​BHS Guidance/Counseling Dept Weekly Updates – Week of March 7, 2022

This is Week A for BHS grades 9-12.
 
The mask mandate for the town of Brookline remains is currently in place through March 15, 2022 . Public health data is being reviewed for any further recommendations. All BHS students and staff are still wearing masks at this time.
 
Quarter 3 academic Progress Reports #1 (IPRs) are now uploaded to the parent and student portals as of last Friday March 4.
 
What are FLEX blocks for Gr 10-12 students?  There are two Flex blocks for grades 10-12 Hub/Advisory this quarter 3.  Flex blocks are a time during Hub/Advisory for students to work on academics.  These are scheduled to occur following progress reports. BHS faculty and students have been notified of these Flex dates in advance so that everyone can plan to use these blocks effectively.  ​

Where?   While most students will work in their Hub rooms, students are able to meet with other BHS staff or faculty with an appointment and with their advisor’s prior approval.  Attendance and supervision during T blocks matter.  It’s each student’s responsibility to ensure advisors have prior confirmation if a student has an appointment to see other faculty.  Students MUST report to advisory at the top of the block for attendance purposes.   Unlike Tuesday morning H blocks, there is no conflict with Z block classes and attendance WILL BE TAKEN.  Since you have this time available, make a plan to use it well.

URGENT HELP NEEDED FOR UKRAINIAN REFUGEES
The refugees that escaped from Ukraine are in urgent need of the following items. All donation deliveries are organized by the Ukrainian community in Newton in coordination with refugee camps in Galati and Brasov in Romania:

Medicine - pain relievers, saline, sanitizers, disinfectants, children's medicine, IV kits, first aid kits, band-aids, gauze, gloves, antibiotic cream
Toiletries  - soap, deodorant, menstrual products, wipes, diapers, toothbrush/toothpaste, shampoo/conditioner, toiler paper
Food  - canned food, pet food, baby formula, non-perishables
Other  - batteries, flashlights, socks, coloring books, markers, candles, disposable table cloths

You can drop off donations directly at 200 Wells Ave. Newton, MA 02459 (weekdays 4-8pm and Saturdays 10am-4pm).
 
 
Course selection for the 2022-23 school year is beginning for students in Grades 9-11.
Please note these important steps in the process:

• Morning zoom course selection meetings were offered for parents-guardians of students in Grades 9-11 with grade level deans and curriculum coordinators. Recordings of these presentations are available – emailed by grade level PTO reps. The Grade 9 presentation is also added in the 2/14/22 Weekly Update under 9th grade info on the BHS Guidance website (see above for link). The 2/15/22 Grades 10-11 presentation recording was shared again by PTO reps and is on Weekly Update below under Juniors/Sophomores.
• Be sure all students in Grades 9-11 know how to access their Student Portal accounts NOW! This saves time and energy when the portal opens later in March. Here’s the Aspen (student portal) link - https://ma-brookline.myfollett.com/aspen Log in ID: This is the SAME login and password as the student uses for all PSB accounts (BHS Student Wifi Network, Aspen, CANVAS, Google) -  grad year +last name + first initial e.g.:21jonesk (must be all lowercase letters) Any student needing to reset their password should use the self-service tool at rmp.brooklinema.gov

Detailed information on all technology accounts can be found on this page. https://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/technology-information--accounts.html

• Hub-Advisory time will be offered to share directions and offer time to get started too. Peer support through the BHS Library will be available this year to help students to both access the student portal and to navigate the course selection site in mid-March. Stay tuned for dates and times for these support opportunities!

 

• Check out the new 2022-23 BHS Course Catalog now. Take some time to review all of the offerings for your grade level. Think about the elective and special subject area options available to BHS students.  Consider trying something totally new or check out a course that aligns with an interest or career area you have wondered about…. New this year – QR codes in a number of elective programs to dig deeper into the offerings and visuals to SEE what you learn! While still being finalized with course updates, the catalog can be found on the BHS Homepage or by cutting/pasting this link to your server - https://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/uploads/8/0/1/5/801512/bhs22_23course_cataloga.pdf

 

• Teachers in students’ courses are now discussing course options in their subject area and curriculum level recommendations with students individually now. Ask your student what those conversations have been so far!

 

• The window for course requests being confirmed and uploaded by student to their Student Portal extends from Tues, March 15 to Tues April 5. Keep in mind that this is only the course requests stage. No courses are scheduled for any student until earliest, late spring. Be sure to prioritize your courses by level of interest and list alternate courses during this step. More to come on these considerations but very important to the process!

 

• Talk with your teachers, parents-guardians, counselor, program coordinator for consultation about building a well-balanced course load that allows for academic rigor while also supporting life balance with extracurricular activities, possibly a job and/or community service, quality sleep, and time to relax with friends and family.

 

• And be sure to think about the BHS graduation requirements as you plan your courses. Keep in mind that electives and wellness NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN YOUR COURSE REQUESTS. Be ready to use the alternates option too.

 

• Check your current transcript (on your Student Portal) to be sure that you are on your way to earning all required credits towards graduation. Also review for any missing classes or errors.

Contact your counselor with any questions or concerns.

• 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 – could include Journalism, Community Service, Learning Centers, Tutorial, and/or Scholars
• Wellness - .5 Lifetime Wellness, 3 - .25 wellness credits
• + additional credits to earn minimum total credits of 22

 
 
IMPORTANT NOTE – As always, thank you to students and family members for reading this weekly BHS Counseling/Guidance Dept Weekly Update. This weekly BHS Counseling/Guidance Dept update will continue to be sent out during the earlier weekday of each school week, but not over the weekend/Sunday. Your understanding and support are greatly appreciated!

These BHS Counseling Dept Weekly Update emails are sent to all students and the 1st contact parent/guardian listed on the students’ X2 accounts.

All NEW UPDATES will be highlighted in BLUE each week for easy scanning of newest info. 
 
FAMILIES
Student Mental Health and Family Support Resources:
 
A BRYT Family Engagement team will be offering their next live event coming up in April, called 'Ready to Launch'.   This panel of experts will talk with us about post-graduation options and setting our students up for success after high school.   This is free and open to ALL families, not just BRYT.
 
Free, weekly parent-to-parent virtual support groups are available for any parent-guardian to join. See the flyer with links here: BRYT Parent-to-parent supports.  Again, open to ALL families of students who are navigating mental health difficulties.
 
 
 
LOCAL COVID VACCINE CLINICS (info from MAB) -
Nearby vaccine clinics:
Ongoing, Fenway Stadium, state vaccination site, all residents 12+, offers Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J (only Pfizer for 12-17), initial round or booster (register here: https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/cataldofenway, walk-ins also accepted)
Ongoing, Whittier Street Health Center, all residents 5+, offers Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J (only Pfizer for 5-17), initial round or booster (see hours here: https://www.wshc.org/covid-19-vaccine/)
For the most updated info on Brookline's testing and vaccine clinics, please visit the Health Department's website at https://www.brooklinema.gov/2050/COVID-19-Testing-Vaccine-Clinics. (It may take a minute to load.)
 
 
ALL STUDENTS 
 
This spring (2022), the Parks and Open Space Division will collaborate with a group of Brookline Teens to build and design a mini-park (or "parklet"). The development of a parklet involves repurposing 2-3 curbside parking spaces into a fun, outdoor space where people can eat, drink, read, work, visit with friends and enjoy the downtown commercial areas within Brookline. Are you between 12-18 years old and interested in getting involved? Sign up at https://www.brooklinema.gov/teenparklet. The Teen Parklet Project is kindly being funded by a Brookline Community Foundation Grant.
 
Are you a writer and/or a storyteller?  Join us for the 2nd Annual BHS Story Hour!  Applications are due next Monday, March 14, 2022. The Moth is a non-profit group based in New York City that focuses on the art and craft of storytelling. They organize story slams, creative writing workshops, and weekly radio hours, in which individuals share personal stories from their lives. This spring, the Whipple Fellowship is organizing a BHS Moth-inspired Radio Hour around the theme of one of our BHS Mantras: “Freedom & Responsibility.”
The secret to great radio writing, according to Jessica Abel, is to be able to accomplish two goals in your story. First, you must tell a compelling story about something that happened in your life. Second, you must clearly explain why it matters. 
The Whipple Writing Fellowship will feature the stories of 6 BHS students with stories that touch on the themes of Freedom and/or Responsibility.  Our Whipple Faculty will host writing workshops to help these students craft their stories.  In late April, we will host a LIVE event where our storytellers will share their works (this may be done live on zoom or in-person depending on the circumstances).  This is a great way to learn more about the art of writing a great story, to meet other students who are interested in writing, and to share your work with our entire community!
If you are interested in participating in the BHS Story Hour, write a 250 word summary of a time when you experienced new freedoms or responsibilities - at home, at school, in another area of your life! If you would prefer, in lieu of a 250-word summary, you can submit a 2-minute voice memo of your story idea. Make sure you upload the audio to your google drive.  We will choose 6 students to develop their stories further and share their stories with our school community and beyond. All students who are chosen will receive a $25 prize from the Brookline Booksmith.
To learn more about The Whipple Writing Fellowship and see last year's storyteller perform, check out our website.
APPLICATIONS  are due by Monday, March 14, 2021, at 5 pm.
If you are chosen to participate in the BHS Story Hour, you should expect to attend the following writing and rehearsal workshops:
· Wednesday 3/23 3:15-5:00 pm. This will be a chance to meet your fellow writers and get started on some important writing exercises to start shaping your story.
· 3/31 and 4/1 3-4 pm there will be time to conduct one-on-one conferences on your stories.  If you can’t make that time, you will be able to set up an appointment that would work for you that week!
· Your final stories will be due by 4/13. There will be a zoom meeting during April Break to rehearse your delivery of the story. Time TBA. 
· The live event to present your stories will be on April 27th from 7-8:30 pm. 
If you have any questions, contact [email protected].
 
 
Checking in on your mental health…..
BHS counselors, social workers, school psychologists are here to support you! If you are worried about yourself, a friend, a family member, please don’t worry alone. Please talk to a trusted adult, including a BHS support staff person.
Here are other resources to consider:

• Youth Mobile Crisis Intervention Worcester Team: 1-866-549-2142
• Emergency Mental Health Services (EMH): 508-334-3562 - UMass Memorial Hospital
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
• Crisis Text Line  - Text HOME to 741741

 
 
BHS Spring Sports’ registration is open on FamilyID - Spring 2022 HS Athletics Registration | FamilyID  from the BHS Homepage under Athletics, as announced by the BHS Athletic Director and Head of School Meyer. Most spring sports begin practices and tryouts on Monday, 3/21.  Crew (Monday, 2/28) and Rugby (Wednesday, 3/16) are scheduled to begin earlier.  Registration, including submission of an up-to-date health form must be completed online before participation is allowed. Health forms are good for 13 months from the date of the physical.  Please cut and paste this link for all of the info - https://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/registration.html
 

 
GreenZine Brookline  (https://greenzinebrookline.wordpress.com/) is a Brookline K-12 online magazine that features work about the environment, climate justice, and the outdoors.  We publish three times a year and invite you to submit your work.  We strongly encourage writers and illustrators with, or without, experience to work with us to produced a short, published article, poem, photo, illustration or more.  This is your voice to address a world increasingly impacted by climate change.  Not sure what to write?  We have plenty of ideas and would love to have you join us.
GreenZine Brookline is collectively run by Brookline educators and offers students, staff and the Brookline Schools community a forum for news, opinion and creative expression about climate change, outdoor education and the environment.  We highlight the excellent work being done by students, staff and parents in our school community, as well as the need for more.
GreenZine Brookline aims to amplify student voice and passion in order to catalyze conversation about climate change and outdoor education in our schools so that our students will be more resilient and prepared to lead in a climate-disrupted world.  Contact [email protected] to learn more.
GreenZine Brookline:  Where sustainability is a school issue
 
The Brandeis University club called Education for Students by Students (ESS) invites middle school and high school students from all places to come to Splash, an event where Brandeis undergraduates teach interactive classes to local youth. This learning extravaganza allows middle and high schoolers to learn and grow their interests about niche subjects. The best part is….IT’S FREE!  Spring 2022 Splash will be held on Saturday, April 9th, 2022. This is a virtual event.
Student Registration is now open and course selection is available from March 10-April 7th.
To register as a student, cut and paste this link -  https://brandeis.learningu.org/learn/register.html
If you have any additional questions feel free to email us at ess-club@brandeis.edu
 
 
Science Help Center Open for grades 9-12
If you're looking for extra help in any of your science class (physics, chemistry or biology) the center will be open every morning (except Tuesdays) during Z Block in room 204. Please reach out to [email protected] or [email protected] with any questions. 
 
 
Check out the UPDATED Summer 2022 Opportunities document!
This document will be updated regularly with more opportunities including jobs, internships, and summer programs. See the attached document for many opportunities.

Thinking about a summer camp counselor job? There are a number of camp organizations looking for counselors NOW! See the BHS Guidance website / Career Counseling link à summer jobs 2022 for more info - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LZJQoWB4C-JLr13sXkUqEcBvCBraUo3eWYtMG_DUDac/edit#heading=h.i9miodlpjya

Current 9th, 10th, 11th graders –
** ACE - Mainstream approach not clicking for you? Interested in an innovative, non-traditional award winning program here at BHS? CHECK OUT ACE!!!!
*Looking for close relationships with and easy access to your teachers throughout the day?
*Looking for an avg class size of 15 students?
*Looking for your understanding of material to be assessed based on YOUR terms?
*Looking to do career exploration for elective credit?
*Looking for opportunities to take part in internships for academic credit?
*Interested in pursuing college courses, at no cost and for credit toward your BHS graduation requirements?
*Looking for a close knit advisory that participates in restorative justice circles, community meetings, field trips, and community service?
ACE is an innovative, competency-based program at Brookline High School for up to 55 students, entering grades 10-12, who feel they will find more intellectual satisfaction and be more academically successful in a non-traditional setting.  ACE provides a rigorous college-preparation pathway in which students are placed in multi-age classes based on their skill levels and can go at their own pace and graduate when they complete their content and skill competencies. ACE graduates have gone on to pursue fantastic opportunities including domestic and international GAP year programs, careers that follow their passions and college education.
Attached are the colleges ACE students have been accepted to!
Want to learn more? Want to apply? Time is running out....Join us for an info session (see attached) and start taking the steps to be in the driver's seat of your education and future!!!
 
 
Need a quiet and social place to enjoy your lunch at the 115 campus?  Join Lunch Lounge!
Social Lunch/ Lunch Lounge is offered for all of the students who may or may not have some social connections in classes, including new to BHS students. It is a welcoming, inclusive drop-in lunch community that engages kids with friendly conversation, other kids interested in making friends, and a warm and familiar staff member. At this time, Lunch Lounge is offered for these lunch blocks in Room 277:
Week A - Monday E -Lunch B only 
Wednesday C - Lunch A and B 
Friday D - Lunch A and B 
Week B - Monday E - Lunch B will start week of 9/20 
Wed C - Lunch A and B 
Friday D - Lunch A and B 
 
 
BHS Career exploration and community job opportunities:
 
Ms Kate Kennedy, the BHS Career Counselor and 9th grade counselor is back! She can be reached at her email [email protected] and her phone #617-879-5759. Please contact her if you have any questions about career exploration, job seeking and interviewing, and resume writing. She is able to set up an appointment to help you. Thank you to Analisa Fazio, BHS counseling intern, for doing a great job of supporting the BHS Career Counselor role at BHS in Ms Kennedy’s absence!
 
 
BHS Club Info:
 
The student organizers of the BHS Drone Club are hoping to launch a student-run drone/RC vehicle repair program to raise money for club activities. They are asking students to complete the survey below to see if it would be a worthwhile service to have at BHS/ in Brookline or if we need to rework our strategy. Help them out by completing this short survey here-
Link: https://forms.gle/mTJXEFxa26rwLCGF9
 
 
- BHS Club Fair info is available here: http://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/clubs-and-activities-list.html This list is for 21-22 clubs. The Club Fair slideshow has also been released via Canvas to students. Students can access/re-access more information on how to join, etc. As more clubs update, we will update the presentation.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1xFO5v5lCc98EKmbjhicDnZZ5HBRqhlj9Is1VWLqoE58/edit?usp=sharing

Community Service Opportunities for BHS Students: 
 
Looking for Spanish speakers to teach a Saturday conversation group to students in Nicaragua. Teachers would work with ~6 Nicaraguan students who know basically no English. Help them develop their skills (this is why proficiency in Spanish is required: the students will need you to do a lot of translating!) The group will meet every Saturday for one hour virtually; the specific time can be flexible to your schedule. If you are interested or would like to know more, please email me: [email protected] (Note: first come, first serve, so if you are interested please reach out soon!)
 
BHS COMMUNITY SERVICE INFO  - Even though Brookline High does not have a community service requirement for graduation, many BHS students become involved in their school or greater Brookline community through service. These opportunities provide a chance for students to better understand and give back to those in need, plus offer a direct strategy to deal with emotions and stress by making connections with others and becoming engaged with something larger than one’s self.  Adding community service activities can be beneficial to your college applications down the road too!
 You do NOT have to have community service officially listed on your BHS transcript for credit to have its impact be noted for your own sense of self or to colleges. If you do want to have community service hours count for BHS credit, please be aware of these important criteria:

• must be a service within BHS or Brookline or greater Brookline community
• any service hours beyond 50 MUST be approved by the BHS Community Service Coordinator ([email protected]) – see attached form
• 50 hours = .25 credit; 100 hours = .5 credit; 150 hours = .75 credit; 200 hours = 1.0 credit
• hours must be logged and verified by the service organization supervisor and Ms Gaffney at BHS
  
  

 
 – Check out Teen Life by copying and pasting this link- https://www.teenlife.com/category/volunteer/?keyword=&location=boston&program-type=volunteer
 
- The BHS Community Service info on the school’s website has been updated with BHS specific community service opportunities plus opportunities in the Brookline/Boston area - http://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/community-service.html
 
SENIORS
MEFA (MA Educational Financing Authority) will be offering free informative webinars that provide valuable guidance for high school seniors and their families who have received college acceptance letters and financial aid offers and are trying to decide on a college and make a plan to pay for college costs. Topics include different types of financial aid, how to calculate the balance due at each college, and methods for paying for the college bills. See attached flyer for more general info on MEFA. Go to this link to register for the webinar date/time (see below) that works best for you - https://www.mefa.org/events/category/how-to-pay-for-college?utm_campaign=Guidance2021&utm_source=MPSchoolCounselorWave27&utm_medium=email&utm_content=CTA1#
March 11, 2022 – 12-1pm
March 30, 2022 – 6:30-7:30pm
April 5, 2022 – 12-1 pm
April 13, 2022 – 6:30-7:30pm
 
IMPORTANT – The BHS Scholarship Application continues to be available for submission – see below. ALL SENIORS SHOULD COMPLETE and SUBMIT THIS SCHOLARSHIP INFO so BHS can support many students with some amount of financial support for college!
If you would like to be considered for one of the many scholarships awarded through the Brookline High School Scholarship Program, please complete the BHS Scholarship Application and submit your CSS Profile to the BHS Scholarship Program. The application is easy to complete and is available online on the Brookline High School homepage. To make fair decisions, the Committee requires that families fill out the CSS Profile financial aid form, available at CollegeBoard.com.  Please use the Brookline Scholarship Program code, which is 0424
If you would like to be considered for the BU or Northeastern scholarships, please apply by January 10th and submit your CSS Profile by then too. 
The Scholarship Committee would like students and parents to know that three criteria are used for choosing award recipients: academics, contributions and activities at BHS, and most importantly, unmet financial need.  There are no merit scholarships per se given out through this program.  
 
College Application Reminders: 
Help the BHS counselors and teachers support your application process by meeting deadlines. Submit your electronic transcript release forms, your
self-questionnaire, your parent/caregiver’s “brag” sheet, and give notice to your teachers who have agreed to write recommendations for you. 
 
 
JUNIORS and SENIORS
 
B-PEN Parent/Caregiver Meeting: The Inside Scoop on the Junior/Senior Experience
Tuesday, March 22, at 7pm
BHS Peer Leaders will share a series of letters to parents/caregivers designed to help them understand some of the unique stresses and pressures of junior/senior years as they begin planning for life after high school. The meeting will include concrete tips on how to strengthen communication and support for their teens to maintain a healthy perspective during these final years at BHS. If you have any questions for the student panel you would like addressed, please submit to Jennifer Gangadharan ([email protected]).

Zoom meeting: https://brooklinema.zoomgov.com/j/1601696973
 
 
Do you identify as a student with a “diverse” background? Are you interested in studying law in the future? This Boston University diversity initiative opportunity may be of interest for you to apply - “Best of Diversity at Boston University School of Law” is a new program being offered to expose high school juniors and seniors to the legal filed. It is a day event held on Saturday, April 23, 2022 11am to 4pm. It is fully funded.  Please see the attached “BUDiv” flyer for more info. Application deadline is March 15, 2022. This is not a Brookline sponsored event.
 
Still wondering about a Gap Year? Learn more by registering for these Gap Year workshops offered by USA Gap Year Fairs – the organization that the BHS Counseling Dept collaborates with for our annual Virtual Gap Year Fair (offered January 18). Consider joining their dynamic gap year crash course and get the insider knowledge and insight necessary to research and plan the gap year adventure of your dreams.
· Mar 10: How to Win a $5,000 Gap Year Scholarship!
· Mar 13: Virtual National Gap Year Fair
· Mar 24: Virtual National Gap Year Fair
· Apr 6: Virtual National Gap Year Fair
Hosted by USA Gap Year Fairs, the crash course is the perfect complement to the 10 national virtual USA Gap Year Fairs that help connect you with gap year program providers and expert gap year counselors. Here’s the link to register for the crash course workshops - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-take-a-gap-year-the-ultimate-crash-course-registration-253811114877?aff=Email&mc_eid=77284bec4e&mc_cid=c625362665
And here’s the link to the upcoming Virtual Gap Year Fairs - https://www.gooverseas.com/gap-year/usa-fairs/schedule?utm_source=GoOverseas&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=gyf2022&mc_cid=c625362665&mc_eid=77284bec4e
 
 
 
Brookline SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory) suggests this virtual opportunity - added below - to hear about student support differences between high school and college for students with IEPs and 504s. BHS Guidance will also be offering a virtual panel to share information and answer questions regarding college support for students with learning differences on March 30, 2022 @ 7pm. More info to come on this event….
 

JUNIORS
 
Tomorrow is the BHS Virtual College Fair - Tuesday, March 8th, starting at 6:30 pm. We have over 90 colleges signed up, and you can come to their virtual booth from the comfort of your home.  All you need to do is click on the zoom link! Please note that zoom links will be "live" only on Tuesday--do not use them prior to the fair. Important: plan to attend 5 to 10 different booths (see more advice on how to navigate the fair below).
DO NOT USE THESE ZOOM LINKS UNTIL THE FAIR TOMORROW FROM 6:30-8:30PM!
Copy and paste this link for attending colleges with zoom links - https://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/guidance/bhs-virtual-college-fair9634228
Important: plan to attend 5 to 10 different booths (see more advice on how to navigate the fair below). Copy and paste this document link to see tips for how to prepare for and navigate the fair, including what questions to ask - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oN9M4jmUHVSBbSPd9i7LuXZee1UuPJS9aBWX99E9g7U/edit  or open the attached document below.
Please email Mr. Libenzon ([email protected]) if you have any questions about the fair!
 
 
 
Juniors and Junior Keepers! Did you miss your junior seminar #1 in advisory?  Mr. Libenzon will conduct the make-up session today March 7th and again March 28th during T-block.
Come to the Auditorium for this in-person session with Mr. L, BHS College Counselor. He will be happy to answer any questions you have about college admissions.
 
 
 
This Thursday!  Junior Parent Virtual Coffee Q&A: On Thursday, March 10, at 8:30 am, Lenny Libenzon (BHS College Counselor) and Darby Neff-Verre (BHS Counseling Department Chair) will conduct the virtual Q&A session about college process.  Please come with your questions about the process; zoom link below:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://psbma-org.zoom.us/j/94807459932?pwd=Y1ZwdUtTUHIwRGZ0WURsaitXNm1Kdz09

Meeting ID: 948 0745 9932
Passcode: 402267
 
 
 
Thinking about a Gap Year after graduating from BHS? If you missed the USA Virtual Gap Year Fair sponsored by BHS Guidance earlier this school year, there’s another opportunity to check in Gap Year programs in-person through USA Gap Year. They are hosting an in-person USA Gap Year Fair in Cambridge on Mar 27th from 1-4 PM! Here is the registration link - https://bit.ly/3GYrQFg
 

Counselors have started rotating through junior hub/advisory blocks to share information about post high school planning steps and resources. These Hub advisory presentations will continue through March and include mini themed workshops during the mornings of ELA MCAS on March 22 &23. More details coming soon!  Juniors can also reach out to their counselor to set up an individual meeting on these conversations too.
 
JUNIORS and SOPHOMORES

Senior and Junior Year Course Selection Meeting was presented on
Tuesday, February 15. This meeting was offered for parents and guardians of current Sophomores AND Juniors. Deans will led the meeting and Curriculum Coordinators for each Department described the course options for next year. In addition, SWS and ACE provided an overview of those programs. 
This presentation was recorded. Please copy and paste this link to view - https://psbma-org.zoom.us/rec/play/4XgiG-d10uSE8WPgu8ciQhEJSbPynuhFUtPJiH3Nbk7m9oXYk9yjohdYpY3CR1pmuy4HRacKJkQGhsph.IDlmp-cUBUfhoHNX?continueMode=true
 
 
The PreACT will be administered at Brookline High on Saturday, April 9th from 7:45-11:30 am.
The PreACT is a shorter practice version of the ACT college admissions test, normed for sophomores in high school. The PreACT also offers a built-in career interest inventory. Each student taking the test will have the opportunity to:

·     Identify current academic readiness for college and career using the PreACT report
·     Predict how you’ll perform on the ACT after an additional junior year of  learning (predictive quality of test is different for juniors since they already are having that “additional year” of  curriculum as defined by the ACT)
·     Determine skills you can improve based on your performance (using your results to guide use of the free online ACT Academy prep program)
·     Explore how your career aspirations align with your interests.
 
Registration info will be shared on this Weekly Update in March. Stay tuned! Also – please note - no alternative date will be offered at BHS.
 
 
SOPHOMORES
 
 
9TH GRADERS 
 
Ms Kate Kennedy, one of the 9th grade counselor and the BHS Career Counselor is back! She can be reached at her email [email protected] and her phone #617-879-5759. Thank you to Larry Allen for doing a great job of supporting Ms Kennedy’s 9th grade students in her absence!



9th Grade School Counselors continue to be busy supporting your students! They continue to join 9th grade Hub advisories to facilitate conversation about Goal Setting and thinking ahead to Gr 10. Counselors will continue to be rotating through each 9th grade Hub over the next 2 months to discuss this important topic.

​They offered a Gr 10 Course Selection zoom to all Class of 2025 students during today’s March 7 Hub advisory block.
As always, 9th graders should reach out to their counselor if they have any questions or concerns about current classes, future course selection, and life in and out of school. The counselors don’t want any 9th grader to worry alone!