ALL STUDENTS
The SWS (BHS School Within a School) admissions process is now open!
SWS Admissions Info Packet
Please take the opportunity to see if SWS could be a good fit.
School Within a School, located on the fourth floor of BHS, is an alternative, democratic community for a diverse group of approximately 120 sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Goals for students include taking as much responsibility for their education as possible, sharing decision-making in running SWS, and contributing to building a caring community. For 50 years, SWS has provided students with the opportunity to participate actively as leaders in their own educations and develop meaningful relationships with teachers based on mutual respect. Admission to SWS is based on a lottery, the criteria of which are determined by the SWS Town Meeting. In addition to Town Meeting, SWS students take at least two classes in the program, including English. They take the rest of their classes in the mainstream of BHS. More information about the program, and the admissions process, can be found at swsbrookline.org.
The SWS (BHS School Within a School) admissions process is now open!
SWS Admissions Info Packet
Please take the opportunity to see if SWS could be a good fit.
School Within a School, located on the fourth floor of BHS, is an alternative, democratic community for a diverse group of approximately 120 sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Goals for students include taking as much responsibility for their education as possible, sharing decision-making in running SWS, and contributing to building a caring community. For 50 years, SWS has provided students with the opportunity to participate actively as leaders in their own educations and develop meaningful relationships with teachers based on mutual respect. Admission to SWS is based on a lottery, the criteria of which are determined by the SWS Town Meeting. In addition to Town Meeting, SWS students take at least two classes in the program, including English. They take the rest of their classes in the mainstream of BHS. More information about the program, and the admissions process, can be found at swsbrookline.org.
Mental health Supports:
BRYT Central Family Engagement Team continues remote parent support groups:
Below are our group offerings this week. Note the change in time on Thursdays from 12:00 PM (EST) to 9:00 AM (EST).
Topic - Managing Transitions Flyer
Tuesday January 5 at 7:00 PM EST
Wednesday January 6 at 7:00 PM EST
Thursday January 7 at 9:00 AM EST
Monday January 4 at 7:00 PM EST BIPOC Group Flyer
Thursday January 7 at 7:00 PM EST Spanish Speaking Group Flyer
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.
New Resource - DownDog is offering their yoga, HIIT and barre classes to teachers and students for free. Now they are offering a MEDITATION APP for free through the lockdown or at least July 2021 for ANYONE.
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/
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]
Brookline COVID Testing Site - Mondays through Saturdays - Department of Public Health**
**UPDATE: testing site and subsidy program for uninsured residents will continue into 2021! Student-facing PSB staff and PSB students in grades 6-12 will have access to weekly asymptomatic testing for 8-10 weeks in early 2021 (stay tuned from an update from PSB).**
Where: 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.
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 (except for those in the surveillance testing program through PSB). 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/ and https://brooklinecovid19.com/2020/12/23/public-schools-of-brookline-and-town-of-brookline-provide-update-on-covid-19-testing-and-safety-efforts/.
**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) is a community-built and volunteer-run initiative launched in the very first days of the quarantine. We have plenty of remote volunteering opportunities in translation, organizing, delivery dispatch, and fundraising, and in-person volunteering opportunities for grocery/supply/medication and library deliveries. If you'd like us to match you with a volunteer role, sign up at https://forms.gle/KjDFcmpPhbRJRu158 or email [email protected].
Tutor
MAB is hoping to begin offer tutoring and homework help to students in Grades 1-6 by the end of the month. If you are interested in offering tutoring or homework help, please contact [email protected]
Hotline
The MAB hotline is always looking for more volunteers to take shifts! Volunteers are fully remote and can choose shift times according to their schedules. Please email [email protected] if you are interested in helping out with the hotline.
Delivery
MAB is particularly looking for remote dispatch volunteers to fill a weekly or every other week five hour shift connecting delivery clients with delivery volunteers (fully remote). You can sign up for our January dispatch training at https://forms.gle/pCf87xLrgKu9xBTN7 and email [email protected] with any questions.
We’re also in need of more delivery drivers (or bikers, or walkers, or cartwheelers)! We have both in-store grocery deliveries (requires going in-store and shopping for clients) and contactless library deliveries (contactless pickup from library of hold materials). Email [email protected] to sign up and indicate if you’d like to be on the grocery list, library list, or both!
OTHER RESOURCES FOR REMOTE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR BHS STUDENTS:
* Updated Inspo:Expo Online Volunteer Match. By CLICKING ON THIS LINK, you will see a list of Inspo:Expo partners who have remote (or low social contact) volunteer opportunities. If you scroll through and see something you're interested in, simply email the organization directly through their listed contact info.
· 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
Other Community Service Ideas – BHS/ Brookline area:
Hello everyone, this is Anna Lin from BHS. I would like to share a music-community service organization that I have initiated at Brookline called Virtuosi @ Brookline, under the organization Virtuosi Music Mentorship. We are a group of high school musicians that provides free, virtual music mentorship sessions to K-8 students.
Once a student signs up, we match them with a high school mentor, and the mentee can contact the mentor directly about scheduling. Usually the mentorship sessions are only 30min long. You can view our website for more details: https://musicarementor.org
We have 50+ mentors covering 8 towns, 14 instruments, with over 150+ families participating from across 10 states, 18 cities and 5 countries.
If you would like to become a mentor, please sign up using this form, NOT the one on the website: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScx5Jrb_gEQndbtADhdWMwaEk6D83f8A8hRK0VSOtPH5E2bow/viewform?usp=sf_link
BHS student leaders have started the Language Virtual club. They are a group of high school students who provide free, virtual tutoring sessions to students in Thailand and ESL students in Brookline. Don't worry, the students are proficient enough in English but they just need help with the conversational aspect.
Once a student signs up, they match them with a high school teacher, and the student can contact the teacher directly about scheduling. Usually the teaching sessions are only 30min long and you receive community service hours. You can view our website for more details and the sign ups pages: https://www.languagevirtual.org (Links to an external site.).
If you have any questions, feel free to message me at my email: [email protected]
Please note corrected email for any questions….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:
AI Camp (www.ai-camp.org) is offering 10 scholarships for their Introduction to Artificial IntelligenceI lecture series. This lecture series is the same series that offered at Stanford University this summer and will introduce AI and careers in tech to you. No coding experience is needed. The opportunity is first-come, first serve. You can register it here: www.ai-camp.org/free-lesson. AI Camp is founded by Stanford Ph.Ds and advised by a Stanford Professor and CTOs in Silicon Valley.
SENIORS
HAVE YOU APPLIED TO COLLEGE? IT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO READ YOUR EMAILS (FROM COLLEGES AND BHS)! 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!
Reminder - ALL SENIORS MUST EARN WELLNESS CREDIT TO GRADUATE. Spring athlete Seniors who are NOT playing their sport should be scheduled in a Wellness Class now for Semester 2. Depending on the ongoing status of the current Winter sports team situation, the Wellness department will work on next steps about the impact of wellness credits for graduation. Stay tuned… With so many seniors remote, we understand that many have decided not to participate on a sports team this year. Seniors are responsible to be in touch with their counselor and make arrangements to earn their final wellness credit to graduate from BHS.
“As you look back on your life, you realize that every time you thought you were being rejected from something good, you were actually being redirected to something better.”
If you need any guidance, please reach out to your counselor or BHS College Counselor Lenny Libenzon.
Thinking about a post grad path that is NOT college specific? Check in with your counselor and/or Kate Kennedy, the BHS Career Counselor, for ideas and resources.
The Brookline High School Scholarship Committee announces that 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 Class of 2021 Scholarship Application. Applications for these need based tuition scholarships should be completed ASAP. Applicants must also submit the CSS Profile to the Brookline Scholarship Fund (CSS Profile code 0424) to complete their application.
The deadline for applying for BHS scholarships for students attending ANY OTHER college is April 1. Please use the same application as above.The 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. To make fair decisions, the Committee requires that families fill out the CSS Profile financial aid form, available at CollegeBoard.com. Please use code
DEADLINE for YEARBOOK PHOTOS COMING UP JANUARY 31….This is a reminder to submit your portrait, baby picture, quote, and activities by January 31st. We are also asking for a selfie so we can create a senior class group picture. You can submit everything here - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeT_pigMBuSmLHXsx14S5VL3EhFcsSz4Qnj-fG3bPt8t5qqSQ/viewform
If you would like to have your portrait taken at BHS, you can schedule a photoshoot with Prestige Portraits or emailing [email protected] to set up an appointment with a student photographer. If you have any questions, please contact me at [email protected]
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.
College Deadline BHS Deadline
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 and SENIORS
HAPPENING THIS WEDNESDAY…. USA Gap Year Fairs are proud to announce the annual virtual Massachusetts Gap Year Fair (Wednesday, January 13, starting at 6:30 pm). We will hold a Gap Year 101 webinar from 6:30 to 7:15, followed by the Gap Year Fair till 8:30 pm. You will be able to connect with Gap Year Experts, programs and alumni. Please register at https://bit.ly/37IjL83 (Links to an external site.)
JUNIORS
BHS Counselors are ready to start working directly with you to develop your post high school plans.
The Junior Assembly to start this process will be on Tues January 19 during T block. The BHS College Counselor Lenny Libenzon will be presenting. A zoom link will be sent to you shortly.
Junior Night: The BHS guidance and Lenny Libenzon, BHS College Counselor, will present information about post high school planning with a focus on the college search and application process. This presentation is offered for junior students and parents/guardians. Thursday, January 21, 6:30 pm
Zoom Link below:
https://psbma-org.zoom.us/j/91440497278?pwd=Z3c3UkljRUlKdnNtTkFUSEdvSE5tQT09 Meeting ID: 914 4049 7278 Passcode: 775945
Junior seminars with your counselor will start in T block on Friday 1/29.
We encourage you to contact your counselor for a 1:1 zoom meeting starting in February.
PSAT score report information - Mr. Libenzon, BHS College Counselor, offered a PSAT scores presentation before break. If you missed the session, you can access it via this link:
http://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/guidance/psat-score-report-presentation
https://psbma-org.zoom.us/rec/share/vSJTek1TxELvtPy3S3rro4TUc6qq2OT6BWp9gxzoQ1EooRAIv9NXO8p9f8OvmR4a.CYwOli4aaoj-dUlF
Passcode: !^?M100q
Juniors - Please review your current unofficial transcript for any missing classes or errors. Contact your counselor with any questions or concerns.
You should be checking that you are on your way to earning all required credits towards graduation in June 2022.
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
SOPHOMORES
HAPPENING THIS WEDNESDAY MORNING FOR GR 10 PARENTS…… SOPHOMORE PTO/BHS GUIDANCE-COUNSELING BREAKFAST – "Next Steps to Junior Year and Beyond" on Wednesday, January 13th 8-9:00 am on zoom. Darby Neff-Verre, Lenny Libenzon and counselors of 10th graders will present to parents of sophomores. Zoom link:
https://psbma-org.zoom.us/j/97231640747?pwd=cTFkalczc0YwbE5sOWxGTUJ4UmYyUT09
Meeting ID: 972 3164 0747
Passcode: 511771
BRYT Central Family Engagement Team continues remote parent support groups:
Below are our group offerings this week. Note the change in time on Thursdays from 12:00 PM (EST) to 9:00 AM (EST).
Topic - Managing Transitions Flyer
Tuesday January 5 at 7:00 PM EST
Wednesday January 6 at 7:00 PM EST
Thursday January 7 at 9:00 AM EST
Monday January 4 at 7:00 PM EST BIPOC Group Flyer
Thursday January 7 at 7:00 PM EST Spanish Speaking Group Flyer
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.
New Resource - DownDog is offering their yoga, HIIT and barre classes to teachers and students for free. Now they are offering a MEDITATION APP for free through the lockdown or at least July 2021 for ANYONE.
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/
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]
Brookline COVID Testing Site - Mondays through Saturdays - Department of Public Health**
**UPDATE: testing site and subsidy program for uninsured residents will continue into 2021! Student-facing PSB staff and PSB students in grades 6-12 will have access to weekly asymptomatic testing for 8-10 weeks in early 2021 (stay tuned from an update from PSB).**
Where: 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.
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 (except for those in the surveillance testing program through PSB). 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/ and https://brooklinecovid19.com/2020/12/23/public-schools-of-brookline-and-town-of-brookline-provide-update-on-covid-19-testing-and-safety-efforts/.
**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) is a community-built and volunteer-run initiative launched in the very first days of the quarantine. We have plenty of remote volunteering opportunities in translation, organizing, delivery dispatch, and fundraising, and in-person volunteering opportunities for grocery/supply/medication and library deliveries. If you'd like us to match you with a volunteer role, sign up at https://forms.gle/KjDFcmpPhbRJRu158 or email [email protected].
Tutor
MAB is hoping to begin offer tutoring and homework help to students in Grades 1-6 by the end of the month. If you are interested in offering tutoring or homework help, please contact [email protected]
Hotline
The MAB hotline is always looking for more volunteers to take shifts! Volunteers are fully remote and can choose shift times according to their schedules. Please email [email protected] if you are interested in helping out with the hotline.
Delivery
MAB is particularly looking for remote dispatch volunteers to fill a weekly or every other week five hour shift connecting delivery clients with delivery volunteers (fully remote). You can sign up for our January dispatch training at https://forms.gle/pCf87xLrgKu9xBTN7 and email [email protected] with any questions.
We’re also in need of more delivery drivers (or bikers, or walkers, or cartwheelers)! We have both in-store grocery deliveries (requires going in-store and shopping for clients) and contactless library deliveries (contactless pickup from library of hold materials). Email [email protected] to sign up and indicate if you’d like to be on the grocery list, library list, or both!
OTHER RESOURCES FOR REMOTE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR BHS STUDENTS:
* Updated Inspo:Expo Online Volunteer Match. By CLICKING ON THIS LINK, you will see a list of Inspo:Expo partners who have remote (or low social contact) volunteer opportunities. If you scroll through and see something you're interested in, simply email the organization directly through their listed contact info.
· 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
Other Community Service Ideas – BHS/ Brookline area:
Hello everyone, this is Anna Lin from BHS. I would like to share a music-community service organization that I have initiated at Brookline called Virtuosi @ Brookline, under the organization Virtuosi Music Mentorship. We are a group of high school musicians that provides free, virtual music mentorship sessions to K-8 students.
Once a student signs up, we match them with a high school mentor, and the mentee can contact the mentor directly about scheduling. Usually the mentorship sessions are only 30min long. You can view our website for more details: https://musicarementor.org
We have 50+ mentors covering 8 towns, 14 instruments, with over 150+ families participating from across 10 states, 18 cities and 5 countries.
If you would like to become a mentor, please sign up using this form, NOT the one on the website: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScx5Jrb_gEQndbtADhdWMwaEk6D83f8A8hRK0VSOtPH5E2bow/viewform?usp=sf_link
BHS student leaders have started the Language Virtual club. They are a group of high school students who provide free, virtual tutoring sessions to students in Thailand and ESL students in Brookline. Don't worry, the students are proficient enough in English but they just need help with the conversational aspect.
Once a student signs up, they match them with a high school teacher, and the student can contact the teacher directly about scheduling. Usually the teaching sessions are only 30min long and you receive community service hours. You can view our website for more details and the sign ups pages: https://www.languagevirtual.org (Links to an external site.).
If you have any questions, feel free to message me at my email: [email protected]
Please note corrected email for any questions….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:
AI Camp (www.ai-camp.org) is offering 10 scholarships for their Introduction to Artificial IntelligenceI lecture series. This lecture series is the same series that offered at Stanford University this summer and will introduce AI and careers in tech to you. No coding experience is needed. The opportunity is first-come, first serve. You can register it here: www.ai-camp.org/free-lesson. AI Camp is founded by Stanford Ph.Ds and advised by a Stanford Professor and CTOs in Silicon Valley.
SENIORS
HAVE YOU APPLIED TO COLLEGE? IT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO READ YOUR EMAILS (FROM COLLEGES AND BHS)! 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!
Reminder - ALL SENIORS MUST EARN WELLNESS CREDIT TO GRADUATE. Spring athlete Seniors who are NOT playing their sport should be scheduled in a Wellness Class now for Semester 2. Depending on the ongoing status of the current Winter sports team situation, the Wellness department will work on next steps about the impact of wellness credits for graduation. Stay tuned… With so many seniors remote, we understand that many have decided not to participate on a sports team this year. Seniors are responsible to be in touch with their counselor and make arrangements to earn their final wellness credit to graduate from BHS.
“As you look back on your life, you realize that every time you thought you were being rejected from something good, you were actually being redirected to something better.”
If you need any guidance, please reach out to your counselor or BHS College Counselor Lenny Libenzon.
Thinking about a post grad path that is NOT college specific? Check in with your counselor and/or Kate Kennedy, the BHS Career Counselor, for ideas and resources.
The Brookline High School Scholarship Committee announces that 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 Class of 2021 Scholarship Application. Applications for these need based tuition scholarships should be completed ASAP. Applicants must also submit the CSS Profile to the Brookline Scholarship Fund (CSS Profile code 0424) to complete their application.
The deadline for applying for BHS scholarships for students attending ANY OTHER college is April 1. Please use the same application as above.The 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. To make fair decisions, the Committee requires that families fill out the CSS Profile financial aid form, available at CollegeBoard.com. Please use code
DEADLINE for YEARBOOK PHOTOS COMING UP JANUARY 31….This is a reminder to submit your portrait, baby picture, quote, and activities by January 31st. We are also asking for a selfie so we can create a senior class group picture. You can submit everything here - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeT_pigMBuSmLHXsx14S5VL3EhFcsSz4Qnj-fG3bPt8t5qqSQ/viewform
If you would like to have your portrait taken at BHS, you can schedule a photoshoot with Prestige Portraits or emailing [email protected] to set up an appointment with a student photographer. If you have any questions, please contact me at [email protected]
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.
College Deadline BHS Deadline
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 and SENIORS
HAPPENING THIS WEDNESDAY…. USA Gap Year Fairs are proud to announce the annual virtual Massachusetts Gap Year Fair (Wednesday, January 13, starting at 6:30 pm). We will hold a Gap Year 101 webinar from 6:30 to 7:15, followed by the Gap Year Fair till 8:30 pm. You will be able to connect with Gap Year Experts, programs and alumni. Please register at https://bit.ly/37IjL83 (Links to an external site.)
JUNIORS
BHS Counselors are ready to start working directly with you to develop your post high school plans.
The Junior Assembly to start this process will be on Tues January 19 during T block. The BHS College Counselor Lenny Libenzon will be presenting. A zoom link will be sent to you shortly.
Junior Night: The BHS guidance and Lenny Libenzon, BHS College Counselor, will present information about post high school planning with a focus on the college search and application process. This presentation is offered for junior students and parents/guardians. Thursday, January 21, 6:30 pm
Zoom Link below:
https://psbma-org.zoom.us/j/91440497278?pwd=Z3c3UkljRUlKdnNtTkFUSEdvSE5tQT09 Meeting ID: 914 4049 7278 Passcode: 775945
Junior seminars with your counselor will start in T block on Friday 1/29.
We encourage you to contact your counselor for a 1:1 zoom meeting starting in February.
PSAT score report information - Mr. Libenzon, BHS College Counselor, offered a PSAT scores presentation before break. If you missed the session, you can access it via this link:
http://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/guidance/psat-score-report-presentation
https://psbma-org.zoom.us/rec/share/vSJTek1TxELvtPy3S3rro4TUc6qq2OT6BWp9gxzoQ1EooRAIv9NXO8p9f8OvmR4a.CYwOli4aaoj-dUlF
Passcode: !^?M100q
Juniors - Please review your current unofficial transcript for any missing classes or errors. Contact your counselor with any questions or concerns.
You should be checking that you are on your way to earning all required credits towards graduation in June 2022.
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
SOPHOMORES
HAPPENING THIS WEDNESDAY MORNING FOR GR 10 PARENTS…… SOPHOMORE PTO/BHS GUIDANCE-COUNSELING BREAKFAST – "Next Steps to Junior Year and Beyond" on Wednesday, January 13th 8-9:00 am on zoom. Darby Neff-Verre, Lenny Libenzon and counselors of 10th graders will present to parents of sophomores. Zoom link:
https://psbma-org.zoom.us/j/97231640747?pwd=cTFkalczc0YwbE5sOWxGTUJ4UmYyUT09
Meeting ID: 972 3164 0747
Passcode: 511771