ALL STUDENTS/PARENTS- CARETAKERS
The clean up from the 12/20 water pipe break at the 115 campus has been completed. All counselors with offices in the 285 counseling/guidance hub (Rich Gorman, Darby Neff-Verre, Ellen Herz, Nicole Bent, Kathy Whelan, Eric Schiff, and Clifton Jones) have returned to their office spaces. Bonnie Hatzielefteriadis, the new Guid/Coun Dept Senior Clerk, is back to 285 as well. We ask for your patience, especially regarding timely responses to phone messages since we did not have access to our office phones/voicemails until end of day Friday.
IMPORTANT MIDYEAR SCHEDULE UPDATE! MIDYEAR EXAMS ARE NOW SHIFTED TO TUES 1/28, WED 1/29, & THURS 1/30 WITH FINAL Q2 GRADES DUE ON FRIDAY 1/31 MORNING. There will be a special schedule on Mon 1/27 and Fri 1/31.
The clean up from the 12/20 water pipe break at the 115 campus has been completed. All counselors with offices in the 285 counseling/guidance hub (Rich Gorman, Darby Neff-Verre, Ellen Herz, Nicole Bent, Kathy Whelan, Eric Schiff, and Clifton Jones) have returned to their office spaces. Bonnie Hatzielefteriadis, the new Guid/Coun Dept Senior Clerk, is back to 285 as well. We ask for your patience, especially regarding timely responses to phone messages since we did not have access to our office phones/voicemails until end of day Friday.
IMPORTANT MIDYEAR SCHEDULE UPDATE! MIDYEAR EXAMS ARE NOW SHIFTED TO TUES 1/28, WED 1/29, & THURS 1/30 WITH FINAL Q2 GRADES DUE ON FRIDAY 1/31 MORNING. There will be a special schedule on Mon 1/27 and Fri 1/31.
This is WEEK A schedule
REMINDER - The midpoint Quarter 2 IPRs were uploaded to parent/student portals on Thurs 12/19. Now is the time for students to use the Help Centers at both the 115 and OLS campuses to seek support and improve any challenging academic situations before the end of Quarter 2.
BHS WiSTEM Club offers: High School 101 Workshop: Midterms - Preparation Tips and Tricks from Upperclassmen and teachers! January 9th, all-school X block, MLK room
On Thursday January 9th from 2:45- 3:30pm there will be a resume writing workshop in the College and Career Center, Rm 279 at 115 Greenough campus. Students who don't have a resume or wouldl like some professional guidelines with resume drafts are welcome to come! Students can also stay for as long as they would like.
School Within a School (SWS) is now accepting applications for the 2020-21 school year. Please go to this link for more info - http://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/sws.html
UPDATED BHS Clubs/Organizations Info for students:
BHS Marketing Club - The Brookline Literacy Partnership Club is holding a silent online action the date TBA. The proceeds will go to building libraries in underdeveloped areas. Stay tuned for the link to the auction!
Interested in Medicine? Come to Medical Club in room 378 - Meets X Block in Week A Only.
- Talks by health professionals who will speak about their field in medicine that will provide information like: what's it like to be a doctor, information about their certain field, what medical school is like, and what you need to do in order to accomplish your dreams!
- Fundraisers!
- Hosting events as a club for the school
- Field Trips**
- Snacks will be provided!
This is a great way to explore your passion for medicine! Want to be added to the email list for updates? Email: [email protected]
Lunch Lounge is now scheduled FOR ALL LUNCHES EVERY WEEKDAY in Room 277 at the 115 campus and LUNCHES on Tuesdays at the OLS campus. This alternative lunch space offers a place for fun conversation, a board game competition, or having a quiet lunch. BRING YOUR OWN LUNCH. Any student can join for one lunch lounge or become a regular.
SENIORS
Deferred to regular decision? Please carefully read advice from the BHS Counseling/Guidance Department about next steps – attached
Seniors – If you haven’t already, please say thanks to your teachers and counselor who supported you by writing recommendations for your application process. Just stopping by to say thanks and let them know where you stand with admissions or writing a quick note makes a BIG difference to those who helped you!
Early Decision acceptances - please contact all colleges also applied to for EA/RD and remove your name from their lists...and congrats!
As College Counselor Tara Anne Dowling suggests-
“Say 'Thank you' as well as 'No, thank you'
--‘Thank you for taking time with my credentials’, ‘thank you for answering my questions’, ‘thank you for offering me a scholarship’ etc.
--‘No, thank you, I will be attending another college’ (you can say the name of your attending college if you feel comfortable)
This is done in myriad ways:
* via the online portal they may give you the option to decline your offer and say where you are going
* via email to the rep who has been working with you
* via post--did you get a big packet in the mail? There may be a postcard that asks for you to respond with info if you are declining the offer
What is goodwill and why does it matter?
--Admission officers very often become invested in the students they are reviewing. They have read your file, recommended you to the admission committee, and perhaps put you up for a scholarship. Hard work deserves a big thank you.
--You never know if you may need to transfer
--You may have a younger sibling or friend who will attend this university. How can a good relationship that helps other people be a bad thing?
What's in it for me?
--If good will doesn't move you (or good manners!) then think of kids on waitlists who are dying to find out if they can have that place that is currently being held by you. You can help colleges clean up their records and make room for other candidates!"
Transcript release / Teacher-Counselor Recommendation Deadlines
Upcoming due dates:
College deadline BHS Deadline
February 1 Monday, January 6
February 15 Friday, January 17
Yearbook deadlines - Seniors can find the information below and other updates on the Class of 2020 canvas page-
Senior Picture deadline was FRIDAY DECEMBER 20th. Please email Yearbook Advisor Ms. Lynn at [email protected] if you did not make this deadline. If you've already let her know, you don't have to write again. Image submissions: https://images.jostens.com/414893698 (Links to an external site.)
Write-up (quote and activities): senior write up google form (Links to an external site.)
READ YOUR EMAIL IF YOU HAVE APPLIED TO COLLEGE! Set up and check your portal for each college. If you have questions, students (not parents) should be contacting the admissions offices!
Although over 77% of the BHS Class of 2020 has applied to college as of 1/1/20, there are still seniors working on their post- high school plan. There are many 4 year colleges still accepting applications, so see your counselor or Mr Libenzon, BHS College Counselor, for support.
Thinking about an alternative plan to 4 year college? You are not alone! Almost 10% of last year’s BHS graduates planned to attend a 2 year technical or community college, work full time, or considered the military. Please see Kate Cordner Kennedy, the BHS Career Counselor in Room 279 or 280 for more info. If she is not available when you stop by (since she is also working with 9th graders at the OLS campus), please leave her a note!
SENIORS AND JUNIORS
Don't miss this year's USA Gap Year Fair event from 6-8:30 PM on Monday, January 13 at Brookline High School! Many diverse gap year programs attend the fair, including some that are free (for example- City Year) and others that offer generous scholarships (such as Irish Gap Year and Up With the People).
PRE-REGISTER: https://www.gooverseas.com/gap-year/usa-fairs/programs?location=253403
Guest Speaker: 6-6:45 PM MLK ROOM
Gap year advisor Julia Rogers of Enroute Consulting will kick off the evening with a dynamic presentation explaining the ins and outs of gap year options and offering tips for navigating your gap year research.
Fair: 6:45-8:00 PM CAFETERIA
During the fair, attendees will have the opportunity to speak with 42 gap year program representatives about their program offerings!
Please check out the article below for no-low cost gap year ideas too-
https://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/extending-the-gap-year-after-high-school-beyond-kids-of-means/ee20b74a-5bc9-4b5c-9bf2-492062a50a85
Seniors - Have questions about your Common Application? Need essay help? Not sure how to send your scores to colleges? Having trouble matching your Common App to Naviance? Still deciding on colleges to apply to?
Juniors- Starting to research colleges? Missed the Naviance tutorial for college search support? Wondering whether to take the SAT, ACT, or go test-optional? Thinking about when you should take these tests?
Make an appointment with your counselor (email or leave a note, if needed) OR see Mr Libenzon, BHS College Counselor, in College-Career Center 279 or office 280.
Naviance access for BHS parents/guardians - BHS does not provide separate parent accounts to Naviance. Parents are encouraged to use their students' username and passwords. It is
possible to log in to naviance as BHS guest, click on "Log in as Guest" from the Naviance website and the password is "bhs" (all small letters).
JUNIORS
Your Naviance account has been updated with your GPA and your assigned counselor for this school year. Please check that it is correct. If you do not remember your Naviance login, talk to your counselor or email Mr. Libenzon ([email protected])
Junior Seminar Round 1 will happen in Advisories starting this Thursday January 9 in advisories through early Feb. Junior Seminar Round 2 will happen in Feb and early March advisories with Seminar Round 3 during ELA MCAS mornings in later March. Be sure to attend your advisory to get the most updated information from your counselor.
More details on times/dates to come soon!
College Admissions Testing Prep suggestions:
PSAT score reports are out! See below for test prep options plus FREE online Test Prep options attachment and introductory hands-on sessions with BHS librarians after school on these dates- 1/6,1/8,1/9 AND 1/15 - X block - Room 277
SAT? Go to Kahn Academy on the College Board website for specific help related to your individualizes PSAT score results… and it’s free!
ACT? Check out the ACT Academy on their website.
Mark your calendars now for 2 evening events for juniors and their parents/caregivers:
– Junior Night - Tuesday Feb 12 – 6:30-8:00 pm, Auditorium
The BHS guidance and Lenny Libenzon, will present information about post high school planning with a focus on the college search and application process. This presentation is offered for junior students and parent/guardians.
- Thursday, March 19 – BHS College Fair, 6:30-8:30pm, Cafe
SOPHOMORES AND JUNIORS
Thanks to many students and parents/guardians for attending the BHS Counseling/Guidance Dept Junior Year Post High School Planning Timeline and College Admissions Testing Overview presentations offered this past Thursday 12/12/19. Drew Heilpern from Summit Educational Group spoke about the different types of standardized tests that our juniors/seniors take (SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, AP). Please note that BHS does not specifically promote any outside testing prep companies, but appreciates their information sharing for this event.
If you could not attend, you can download the powerpoints from both presentations here. We also have extra copies of the informative Summit Educational Group College Admissions Testing information booklet. 10th and 11th graders can come by the College/Career Center (279) or Lenny Libenzon’s office (280) for a copy.
http://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/uploads/8/0/1/5/801512/summit_presentation.pdf
http://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/uploads/8/0/1/5/801512/2019_december_junior_presentation.pdf
SOPHOMORES
SOPHOMORE PTO/BHS GUIDANCE-COUNSELING BREAKFAST – "Next Steps to Junior Year and Beyond" on Wednesday, January 15th 8-9:15 am in MLK room. Darby Neff-Verre, Lenny Libenzon and counselors of 10th graders will present to parents of sophomores. Muffins and coffee will be provided.
REMINDER - The midpoint Quarter 2 IPRs were uploaded to parent/student portals on Thurs 12/19. Now is the time for students to use the Help Centers at both the 115 and OLS campuses to seek support and improve any challenging academic situations before the end of Quarter 2.
BHS WiSTEM Club offers: High School 101 Workshop: Midterms - Preparation Tips and Tricks from Upperclassmen and teachers! January 9th, all-school X block, MLK room
On Thursday January 9th from 2:45- 3:30pm there will be a resume writing workshop in the College and Career Center, Rm 279 at 115 Greenough campus. Students who don't have a resume or wouldl like some professional guidelines with resume drafts are welcome to come! Students can also stay for as long as they would like.
School Within a School (SWS) is now accepting applications for the 2020-21 school year. Please go to this link for more info - http://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/sws.html
UPDATED BHS Clubs/Organizations Info for students:
BHS Marketing Club - The Brookline Literacy Partnership Club is holding a silent online action the date TBA. The proceeds will go to building libraries in underdeveloped areas. Stay tuned for the link to the auction!
Interested in Medicine? Come to Medical Club in room 378 - Meets X Block in Week A Only.
- Talks by health professionals who will speak about their field in medicine that will provide information like: what's it like to be a doctor, information about their certain field, what medical school is like, and what you need to do in order to accomplish your dreams!
- Fundraisers!
- Hosting events as a club for the school
- Field Trips**
- Snacks will be provided!
This is a great way to explore your passion for medicine! Want to be added to the email list for updates? Email: [email protected]
Lunch Lounge is now scheduled FOR ALL LUNCHES EVERY WEEKDAY in Room 277 at the 115 campus and LUNCHES on Tuesdays at the OLS campus. This alternative lunch space offers a place for fun conversation, a board game competition, or having a quiet lunch. BRING YOUR OWN LUNCH. Any student can join for one lunch lounge or become a regular.
SENIORS
Deferred to regular decision? Please carefully read advice from the BHS Counseling/Guidance Department about next steps – attached
Seniors – If you haven’t already, please say thanks to your teachers and counselor who supported you by writing recommendations for your application process. Just stopping by to say thanks and let them know where you stand with admissions or writing a quick note makes a BIG difference to those who helped you!
Early Decision acceptances - please contact all colleges also applied to for EA/RD and remove your name from their lists...and congrats!
As College Counselor Tara Anne Dowling suggests-
“Say 'Thank you' as well as 'No, thank you'
--‘Thank you for taking time with my credentials’, ‘thank you for answering my questions’, ‘thank you for offering me a scholarship’ etc.
--‘No, thank you, I will be attending another college’ (you can say the name of your attending college if you feel comfortable)
This is done in myriad ways:
* via the online portal they may give you the option to decline your offer and say where you are going
* via email to the rep who has been working with you
* via post--did you get a big packet in the mail? There may be a postcard that asks for you to respond with info if you are declining the offer
What is goodwill and why does it matter?
--Admission officers very often become invested in the students they are reviewing. They have read your file, recommended you to the admission committee, and perhaps put you up for a scholarship. Hard work deserves a big thank you.
--You never know if you may need to transfer
--You may have a younger sibling or friend who will attend this university. How can a good relationship that helps other people be a bad thing?
What's in it for me?
--If good will doesn't move you (or good manners!) then think of kids on waitlists who are dying to find out if they can have that place that is currently being held by you. You can help colleges clean up their records and make room for other candidates!"
Transcript release / Teacher-Counselor Recommendation Deadlines
Upcoming due dates:
College deadline BHS Deadline
February 1 Monday, January 6
February 15 Friday, January 17
Yearbook deadlines - Seniors can find the information below and other updates on the Class of 2020 canvas page-
Senior Picture deadline was FRIDAY DECEMBER 20th. Please email Yearbook Advisor Ms. Lynn at [email protected] if you did not make this deadline. If you've already let her know, you don't have to write again. Image submissions: https://images.jostens.com/414893698 (Links to an external site.)
Write-up (quote and activities): senior write up google form (Links to an external site.)
READ YOUR EMAIL IF YOU HAVE APPLIED TO COLLEGE! Set up and check your portal for each college. If you have questions, students (not parents) should be contacting the admissions offices!
Although over 77% of the BHS Class of 2020 has applied to college as of 1/1/20, there are still seniors working on their post- high school plan. There are many 4 year colleges still accepting applications, so see your counselor or Mr Libenzon, BHS College Counselor, for support.
Thinking about an alternative plan to 4 year college? You are not alone! Almost 10% of last year’s BHS graduates planned to attend a 2 year technical or community college, work full time, or considered the military. Please see Kate Cordner Kennedy, the BHS Career Counselor in Room 279 or 280 for more info. If she is not available when you stop by (since she is also working with 9th graders at the OLS campus), please leave her a note!
SENIORS AND JUNIORS
Don't miss this year's USA Gap Year Fair event from 6-8:30 PM on Monday, January 13 at Brookline High School! Many diverse gap year programs attend the fair, including some that are free (for example- City Year) and others that offer generous scholarships (such as Irish Gap Year and Up With the People).
PRE-REGISTER: https://www.gooverseas.com/gap-year/usa-fairs/programs?location=253403
Guest Speaker: 6-6:45 PM MLK ROOM
Gap year advisor Julia Rogers of Enroute Consulting will kick off the evening with a dynamic presentation explaining the ins and outs of gap year options and offering tips for navigating your gap year research.
Fair: 6:45-8:00 PM CAFETERIA
During the fair, attendees will have the opportunity to speak with 42 gap year program representatives about their program offerings!
Please check out the article below for no-low cost gap year ideas too-
https://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/extending-the-gap-year-after-high-school-beyond-kids-of-means/ee20b74a-5bc9-4b5c-9bf2-492062a50a85
Seniors - Have questions about your Common Application? Need essay help? Not sure how to send your scores to colleges? Having trouble matching your Common App to Naviance? Still deciding on colleges to apply to?
Juniors- Starting to research colleges? Missed the Naviance tutorial for college search support? Wondering whether to take the SAT, ACT, or go test-optional? Thinking about when you should take these tests?
Make an appointment with your counselor (email or leave a note, if needed) OR see Mr Libenzon, BHS College Counselor, in College-Career Center 279 or office 280.
Naviance access for BHS parents/guardians - BHS does not provide separate parent accounts to Naviance. Parents are encouraged to use their students' username and passwords. It is
possible to log in to naviance as BHS guest, click on "Log in as Guest" from the Naviance website and the password is "bhs" (all small letters).
JUNIORS
Your Naviance account has been updated with your GPA and your assigned counselor for this school year. Please check that it is correct. If you do not remember your Naviance login, talk to your counselor or email Mr. Libenzon ([email protected])
Junior Seminar Round 1 will happen in Advisories starting this Thursday January 9 in advisories through early Feb. Junior Seminar Round 2 will happen in Feb and early March advisories with Seminar Round 3 during ELA MCAS mornings in later March. Be sure to attend your advisory to get the most updated information from your counselor.
More details on times/dates to come soon!
College Admissions Testing Prep suggestions:
PSAT score reports are out! See below for test prep options plus FREE online Test Prep options attachment and introductory hands-on sessions with BHS librarians after school on these dates- 1/6,1/8,1/9 AND 1/15 - X block - Room 277
SAT? Go to Kahn Academy on the College Board website for specific help related to your individualizes PSAT score results… and it’s free!
ACT? Check out the ACT Academy on their website.
Mark your calendars now for 2 evening events for juniors and their parents/caregivers:
– Junior Night - Tuesday Feb 12 – 6:30-8:00 pm, Auditorium
The BHS guidance and Lenny Libenzon, will present information about post high school planning with a focus on the college search and application process. This presentation is offered for junior students and parent/guardians.
- Thursday, March 19 – BHS College Fair, 6:30-8:30pm, Cafe
SOPHOMORES AND JUNIORS
Thanks to many students and parents/guardians for attending the BHS Counseling/Guidance Dept Junior Year Post High School Planning Timeline and College Admissions Testing Overview presentations offered this past Thursday 12/12/19. Drew Heilpern from Summit Educational Group spoke about the different types of standardized tests that our juniors/seniors take (SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, AP). Please note that BHS does not specifically promote any outside testing prep companies, but appreciates their information sharing for this event.
If you could not attend, you can download the powerpoints from both presentations here. We also have extra copies of the informative Summit Educational Group College Admissions Testing information booklet. 10th and 11th graders can come by the College/Career Center (279) or Lenny Libenzon’s office (280) for a copy.
http://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/uploads/8/0/1/5/801512/summit_presentation.pdf
http://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/uploads/8/0/1/5/801512/2019_december_junior_presentation.pdf
SOPHOMORES
SOPHOMORE PTO/BHS GUIDANCE-COUNSELING BREAKFAST – "Next Steps to Junior Year and Beyond" on Wednesday, January 15th 8-9:15 am in MLK room. Darby Neff-Verre, Lenny Libenzon and counselors of 10th graders will present to parents of sophomores. Muffins and coffee will be provided.