The final day of the two week schedule freeze is tomorrow, Monday 9/20. If a student still desires a “change of mind”/ change of curriculum level schedule change, the student should be talking with their parent-guardian and current teacher about a possible change, then contacting their assigned counselor for an add/drop form. We can not assure that all schedule changes requested can be made due to limited seats in classes and other challenges that may be part of a request. Curriculum Coordinators and Deans are also part of this process and their signatures will be needed on this form. Students need to continue attending all the classes in their current schedule until the add/form is completed and returned to the counselor for an actual schedule change.
If a student has questions/concerns/or just wants to say hello to their counselor, please encourage your student to stop by their counselor’s office when not in class. Please note that counselors are continuing to work through needed schedule corrections and may be slow to respond for the next few days. Advise your student to leave a note or send an email to their counselor if they are not available. We’re here and ready to support EVERY BHS student!
If a student has questions/concerns/or just wants to say hello to their counselor, please encourage your student to stop by their counselor’s office when not in class. Please note that counselors are continuing to work through needed schedule corrections and may be slow to respond for the next few days. Advise your student to leave a note or send an email to their counselor if they are not available. We’re here and ready to support EVERY BHS student!
FAMILIES
Mutual Aid Brookline is a group of community members who have been coordinating food deliveries and donations for groceries, medication, and other critical assistance since the start of the pandemic.
- Thanks to special, one-time funding from the Brookline Community Foundation, MAB will be giving out a limited number of money drops of $300 per household on a first-come, first-serve basis to Brookline community members who complete an online form or call our hotline at preset times. We’re not a charity, we just want to take this rare opportunity to distribute some funds to our neighbors, to use however you want! (As a note, if you need food, our delivery program already covers that separately, so get in touch! We’re hoping this money can help with other needs.) We will have several opportunities for you to get in on the drops:
- Drop 3 sign-up opens at 8pm on Monday, September 27th for up to 15 households
- Drop 4 sign-up opens at 12pm (noon) on Tuesday, October 5th for up to 15 households
- FREE SERVICES
- ***NEW*** SNAP/EBT Clients Can Use Their Cards for Stop and Shop Delivery - After the long wait, EBT can now be used to set up either pickup or delivery from Stop and Shop! More info: https://www.mass.gov/snap-online-purchasing-program and https://stopandshop.com/pages/snap-ebt-overview.
- ***NEW*** Coupons for the Brookline Farmers' Market Available - Brookline Department of Public Health - This grant will provide 500 Brookline residents and their families with coupons to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables as well as other food products during the 2021 farmers’ market season. Individuals and families of two will receive $40 in coupons while households of three or more will receive $80 in coupons. The coupons will be valid at the Farmers’ Market through Thursday, Oct. 28. Brookline individuals and families who reside in Brookline Housing Authority sites or whose household income meets federal poverty guidelines are eligible to participate in the program. Beginning in mid-August, staff from the Brookline Department of Public Health will schedule registration dates at the Brookline Senior Center and various BHA sites to register people who qualify for the program. Information on the location and times to sign up for the program will be available at www.brooklinema.gov/health or by calling 617-730-2295 after Aug. 16. Coupon books for the Farmers’ Market will be distributed at the time of registration. More info: https://brooklinecovid19.com/2021/08/16/brookline-department-of-public-health-awarded-grant-to-help-families-in-need-access-farmers-market/.
- Brookline Food Pantry Has Moved - PSA: The Brookline Food Pantry has moved from their St Paul St location over to United Parish at 210 Harvard St! (The other locations at Egmont St and High St remain the same.) https://www.brooklinefoodpantry.org/
Virtual Mid-Autumn Celebration - Tuesday - Public Library of Brookline
这个九月，和我们一起欢度中秋佳节吧！
活动内容如下：9月14日星期二起，随时前往我们三个图书馆中的任何一个分馆，在我们的丰收月公告板上，分享您对中秋节的喜爱
9月21日星期二起，随时前往我们三个图书馆中的任何一个分馆，参与我们的猜灯谜游戏，并领取中秋节手工艺包。手工艺包是针对五到九岁的年龄层设计，内含制作灯笼及粘土月饼所需的一切材料。当您想要动手做的时候，打开工艺包，遵循里面的说明书，或依照连结观看视频，就可以制作您自己的纸灯笼及粘土月饼。
9月21日星期二起，我们将上载一系列的视频到YouTube，包括中秋节特别的粘土月饼及灯笼的示范制作等。记得去brklib.com/midautumn21瞧瞧！ 没拿到手工艺包？您还是可以和我们一起庆祝！请透过以下连结，观看有趣的中秋节视频：brklib.com/midautumn21.
Celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival with us! Here’s how it works:
Beginning on Tuesday, September 14, drop by any of our three libraries to share your love for the Mid-Autumn Festival on our Harvest Month bulletin boards.
Beginning on Tuesday, September 21, drop by any of our three libraries to pick up your Mid-Autumn kit and participate in our lantern riddle game. These kits are recommended for children ages 5-9 and include all the supplies you need to make your own lantern and a Play-Doh mooncake craft. Whenever you’re ready to celebrate at home, open your kit and follow the printed or video instructions to create your own paper lantern and enjoy the other activities inside.
Also on Tuesday, September 21, we’ll reveal our Mid-Autumn Festival video playlist on YouTube, including special demonstrations of Chinese calligraphy and fun crafts. Didn’t get a kit? You can still celebrate with us! Watch our Mid-Autumn Festival videos: brklib.com/midautumn21.
Hungry? Please check out-
- Brookline Thrives, a free weekend food program for students, starts Friday, September 17. Thrives is available to any family who may benefit from additional food options over the weekend. There are no financial qualifications. Register your student to receive Thrives bags at school on Fridays or pick up bags in person on Fridays from 5-6pm at 226 High Street, Community Room or 55R Egmont Street, Community Room. Go to www.brooklinefoodpantry.org/brookline-thrives.html for details, register, or get involved.
- USDA announces free lunches for any Brookline student for this school year 2021-22, regardless of meal eligibility – go to https://publicschoolsofbrooklineschoolnutrition.com/
ALL STUDENTS
BHS Government positions are now open! Detailed information can be found on our website at https://bit.ly/BHSgov
- There are 2 open spots on BHS Judiciary for grades 9-12. *Meets during all-campus X block, applications due 10/8
- There are 8 open spots on BHS Student Council for grades 9-12. *Meets during Faculty Collab time Week B, must present candidacy at Student Council meeting on 10/12 in room 403 at 8:30 am
- Email [email protected] with any questions about the process!
New Student ID pictures will be taken between September 28th and Oct. 1st. You are not required to purchase a photo packet; but you should have your picture taken so we can issue your ID. More information to follow.
Are you a queer member of the BHS community? Are you an ally to queer folks? Are you looking for an inclusive group of peers who support each other, and plan school-wide events like Trans Day of Awareness, Day of Dialogue, and the Pride Festival? If you answered “Yes!” to any of these questions, then you should come to the first Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) meeting on Wednesday, September 22nd in room 203 (Main building)! We will have snacks, play games, and introduce you to what is to come in GSA this year. We hope to see you there!
Not sure who to contact at BHS for student support questions?
Please see attached documents:
- BHS Support Staff Roles
- BHS Counseling Resources List
- Mental Health Supports Parent Letter 2020.21
Need Student Tech support? Or Parent Portal access support?
Please go to the BHS website homepage (http://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/) and click the Student Technology and/or Aspen Parent Portal links
PSB can offer financial assistance for school activities to qualified families -
- Go to this PSB link - https://www.brookline.k12.ma.us/Page/2210
- The form can be filled out on your computer and, with the supporting documents, emailed to [email protected]. We accept photos and scans of all the documents.
- You can contact your school's secretary if you need help emailing the documents.
- This application procedure covers most school fees in the full school year: fees for Athletics, Instrumental Music, and other program and field trip fees.
- This application procedure covers Brookline Early Education Program Tuition.
- This application procedure does not cover optional field trips or programs and school lunch, which require a separate application for Free/Reduced fees
- In order to maintain your eligibility for this school year, you MUST submit a new application, along with current supporting documents.
BROOKLINE TEEN CENTERSave the date for BTC's Block Party, Friday, October 1st, 3 -7pm. For the month of September, the BTC will be open from 2:30pm-6:30pm on Thursdays and Fridays starting 9/10. Masks are required for all persons in the building.
Social Lunch/ Lunch Lounge is back at BHS - 115 campus!
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 the “social scaffolding” of 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 279 (Guidance College and Career Center):
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
Community Service Opportunities for BHS Students:
Help Deliver Tablets and Troubleshoot Technology -- Tech Buddies Program
During the height of the pandemic, many low-income Brookline elder residents were left extremely isolated. Once the Brookline Public Library and BHA community rooms closed, residents relying on shared technology assets were left with no online resources. The new Tech Buddies program provides a tablet and 12 months of free internet access to low-income elders or adults with a disability living alone. We will also provide technology education as well as tech support for our participants. We are in desperate need of volunteers to help us make the Tech Buddies program a success and we are actively recruiting volunteers for the following roles: tablet delivery/set-up/basic education (in-person) or become part of our Tech Squad (remote). Please email Sophie Gordon at [email protected] with your interest or questions. CORI background check required.
Student Directors of the Brookline Tutor Mentor Program (BTMP) are looking for tutors. The BTMP was founded in 2014 with the goal of connecting high-schoolers and middle schoolers both through academics and a supportive mentor system. We individually pair middle school students and high-achieving high school tutors based on students’ academic needs and interests. We aim to offer a tutor and a role model for kids who are struggling academically, need an extra challenge, or just want a friend. The Brookline Tutor Mentor Program is looking to recruit high schoolers to tutor and guide middle school kids. Being a tutor-mentor is one of the most fulfilling positions in the community. Not only will you receive community service hours and a good addition to your resume, but as a high school student, tutoring gives you an opportunity to truly engage with and support a middle school student. Whether they are struggling with school or need advice from a friendly face, the tutor-mentor program is their rock that can be relied on at any time. As role models, our job is to motivate young students and aid them in growing into mature young adults. Students and their mentors often create deep bonds that transcend age differences and continue even beyond the Tutor-Mentor Program.
Please note: This year, the BTMP schedule is completely remote for the time being due to COVID-19. Because of this, tutoring hours are flexible! Tutors will be offered a large selection of times to meet with their students. If you apply, please regularly check your email for updates on meeting times, etc. If you are interested in giving back, earning community service hours, and adding something meaningful and unique to your resume, apply at https://bit.ly/BTMPTutorApplication. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions!
POC High School Process Group at the Brookline Center:
This group is an inclusive space for high school aged young people who identify as people of color to come together and connect. This group will provide a space for adolescents to explore their own racial identities, delve into race as a construct and to seek support for race-related stress. It will be primarily a process group, but the structure can be flexible and may incorporate skills training in order to meet group members’ needs.
Time: Tuesday 4:00pm – 4:50pm
Setting: TBD
Leaders: Kunaal Doshi, MA and Liana Sandell, MSW - ([email protected]) & ([email protected])
Frequently Asked Questions:
This group is open to new members at this time and is billed through members’ health insurance, [BCBS, Cigna, Aetna not accepted; self-pay rate available].
* Unless otherwise indicated, groups are running virtually via zoom.
* Members must be physically in Massachusetts to participate in group each week.
* Most groups are billed through insurance; Self-pay rate is $40/week, $90 for initial 1:1 session.
* There are two ‘free’ absences for the academic year for any missed session $25 absence fee for each missed session beyond the first two, (does not apply to DMH Flex groups or folks with Masshealth insurance).
* Current Center clients can connect with existing providers for a referral to group.
* New clients to the Center must contact Intake to be considered for group [617-860-2084]
* New clients should expect to schedule one or two 1:1 sessions with the group clinician(s) to get to know one another in advance of joining the group.
SENIORS
BHS Guidance department presented the Post High School Planning session for seniors in the auditorium last Monday 9/20. This was a mandatory assembly for all seniors. You can download a copy of the presentation, along with the BHS College Process Guide, by going to this page: http://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/guidance/senior-parent-night2940341
Did you miss the Senior Assembly on Monday 9/13? Please attend this zoom makeup session this Tues X block - Time: Sep 21, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting - https://psbma-org.zoom.us/j/99116390359?pwd=NklXcUxybWUvTkdod3QrMGRaVkU4UT09
SENIOR PARENT NIGHT - Thank you to the 200 parents-guardians who joined this presentation last Thursday Sept 9. BHS college counselor Lenny Libenzon presented the "nuts and bolts" of applying to college from BHS.
Topics included: "releasing" transcripts from BHS, Early Action and Early Decision, college essay tips, and more. We also covered some basic information regarding Gap Year, military, and employment resources, as well as changes in the college process due to the pandemic. This virtual meeting was recorded and can be viewed at
https://psbma-org.zoom.us/rec/share/p2Ph1Wv7hfo1kYTLvtq3XN0oXpg-QviTLDpRP2o-NmFnZTWec6waneEIXySG1CRM.HgEdVpFAsKSHauy1
Passcode: e7B&5&.q
BHS Guide to Applying to Colleges is a good introduction to the nuts and bolts of applying to college from BHS. Document also attached to this email.
College Representatives Virtually Coming to BHS Seniors again this year!
Every fall, BHS hosts admission counselors from many of our top universities. They come specifically to talk to you and answer your questions. It is a great opportunity for you to connect to colleges without traveling! This year, the visits will be virtual, and after school (starting at 4 pm). You will need to sign up for visits through Naviance (https://student.naviance.com/colleges/visits). Please take a look at this list and sign up. If you need help logging in to Naviance, email Lenny Libenzon or your counselor.
Rep visits at BHS will start tomorrow Monday 9/20 – Seniors can attend any and all college sessions of schools they plan to or are interested in attending. The schedule and REQUIRED zoom link registration can be found on your Naviance homepage. This is a wonderful way to learn more about colleges, ask important questions, and show demonstrated interest!
Announcing the 18th Annual Brookline High School College Essay Writing Workshop - Saturday, September 25, 2021 8:30 am to 12:30 pm @ BHS, In Person
Sponsored by the BHS PTO and led by BHS faculty, this annual event helps seniors craft essays for college applications. BHS teachers will provide a volunteer orientation. This one-day opportunity really benefits BHS seniors as they start preparing college applications. Please consider joining us. Students should register online here. Workshop flyer attached to this email too. Parent/Community Member volunteers needed too - Questions? Contact [email protected] or [email protected] or [email protected]
Other application essay writing support at BHS:
- Check in with your counselor or Mr Libenzon (BHS College Counselor) for essay support too!
- We continue to recommend the College Essay Guy website for lots of great FREE advice for seniors and essay writing suggestions - https://www.collegeessayguy.com/
SENIORS– READ YOUR EMAILS! Especially if you are applying to college this Fall!
Seniors - You will be asked to review your unofficial transcript for any missing classes or errors in your upcoming senior seminars. Contact your counselor with any questions or concerns.
It is your responsibility to be sure your transcript is accurate before giving BHS permission to send to any colleges or post HS grad programs.
You should be checking that you are earning all required credits towards graduation this June 2022 too.
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
+ additional credits to earn minimum total credits of 22
We will not be sharing any GPA information with colleges on official transcripts. See your Naviance account for your current “working” BHS GPA.
College Application Reminders:
You’ll learn more about these steps in the assembly tomorrow 9/13 and in senior seminars….Help the BHS counselors and teachers support your application process by meeting these 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.
College Deadline BHS Deadline
October 15 Monday, Sept 20
November 1 Monday, Oct 4
November 15 Monday, Oct 18
December 1 Tuesday, Nov 2 December 15 Monday, November 15
January 1 Monday, November 29
(includes no school December break)
January 15 Monday, December 13
February 1 Wednesday, January 5
February 15 Tuesday, January 18
Seniors – When submitting your transcript release forms electronically, please:
- use the updated link shared by your counselor - stay tuned!
- be sure to list your college names and addresses CORRECTLY AS THEY APPEAR OFFICIALLY ON THE COLLEGE’S WEBSITE OR NAVIANCE. The processing of your request is slowed down by not including the official name of the college or putting in wrong information.
Interested in a Gap Year? Please refer to the Gap Year resources shared in Lenny Libenzon’s powerpoint mentioned above from the 9/9/21 senior parent presentation and also look into https://quakervoluntaryservice.org/
BHS Guidance will be offering a Gap Year [virtual] presentation later this year..
Stay tuned!
As mentioned in Lenny Libenzon’s Post High School Planning presentation, NACAC offers Fall Virtual Fairs. The virtual fairs are offered on Sept 28, Oct 3 and 24, and Nov 2 and 14. Go to this link for all the info!
National Voter Registration Day - Tuesday the 28th - League of Women Voters Brookline
Be engaged – register to vote!
The League of Women Voters of Brookline and the Town Clerk’s Office offer all-day registration at the following locations:
St. Mary’s T stop (C line), 1008 Beacon St., 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Corner of Harvard St. and Beacon St. (where Peets Coffee/bank used to be), 12:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Senior Center, 93 Winchester St. – in front of the Center, 9:00 am – 4:30 PM
Also participating is the Town Clerk’s Office, Town Hall, 333 Washington St. – in entrance to Town Hall, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
JUNIORS
BHS will be offering the Saturday PSAT on October 16, 20201 at the high school. Online registration will start this Monday 9/20.
Please see the attached flyer for all the details.
MIT Beaverworks is excited to announce the BWSI Fall Program (virtual) for 11th Grade female students starting in October. The program is completely free, all students need are laptops and wifi to be a part of the program. If a student does not have a laptop they can reach out to us for a loaner so make sure that doesn’t stop anyone from signing up. They are offering the following programs:
- Girls Who Program Autonomous Cars
- Girls Who Design, Build and Fly Model Aircraft
- Girls Who Want to Learn Many Interesting Things
- Girls Who Program Cognitive Assistants
- Girls Who Program Autonomous Cars – BWSI-Pacific
- Kwaj Mini-RACECAR Middle School (Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands)
WHEN: Saturdays 11am-2pm (EST): October 16, 23, 30, November 6,13, 20, December 4, 11, 2021
WHERE: Virtually, through Zoom!
REGISTER: https://mit-bwsi.formstack.com/forms/bwsi_fall2021
Must fill out application link to be considered. Students must sign up by September 30, 2021.
JUNIORS AND SOPHOMORES
Engineering Teaching Opportunity with Brookline Youth Engineering!
Brookline Youth Engineering is a program meant to introduce STEM concepts to middle school students in the Brookline area. In the coming fall semester, we are teaching a course called CAD through Engineering, Architecture, and Urban Planning. The students will learn CAD on sketchup and do activities related to Architecture and Urban planning using their CAD knowledge.
We are looking for several instructors in any grade. Instructors will receive community service hours for any time spent teaching or planning.
If you're interested in teaching a class as part of Brookline Youth Engineering, please sign up by September 25th at this link! The program will run for about three months, on a bi-weekly basis. If you have even the slightest interest in teaching this class, feel free to sign up as this does not obligate you to anything :)
Feel free to contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions!
SOPHOMORES AND 9TH GRADERS
The Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC) is running the Chinese Immigrant Student Leadership (ChISL) program. ChISL is an after school program for greater Boston high schoolers who are recent Chinese immigrants to build confidence in speaking English, make friends, and become more involved in the Chinatown community. Currently I am recruiting 9th and 10th graders for the program. See the attached flyer.
9TH GRADERS
Auditions for the 9th Grade Play, Almost Treasure Island, will take place on Sept 20th. The 9th Grade Play is a wonderful opportunity for new students to meet each other, cultivate an interest in theater, develop friendships and become part of a great community in the BHS Drama Society. No experience or preparation necessary! See complete information about auditions and helping with set/costumes/props etc at www.brooklinefopa.org or email [email protected] with any questions.