Phew! What a week of student orientation last week. Teachers and students were working furiously to manage the “next normal” of mostly remote classes for BHS students. Counselors were working feverishly with curriculum coordinators to correct as many student scheduling errors as they could… and will continue to do this work for errors only.
The two week schedule freeze for students asks students to remain in their current schedule UNLESS A COURSE IS MISSING OR WAS NOT REQUESTED will end this Wednesday 9/30. If a student still desires a “change of mind” schedule change by 9/30, the student should be talking with their parent-guardian and current teacher about a possible change, then contacting their assigned counselor to see if a change is possible when working with curriculum coordinators and deans. A digital drop/add form is required for signatures from student, parent-caregiver, current teacher, curriculum coordinator, counselor, and dean is required and will start with your counselor, after you’ve talked with your current teacher. Please note that there may be less ability to drop and add courses this year due to limited seats in classes. Students are also responsible to track their credits to BHS graduation, with the help of their counselor.
The two week schedule freeze for students asks students to remain in their current schedule UNLESS A COURSE IS MISSING OR WAS NOT REQUESTED will end this Wednesday 9/30. If a student still desires a “change of mind” schedule change by 9/30, the student should be talking with their parent-guardian and current teacher about a possible change, then contacting their assigned counselor to see if a change is possible when working with curriculum coordinators and deans. A digital drop/add form is required for signatures from student, parent-caregiver, current teacher, curriculum coordinator, counselor, and dean is required and will start with your counselor, after you’ve talked with your current teacher. Please note that there may be less ability to drop and add courses this year due to limited seats in classes. Students are also responsible to track their credits to BHS graduation, with the help of their counselor.
If a student has questions/concerns/or just wants to say hello to their counselor, please see if the counselor has posted their weekly office hours on CANVAS or email the counselor. Counselors have made progress in working through needed schedule corrections, but a few students still are being patient about some issues. Counselors are here and ready to support EVERY BHS student. Students should not hesitate to contact their counselor for any questions or concerns – school related, post high school planning related, extracurricular activities related, or life related!
Reminder - All NEW UPDATES will be highlighted in BLUE each week for easy scanning of newest info.
ALL STUDENTS
Parents and Students - Not sure who to contact at BHS?
Please see the attached “Who To Call When” FAQ and BHS Student Support Staff list – attached
If you would like to become a mentor, please sign up using this form (NOT the one the one on the website) - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScx5Jrb_gEQndbtADhdWMwaEk6D83f8A8hRK0VSOtPH5E2bow/viewform?usp=sf_link
What does the BHS GPA look like this year and why? Please see the attached overview for more information. The ongoing BHS GPA determination for future classes is in progress.
SENIORS
BHS will be offering a SENIOR ONLY IN-SCHOOL SAT on Wednesday, October 14. This is an opportunity for any senior who wants to take the SAT and has not yet been scheduled or taken this college admissions test. Please see the attached flyer for specific online registration information. The deadline to register is Oct 7.
Thank you to all 200 parents – caregivers who attended the 9/17/20 Senior Parent PTO meeting on Post High School Planning with Lisa Redding, Kate Kennedy (BHS Career Counselor), Lenny Libenzon (BHS College Counselor) and Darby Neff-Verre (Coordinator of Guid/Coun Dept)! The recording of this event is available here (and please note passcode to view) - https://brooklinema.zoomgov.com/rec/share/vNxJM5f22UxOT6PP61r_RYsQI6j7aaa8hiYdr_Venx2Jq5HmsxjVhzEj-9cBw2Dn Passcode: z!7V=Say
Virtual College Representative visits at BHS have started and will continue this week – 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!
PTO Essay Writing Virtual Workshop in one week - Sunday, October 4 – Sign up now for this free and very helpful resource for any BHS senior! See attached flyer and QR registration code to register.
- 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 grea FREE advice for seniors and essay writing suggestions, including if and how to respond to the Common Application COVID essay option - https://www.collegeessayguy.com/
Many college admissions deans across the country have joined the Making Caring Common initiative started by Harvard School of Education. In response to the unprecedented impact of COVID 19 on college admissions, they have shared the document Care Counts in Crisis: College Admissions Deans Respond to COVID 19. You can read this important document too – see attached.
Interested in a Gap Year? Please refer to the Gap Year resources shared in Lenny Libenzon’s powerpoint mentioned above from the 9/17/20 senior parent presentation and also look into https://quakervoluntaryservice.org/
BHS Guidance will be offering a Gap Year virtual presentation in November 2020.
Stay tuned!
Since BHS could not hold our annual College Fair last spring, we are recommending that seniors attend one of the NACAC Fall Virtual Fairs. The virtual fairs are offered on Oct 12, Oct 18, and Nov 8. Please see the attached FAQ for more information and next steps. The BHS counselors have not personally attended these fairs, but wanted to share as many options as possible to our seniors as they are the first to navigate this "next normal" of the college admissions process.
Seniors…. Be sure to meet the BHS Transcript Release (and Coun Recommendation info) Deadlines so we can meet your college application deadlines! See the BHS College Application Procedures Quicklist too – both attached below.
SENIORS AND JUNIORS
Taking a Gap Year: A Zoom Presentation for BHS Students & Parents – November 5, 6:30-8:15pm
Taking a gap year after high school is becoming an increasingly popular option for students, but how do you know if it's the right choice for you or your child? Join gap year expert Julia Rogers of EnRoute Consulting for a presentation that will cover the benefits, challenges and opportunities surrounding the gap year option in the era of COVID-19. She will guide attendees through the opportunities available in the age of corona - and how plans could evolve based on the global outlook. She will also discuss how to plan for college deferment or reapplication, how to finance gap time and provide tips for designing a meaningful gap year. Please register at this link to join this presentation -
Registration link
JUNIORS
BHS will be offering the Saturday PSAT on October 17, 2020 at the high school. Online registration and more details will be shared by email to juniors and families later this week.
Stay tuned!
Reminder - All NEW UPDATES will be highlighted in BLUE each week for easy scanning of newest info.
ALL STUDENTS
Parents and Students - Not sure who to contact at BHS?
Please see the attached “Who To Call When” FAQ and BHS Student Support Staff list – attached
If you would like to become a mentor, please sign up using this form (NOT the one the one on the website) - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScx5Jrb_gEQndbtADhdWMwaEk6D83f8A8hRK0VSOtPH5E2bow/viewform?usp=sf_link
What does the BHS GPA look like this year and why? Please see the attached overview for more information. The ongoing BHS GPA determination for future classes is in progress.
SENIORS
BHS will be offering a SENIOR ONLY IN-SCHOOL SAT on Wednesday, October 14. This is an opportunity for any senior who wants to take the SAT and has not yet been scheduled or taken this college admissions test. Please see the attached flyer for specific online registration information. The deadline to register is Oct 7.
Thank you to all 200 parents – caregivers who attended the 9/17/20 Senior Parent PTO meeting on Post High School Planning with Lisa Redding, Kate Kennedy (BHS Career Counselor), Lenny Libenzon (BHS College Counselor) and Darby Neff-Verre (Coordinator of Guid/Coun Dept)! The recording of this event is available here (and please note passcode to view) - https://brooklinema.zoomgov.com/rec/share/vNxJM5f22UxOT6PP61r_RYsQI6j7aaa8hiYdr_Venx2Jq5HmsxjVhzEj-9cBw2Dn Passcode: z!7V=Say
Virtual College Representative visits at BHS have started and will continue this week – 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!
PTO Essay Writing Virtual Workshop in one week - Sunday, October 4 – Sign up now for this free and very helpful resource for any BHS senior! See attached flyer and QR registration code to register.
- 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 grea FREE advice for seniors and essay writing suggestions, including if and how to respond to the Common Application COVID essay option - https://www.collegeessayguy.com/
Many college admissions deans across the country have joined the Making Caring Common initiative started by Harvard School of Education. In response to the unprecedented impact of COVID 19 on college admissions, they have shared the document Care Counts in Crisis: College Admissions Deans Respond to COVID 19. You can read this important document too – see attached.
Interested in a Gap Year? Please refer to the Gap Year resources shared in Lenny Libenzon’s powerpoint mentioned above from the 9/17/20 senior parent presentation and also look into https://quakervoluntaryservice.org/
BHS Guidance will be offering a Gap Year virtual presentation in November 2020.
Stay tuned!
Since BHS could not hold our annual College Fair last spring, we are recommending that seniors attend one of the NACAC Fall Virtual Fairs. The virtual fairs are offered on Oct 12, Oct 18, and Nov 8. Please see the attached FAQ for more information and next steps. The BHS counselors have not personally attended these fairs, but wanted to share as many options as possible to our seniors as they are the first to navigate this "next normal" of the college admissions process.
Seniors…. Be sure to meet the BHS Transcript Release (and Coun Recommendation info) Deadlines so we can meet your college application deadlines! See the BHS College Application Procedures Quicklist too – both attached below.
SENIORS AND JUNIORS
Taking a Gap Year: A Zoom Presentation for BHS Students & Parents – November 5, 6:30-8:15pm
Taking a gap year after high school is becoming an increasingly popular option for students, but how do you know if it's the right choice for you or your child? Join gap year expert Julia Rogers of EnRoute Consulting for a presentation that will cover the benefits, challenges and opportunities surrounding the gap year option in the era of COVID-19. She will guide attendees through the opportunities available in the age of corona - and how plans could evolve based on the global outlook. She will also discuss how to plan for college deferment or reapplication, how to finance gap time and provide tips for designing a meaningful gap year. Please register at this link to join this presentation -
Registration link
JUNIORS
BHS will be offering the Saturday PSAT on October 17, 2020 at the high school. Online registration and more details will be shared by email to juniors and families later this week.
Stay tuned!