​BHS Guidance/Counseling Dept Weekly Updates – Week of June 7, 2021

BHS SENIORS COMMENCED TODAY 6/6 IN SIMMERING TEMPERATURES AND LOTS OF IN PERSON HAPPINESS! Congratulations to our seniors who are now GRADUATES!
 
For Gr 9-11 students – School ends in 2 weeks. Grades will close on Monday 6/21. Now’s the time to keep your focus and do your best! If you’re behind, talk to your teacher and do what you can to get on track. It is not too late to make a difference in how you end this school year.
Again, Quarter 4 IPR #2 (Interim Progress Reports) were uploaded to the student and parent portals on 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.
 
For this 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 Wed June 9.
Please see the attached special schedule for this week.

 
Last day for all students is Tuesday June 22, a ½ day.
 
Note that any new updates to the Weekly Update are highlighted in blue.
 
ALL PARENTS- CAREGIVERS AND STUDENTS
 
What Teens Can Learn From Naomi Osaka’s Public Plea for Self-Care – Great, short read from Grown and Flown for students and parents-guardians- https://grownandflown.com/teens-learn-naomi-osakas-cry-self-care/ 
Who/what are your additional resources 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 at 7:00 PM EST - Parents Supporting Parents 
 
Wednesday at 7:00 PM EST - Parents Supporting Parents 
 
Thursday at 7:00 PM EST - Parents Supporting Parents 
 
Thursday 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]
 
 
The Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts will be hosting its annual Careers in Accounting and Management Professions (C.A.M.P) program for high school students once again.  This year will be slightly different due to COVID-19.  We will be offering a one-day virtual session and partnering with the Massachusetts Society of CPA to do so.  Only high school students who will be in their junior or senior year in the upcoming fall are eligible. Students from underrepresented populations are strongly encouraged to apply. The main objective of the program is to introduce minority students to the field of business at an early age. Students with strong academics, motivation, leadership and interest in business/accounting are
given preference.  
 
If you could provide this information to upcoming Juniors and Seniors that you would recommend and the application link, this would be great. There will be no cost to this virtual session and the date will be secured by the end of June.  Any questions, please feel free to reach out directly to me.
 
Application link:  https://umassamherst.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4YHYMbJpwJwXHdI
 
 

Juneteenth Celebration - Saturday the 19th - Brookline Diversity Club
This year, a group of community leaders Brookline POC Committee, BBYBM (Brookline Black Yellow Brown Men), BDC (Brookline Diversity Club) have worked tirelessly to partner with the Brookline Community Foundation and the Town of Brookline in order to bring to you Brookline’s First Annual Juneteenth Celebration.
On June 19, 2021 we welcome everyone to join us outside of the Florida Ruffin Ridley School at 10am for a Freedom March (up Harvard to Brookline Ave) and ending at the Brookline Ave Park at 11:00am. Music, dancing, kids games, and food will be available to all through 8pm. To find out more detailed information about the event, and see any updates, you can visit our Facebook page, Brookline’s First Annual Juneteenth Celebration: https://www.facebook.com/events/242393120983548.
 
 
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/.
 
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/
 
 
ALL STUDENTS
 
MA Dept of Mental Health sponsors…
YASS-Young Adult Skills Spotlights Wednesdays in June from 12:00-2:30PM
The goal of the Young Adult Skills Spotlight (YASS) Series is to introduce young adults to valuable communication and career development skills in a fun and engaging way. Each interactive seminar can be attended for just that one skill or you can attend all five to receive the maximum benefit.
 
1. 6/9/21: Identifying the Right Volunteer, Internship and or Job Match for You- Discover what your strengths are and how to leverage these positive traits to create a vision and develop a plan to obtain a position that you will enjoy going to everyday. Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIsdO2urzspHNL9ZLLBeezKq24EMUaTEWPg
2. 6/16/21: Learn How to Effectively Search for and Apply to Volunteer, Internship or Job Positions in your Area. Come learn the steps in applying for a position that is right for you and how to gather the information you need to apply in person or on-line. Create a resume that highlights your strengths and learn how to present these skills to an employer in the best way possible. Acquire the skills needed to conduct an effective job search. Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAocO-grz0qHNbEDZYcPp4XY7dPBSa6ei9F
3. 6/23/21: Enhancing your Communication Strategies in your School and Work Life –Learn how to advocate for yourself and communicate your needs at school or in the workplace. Practice ways to describe your situation and how to have your voice heard in an effective way to lead to more productive outcomes. Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMpcOyqpzwtE9bAQgIpZAcEiKCM4tD9yPiV
4. 6/30/21: Preparing to Ace your Next Interview - Come learn the top ten questions in an interview and how to answer them in a way that gets you the volunteer opportunity, internship position, or job you have always wanted. Learn how to highlight your strengths in a way that gets you the position you want. Identify examples from your personal and/or work experience that will demonstrate to the interviewer that you are the person for the position. Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtceivpj8sE9RW_5OvuhiA6i40lNXBVKKT
 
 
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:
 
 
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].
 



 
JUNIORS
 
Reasonable cost for SAT prep this summer - Brookline Adult & Community Education is once again offering excellent SAT Prep classes.  Twelve Sessions will begin on June 22nd from 4:00PM - 6:00PM.  Register today! 
https://www.campusce.net/brookline/course/course.aspx?C=2841&pc=58&mc=90&sc=0
 
8 IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO IF YOU’RE PLANNING TO APPLY TO COLLEGE NEXT YEAR –
June and Summer 2021…

1. 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).
2. Complete the Jr Questionnaire. This information is required for your counselor to write your college recommendation. You can complete this questionnaire on your Naviance account under surveys. Email your counselor when you’ve completed the questionnaire.
3. Have one (or both) parents-caregivers complete the attached Parent Brag Sheet and return to your counselor before summer vacation starts.
4. 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!
5. 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.
6. Start brainstorming a rough draft of your college essay. Class of 2022 Common Application essay prompts attached to this email.
7. 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.
8. 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.

 
 
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
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
 
 
9th Graders
 
Looking for the 5/18 PTO session for 9th grade parents?
Here’s the link -  http://www.bhs-pto.org/class-of-2024.html