March has arrived! This school week is a regular schedule. Again, students in Grades 9-11 are also considering their course requests for the next school year. Finding the important school and life BALANCE for each student is key. Students should be hearing from their teachers regarding course level recommendations. They also should be aware of what credits they need to earn a BHS diploma by graduation. Students will have access to their portal from March 9 through 30 to upload elective and wellness courses. The 2021-22 BHS Course Catalog is now available on the BHS homepage.
While we all continue to survive and try to thrive through the pandemic, the importance of everyone’s mental health continues to be critical. If you have concerns for yourself, a family member, or friend, please use your resources so you are not worrying alone! And check out this recent Boston Globe article on some “silver linings” over the past year.
While we all continue to survive and try to thrive through the pandemic, the importance of everyone’s mental health continues to be critical. If you have concerns for yourself, a family member, or friend, please use your resources so you are not worrying alone! And check out this recent Boston Globe article on some “silver linings” over the past year.
Dates to Note-
ACE Applications due 3/5/21
March 9-30 - Portal open to add electives, wellness for senior year
April 5 - Deadline for course level changes. Next opportunity is after two week waiting period in September.
April 6 - Quarter 3 ends
ALL STUDENTS
Download the official Brookline High School App! Created by the App Development Club, the BHS App is an innovative product that transforms your high school experience.
Get real-time schedule tracking. Chat with students in your classes. Make school wide announcements. Make new friends. All through the BHS App!
To download, search “Brookline High School” on the Google Play or Apple App Store; or visit https://bhsappdev.github.io.
Due Tomorrow March 1….. There's still time to get your picture in the yearbook! We're extending the deadline to March 1st to give everyone a chance to shoot and submit a great photo. We’ve had an amazing response to this project so far but we need everyone to participate! To access the photo submission form, copy and add this link to your browser - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScDhWGJNvalt9SNFbTluaZVtDLwxh2yDicp8UPLM94Z4LB0KQ/viewform Feel free to contact me with any
IdeaSpace Craft-Along Kit Reservations - Thursday - Public Library of Brookline
Thursday, 7pm until supplies run out
Reserve your Craft-Along (for makers ages 13-103) or Craft-Along Jr. (for makers ages 5-9) Kit on Eventbrite – we offer a new project every second Monday of the month, and you can place a reservation beginning at 7 PM the Thursday before they become available. We’ll put your kit(s) on the holdshelf for two weeks, starting Monday, March 8. Just swing by the Library any time during open hours to pick them up! Whenever you’re ready for a Craft Night, open up your kit and follow the shortlink to your video workshop. That’s it! You can keep everything in your Craft-Along – no returns necessary. Copy and paste this link to your browser (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ideaspace-craft-along-march-kits-tickets-131509730143) starting at 7pm on Thursday, March 4th to reserve your kit. You can also use that link to set an auto-reminder for Thursday when the kit reservations become available.
Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon - The History Project - Sunday, March 7th, 11am
Did you know that only about 18% of all biographies on Wikipedia are about womxn? Help The History Project to improve the digital visibility of womxn and celebrate International Women’s Day by editing and adding articles on Wikipedia. Join the very first Wikipedia Edit-a-thon hosted by The History Project and learn more about queer womxn of New England including Sarah Orne Jewett, Elaine Noble, Rita Hester and Beverly Smith, among others.
The event will be conducted over Zoom. Reference materials and a pre-reordered training presentation on how to work on Wikipedia will be provided for your use throughout the event. Please RSVP on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wikipedia-edit-a-thon-queer-womxn-of-new-england-throughout-history-tickets-137851769353?fbclid=IwAR1w4-sXX9v0ME-Wzidn0YrAXYpiRZEcS6iDmwYSt3YzZYLvZQKoQ4vP2Xk.
Students – Need help in math? Check this out…. Student-led Math Center with the guidance of Mr. Paris and Ms. Kostant. Every morning from 7:30 to 8:15, they hold a Zoom Meeting that students can join to receive help in any of their work in math. Here’s a link to the daily Zoom Meeting: (https://zoom.us/j/96741784699?pwd=QW4yNzZMSlRUR2NQcjhBRmFOQ052Zz09).
ACE program info….. Attention BHS 9th-11th Graders - This past week, ACE is officially launching the application process for enrollment next September.
ACE, #High School Your Way, is a small, competency-based program for 55 students, grades 10-12, within BHS.
If you don't know much about ACE, you can also check out our website at:
ACE Your Way
If you are interested in applying to ACE, you need to schedule an appointment to do a zoom info. meeting and then a zoom classroom visit. Please schedule this with ACE Secretary: [email protected]
The link to the ACE application is also here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VnZl41KUmXDmF9SMmBku3tO6uDtWAxqR/view?usp=sharing The application deadline is Friday, March 5th.
We hope you will take the time to explore ACE if you feel like you need a change in your BHS high school experience.
Amy Bayer
ACE Program Coordinator
[email protected]
Summer Jobs:
Camp Chewonki will be offering their first-ever “virtual job fair this Thursday, March 4 from 11 am to 3 pm. During the fair, attendees can explore job booths in a digitized version of the Quad to learn more about being working at Camp Chewonki. We are recruiting for several positions, including cabin leaders, trip leaders, cooks, and more. Strong candidates should be passionate about providing an exceptional camp experience for children and be committed to creating a warm, inclusive community. Children benefit from seeing a wide range of people in positions of leadership, and we encourage you to share these opportunities with people across the wide variety of racial diversity, lived experiences, and identities to help us create a camp community where everyone can see themselves in the Chewonki experience. RSVP by copying and pasting this link to your browser - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdega7WNqLzktiRitAIGslaEQUGm-xLQB6qGATeTWpSnKD_yg/viewform
Folks who can’t attend the live event are also welcome to visit our employment opportunities page.
BHS Club information:
Are you interested in getting involved with the BHS community and finding a concrete group of peers to call your own, all while honing your theatrical skills? Look no further than BHS' Drama Society, led by it's student exec board and teachers, comprising in-school classes, community events, and shows! At the high school, drama courses include Drama 1/1A (full and half year courses for students just getting involved,) Drama 2/2A (a continual buildup of growth extending from Drama 1 classes,) and our upper-level BETCo and Needs Improvment options! In the future, on Thursday and Friday, March 4th-5th, the States Devised Show will go up at 7:00pm each night, written by the students themselves! The following week on Thursday and Friday, March 11th-12th, the Spring Play will premiere, (also at 7:00pm each showtime and student written.) AND, if you weren't enticed enough to get involved, auditions for the annual Student Directed Festival will be happening March 17th, with several student-lead pieces to possibly be cast in! Keep an eye on incoming information, and we can't wait to (hopefully) meet you!
BHS Drama Society Exec Board
*visit our Instagram @bhsdramasoc, TikTok @brooklinedramasociety, and website brooklinedrama.weebly.com to stay clued in on upcoming events!*
The BHS Global Leadership Club is hosting a virtual trivia night on Thursday, March 4th at 8:00 PM. You can come with a team of 3-5 or you will be placed on one; the prize is $30 at Paris Creperie (split between teammates). There is a suggested donation of $5 for students & $10 for adults, and the money will be donated to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for WHO. This event is open to BHS students and other people outside of BHS. Sign up at shorturl.at/demuA to get the zoom link!
Want to learn more about environmental racism and take action in the fight for climate justice? Join BHS Amnesty International, the Environmental Action Club, and Sunrise Brookline in Climate Justice Month. This group will continue to host three more different events each Wednesday focused on education and actions surrounding climate justice.
This Wednesday, they’ll discuss different local and federal legislation surrounding climate change and phonebank. For our last event, we’ll listen to a speaker and engage in a conversation about the climate crisis and its implications. We’ll be meeting at 7:30pm for around an hour each Wednesday of the month.
Lastly, if you come to 3 out of the 4 events you will be eligible to win a prize!
To sign up, use this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1uks8OlUWKFn5aKeYzxXy30H0WaTxNq1y3lNgB0gpqVg/edit
Mental health Supports:
Parents – Need some support right now? BRYT Central is offering free Parents Supporting Parents groups open to all caregivers. See the attached flyer for details.
Don’t worry alone!
Group Schedule:
Monday February 22 at 7:00 PM EST - BIPOC group
Tuesday February 23 at 7:00 PM EST - Open Topic
Wednesday February 24 at 7:00 PM EST - Open Topic
Thursday February 25 at 9:00 AM EST - Open Topic
Thursday February 26 at 6:00 PM EST - Spanish speaking group
And if you missed the BRYT Central special event on “All the Questions you've ever Wanted to ask about Crisis Services” on Wednesday February 10, a recording was made of the useful and important information from a panel of experts. The recording of this event is here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ehr2l8vpH8U&feature=youtu.be
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.
COVID Related Resources
Mutual Aid Brookline (MAB) shares this information…
FREE SERVICES
211 COVID Vaccine Appointment Assistance Over the Phone - Ongoing - Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
A new Vaccine Scheduling Resource Line has been launched to help residents 75 and older more easily schedule an appointment if they do not have internet or are unable to use the website at www.mass.gov/COVIDVaccine.
The call center will be staffed with over 500 representatives who can provide live phone support to assist residents with booking an appointment.
The line will be open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM. Live call center workers will be available in English and Spanish, and 100 additional languages will be available through translators. Call center workers will have the same access to appointments that users will see on the public website.
The line can be accessed by dialing 2–1–1 and selecting the prompt for “Help Scheduling a Vaccine Appointment.” Residents may have to wait on the line given expected high call volume.
Opportunities 2021 for BHS students– Summer is only 4 months away and it’s time to think to sun, temperatures in the 80’s and interesting ways to spend your summer. Thanks to BHS Career Counselor Kate Kennedy and her 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! They are also offering a virtual summer opportunities fair on Feb 25 from 6-8:45pm. Registration is required - https://www.teenlife.com/summer-virtual-fair/
RESOURCES FOR REMOTE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR BHS STUDENTS:
Try checking out this community service link from the free resource Teen Life - https://www.teenlife.com/category/volunteer/volunteer-boston/
Career Exploration:
The Boston chapter of PWC (Professional Women in Construction) is offering this great event for young women looking at construction and design related fields. This virtual event is on March 9th from 3-4pm. The event will include discussions of the different career paths available in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction fields.
There will be an opportunity for students to speak with professionals to ask questions and discuss any topics of interest. Registration is required and free for all – see below. The event will take place on zoom (link will be sent to registered attendees in advance of the event). Copy and past this link to your browser to register - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/full-steam-ahead-career-paths-of-women-in-aec-tickets-141997511379
A FREE DAY OF LIVE VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS FOR EMERGING FILMMAKERS IN GRADES 7-12 – MARCH 6, 10AM TO 4PM
This year, Gold Coast International Film Festival and Hofstra University are teaming up to present VIRTUAL Youth Film Day. This event is FREE for all interested students – you just need to register in advance. This year’s event will include:
The College and Career Center at Brookline High School is seeking community support for our Career Exploration and Immersion Program (CEIP). The goal of the CEIP is to build intentional connections between the professional expertise in our community and the students, teachers, and programs who seek understanding of and experience with the current professional landscape. The CEIP focuses on a two-fold mission: to bring experts into classrooms and/or the Career Center, as well as to bring students into the professional setting through career exploration and immersion activities.
https://forms.gle/94SfA1CrXYudhSGZ9
MassBay STEM stories - Learn more about the programs MassBay Community College offers in their STEM Division. To view our current Associate Degree and Certificate programs, please go to: https://www.massbay.edu/stem. The focus in on why this is a good time to consider pursuing an education/career in STEM. There are pre-recorded videos where students “meet” STEM faculty and students and see some of their labs. One of the videos is of a former biotech student speaking about this program. Another video is of a MassBay graduate who is an Engineer, now working in the wind energy field. There is an overview about the supports Mass Bay offers students and the smart economics of starting at a community college, regardless of where students want to end up.
SENIORS
Brookline Scholarship application period ends on April 15. All students who would like to be considered for the BHS scholarships (which are need based) need to submit their scholarship applications and CSS Profile by April 15th.
The scholarship application link is: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdp0n0dznzcGGiZ12S8sfE57lyshVlD_DOKqlfyjz_2yK0l1w/viewform and can also be found on the main page of the BHS website.
The CSS Profile is located on the College Board website. It must be completed and submitted to the BHS Scholarship Fund - code 0424.
If you got into a school and you are 100% sure you will not go there, please let them know (especially if this is a state school). Colleges are experiencing a huge increase in applications this year, and are therefore using waitlist and deferrals--so your email might help another student get in.
Interested in applying to Framingham State University? You have a great opportunity to get accepted on the spot at Framingham State University…. Join FSU and BHS for a Virtual Admissions Decision Day. Register to meet with an FSU admissions representative to discuss your application and receive your decision (please note, in some cases FSU will not be able to provide a decision at the time of meeting, but will let you know what your next steps are. Application fees will be waived for participating applicants). Here are the steps:
1) Make an appointment for the zoom session. Important: this will be a zoom meeting with the FSU Admissions Counselor who makes the admission decisions. Please come on time & represent BHS well.
2) Complete Commonapp.org for FSU, or FSU’s own application. Framingham State does not require an essay. To get the fee waiver, there is a question on both the FSU App, and then on the Common App (in the FSU questions) that asks if you are eligible for a school specific waiver. Select "official campus visit." It's okay if you submit the app before the meeting, once the meeting takes place FSU will make sure the app fee is waived.
3) Complete the transcript release form, & email Mr. Libenzon ([email protected]) to indicate that you will attend the on-the-spot session.
When your college financial aid package arrives, please join MEFA (MA Educational Financing Authority)…… After the College Acceptance
Thursday, March 18, 2021 | 7:00pm - 8:00pm
This webinar provides valuable guidance for high school seniors who have received their college acceptance letters and financial aid offers and are trying to make the college decision. Topics include an overview of different types of financial aid, an explanation of how to calculate the balance due at each college, and methods for paying the college bill. Register at : https://www.mefa.org/events/after-the-college-acceptance2
The alternate date is Thursday, April 08, 7pm. Register at
https://www.mefa.org/events/after-the-college-acceptance4
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.
JUNIORS
Your unofficial transcript is now available to review on your student portal. Please review your unofficial transcript for any missing classes, incompletes 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
Time to attend some virtual COLLEGE FAIRS!
HOLD this date….. March 10th at 6:30 PM BHS Virtual College Fair
National Portfolio Days
Students can register to attend any of the free, online National Portfolio Days. Copy and paste this link to your browser - https://nationalportfolioday.org/about-national-portfolio-day-events/
Upon registering, participating students will receive information on how to upload their portfolio for the virtual reviews. Representatives will access their work while the review happens virtually on the day/time of the scheduled event.
NACAC Virtual College Fair
Encourage your students to register for free at virtualcollegefairs.org.
More than 500 colleges and universities will present more than 1,500 Zoom sessions for high school students on January 31. It's a great day to explore, ask questions, and demonstrate interest... all without leaving home.
College Board offers BigFuture Days Northeast will take place on Sunday, March 7, 4:00-8:00pm. Go to https://pages.collegeboard.org/big-future-days to register. Before you attend BigFuture Days, be sure to save a list of the colleges you are most interested in to be organizes as you connect with BigFuture. If you are unsure about a college, you can check out their website, social media properties, or profile page on BigFuture. For more information about what to do before BigFuture Days Northeast, visit this page. You’ll be able to connect with admissions representatives and current college students from the following schools and more! Click on the school name to view their profile page on BigFuture.
BigFuture Days Midwest is on Thursday, March 11.
March 31 - Virtual Panel re: College Support Services for Students with Learning Differences - 6:30pm
Many colleges & universities remain test-optional for the Class of 2022. Copy and paste this link to see the regularly updated list from FairTest - https://www.fairtest.org/more-half-all-us-colleges-and-universities-are-alr
BHS Librarians are offering….. FREE online ACT/ SAT/ TOEFL test prep support started Thurs Feb 11. 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
ACE Applications due 3/5/21
March 9-30 - Portal open to add electives, wellness for senior year
April 5 - Deadline for course level changes. Next opportunity is after two week waiting period in September.
April 6 - Quarter 3 ends
ALL STUDENTS
Download the official Brookline High School App! Created by the App Development Club, the BHS App is an innovative product that transforms your high school experience.
Get real-time schedule tracking. Chat with students in your classes. Make school wide announcements. Make new friends. All through the BHS App!
To download, search “Brookline High School” on the Google Play or Apple App Store; or visit https://bhsappdev.github.io.
Due Tomorrow March 1….. There's still time to get your picture in the yearbook! We're extending the deadline to March 1st to give everyone a chance to shoot and submit a great photo. We’ve had an amazing response to this project so far but we need everyone to participate! To access the photo submission form, copy and add this link to your browser - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScDhWGJNvalt9SNFbTluaZVtDLwxh2yDicp8UPLM94Z4LB0KQ/viewform Feel free to contact me with any
IdeaSpace Craft-Along Kit Reservations - Thursday - Public Library of Brookline
Thursday, 7pm until supplies run out
Reserve your Craft-Along (for makers ages 13-103) or Craft-Along Jr. (for makers ages 5-9) Kit on Eventbrite – we offer a new project every second Monday of the month, and you can place a reservation beginning at 7 PM the Thursday before they become available. We’ll put your kit(s) on the holdshelf for two weeks, starting Monday, March 8. Just swing by the Library any time during open hours to pick them up! Whenever you’re ready for a Craft Night, open up your kit and follow the shortlink to your video workshop. That’s it! You can keep everything in your Craft-Along – no returns necessary. Copy and paste this link to your browser (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ideaspace-craft-along-march-kits-tickets-131509730143) starting at 7pm on Thursday, March 4th to reserve your kit. You can also use that link to set an auto-reminder for Thursday when the kit reservations become available.
Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon - The History Project - Sunday, March 7th, 11am
Did you know that only about 18% of all biographies on Wikipedia are about womxn? Help The History Project to improve the digital visibility of womxn and celebrate International Women’s Day by editing and adding articles on Wikipedia. Join the very first Wikipedia Edit-a-thon hosted by The History Project and learn more about queer womxn of New England including Sarah Orne Jewett, Elaine Noble, Rita Hester and Beverly Smith, among others.
The event will be conducted over Zoom. Reference materials and a pre-reordered training presentation on how to work on Wikipedia will be provided for your use throughout the event. Please RSVP on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wikipedia-edit-a-thon-queer-womxn-of-new-england-throughout-history-tickets-137851769353?fbclid=IwAR1w4-sXX9v0ME-Wzidn0YrAXYpiRZEcS6iDmwYSt3YzZYLvZQKoQ4vP2Xk.
Students – Need help in math? Check this out…. Student-led Math Center with the guidance of Mr. Paris and Ms. Kostant. Every morning from 7:30 to 8:15, they hold a Zoom Meeting that students can join to receive help in any of their work in math. Here’s a link to the daily Zoom Meeting: (https://zoom.us/j/96741784699?pwd=QW4yNzZMSlRUR2NQcjhBRmFOQ052Zz09).
ACE program info….. Attention BHS 9th-11th Graders - This past week, ACE is officially launching the application process for enrollment next September.
ACE, #High School Your Way, is a small, competency-based program for 55 students, grades 10-12, within BHS.
If you don't know much about ACE, you can also check out our website at:
ACE Your Way
If you are interested in applying to ACE, you need to schedule an appointment to do a zoom info. meeting and then a zoom classroom visit. Please schedule this with ACE Secretary: [email protected]
The link to the ACE application is also here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VnZl41KUmXDmF9SMmBku3tO6uDtWAxqR/view?usp=sharing The application deadline is Friday, March 5th.
We hope you will take the time to explore ACE if you feel like you need a change in your BHS high school experience.
Amy Bayer
ACE Program Coordinator
[email protected]
Summer Jobs:
Camp Chewonki will be offering their first-ever “virtual job fair this Thursday, March 4 from 11 am to 3 pm. During the fair, attendees can explore job booths in a digitized version of the Quad to learn more about being working at Camp Chewonki. We are recruiting for several positions, including cabin leaders, trip leaders, cooks, and more. Strong candidates should be passionate about providing an exceptional camp experience for children and be committed to creating a warm, inclusive community. Children benefit from seeing a wide range of people in positions of leadership, and we encourage you to share these opportunities with people across the wide variety of racial diversity, lived experiences, and identities to help us create a camp community where everyone can see themselves in the Chewonki experience. RSVP by copying and pasting this link to your browser - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdega7WNqLzktiRitAIGslaEQUGm-xLQB6qGATeTWpSnKD_yg/viewform
Folks who can’t attend the live event are also welcome to visit our employment opportunities page.
BHS Club information:
Are you interested in getting involved with the BHS community and finding a concrete group of peers to call your own, all while honing your theatrical skills? Look no further than BHS' Drama Society, led by it's student exec board and teachers, comprising in-school classes, community events, and shows! At the high school, drama courses include Drama 1/1A (full and half year courses for students just getting involved,) Drama 2/2A (a continual buildup of growth extending from Drama 1 classes,) and our upper-level BETCo and Needs Improvment options! In the future, on Thursday and Friday, March 4th-5th, the States Devised Show will go up at 7:00pm each night, written by the students themselves! The following week on Thursday and Friday, March 11th-12th, the Spring Play will premiere, (also at 7:00pm each showtime and student written.) AND, if you weren't enticed enough to get involved, auditions for the annual Student Directed Festival will be happening March 17th, with several student-lead pieces to possibly be cast in! Keep an eye on incoming information, and we can't wait to (hopefully) meet you!
BHS Drama Society Exec Board
*visit our Instagram @bhsdramasoc, TikTok @brooklinedramasociety, and website brooklinedrama.weebly.com to stay clued in on upcoming events!*
The BHS Global Leadership Club is hosting a virtual trivia night on Thursday, March 4th at 8:00 PM. You can come with a team of 3-5 or you will be placed on one; the prize is $30 at Paris Creperie (split between teammates). There is a suggested donation of $5 for students & $10 for adults, and the money will be donated to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for WHO. This event is open to BHS students and other people outside of BHS. Sign up at shorturl.at/demuA to get the zoom link!
Want to learn more about environmental racism and take action in the fight for climate justice? Join BHS Amnesty International, the Environmental Action Club, and Sunrise Brookline in Climate Justice Month. This group will continue to host three more different events each Wednesday focused on education and actions surrounding climate justice.
This Wednesday, they’ll discuss different local and federal legislation surrounding climate change and phonebank. For our last event, we’ll listen to a speaker and engage in a conversation about the climate crisis and its implications. We’ll be meeting at 7:30pm for around an hour each Wednesday of the month.
Lastly, if you come to 3 out of the 4 events you will be eligible to win a prize!
To sign up, use this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1uks8OlUWKFn5aKeYzxXy30H0WaTxNq1y3lNgB0gpqVg/edit
Mental health Supports:
Parents – Need some support right now? BRYT Central is offering free Parents Supporting Parents groups open to all caregivers. See the attached flyer for details.
Don’t worry alone!
Group Schedule:
Monday February 22 at 7:00 PM EST - BIPOC group
Tuesday February 23 at 7:00 PM EST - Open Topic
Wednesday February 24 at 7:00 PM EST - Open Topic
Thursday February 25 at 9:00 AM EST - Open Topic
Thursday February 26 at 6:00 PM EST - Spanish speaking group
And if you missed the BRYT Central special event on “All the Questions you've ever Wanted to ask about Crisis Services” on Wednesday February 10, a recording was made of the useful and important information from a panel of experts. The recording of this event is here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ehr2l8vpH8U&feature=youtu.be
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.
COVID Related Resources
Mutual Aid Brookline (MAB) shares this information…
FREE SERVICES
211 COVID Vaccine Appointment Assistance Over the Phone - Ongoing - Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
A new Vaccine Scheduling Resource Line has been launched to help residents 75 and older more easily schedule an appointment if they do not have internet or are unable to use the website at www.mass.gov/COVIDVaccine.
The call center will be staffed with over 500 representatives who can provide live phone support to assist residents with booking an appointment.
The line will be open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM. Live call center workers will be available in English and Spanish, and 100 additional languages will be available through translators. Call center workers will have the same access to appointments that users will see on the public website.
The line can be accessed by dialing 2–1–1 and selecting the prompt for “Help Scheduling a Vaccine Appointment.” Residents may have to wait on the line given expected high call volume.
Opportunities 2021 for BHS students– Summer is only 4 months away and it’s time to think to sun, temperatures in the 80’s and interesting ways to spend your summer. Thanks to BHS Career Counselor Kate Kennedy and her 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! They are also offering a virtual summer opportunities fair on Feb 25 from 6-8:45pm. Registration is required - https://www.teenlife.com/summer-virtual-fair/
RESOURCES FOR REMOTE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR BHS STUDENTS:
Try checking out this community service link from the free resource Teen Life - https://www.teenlife.com/category/volunteer/volunteer-boston/
Career Exploration:
The Boston chapter of PWC (Professional Women in Construction) is offering this great event for young women looking at construction and design related fields. This virtual event is on March 9th from 3-4pm. The event will include discussions of the different career paths available in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction fields.
There will be an opportunity for students to speak with professionals to ask questions and discuss any topics of interest. Registration is required and free for all – see below. The event will take place on zoom (link will be sent to registered attendees in advance of the event). Copy and past this link to your browser to register - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/full-steam-ahead-career-paths-of-women-in-aec-tickets-141997511379
A FREE DAY OF LIVE VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS FOR EMERGING FILMMAKERS IN GRADES 7-12 – MARCH 6, 10AM TO 4PM
This year, Gold Coast International Film Festival and Hofstra University are teaming up to present VIRTUAL Youth Film Day. This event is FREE for all interested students – you just need to register in advance. This year’s event will include:
- LIVE ZOOM WORKSHOPS – Cinematography, Experimental Filmmaking, Special FX Makeup, Directing, Low Budget Special Effects and more! Login to as many workshops as you want throughout the day. For descriptions of all workshops, see attached flyer.
- CONVERSATIONS WITH AWARD-WINNING FILMMAKERS – Hear from award-winning filmmakers whose work has appeared on HBO, Comedy Central, FX Networks and has won awards at film festivals around the world
The College and Career Center at Brookline High School is seeking community support for our Career Exploration and Immersion Program (CEIP). The goal of the CEIP is to build intentional connections between the professional expertise in our community and the students, teachers, and programs who seek understanding of and experience with the current professional landscape. The CEIP focuses on a two-fold mission: to bring experts into classrooms and/or the Career Center, as well as to bring students into the professional setting through career exploration and immersion activities.
https://forms.gle/94SfA1CrXYudhSGZ9
MassBay STEM stories - Learn more about the programs MassBay Community College offers in their STEM Division. To view our current Associate Degree and Certificate programs, please go to: https://www.massbay.edu/stem. The focus in on why this is a good time to consider pursuing an education/career in STEM. There are pre-recorded videos where students “meet” STEM faculty and students and see some of their labs. One of the videos is of a former biotech student speaking about this program. Another video is of a MassBay graduate who is an Engineer, now working in the wind energy field. There is an overview about the supports Mass Bay offers students and the smart economics of starting at a community college, regardless of where students want to end up.
SENIORS
Brookline Scholarship application period ends on April 15. All students who would like to be considered for the BHS scholarships (which are need based) need to submit their scholarship applications and CSS Profile by April 15th.
The scholarship application link is: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdp0n0dznzcGGiZ12S8sfE57lyshVlD_DOKqlfyjz_2yK0l1w/viewform and can also be found on the main page of the BHS website.
The CSS Profile is located on the College Board website. It must be completed and submitted to the BHS Scholarship Fund - code 0424.
If you got into a school and you are 100% sure you will not go there, please let them know (especially if this is a state school). Colleges are experiencing a huge increase in applications this year, and are therefore using waitlist and deferrals--so your email might help another student get in.
Interested in applying to Framingham State University? You have a great opportunity to get accepted on the spot at Framingham State University…. Join FSU and BHS for a Virtual Admissions Decision Day. Register to meet with an FSU admissions representative to discuss your application and receive your decision (please note, in some cases FSU will not be able to provide a decision at the time of meeting, but will let you know what your next steps are. Application fees will be waived for participating applicants). Here are the steps:
1) Make an appointment for the zoom session. Important: this will be a zoom meeting with the FSU Admissions Counselor who makes the admission decisions. Please come on time & represent BHS well.
2) Complete Commonapp.org for FSU, or FSU’s own application. Framingham State does not require an essay. To get the fee waiver, there is a question on both the FSU App, and then on the Common App (in the FSU questions) that asks if you are eligible for a school specific waiver. Select "official campus visit." It's okay if you submit the app before the meeting, once the meeting takes place FSU will make sure the app fee is waived.
3) Complete the transcript release form, & email Mr. Libenzon ([email protected]) to indicate that you will attend the on-the-spot session.
When your college financial aid package arrives, please join MEFA (MA Educational Financing Authority)…… After the College Acceptance
Thursday, March 18, 2021 | 7:00pm - 8:00pm
This webinar provides valuable guidance for high school seniors who have received their college acceptance letters and financial aid offers and are trying to make the college decision. Topics include an overview of different types of financial aid, an explanation of how to calculate the balance due at each college, and methods for paying the college bill. Register at : https://www.mefa.org/events/after-the-college-acceptance2
The alternate date is Thursday, April 08, 7pm. Register at
https://www.mefa.org/events/after-the-college-acceptance4
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.
JUNIORS
Your unofficial transcript is now available to review on your student portal. Please review your unofficial transcript for any missing classes, incompletes 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
Time to attend some virtual COLLEGE FAIRS!
HOLD this date….. March 10th at 6:30 PM BHS Virtual College Fair
National Portfolio Days
Students can register to attend any of the free, online National Portfolio Days. Copy and paste this link to your browser - https://nationalportfolioday.org/about-national-portfolio-day-events/
Upon registering, participating students will receive information on how to upload their portfolio for the virtual reviews. Representatives will access their work while the review happens virtually on the day/time of the scheduled event.
NACAC Virtual College Fair
Encourage your students to register for free at virtualcollegefairs.org.
More than 500 colleges and universities will present more than 1,500 Zoom sessions for high school students on January 31. It's a great day to explore, ask questions, and demonstrate interest... all without leaving home.
College Board offers BigFuture Days Northeast will take place on Sunday, March 7, 4:00-8:00pm. Go to https://pages.collegeboard.org/big-future-days to register. Before you attend BigFuture Days, be sure to save a list of the colleges you are most interested in to be organizes as you connect with BigFuture. If you are unsure about a college, you can check out their website, social media properties, or profile page on BigFuture. For more information about what to do before BigFuture Days Northeast, visit this page. You’ll be able to connect with admissions representatives and current college students from the following schools and more! Click on the school name to view their profile page on BigFuture.
BigFuture Days Midwest is on Thursday, March 11.
March 31 - Virtual Panel re: College Support Services for Students with Learning Differences - 6:30pm
Many colleges & universities remain test-optional for the Class of 2022. Copy and paste this link to see the regularly updated list from FairTest - https://www.fairtest.org/more-half-all-us-colleges-and-universities-are-alr
BHS Librarians are offering….. FREE online ACT/ SAT/ TOEFL test prep support started Thurs Feb 11. 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