and close contacts is covered by insurance in Massachusetts, and should be billed to insurance by mPathy (the testing vendor). Uninsured symptomatic individuals and close contacts will have the cost of their test covered by the Town via CARES funding. Asymptomatic individuals will be required to pay $140. Asymptomatic individuals who seek testing may request reimbursement for the expense through their insurance company.**
More information: https://brooklinecovid19.com/2020/11/19/town-of-brookline-makes-covid-19-testing-free-for-uninsured-residents-who-have-symptoms-or-have-been-identified-as-close-contacts/
**Note: this service is not free under all circumstances. It has been included here as there are no-cost services included in the Town's offerings, depending on your insurance provider and now expanded with the uninsured testing subsidies. You can use this map from MEMA to locate other testing options:
https://memamaps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=eba3f0395451430b9f631cb095febf13.
Please contact your healthcare or insurance provider, or MAB if you don't have a provider, if you need further assistance finding a testing center. Whether or not to seek COVID testing should not be a financial decision!
Mutual Aid Brookline (MAB) hotline and support organization - Their new hotline hours will start this Monday 11/16 and will be 9 am to 6 pm on Mondays through Fridays and closed weekends. Please feel free to reach out to this email ([email protected]) if you have any questions or concerns.
Hotline: 617-651-1468
Website: Mutual Aid Brookline
Reminder - Free breakfast and lunch items are available for FREE for ANY STUDENT in the school district for the remainder of the school year. If your student needs a breakfast or lunch, have them stop by the cafe at either 115 or OLS. Special order lunches can be pre-ordered at Meal Ordering Form
Questions/Concerns? Please contact directly with any questions/concerns/feedback - Sasha Palmer
Food Service Director Tel: 617 730 2499 Email:[email protected]
Community Service Ideas:
Want to give back to your community?
Other Community Service Ideas – BHS/ Brookline area:
2. Community service hours can be earned into school credits. (50 hours= 0.25 credits).
3. It looks great on college apps!
If interested in joining, please fill out this google form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1SwnI_ud2HSguKt9WJGH5f9I-m26iT2wESyJYZRHH0Rs/edit or email us [email protected]
Career Exploration at BHS:
All BHS students should graduate with a working resume! On Wednesday 12/9 from 12:15- 1pm Ms. Kennedy will hold a Resume Writing Workshop in the Virtual College and Career Center. All are welcome whether you have a resume or not and you can stay for as long as you need to! If you are interested in attending please email Kate Kennedy, [email protected] from your school email for the zoom link. We hope to see you there!
Coffee Talk #3: Careers in Health Science: On Friday December 18th during X block, join the Virtual College and Career Center to hear from Sonia Laurie, a postdoctoral fellow in the Seeding Postdoctoral Innovators in Research & Education Program at The University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, where she studies epigenetic regulation of immune cells in graft-versus-host disease after bone marrow transplantation. Sonia also teaches undergraduate biology courses. Sonia will talk about her career journey and more! We hope to see you there!
If you are interested in attending this Coffee Talk please email Ms. Kennedy, [email protected] with your name.
Missed the Career Coffee Talk on 11/20 with a personal trainer and coach?
Here is the link to the recording: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ibYYID_imMLZOmWZebAKLnI4loCNZlAD/view
BHS Clubs – Look up clubs on this list: http://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/clubs-and-activities-list.html
SENIORS
Reminder - the BHS Deadline for Jan 1 college applications was last Monday Nov 30. If you have not yet applied to any colleges AND want to be sure all of your BHS documents - teacher recommendations, counselor recommendation, and other required documents - are sent to the colleges you are applying to for January 1, 2021 deadlines, WE NEED YOUR TRANSCRIPT RELEASE FORM NOW and you need to be in contact with your counselor and teachers for recommendations! Counselors, teachers, and guidance department secretaries are not in the office during the December break from Wednesday 12/23 afternoon til Sunday January 3.
Latest BHS December Scholarship Letter attached
Below is an example of another scholarship and remember many other students/ families can apply for through FREE scholarship search engines such as Fastweb.com or GoingMerry.com -
High school seniors nationwide who demonstrate leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship are invited to apply for the 2021 GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program. This program annually provides college-bound students with $10,000 renewable scholarships – up to $40,000 total per recipient – and supports them as they lead and serve in college and beyond.
Applications for the 2021 GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program are accepted until Jan. 5, 2021. Additional information, eligibility requirements, and a link to the application are available online.
Thinking of a post high school plan that is different than traditional 4 year college? How about…Eversource EPUT?
EPUT, The Electric Power Utility Technology program prepares students for a skilled craft position with Eversource. Students attend Bunker Hill Community College to earn an Associate of Science Degree in Electronic Technology and a Certificate in Natural Gas Technology and gain hands-on experience by participating in a Co-op* with Eversource Energy. There is a 95% placement rate for students who successfully complete the program for Full time positions with Eversource.
*subject to COVID-19 rules and regulations
Click here for more info.
To learn more about the EPUT Program, we invite you to attend one of our live virtual information sessions:
Wednesday, December 2 – 4:00pm
Monday, December 7 – 11:00am
Wednesday, December 9 – 7:00pm
Monday, December 14 – 11:00am
Wednesday, December 16 – 4:00pm
Please Register Here
It's senior portrait time! Each senior must submit their portrait, baby picture, quote, and activities by January 31st. Please see the link for submissions In Ms Lynn’s CANVAS email sent earlier today. You will also find links to important yearbook resources for ordering books, learning about senior portrait expectations, buying recognition ads, getting involved with yearbook staff and more! Please check out this informational video or slideshow to get more details. If you have any questions, please contact me at [email protected]
Thinking of changing sending an ACT or SAT test score after you’ve applied test optional?
BHS Counselors are advising students to call each school that they are applying to ask how to manage shifting from test optional to sending scores because there does not seem to be common practice in admissions offices.
SENIORS – READ YOUR EMAILS!
ALSO BE SURE TO FOLLOW ANY APPLICANT PORTAL DIRECTIONS for colleges you will be applying to, if they have a portal protocol. Your efficiency in opening up these accounts after applying is sometimes monitored by admissions offices to gauge your level of interest!
MEFA financial aid events will all be online this fall. BHS Guidance partners with the Massachusetts Education Financing Authority (MEFA) each year to provide families with a wealth of financial aid information. This year, due to the global pandemic, MEFA will not be sending their speakers out to high schools. Please visit https://www.mefa.org/events to investigate upcoming webinars and take a look at their very informative website.
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.
If you have college application deadlines for 12/15 and 1/1/21 you have not yet completed a transcript release request, please do this step and contact your counselor immediately to confirm. Also connect with your teachers regarding recommendations since you are behind in informing these critical BHS staff people who want to do their best to support your college application process.
College Deadline BHS Deadline
January 15 Wednesday December 9
February 1 Wednesday January 6
February 15 Friday January 15
Seniors – When submitting your transcript release forms electronically, please:
JUNIORS
PSAT scores will be shared on the College Board website this Tues 12/8. Creating a College Board account will allow juniors to easily access their scores online and unlock a robust set of personalized resources to help them understand their scores.
Also…. On Friday, Dec 11 during X block, our BHS College Counselor Lenny Libenzon will present a PSAT score report overview. He will talk about how to interpret your scores and answer any PSAT-related questions.
https://psbma-org.zoom.us/j/94570042322?pwd=QXJncDRMZlZxeGVxNzJCUE91WmdRZz09
Meeting ID: 945 7004 2322
Passcode: 047083
College Guidance Network has been offering regular webinars with college search and application themes that are pertinent to current pandemic times. These questions are discussed by various college admissions representatives who directly speak to these topics. Go to this link - https://www.collegeguidancenetwork.com/episodes - for archived webinars on topics such as:
Schedule Change for this week 12/7-12/11. This Tuesday 12/8 is an Early Release Day for all students in the district. BHS students will have E,F,G block classes and be dismissed at 12:40pm. Special Tuesday 12/8 schedule is attached.
From the BHS Nurses: As a reminder, a new state mandate requires that all students get a flu vaccine by December 31, 2020. Any questions should be directed to the BHS nurses’ clinics at OLS - [email protected]
and [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected]
Free Flu shots on Thursday Dec 10 2:45 to 4:45 at Lincoln School. Appointment Only. Open to Public Schools of Brookline students, families, teachers, staff and administrators, and their families. PLEASE NOTE: Due to high demand, we no longer have vaccine for INSURED ADULTS - we are only accepting Children and UNINSURED Adults at the Lincoln School flu clinic, Thursday, December 10, 2020. If you are an Insured Adult and require a vaccine, please coordinate with your PCP or local pharmacy.
See the attached flyer.
9th, 10th, and some 11th graders – Need some extra academic support in almost any subject area? Your BHS peers are here to offer excellent tutoring help?
Virtual X Bock Homework Center is now open to 9th graders, sophomores and juniors!
The Homework Center is staffed by some extraordinarily supportive peer tutors who are strong in Math, Science, History and English. The Zoom link is https://zoom.us/j/98810954213?pwd=c01EdmVpYnVMZDNNTEhxWkpMd0tnZz09
Another way to get academic support…..If you would like a specific subject peer tutor, please contact your teacher or counselor to look into getting connected to a National Honor Society BHS senior.
Mental health Supports:
Students - Feeling down? Always anxious or worried? Concerned about someone else in your life – friend, family member? Not sleeping well because your mind can’t shut down? If these questions sound familiar, please don’t worry alone.
Guidance/school counselors and other clinical support staff at Brookline High are here to listen, assess, and support you so you are not carrying these burdens alone. Please reach out to your counselor. You can also reach out to a BHS faculty member (including Darby Neff-Verre – Coordinator of BHS Guidance/Counseling) to start the conversation about how we can help you build strategies or get connected to feel safe and better about your situation. Contact your counselor at their email, zoom visiting hours, or phone.
HandholdMA.org is a new online initiative from DMH/CBHI to provide comprehensive, accessible, multi-lingual mental health information for parents, caregivers, and families. Parents-caregivers know their child better than anyone. You may still have a few questions. COVID-19 is putting incredible pressure on families. You might be noticing your child is struggling in new ways, or that old problems are getting worse.
It answers common questions such as, 'Should I worry?' 'What can I do?' and 'Who can help?'
Here's the link: https://handholdma.org/
Family Support Groups offered by BRYT Central. These groups will happen three times a week and will remain open to all parents (not just parents of BRYT students). There is now a Spanish language group up and running.
Currently, the times are:
- Tuesdays at 7:00 PM
- Wednesdays at 7:30 PM
- Thursdays at 12:00 PM
Mutual Aid Brookline information:
Brookline Virtual First Light - Starts Thursday - Chamber of Commerce
December 3 - December 10
https://www.firstlight.brooklinechamber.com/
This year, First Light is going virtual! Join the Brookline Chamber of Commerce in celebrating our amazing local businesses for a whole week of fun. From family-friendly events to adult activities, check out the engaging online programming at our free First Light website. Use our interactive maps to explore all the different events our businesses have to offer -- from DIY crafts, to music and dance performances, to behind-the-scenes tours -- there's something for everyone.
Brookline COVID Testing Site - Mondays through Saturdays - Department of Public Health**
**NOTE: subsidy program for uninsured residents!**
Where: outside the Public Health building at 11 Pierce St.
Who: town residents, Public Schools of Brookline students and teachers, town staff
Test type: PCR swab tests
When: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments can be made by booking online. The testing program will run until Dec. 31.
How much: COVID-19 testing for symptomatic individuals and close contacts is covered by insurance in Massachusetts, and should be billed to insurance by mPathy (the testing vendor). Uninsured symptomatic individuals and close contacts will have the cost of their test covered by the Town via CARES funding. Asymptomatic individuals will be required to pay $140. Asymptomatic individuals who seek testing may request reimbursement for the expense through their insurance company.**
More information: https://brooklinecovid19.com/2020/11/19/town-of-brookline-makes-covid-19-testing-free-for-uninsured-residents-who-have-symptoms-or-have-been-identified-as-close-contacts/
**Note: this service is not free under all circumstances. It has been included here as there are no-cost services included in the Town's offerings, depending on your insurance provider and now expanded with the uninsured testing subsidies. You can use this map from MEMA to locate other testing options:
https://memamaps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=eba3f0395451430b9f631cb095febf13.
Please contact your healthcare or insurance provider, or MAB if you don't have a provider, if you need further assistance finding a testing center. Whether or not to seek COVID testing should not be a financial decision!
Mutual Aid Brookline (MAB) hotline and support organization - Their new hotline hours will start this Monday 11/16 and will be 9 am to 6 pm on Mondays through Fridays and closed weekends. Please feel free to reach out to this email ([email protected]) if you have any questions or concerns.
Hotline: 617-651-1468
Website: Mutual Aid Brookline
Reminder - Free breakfast and lunch items are available for FREE for ANY STUDENT in the school district for the remainder of the school year. If your student needs a breakfast or lunch, have them stop by the cafe at either 115 or OLS. Special order lunches can be pre-ordered at Meal Ordering Form
Questions/Concerns? Please contact directly with any questions/concerns/feedback - Sasha Palmer
Food Service Director Tel: 617 730 2499 Email:[email protected]
Community Service Ideas:
Want to give back to your community?
- Try checking out this link from the free resource Teen Life - https://www.teenlife.com/category/volunteer/volunteer-boston/
- Also you can check the BHS specific community service link advised by BHS staff member Lisa Gaffney ([email protected]). It is not updated but has some ideas which may still be timely- http://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/community-service
- Here's another link that I just got this info about holiday community service programs that are safe to do during the pandemic - https://blog.volunteercrowd.com/safe-holiday-volunteer-projects-for-students/?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=Thanksgiving&utm_campaign=November2020
- There are many BHS clubs that are community service oriented and I do highlight some of those in the weekly Sunday Guid/Coun Dept Update.
Other Community Service Ideas – BHS/ Brookline area:
- Rescuing Leftover Cuisine (RLCMA), a non-profit organization that connects available food to those who need it. Our online calendar posts available “Food Rescue Events” for volunteers to sign up to pick up food from businesses and deliver to organizations and households experiencing food insecurity in the Cambridge, Greater Boston and MetroWest areas, at no cost to the recipient. Lastly, thanks to the City of Boston, RLCMA can reimburse volunteers without their own vehicle for tolls or a cab/Uber/Lyft used for transporting food. Learn more about RLCMA: https://tinyurl.com/Welcome-To-RLCMA Sign up to volunteer with RLCMA: www.rescuingleftovercuisine.org/volunteer
- Want to become a tutor? Join Study Buddy Tutoring!We're a non-profit tutoring organization seeking to educate and give back to underprivileged towns and neighborhoods in the greater Boston area. Why should you join:
2. Community service hours can be earned into school credits. (50 hours= 0.25 credits).
3. It looks great on college apps!
If interested in joining, please fill out this google form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1SwnI_ud2HSguKt9WJGH5f9I-m26iT2wESyJYZRHH0Rs/edit or email us [email protected]
- Letters for Rose is a BHS student-run volunteer organization - We take letters, cards, and artwork made by volunteers and send them to Brookline senior homes. We want to make sure that the Brookline senior residents remember that they are loved and appreciated, especially during the pandemic. We need your help to make sure all those seniors know they are loved! Sign up using this form: https://forms.gle/KCVm6zS3SwoqKK7r5 or look at this document for more info: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bSrdA_FLHPRQ8nuMO-o1-WU_9Wuim71t/view?usp=sharing We are also looking for BHS students for leadership roles! If you are interested in being more involved, sign up using this form: https://forms.gle/A4wM2DcwnMdq6KFh6 Please contact us if you need more information at [email protected] or DM us on Instagram: @lettersforrosema
Career Exploration at BHS:
All BHS students should graduate with a working resume! On Wednesday 12/9 from 12:15- 1pm Ms. Kennedy will hold a Resume Writing Workshop in the Virtual College and Career Center. All are welcome whether you have a resume or not and you can stay for as long as you need to! If you are interested in attending please email Kate Kennedy, [email protected] from your school email for the zoom link. We hope to see you there!
Coffee Talk #3: Careers in Health Science: On Friday December 18th during X block, join the Virtual College and Career Center to hear from Sonia Laurie, a postdoctoral fellow in the Seeding Postdoctoral Innovators in Research & Education Program at The University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, where she studies epigenetic regulation of immune cells in graft-versus-host disease after bone marrow transplantation. Sonia also teaches undergraduate biology courses. Sonia will talk about her career journey and more! We hope to see you there!
If you are interested in attending this Coffee Talk please email Ms. Kennedy, [email protected] with your name.
Missed the Career Coffee Talk on 11/20 with a personal trainer and coach?
Here is the link to the recording: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ibYYID_imMLZOmWZebAKLnI4loCNZlAD/view
BHS Clubs – Look up clubs on this list: http://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/clubs-and-activities-list.html
SENIORS
Reminder - the BHS Deadline for Jan 1 college applications was last Monday Nov 30. If you have not yet applied to any colleges AND want to be sure all of your BHS documents - teacher recommendations, counselor recommendation, and other required documents - are sent to the colleges you are applying to for January 1, 2021 deadlines, WE NEED YOUR TRANSCRIPT RELEASE FORM NOW and you need to be in contact with your counselor and teachers for recommendations! Counselors, teachers, and guidance department secretaries are not in the office during the December break from Wednesday 12/23 afternoon til Sunday January 3.
Latest BHS December Scholarship Letter attached
Below is an example of another scholarship and remember many other students/ families can apply for through FREE scholarship search engines such as Fastweb.com or GoingMerry.com -
High school seniors nationwide who demonstrate leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship are invited to apply for the 2021 GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program. This program annually provides college-bound students with $10,000 renewable scholarships – up to $40,000 total per recipient – and supports them as they lead and serve in college and beyond.
Applications for the 2021 GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program are accepted until Jan. 5, 2021. Additional information, eligibility requirements, and a link to the application are available online.
Thinking of a post high school plan that is different than traditional 4 year college? How about…Eversource EPUT?
EPUT, The Electric Power Utility Technology program prepares students for a skilled craft position with Eversource. Students attend Bunker Hill Community College to earn an Associate of Science Degree in Electronic Technology and a Certificate in Natural Gas Technology and gain hands-on experience by participating in a Co-op* with Eversource Energy. There is a 95% placement rate for students who successfully complete the program for Full time positions with Eversource.
*subject to COVID-19 rules and regulations
Click here for more info.
To learn more about the EPUT Program, we invite you to attend one of our live virtual information sessions:
Wednesday, December 2 – 4:00pm
Monday, December 7 – 11:00am
Wednesday, December 9 – 7:00pm
Monday, December 14 – 11:00am
Wednesday, December 16 – 4:00pm
Please Register Here
It's senior portrait time! Each senior must submit their portrait, baby picture, quote, and activities by January 31st. Please see the link for submissions In Ms Lynn’s CANVAS email sent earlier today. You will also find links to important yearbook resources for ordering books, learning about senior portrait expectations, buying recognition ads, getting involved with yearbook staff and more! Please check out this informational video or slideshow to get more details. If you have any questions, please contact me at [email protected]
Thinking of changing sending an ACT or SAT test score after you’ve applied test optional?
BHS Counselors are advising students to call each school that they are applying to ask how to manage shifting from test optional to sending scores because there does not seem to be common practice in admissions offices.
SENIORS – READ YOUR EMAILS!
ALSO BE SURE TO FOLLOW ANY APPLICANT PORTAL DIRECTIONS for colleges you will be applying to, if they have a portal protocol. Your efficiency in opening up these accounts after applying is sometimes monitored by admissions offices to gauge your level of interest!
MEFA financial aid events will all be online this fall. BHS Guidance partners with the Massachusetts Education Financing Authority (MEFA) each year to provide families with a wealth of financial aid information. This year, due to the global pandemic, MEFA will not be sending their speakers out to high schools. Please visit https://www.mefa.org/events to investigate upcoming webinars and take a look at their very informative website.
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.
If you have college application deadlines for 12/15 and 1/1/21 you have not yet completed a transcript release request, please do this step and contact your counselor immediately to confirm. Also connect with your teachers regarding recommendations since you are behind in informing these critical BHS staff people who want to do their best to support your college application process.
College Deadline BHS Deadline
January 15 Wednesday December 9
February 1 Wednesday January 6
February 15 Friday January 15
Seniors – When submitting your transcript release forms electronically, please:
- use the updated link shared by your counselor (on their CANVAS page or by email)
- 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.
JUNIORS
PSAT scores will be shared on the College Board website this Tues 12/8. Creating a College Board account will allow juniors to easily access their scores online and unlock a robust set of personalized resources to help them understand their scores.
Also…. On Friday, Dec 11 during X block, our BHS College Counselor Lenny Libenzon will present a PSAT score report overview. He will talk about how to interpret your scores and answer any PSAT-related questions.
https://psbma-org.zoom.us/j/94570042322?pwd=QXJncDRMZlZxeGVxNzJCUE91WmdRZz09
Meeting ID: 945 7004 2322
Passcode: 047083
College Guidance Network has been offering regular webinars with college search and application themes that are pertinent to current pandemic times. These questions are discussed by various college admissions representatives who directly speak to these topics. Go to this link - https://www.collegeguidancenetwork.com/episodes - for archived webinars on topics such as:
- Admissions in the TIme of COVID
- Crafting Great College Admissions Essays
- Money Matters
- Navigating the New Normal of Optional Testing