Last day for all students is Tuesday June 22.
For students in Gr 9-11, quarter 4 IPR #2 (Interim Progress Reports) were uploaded to the student and parent portals this past Thursday 5/27. Teachers only included progress reports for students who are averaging a C (75%) or below in their course as of last Wed 5/26.
This June 1st week includes MCAS ELA testing for all 10th graders and only juniors who signed up for MCAS to qualify for MA state Koplik scholarships. 9th graders will have classes. Gr 11 students not taking the MCAS to qualify for Koplik will NOT have classes this Wed 6/2 or Wed 6/9.
For the week of June 7, all 10th graders will take the Math MCAS on Wed June 9 AND all 9th graders will take the Science MCAS on that Wed 6/9 as well. Again, 11th graders taking the Math MCAS for Koplik qualification will test on Wed 6/9 also.
Please see the attached special schedules for these weeks.
ALL PARENTS- CAREGIVERS AND STUDENTS
The month of May was Mental Health Awareness Month. Please see the local and national resources listed below since we don’t want any student or parent-guardian to struggle or worry alone.
Who/what are your additional esources available now?
- BHS Student Support Staff – Contact your student’s counselor or Darby Neff-Verre if you don’t know your student’s counselor. Contact a social worker or talk to a trusted adult at BHS .
- NAMI HelpLine’s contact information and hours of availability as a resource for people seeking mental health support: Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., ET 800-950-NAMI (6264) [email protected] nami.org/Help
- Crisis Text Line - Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime. Crisis Text Line is here for any crisis. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from our secure online platform. The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment.
- Call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK
- B-PEN – Brookline Parent Education Network - https://www.b-pen.org/ - ongoing resources for parent workshops, BHS student Peer Leader- led information sharing and online and direct resources in the greater Brookline area
Reminder of more support resources for parents - BRYT Central Virtual Parent Support groups continue….
Missed the Ready to Launch Event – Here’s more info-
The panel was amazing and offered so much information about life after high school from so many perspectives for all families. Recording link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikYm4n3el1Y
Groups These groups will offer open support for parents to bring their chosen topics to the group. Also, PLEASE note that these groups are open to ANY caregiver, not just BRYT families. See the attached flyer for more info.
Tuesday June 1st at 7:00 PM EST - Parents Supporting Parents
Wednesday June 2nd at 7:00 PM EST - Parents Supporting Parents
Thursday June 3rd at 7:00 PM EST - Parents Supporting Parents
Thursday June 4th at 6:00 PM EST - Spanish Parents Supporting Parents Group
Brookline Center for Community Mental Health offers summer counseling support groups for current Gr 9-11 students and rising 9th graders:
*Please contact Brookline Center Intake at 617-860-2084 with questions or registration*
Girls’ Groups: Rising 8th - 9th Grade Females
This is a group for girls seeking to build their social skills. The group focuses on supporting its members to learn how to initiate peer interactions, read social cues, and increase their self-esteem. The group is semi-structured, where the girls choose and learn from activities together.
Mondays 4:00pm – 4:50pm
Tuesdays 5:00pm – 5:45pm
Liz Turco, LICSW and Melissa Burnett/Margaret Iaccarino
The Monday group is open to new members at this time. The Tuesday group is full at this time. Both groups are billed through insurance.
Casual Connections: Rising High Schooler
This group will be a fun and casual space for rising high school students to find social connection over the summer. The group is focused on supporting students and easing them back into making connections before the challenge of a high school transition after the pandemic year. The group will include crafts, games, and connection-building activities. It will meet outdoors at the Center, weather permitting.
Tentatively Thursdays 3:00-3:50pm
Alana Maserjian, LCSW and Erin Wagner, LCSW
This group is open to new members, is free, and requires enrolling in The Center’s DMH Flex Program. This group is not billed through insurance.
Boys’ Process Group: Rising 9th-11th Graders
This group is focused around making connections and building friends through conversation and play. The group structure and style takes into account the specific areas of challenge for each group member. Common themes include social anxiety/inhibition, impulsive behavior, increasing mental flexibility, managing frustrations, effective communication and difficulties with mood regulation.
Wednesdays, 5:00pm- 5:50pm
Sammie Allen, LCSW and Josh Hoxie, MSW
This group is open to new members at this time, and is billed through insurance [BCBS & Cigna not accepted; self-pay rate available].
Mind-Body Wellness: Rising 9th-11th Grade Females
This is a group for adolescent girls seeking to build skills to manage difficult emotional experiences. The group offers a mind-body approach – implementing mindfulness, meditation, and yoga. Using these activities and skills, members will learn stress management skills, cultivate self-compassion, develop positive connections, and self-empowerment.
Wednesdays 4:00pm – 4:50pm
Sammie Allen, LCSW and Laura Austin
This group is open to new members, is free, requires members are engaged with an individual therapist (doesn’t have to be at The Center), and requires enrolling in The Center’s DMH Flex Program. This group is not billed through insurance.
The Soundtrack of My Life: Rising High Schoolers
This group will provide a space for high schoolers to explore and discuss the songs/music videos that have shaped and that reflect who they are (values, interests, habits, etc). This group will provide a weekly opportunity for high schoolers to engage in positive social interactions with peers, as well as to build confidence and a sense of self as an individual within a group, while enjoying a shared interest. Members with diverse taste and identities are welcome.
Mondays 5:00pm-5:50pm
Laura Austin, MS & Brooke Lanigan, MA
This group is free, open to new members, and requires enrollment in The Center’s DMH Flex Program. This group is not billed through insurance.
Teen Process Group: Rising 9th - 12th Grade Females
“What is the greatest lesson a woman should learn? That since day one, she’s already had everything she needs within herself, it’s the world that convinced her she did not.” (Rupi Kaur) This group is designed to offer a safe and supportive space for high schoolers who identify as female to navigate the everyday challenges in their lives. Group leaders help facilitate discussions and activities around self-confidence, relationships, decision making, mood management, body image, media messages, self-care, and more. The group strives to offer participants the opportunity for creative self-exploration, insight into coping with stressors, and to empower them to show up in the world and in their relationships with courage and strength.
Mondays 4:00pm - 4:50pm
Morgan Westine, MSW
This group is open to new members for the summer session beginning in July and is billed through insurance [BCBS, Cigna, Aetna not accepted; self-pay rate available].
Adolescent DBT Group: Rising 8-12 Grades, Gender-Inclusive
This group is for adolescents seeking additional support around emotion regulation, interpersonal skills, and distress tolerance, and well compliments individual therapy.
This group will meet 2x/week on DAY/TIME and DAY/TIME
Kunaal Doshi, MA and Lynwood McCassie, IV PsyD
This group is open to new members, is free, requires members are engaged with an individual therapist (doesn’t have to be at The Center), and requires enrolling in The Center’s DMH Flex Program. This group is not billed through insurance.
Thinking about or need to take a Brookline High Summer School course? The BHS Summer School Catalog and registration info is here! Please go to this website for more info - http://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/summer-school.html
You can contact BHS Summer School Director Brendan Kobus if you have any questions – [email protected]
Grown and Flown offers this short article for parents-guardians to consider – 10 Summer Activities for Teens to Help Them Stay Healthy and Engaged - https://grownandflown.com/summer-activities-teens-denise-pope-stanford-school-education/
GreenZine Brookline invites K-12 students to submit articles and artwork (incl. photography) for a new wordpress site that highlights news, views and more about climate change and environmental issues. GreenZine Brookline is an initiative of teachers, parents and students in the Brookline Public Schools. We aim to make sustainability a school issue and to provide students (and occasionally staff) with an opportunity to publish their work.
We’re looking for news articles about happenings at your school, opinions, art, photography, interviews, poetry and more. Is there a school project you’d like to highlight? Want to share information about local or global events? What activism is happening at your school or in your community? What change would you like to see at your school? Is there a school or community person you’d like to interview?
If you have an idea, or would like help developing one, please fill out our short form (teachers or parents/caregivers may complete the form for younger children).
We hope to launch our pilot issue in June! Please help us get the word out by sharing and printing this poster, sharing with staff and parents/caregivers and, especially, encouraging students. Questions? Write to: [email protected].
Free Lyft Rides to Mass Vaccination Sites - Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Massachusetts has a free Lyft program to the mass vax sites which is available now. When you’re ready to head to a vaccination site, simply text “free ride” to 833-460-2202. You will receive a code to use on the Lyft app for up to $30 for each ride you need to and from a site. The code is good for up to four rides to ensure you’re able to get to and from your first- and second-shot visits. https://www.cic-health.com/freeride
*NEW* Brookline Community Fridge - Brothers and Sisters Cafe
The Brookline Community Fridge is now open! 7 Station St (next to Brothers and Sisters Cafe down by the Brookline Village T stop). Anyone can take from the fridge and anyone can give to the fridge. Check for updates: https://www.instagram.com/brooklinecommunityfridge/.
ALL STUDENTS
The ACE Program at Brookline High (visit the website: ACEHighSchoolYourWay.com) still has openings for next September. ACE is a small, competency-based general education program for students entering grades 10-12th who are seeking a different experience at BHS. Students who are interested in exploring ACE for next year need to attend an information session and a classroom visit as soon as possible. They can set this up by emailing the ACE Secretary, Chrissy Carruthers at: [email protected] or calling: 617-713-5252
Change in Math Extra Help Center time- Student-led Math Center - You can find us online after school at 4 PM at the following link: https://zoom.us/j/96741784699?pwd=QW4yNzZMSlRUR2NQcjhBRmFOQ052Zz09
Thinking of joining the Fall Cheerleading Team at BHS?
The BHS Cheer team will be holding Fall Cheerleading Tryouts on June 7, 8, and 9 from 3:30-5:30pm in Tappan Gym #2 (#66 Tappan St). To be cleared to tryout, athletes must be registered on FamilyID and submit a recent physical to the BHS Athletics Dept. No experience is necessary to tryout, and all rising 9th-12th graders are invited to try out! Email [email protected], go here, or stop by Room 368 on the 115 Campus for more information. Go Warriors!
UPDATES for the science help center at BHS continues and is run by peer tutors. Feel free to stop by if you need help in your science classes, or want to ask a quick question.
We're now offering science help in physics, chemistry and biology over zoom and in person!
When:
Tuesday & Friday X Blocks (2:25-3:00)
Wednesday After School (12:15-1:00)
Where:
In person:
Room 376
Zoom:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/95563127211?pwd=OUpMd0tXVEc4Qmh0b1loa01SbzdMdz09
Meeting ID: 955 6312 7211
Passcode: science
Questions?
Email [email protected] or [email protected]
BHS Library Hours for the remainder of the school year:
Monday 8-4:00
Tuesday 8-3:00
Wednesday 8-1:00 (starting after break)
Thursday 8-4:00
Friday 8-3:00
Students should reserve a seat in the library, in advance, at this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4badae2ea3face9-weekly
No need to reserve a seat for the 3-4pm library seats.
BHS Club and Extracurricular information:
Interested in developing and marketing a social media platform? BHS Club Stemlio is looking for new members to join their team. As a member of the team, you’ll work with other students to market the platform or develop new features (no coding experience required!). Stemlio is a student-run platform for communication in the STEM community. Through our platform, users can start discussions, connect with other students, and explore various projects/ideas. If you’re interested in learning more about Stemlio, please reach out to either [email protected] or [email protected]. We meet on Thursdays at 7:00PM (subject to change).
BHS Outdoor Adventure Club updates:
June weekend tbd - Surfing at Hampton Beach
Email Paul Epstein ([email protected]) or Dan Nudel ([email protected]) for more details or to sign on. Lots of students are having a great time at these events! You should check them out!
Libraries Reopening - Tuesday - Public Library of Brookline
Tuesday at 10am
It’s happening! They are opening their doors this Tuesday, June 1! All three locations will open to the public at 10 AM. They have a limited number of welcome back gifts for our first 900 visitors. For more info, see https://www.brooklinelibrary.org/letters-from-the-director/.
**Editor's note: yes, our MAB library delivery service will still be available for folks who have mobility challenges, are homebound, or are in quarantine!
AAPI Social Wall - Starting May 10 - Public Library of Brookline
Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Month with us! Beginning on May 10, pick up a copy of our AAPI Social Wall activity sheet to share an Asian American or Pacific Islander story, person, or cool thing (like an invention, food, or piece of art) that is your particular favorite. If you’d prefer to draw your answer, that’s awesome! Return your completed sheet to the library to have it added to our virtual bulletin board, or take a photo and upload it yourself, here. Then, enjoy seeing what you and other library patrons love about AAPI Month!
The first 100 returned activity sheets will also get a surprise to help them celebrate AAPI Month, while supplies last! If you prefer to print your sheet at home, you can download them here: https://www.brooklinelibrary.org/events/event/aapi-social-wall-activity-sheets-begin/.
Summer Opportunities and Jobs:
Opportunities 2021 for BHS students– Summer is around the corner. Thanks to BHS Career Counselor Kate Kennedy and counseling intern David Ehrlich, please copy and paste this google doc in your browser for more info: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1o7GiMWRfEo2ByK8I7d1EvNRgF4h4NkGHKT9T64XtuNU/edit
And here’s a link to the Teen Life updated 2021 Summer Programs guide - https://indd.adobe.com/view/68806d31-27c9-4616-bfa7-7283711259c0. A great resource for many summer opportunities!
Resources for volunteer opportunities for BHS and the Brookline area - Check out this community service link from the free resource Teen Life - https://www.teenlife.com/category/volunteer/volunteer-boston/
Thinking about a summer job? Check out the BHS Career Website – http://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/career-counseling and/or contact BHS Career Counselor Kate Kennedy directly at [email protected].
SENIORS
Seniors Attending College Next Year….
Please update your college results, indicating which school you will be attending. You will be asked to indicate which college you deposited to and we will send your final BHS transcript to that school. You don’t need to do anything else!
Here is how:
1) Go to Naviance, Colleges I am Applying to, then click on EDIT. We need your result for each school. Make sure you choose the "College I will be attending".
2) Complete the BHS Senior Survey. You can find it on Naviance under About Me, Surveys, Surveys not Completed.
Senior Celebrations – here are the details…..
Senior Block Party - Tuesday, June 1 - The Seniors-only Block Party will take place at BHS on Tuesday, June 1 from 6:00 - 10:00 pm. Our amazing PTO partners are working hard to plan and transform BHS into a Lawn on D Hollywood atmosphere. Tickets are now on sale. Each ticket costs $50 and can be purchased through our online payment system. Parents/caregivers were sent this link on Friday. (You will need your Aspen Portal user name and password in order to set up your account. Need help? Email [email protected]. )
If you would like to request financial assistance, please notify Ms. McIntosh either by coming to see her in suite 162 (off the Atrium) or by emailing her at [email protected]. The last day to purchase tickets is Tuesday, May 25. No tickets will be sold at the door the night of the event. Get dressed in glitz and glam--or what's comfortable!
Rules and Guidelines: No outside guests or underclassmen. * Tickets are required * Temperatures will be taken upon arrival * All students will be subject to a breathalyzer test and belongings search * Students found to be under the influence risk not walking at graduation.
Parents –Would you like to support this event?
--Please donate to BHS PTO by check or PayPal. Details here: http://www.bhs-pto.org/donate.html (Click "Add a Note" and type For Senior Block Party) We are keeping the ticket price low for accessibility; the event costs will greatly exceed our budget.
--Sign up to volunteer with our amazing team, led by Charla Whitley here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1avJl0dGTjwyrs6IllTwrruQdiS25ijN6fAkaL4ooXmQ/edit#gid=0
Graduation - Sunday, June 6 - As you know, Graduation 2021 will take place on Sunday, June 6 at the Fisher Hill Reservoir Park (78-144 Fisher Avenue, Brookline). It will be scheduled for 1:00 pm with a weather window that could shift the start time as early as 11:30 am and as late as 4:30 pm. This shift in time would be to avoid dangerous weather. The event will go as planned at 1:00 pm if there is light rain. Only parents/caregivers and siblings of graduates (maximum total of 4 per graduate) will be allowed as guests and each guest will need to register before the event. Brookline Interactive Group (B.I.G.) will live-stream the entire ceremony. If you will not attend graduation, please let Ms. McIntosh (in room 162 or at [email protected]) know, as well as your dean or program coordinator. Assistant Head of School, Mr. Mason, will send a separate email with all of the details about graduation soon!
Graduation Rehearsal - Thursday, June 3 - We need all graduates to attend a required graduation rehearsal on Thursday, June 3 from 1:40 - 3:00 pm at the Fisher Hill Reservoir Park (78-144 Fisher Avenue, Brookline). This is a new graduation space for all of us, so we need to practice!
Caps & Gowns - You ordered them in the fall and now is the time to purchase your cap & gown (with your 2021 tassel and Class of 2021 mask). These can be purchased on our same online payment system as the Block Party; please note the deadline of Tuesday, May 25. Caps & gowns will be available for pick up during X-block on Tuesday, May 25 and Friday, May 28. Location of pick up will likely be the Quad, weather permitting. Arrangements for alternate pick up times can be made for remote students who cannot get to BHS at these times.
Hold Slips - Please know, all all hold slips (for textbooks, Chromebooks, library books, athletic uniforms/equipment and other materials) must be cleared (all items returned) before seniors can pick up their caps & gowns. Spring sport athletes do not have to return uniforms/equipment that are currently in use! Materials should be returned to your teachers or appropriate departments.
JUNIORS
8 IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO IF YOU’RE PLANNING TO APPLY TO COLLEGE NEXT YEAR –
June and Summer 2021…
- Be sure you can log into your Naviance account before the summer. If you forgot your login info, email your counselor or Lenny Libenzon (BHS College Counselor).
- Complete the attached Jr Questionnaire and drop off or forward to your counselor. This information is required for your counselor to write your college recommendation. You can also complete this questionnaire on your Naviance account under surveys. Email your counselor when you’ve completed the questionnaire.
- Have one (or both) parents-caregivers complete the attached Parent Brag Sheet and return to your counselor before summer vacation starts.
- Keep researching and building your college list. Remember you should be building a list of approx. 8-10 colleges to apply to with 3 being “reach” schools, 4 being “target/ 50-50” schools and 3-4 being “likely” schools that you would be very happy to attend!
- Keep signing up for virtual college info sessions and visits. Many colleges are now opening up for in-person info sessions and tours so go to the college’s website and sign up! If you plan to drive through a college’s campus, be sure to stop by the admissions office or email the office to let them know you were on the campus, even the colleges in the greater Boston area.
- Start brainstorming a rough draft of your college essay. Class of 2022 Common Application essay prompts attached to this email.
- Start completing the Common Application after the first week of August. This effort will be well worth it so you don’t have to stress about completing after your senior year courses start! You can also see if any colleges you are applying to require essay supplements and start brainstorming those as well.
- Be sure you have registered for any college admissions testing (SATs or ACTs) you may need to apply to schools of interest. Keep in mind that MOST colleges are still test optional for the Class of 2022. You may not NEED test scores to apply.
Here’s a post high school plan different from the college route- The Massachusetts Promise Fellowship (MPF) is an AmeriCorps program that offers an alternative to college in a gap year format. Applicants must be at least 17 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, be willing to comply with a criminal background check, and be a US Citizen or US National or Permanent Resident Alien. The application has now opened!
The Massachusetts Promise Fellowship (MPF) is an AmeriCorps program dedicated to increasing youth academic enrichment and college and career exploration through Out-of-School-Time (OST) interventions and data-driven programming. We are a passionate team that strives every day to empower young people to succeed as part of a national movement to achieve education equity. We do this because we believe that all young people have a right to Caring Adults, Safe Spaces, A Healthy Start, An Effective Education, and An Opportunity to Serve.
As a Mass Promise Fellow, participants serve at one of our partner youth-serving programs at schools, city agencies, or community-based organizations in Massachusetts. Their mission will be to build intentional relationships with young people between 6th and 12th grade and support their academic engagement or post-secondary success. Fellows will work to decrease the dropout rate, close the opportunity gap, and support the futures of youth. If someone believes in the power of relationship building to positively impact the life of a young person, this role is for them.
MPF's training curriculum, networking opportunities, and career coaching provide our Fellows with the opportunity to increase their leadership development and gain meaningful skills needed for careers in the education and non-profit sectors. On average, 25% of Fellows are hired by their host site for full-time employment following their year of service. Within three months of graduating from MPF, 95% of our Fellows have full time employment or are continuing school.
Students can learn more about MPF, the benefits of our program, and our host sites across Massachusetts at https://masspromisefellows.org/apply
Another brief article on considerations for college search and applications – 8 Factors to never consider when choosing a college - https://www.collegedata.com/resources/getting-in/8-factors-to-never-consider-when-choosing-a-college?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=8_factors_to_never_consider&dm_i=50NV,E8CM,2HLH1D,1HMPF,1
Start becoming familiar with financial aid information – Check out MEFA (MA Educational Financing Authority) - FREE state funded college financial aid information resource - https://www.mefa.org/financial-aid-made-simple
Brimmer & May School is happy to announce their first College Essay Writing Bootcamp this summer! This camp is open to all rising seniors who are interested in getting a jumpstart on their college essay, including editing and feedback by our college counselors (and former college admissions professionals). At the conclusion of this one week experience, students will leave with an edited draft of their college essay and a number of tips and tricks to guide them through their additional supplemental essays.
Please find the attached flyer with more information, including pricing, dates, and the registration link.
Questions? Reach out to the Brimmer and May Director of Summer Programs, Cassie Abodeely, at [email protected]
STUDENTS' SUGGESTIONS TO PARENTS FOR HELPING WITH COLLEGE/POST-HIGH SCHOOL PLANNING
By the second semester of junior year, family stress ramps up significantly as students try to balance schoolwork, study for SATS, look into colleges or other post-BHS options, etc. All of this comes with a lot of internal and external judgment, even during years when COVID is not an issue. How can families be supportive without adding to the pressure? This year’s BHS Peer Leaders have put together some excellent tips to consider in the Parent Tip Sheet Student Suggestions to Parents for Helping with College/Post-High School Planning - https://www.b-pen.org/uploads/2/9/2/9/2929884/jr._parent_tip_sheet.pdf?mc_cid=95767123c3&mc_eid=ca3683a655pen.org/uploads/2/9/2/9/2929884/jr._parent_tip_sheet.pdf?mc_cid=95767123c3&mc_eid=ca3683a655
EXCELLENT FREE ONLINE RESOURCE for all topics related to the college search, application and financial consideration process – COLLEGE GUIDANCE NETWORK - https://www.collegeguidancenetwork.com/
- The most recent April 14 webinar on The College Search: Who’s in the Driver’s Seat can be very helpful for parents/ caregivers AND juniors in the college search process
- Another CGN webinar highlight from October 2020 – Money Matters: College Affordability and Financial Aid 101 (in 2 parts)
- Check out the entire CGN episode library under their “episode” link, as well as sign up for upcoming webinars. The information shared and the panelists are on target and can be a great addition to your conversations with your BHS counselor and BHS College Counselor Lenny Libenzon
Check out this website if you are a student with diagnosed learning differences and have an IEP or Accommodations Plan (504 or ICap) – LDadvisory.com/families_students/
BHS Guidance DOES NOT ENDORSE ANY SPECIFIC PRIVATE COMPANY FOR TUTORING OR CONSULTING but this site does offer FREE and accurate insights on college topics for students with LD or ADHD.
Take 3-4 minutes each to view these youtube messages:
- What Students With Disabilities Should Do Before They Enroll in College
- When Students with Disabilities Should Register with College Disability Services Offices
- Benefits of Students Registering for College Disability Services/Accommodations After Depositing/ Enrolling to College
BHS Librarians continue to offer FREE online ACT/ SAT/ TOEFL test prep support continues. Any junior can register for any or all sessions to support their admissions testing preparation. Check out the attached flyer and register here - https://forms.gle/2y1uxvhMs9j7xW2M7