It’s a sunny warm Sunday! I hope all of you are enjoying this spring day with more to come this week.
Students in Grades 9-11 will continue to add their course requests for 2021-22 into their student portals through 3/30. See attached portal instructions given to students in hubs/advisories last week. As courses are considered, school and life BALANCE for each student is key. Students should have heard from their teachers regarding course level recommendations. They also should be aware of what credits they need to earn a BHS diploma by their graduation. The 2021-22 BHS Course Catalog is now available on the BHS homepage.
There will be 2 IPRs (progress reports) for this Quarter 3. The first IPR was posted to student and parent portals on Monday 3/8. The next Quarter 3 IPR will be uploaded to the student and parent portals this Thurs 3/25. The end of Quarter 3 is Tues 4/6.
This week is a regular week of school. No special schedule! Next week is a special schedule week with Monday 3/29 being a student ½ day for BHS staff professional development. Friday 4/2 is a holiday off for Good Friday/Easter.
Students in Grades 9-11 will continue to add their course requests for 2021-22 into their student portals through 3/30. See attached portal instructions given to students in hubs/advisories last week. As courses are considered, school and life BALANCE for each student is key. Students should have heard from their teachers regarding course level recommendations. They also should be aware of what credits they need to earn a BHS diploma by their graduation. The 2021-22 BHS Course Catalog is now available on the BHS homepage.
There will be 2 IPRs (progress reports) for this Quarter 3. The first IPR was posted to student and parent portals on Monday 3/8. The next Quarter 3 IPR will be uploaded to the student and parent portals this Thurs 3/25. The end of Quarter 3 is Tues 4/6.
This week is a regular week of school. No special schedule! Next week is a special schedule week with Monday 3/29 being a student ½ day for BHS staff professional development. Friday 4/2 is a holiday off for Good Friday/Easter.
Dates to Note-
March 9-30 - Portal open to add electives, wellness for senior year
April 5 - Deadline for course level changes. Next opportunity to override is after two week waiting period in September. Please consider your student’s teacher recommendations and reach out to the teacher (or counselor) if you have any questions.
April 6 - Quarter 3 ends
Mental health Supports:
MENTAL HEALTH IN THE TIME OF COVID
This Wednesday March 24 at 7:30pm: Mental Health in the Time of COVID.
For most of us, this past year has been the most challenging in memory. While a lot of attention has been paid to the impact of the pandemic on children, adults are suffering as well, feeling overwhelmed, depressed, distracted, afraid, angry. This has resulted in a dramatic increase in mental health issues and substance use. On March 24 at 7 p.m., the Brookline Department of Public Health and the Brookline Center for Community Mental Health are coming together to present a zoom forum to discuss strategies and resources for adults in our community. Moderated by WBUR CommonHealth host Carey Goldberg, speakers will give an overview of needs and resources, followed by a Q&A. Please join us – let’s do this together! To register for this free webinar, copy and paste this link to your browser - https://brooklinema.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_j1Z8sbj_T9-CfUiV3qVikg?mc_cid=95767123c3&mc_eid=ca3683a655
LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL WITH JON MATTLEMAN
SAVE THE DATE! On Tues., April 6 @ 7 p.m., Jon Mattleman will present Light at the End of the Tunnel: Strategies and Resources for the Transitions. A special parent presentation on how we can manage anxiety, optimize resilience, and keep our families in balance as COVID restrictions relax, kids go back to school, and we resume some level of normalcy. Bringing 35 years of experience as a therapist, he uses insight, warmth, and humor to share practical tools, tips, techniques, and resources to help guide us through challenging transitions to new situations. Specific details on this virtual presentation to follow.
Also for parents/caregivers – Need some support right now?
BRYT Central is offering free Parents Supporting Parents groups open to all caregivers. See attached flyer for details.
Don’t worry alone!
ALL STUDENTS
One Year Anniversary Drive Through Food Drive
Date: Saturday 3/27/21 Time: 9:00 am - 12:00pm for food drop off
We will be there later organizing and delivering, but please drop off as early in the day as possible. as we try to begin deliveries by about 1:30 pm. Location: BHS - In front of the main entrance, 115 Greenough St., Brookline, MA 02445
Details: We hope to be on the front steps at BHS. If the weather doesn't work for this we will be in the atrium, but will leave a sign at the food drop off spot. You can drive down Greenough Street and leave the food right on the sidewalk or we will gather it from your car.
See email attachment for items to bring.
Number of Grocery Deliveries - We are up to 48 BHS families currently receiving grocery deliveries as a result of these food drives with the possibility to add more. Volunteers - We might need some more volunteers/delivery drivers for this Sunday. Please email [email protected] if you are interested. If we have enough, we will put you on the April list!
Town Hall on Anti-Asian Racism - Thursday - Asian and Pacific Islanders Civic Action Network
Thursday, 6:00-7:30pm
APIsCAN is hosting a forum March 25, 2021 6pm-7:30pm highlighting how the Asian American community in MA is organizing against racism and learning how to support our community during the pandemic. RSVP at bit.ly/townhallaar.
There is a new science help center at BHS run by peer tutors that started last week! Feel free to stop by if you need help in your science classes, or want to ask a quick question.
Science help center times: Tuesday's X-Block, Wednesdays afterschool (12:15-1:00), and Friday's X-Block.
Meeting Link: https://zoom.us/s/95851906783?pwd=cTBHUDRVTXBLVU1qb3RrVWVoTEFMUT09#success
Meeting ID: 958 5190 6783
Meeting Password: 7mKpKY
Please email [email protected] for any questions!
Are you interested in sharing your art with a supportive group of peers, or simply coming to enjoy other’s work? Look no further than SWS Art Show, Friday, April 16th at 6:30pm. Artists across the school will be able to auction, donate, or just share all of their hard work. The event is open to anyone interested in coming - - so come! Fill out this link to get involved, and email [email protected] for more information.
BHS Students taking AP Exams – Total Registration email was sent to you recently but you can also see the updated AP exam information and BHS exam schedule attached to this email.
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.
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).
BHS Club and Extracurricular information:
Have you ever wanted to build muscle or better your performance in sports? BHS Lifting & Nutrition may be the place for you. We go in depth on many lifting techniques and exercises to help build muscle for efficiency in athletics or for aesthetics. We pair that with a nutrition course to make sure even after your workout you're still making improvements (75% diet, 25% training). We welcome all those interested in attending and hope to see you there.
Meeting time Mondays @7pm
Zoom link:
https://zoom.us/j/9254636688?pwd=MkhrMk5yb0JCY0h1eCtyZG9qZ1NFZz09
BHS is creating the first girls rugby team at BHS this Spring! Check out their website - https://brooklinegirlsrugby.wixsite.com/my-site. Currently recruiting for the boys and girls teams!
Interested in playing or have questions?
Girls Captain: [email protected]
Boys Captain: [email protected]
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!*
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.
Summer Opportunities and Jobs:
Opportunities 2021 for BHS students– Summer is only 3 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 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 remote volunteer opportunities for BHS:
Try checking out this community service link from the free resource Teen Life - https://www.teenlife.com/category/volunteer/volunteer-boston/
SENIORS
REGISTER TO VOTE BY APRIL 14th! Anyone who is 16 and older is eligible to register, and anyone 18+ can vote. There is a Select Board election happening MAY 4th, make sure your voice is heard on a local level!
Here is a guide we have put together: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LsSNlSNrVuZEZffWoAYD_o2h2sNo0W9ITtTeMgjlkNQ/edit?usp=sharing
Check out this slide for more details: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/182lgVG6yTEo8G8zHuiQbbeKCGCFYmBaHd_R4sBsvLJs/edit?usp=sharing
Stay tuned with Sunrise Brookline for more info!
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.
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.
SENIORS AND JUNIORS
Save the Date - Evening online webinar event from author and presenter Harlan Cohen on Wednesday, April 14 @ 7pm- 17 Things You Need To Do Before College: New York Times bestselling author Harlan Cohen delivers helpful tips and strategies for students and parents during this info-packed interactive live virtual event. Learn about the latest research, trends, and plans college campuses are making to welcome the Class of 2021. This event is perfect for seniors, parents and juniors in the college planning process. There is no cost to attend. Registration link is coming!
JUNIORS
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
Missed the BHS College Fair 2 weeks ago? Did you attend the BHS College Fair and found good information or got some important questions answered? You are now a virtual college fair expert! Time to attend some more virtual COLLEGE FAIRS!
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/
Upcoming dates include:
Saturday April 10 8am-12pm CST
Friday May 7th 10am-4pm CST
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 - https://virtualcollegefairs.org/events
Register for any or all of these dates:
March 21 – 605 International and US Colleges and Universities
April 10 – 148 Colleges and Universities from the Western US
April 20 – 162 Colleges and Universities from the Southeastern US
May 2 – 597 International and US Colleges and Universities
College Admissions Boot Camp – Free webinar sessions on topics important to the college application process. Sponsored by NEARR (New England Area Regional Representatives).
Registration is required - https://regionalreps.org/admissions-bootcamp
March 23, 7-8 pm: Building A College List (Outside of New England)
March 31, 2-3 pm: Tips for Writing the College Essay
April 8, 7-8 pm: Ask Admissions Anything
April 13, 7-8:30 pm: Application Case Studies
Thinking about a Gap Year after graduation? Here’s a list of free gap year specific webinars and another virtual Gap Year Fair you can register to attend - https://www.gooverseas.com/gap-year/usa-fairs/schedule
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 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 and 10th Graders
Sign up for the Peer Leadership Class - CE5900 Peer Leadership and Public Health - How do we change people’s behavior? Drawing from public health, social work, and psychology, students will learn about many of the complex social, emotional and health issues that affect today’s youth and how to address them. Students in the course will design and implement new ways to help Brookline youth, focusing particularly on maintaining mental health, creating a more accepting school culture, developing healthy relationships, preventing the abuse of alcohol and other drugs, and reducing stress. Students will learn skills such as facilitating groups, using media and social media, and preparing presentations for parent groups, Wellness classes, and public hearings. In addition, students will develop experience in public speaking and leadership, learning to be successful not only in this class but also in future endeavors.
Meets Z block 2-3 mornings a week. Some outside of class presentations to Wellness classes and evening forums. Teacher Abby Dean, MPH, LICSW for questions [email protected]