Wondering what week A or week B or a special schedule is happening at BHS? Please go to the BHS website and check out the “Week A and Week B Feed” under BHS Calendars.
School restarts this week after Thanksgiving break as Week B.
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.
School restarts this week after Thanksgiving break as Week B.
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.
B-PEN (Brookline Parent Education Network) – and the BHS support staff of counselors, social workers/psychologists, deans, and special educators - continue to hear that Brookline families are concerned about mental health these days, especially regarding our youth. In fact, the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the Children’s Hospital Association (CHA) have come together to declare a National State of Emergency in Children’s Mental Health, acknowledging the urgency of widespread challenges facing children and adolescents. While direct services are often limited, information and resources ARE readily available. Check out the BHS mental health care list (copy and paste - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HXy-ToiqM9sYLkAVM9DowCBiKuvBxwzLr2oXAjfUWnA/edit?mc_cid=5e71b25715&mc_eid=ca3683a655) and B-Pen’s webpage (https://www.b-pen.org/mental-health.html?mc_cid=5e71b25715&mc_eid=ca3683a655).
If you are worried about your student, please reach out to their assigned counselor or dean. We are here to help and support every student!
FAMILIES
Mutual Aid of Brookline (aka MAB) - The holiday season is upon us. This is a time of year when it is important for our community to come together and mutually support one another. This kind of support comes in many different ways. One of the ways in which we would like to help our community members is through a non-denominational Holiday Gift Drive.
- Families and community members that are struggling this time of year may sign up for needed items using this form: https://forms.gle/yUtJB1PXnTN7Naaz7
- Any community members that are able to and would like donate some of the requested items can use this form: https://forms.gle/Boqr6ZmQUxywfF916
All participation in this program will remain anonymous! We will do our best to deliver gifts as early as possible. We know that different community members celebrate their holidays at different times during this season. As always, please reach out if you have any questions and feel free to share the forms with anyone you know that may want to participate on either side of this program.
Mutual Aid Brookline
Delivery Email: [email protected]
Delivery FAQs: https://bit.ly/deliveryrecipientFAQs
Delivery Phone: 617-651-1037
Mutual Aid Brookline (MAB) Food Resource Suggestions:
- 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.
- 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/
MAB Advocacy Request:
Share Your Story About School Meals - Project Bread
Your experience may be the difference between legislators voting yes or no to feeding kids at a School Meals for All bill hearing (rescheduled from November 23rd to a TBD date in December)! Have you ever relied on free or reduced-price school meals, or seen the importance of universal school meals in your community? Project Bread wants to hear from you. They envision a future where every child in MA receives school meals — with no fee and no questions asked. To get there, they need your help. The most powerful tool you have help make School Meals for All a reality is your story. Stories shape how lawmakers view hunger by connecting them on a personal level to the issue. To share: https://feedkidsma.org/share-your-story.
The Brookline Literacy Partnership is continuing a book drive for three Boston Public Schools (Mather Elementary School, Kenney Elementary School, and Timilty Middle School) at BHS! If you have any new or lightly-used books appropriate for elementary and middle school students, please have your BHS student drop them off in the donation box in the 115 Greenough atrium. The Partnership really appreciates your donations!
For more information about the Brookline Literacy Partnership, visit our website - https://www.brooklineliteracypartnership.org/
Please contact [email protected] with questions or if a BHS student wants to get involved with the Brookline Literacy Partnership at BHS!
ALL STUDENTS
Need some extra help in your science class for Grades 10-12?
The Science Help Center is starting Monday 11/15! If you're looking for some extra help, 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.
BHS Club Info 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
Career Exploration suggestions from BHS Career Counselor Kate Kennedy:
Boston University has just started a new STEM initiative. One of their engineering professors was recently awarded a three-year DoD STEM grant – please see https://www.bu.edu/articles/2021/jump-starting-biotechnology-careers-for-boston-high-school-students/ and https://www.stempathways.org for more information about the grant, which will target high school students in the greater Boston area (and their teachers and parents).
Their first event is going to be on Saturday, December 4th – it’s a ‘mini-Jamboree’, which is a free, interactive day of learning and fun to increase awareness of synthetic biology to high school students, teachers, and parents. Please see the flyer attached to this email for the relevant details.
Interested in Engineering? Check out the Northeastern University Building Bridges event info below. Please note that there is a $20 fee (and financial support is possible – see flyer). This is offered on a school day Friday 12/3 so a student’s parent/guardian will be required to excuse the absence. THIS IS NOT A BHS SPONSORED EVENT SO PARTICIPANTS WILL ATTEND ON THEIR OWN.
A Day of Interactive Activities - Friday, December 3, 2021 - 9:00a.m. to 1:30 p.m.Optional First Year Engineering Learning Center (FYELC) Showcase - 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.Have you ever wanted to see what engineers do? Are you pretty good at math and science and wonder how you can use these skills in the “real world?” Do you like to solve complex problems?Join Northeastern University faculty and students for a day of exploration and hands-on learning designed especially for high school students who are considering careers in engineering.
Tentative menu of activities: (Subject to change)
* Design and Test a Bridge * Implantable Biomedical Devices * Design and Build and Electronic Night Light
* Synthesize Slime * Streamline a Sports Utility Vehicle * Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing
* Computer Chip Design and Fabrication * Simulate an Earthquake
Light lunch provided, welcome and introductions by various Deans of the College of Engineering, interactions with current undergraduate students and much more!
The weather is getting chillier… Need a quiet and social place to enjoy your lunch at the 115 campus? Join Lunch Lounge!
9th grade Social Lunch has begun at the OLS campus every Wednesday too!
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
Community Service Opportunities for BHS Students:
- Interested in Public Health and the right to global health? Join Partners In Health Engage Brookline! During our club meetings, we educate our members on the current status of Global Health, how Partners In Health is involved, hold fundraising events, and advocate Global Health equality legislation to our members of Congress. We meet virtually on Week A Mondays through Zoom at 8:00 PM. If interested, fill out this google form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSclGf8eTx3VbLuTzDZmuFndW7yn_dkjg2vlIW9a45hmkbwDQQ/viewform
- Brookline Thrives Volunteer Opportunities
Brookline Thrives has many volunteer opportunities available to BHS students. Pack bags, restock inventory, or even help with Friday distribution. View and sign up at this link - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0E45A8A722A5FD0-december
All volunteers must be at least 15 years old.
- The student-led organization "A Better Brookline" is working on transforming Brookline's government. We are looking for student volunteers to help out with activities such as phone banking and door knocking this fall. If interested, please contact [email protected]
– 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
- Have free G block and want to be a tutor for students in grades 3-5? The BLP is running a tutoring program for students at Lincoln School in Steps to Success from 2:40 to 3:30 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays (week B only), and Wednesdays. You Do NOT have to do all three days. You pick the days that work for you. This is a great opportunity to get community service hours and help elementary/middle school students with their homework. If you are interested, please fill out this very short form - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSevzvNLts20y0w-UopAbZ-AWn9vEGgp2GWOckwpKa6-9FDNAw/viewform
If you have any questions, please email Eleanor, [email protected]
SENIORS
Did you apply early to college? Have you checked to see each college’s financial aid deadline? Now is the time to check so you can meet those deadlines and be eligible for possible aid. Each college has different financial aid protocols so be sure to look up each school’s instructions. If you are late, go ahead and send your documents as soon as possible!
Also – if you are a senior who applied EA/ED/rolling - All seniors should be reading all emails from colleges! It is critically important to check the portals of the colleges they have applied to as well. If any documents are missing for their application, this is where that information will be requested. If an applicant does not provide those documents (or check with your counselor if BHS related), your application may not be considered!
Attention Seniors: Deadlines by Jan 3, 2022- Here is the latest information on steps for you to take for your senior yearbook:
- Lifetouch/Prestige Portraits regarding your Senior Portrait appointment. Please contact Ms Lynn, the BHS yearbook advisor, with any questions at [email protected]. Due to Covid-19, Lifetouch/Prestige Portrait will not be allowing walk-in sessions. We ask that each student use their unique Confirmation Code to schedule and confirm an appointment online. To confirm or change the appointment date and time, please log onto schedule.prestigeportraits.com and enter your confirmation code into the grey box. Students MUST “confirm” their appointment date & time at schedule.prestigeportraits.com which is available to them 24/7 for their convenience. Spots have been filling up quickly and Lifetouch strongly recommends you confirm an appointment as soon as you receive a card to get the date/time they prefer. Having knowledge of this process will allow Lifetouch to take proper precautions and give an amazing experience to all.
- We also encourage everyone to order a yearbook. – copy/paste - https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productBrowse/1066230/Brookline-High-School/2022-Yearbook/2021082013305781058/CATALOG_SHOP/
The only way to guarantee that you will get a yearbook is to order one. You will find all of the information you need about getting your yearbook, placing ads, donations and discounts on the Yearbook page of the BHS website. – copy/paste http://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/yearbook-murivian.html
- Senior Yearbook Materials - Due Jan 3 Use this form (copy/paste - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdqjwfJNq2ArtilQn6dBeXIFLmE8-owAFiIbURKs9xMZx8O-w/viewform) to submit the following materials:
1. A high quality senior portrait.
· Image file must be at least 1MB
· Image files must be JPEG or PNG.
· No screenshots or HEIC files please
· Files must be named lastname_firstname
2. A picture of you as a baby or small child
· File must be at least 1MB
· Image files must be JPEG or PNG
· Files must be named lastname_firstname_baby
3. Quote & Activities List
· Choose a quote to go below your picture.
· A list of your BHS activities
· Character Limit Including Spaces: 270
You must be logged in with your school google account to access the submission form.
Senior Portrait Options
· Hire a Prestige photographer: schedule.prestigeportraits.com
· Book a free photoshoot with a Brookline Lens student: email [email protected]
· You can also hire a professional photographer or create DIY senior portraits.
Bookmark the Yearbook Page on the BHS Website Please save this page to your bookmarks. It has all of the information and due dates you will need for the yearbook http://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/yearbook-murivian.html Join Yearbook Staff! We need more seniors on our staff! Please fill out the form below if you are interested. https://forms.gle/rP6a9WE4QXGjyTsu5
Application Essay Questions? 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/
College Application Reminders:
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.
If you have a college deadline for Dec 15 or earlier, then you are late in meeting the BHS deadline. Please see your counselor in the next few days.
Note below – If you have January 1 deadlines, please follow the steps below to be sure the BHS counseling department works with you to meet that deadline. With Thanksgiving and December vacations, this deadline is earlier than usual.
College Deadline BHS Deadline
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 transcript release link shared by your counselor
● 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.
JUNIORS and SENIORS
BHS Librarians are again offering TEST PREP THURSDAYS for Juniors and Seniors from 3-4pm in the BHS Library! Please stop by the library to find out the support, resources, and direct tutoring that is available for our students.
JUNIORS
See attached testing dates for SAT and ACT offered at Brookline High School. More info to be shared after PSAT scores are released to juniors on the College Board website on either December 6 or 7. Also note that MANY colleges and universities are continuing test optional guidelines moving forward. More details on this when juniors attend the January 3, 2022 Junior Assembly and junior seminars begin with counselors in hubs/advisories.
JUNIORS AND SOPHOMORES
Did you miss the 10/28 webinar on Junior Year Timeline and Standardized College Admissions Testing presentation? BHS Guidance Department with Lenny Libenzon, BHS College Counselor, discussed the Junior Year Calendar, and Drew Heilpern from Summit Educational Group presented about the different types of standardized tests that our juniors take (SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, AP).
The pdfs of the presentation’s powerpoint slides are here:
- Junior Year Timeline by Lenny Libenzon (BHS College Counselor) - http://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/uploads/8/0/1/5/801512/2021_junior_timeline_night_oct.pdf
- Roadmap for the SAT and ACT: Summit’s College Admissions Testing presentation - http://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/uploads/8/0/1/5/801512/brookline_high_school_webinar_presentation._10.28.2021.pdf
- Also, here is the link to access the recording:
If you are interested, here is the link for them to register for our FREE practice ACT or SAT tests:
https://mytutor.com/one-on-one/free-practice-tests/
Go to this link for an electronic version of the College Admissions Testing Guide here: https://mytutor.com/college-admission-testing-guide/
Print copies of this guide are available at the BHS Guidance Suite Room 285.
SOPHOMORES
9TH GRADERS
The Brookline Center is offering a 9th grade specific Group for Female Identifying students-
*Please contact Brookline Center Intake at 617-860-2084*
Teen Social Group: 9th graders
This is a group for 13-15 year-old young people seeking to build their social skills and develop meaningful peer relationships. The group focuses on supporting its members to learn how to initiate peer interactions, read social cues, and increase their self-esteem. The group is semi-structured, where the group members choose and learn from activities together.
Membership is open to 9th graders who hold female as part of their past or present identity. This means that if your child is exploring their gender identity, either at present or in the future, they are welcome to remain a part of this group, regardless of where that exploration lands.
Tuesdays 5:00pm-5:50pm
Setting: In Person
Sammie Allen, LCSW (she/her) and Sarah Lyn
This group is open to new referrals at this time. This group is billed through insurance [BCBS not accepted; self-pay rate available].
The 9th grade counseling team continues to host a Social Lunch for 9th grade students who might benefit from having a quieter place to eat lunch, especially our students who have had a more difficult time finding social connections during lunch! Students should come by the OLS Main Office during any Wednesday lunch period. Thanks to the counselor team for offering this important opportunity!