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BHS Counseling Newsletter:
Friday, May 3rd, 2024
Upcoming Dates:
May 7th: Senior Academic Scholarship Event; 2:00 p.m.
May 9th: "Becoming A BHS Bobcat" 8th Grade Visit
May 16th-17th: Semester Test Days
May 26th: BHS Graduation
Counseling Office Happenings
School Counselors have been busy working with students and parents on assisting with Dual Credit Information, Online Courses, and many other questions and needs. In addition, we have been working with scholarship committees and donors for the Senior Academic Awards Event. We also hosted the suicide prevention event, "My Ascension". Thank you to SD Helpline and BHS Hope Squad for sponsoring the event!
The BHS Counseling and Student Services Staff would like to thank our students, staff, and families for a wonderful school year! We hope you all have a fabulous summer break! Please make sure that you take time to enjoy your family and friends, and take care of yourselves! We look forward to seeing you all again in the next school year! Congratulations to the Class of 2024! We wish you the best!
Note: The BHS Counseling and Student Services Office is closed during the summer months. Let us know if you need anything before the end of the school year. We will see you in August!
Programs To Be Aware Of:
South Dakota School Safety Center Student Ambassador Program - This is a new program for the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year! With mentorship from South Dakota School Safety Center professionals, students will work together to create projects and outreach centered around Safe2Say, that raises awareness about youth mental health and other important school safety concerns. The Student Ambassador Program is open to incoming Juniors and Seniors, who are creative problem solvers, socially conscious and empathetic to youth mental health and other school safety issues facing students. A Student Ambassador should show a sincere desire to lead, engage in school safety issues, show interest in community service and public policy, and be committed to creating youth-centered outreach regarding these important issues. The Student Ambassador should plan to meet virtually or in person approximately 5 times during the year. Apply here. Deadline is Friday, May 10th.
BHS Class of 2025 Scholarship Information: Read more here.
Child Development Associate Credentialing Opportunity! See below brochure for more information. May 10th deadline.
Academic Information
Academic Information:
Transcripts: All transcript requests can be made for any student online at the BHS Counseling and Student Services web page via Parchment. Informal transcripts may be printed off from your student portal. https://exchange.parchment.com/u/registration/21635/institution Transcripts requests will be on hold through parchment until final grades are inputted. They should be available after Mid-June. Click "Hold for grades".
Student Schedules for the 2024-2025 School Year:
The BHS Master Schedule is developed by Administration over the summer months. Following this process, student requests are uploaded and schedules are computer-generated, based on the students' requests. Schedules for the 2024-2025 school year will not be available to students and families until the fall. Students can pick their schedules up during the registration back-to-school event.
Career Exploration
Southeast Tech Career Exploration Event!
Students can register individually online. Below is the schedule for our upcoming event.
When: Wednesday, May 8
Place: The HUB – 2001 N. Career Ave. Sioux Falls, SD 57107. Building #7 on our campus map.
Schedule:
9:30 – 10:15 Welcome Presentation
10:15 – 10:30 Release to assigned Industry Areas
Healthcare: Scrubs Camp
10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. - Healthcare Industry Exploration Tours
12-12:30 p.m. - Lunch
12:30-2 p.m. - Healthcare Industry Exploration Tours
Construction/Trades Camp
10 a.m.-12 p.m. – Plumbing & HVAC Tours
12-12:30 p.m. - Lunch
12:30-2 p.m. – Construction Management & Welding Tours
Horticulture/Sports Turf Management & Vet Tech Camp
10:00 a.m.- 12 p.m. – Horticulture and Sports Turf Management Tours
12:00 p.m.-12:30 p.m. – Lunch
12:30 p.m.-2 p.m. – Vet Tech Tours
Engineering & Mechatronics Camp
10:00 a.m.- 12 p.m. – Architectural Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Land Survey Tours
12:00 p.m.-12:30 p.m. – Lunch
12:30 p.m.-2 p.m. – Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics Tours
2:00 – 2:30 Wrap Up
Join Minnesota West Community & Technical College and Avera Granite Falls Health Center for a FREE Allied Health Scrubs Camp offered to high school juniors, seniors, and non-traditional students looking for healthcare career exploration.
Helicopter landing, hands-on activities, and demonstrations will highlight the day's activities.
Programs showcased:
• Dental Assistant
• Medical Assistant
• Medical Laboratory Technician/Phlebotomy
• Nursing
• Nursing Assistant
• Occupational Therapy Assistant
• Surgical Technology
• Trained Medication Aide
Limited availability, sign up below to register.
Who can attend: High school juniors, seniors and non-traditional students
Where:
Granite Falls Campus
1593 11th Avenue
Granite Falls, MN 56241
June 5, 2024 from 9:00am - 2:00pm | Lunch provided
Register here.
SDSU National Summer Transportation Institute Summer Camp
School Exploration:
Have you heard of Cottey College?
It's a women’s college located 100 miles south of Kansas City and is supported by local PEO organizations all over the country - including Brookings, SD. Cottey’s unique combination of women’s-only education, high academic standards, focus on leadership development, commitment to an international experience for every student and a motivated, high-energy community is at the heart of its success. If you’d like to plan a summer trip to go visit Cottey College, some financial assistance may be available for your travels. Stop by the kiosk over the lunch hour on Monday, May 6 to learn more or email cottey@sdpeo.org.
MN State Week
Explore Your Future with a visit to one or more of MN state colleges and universities during Minnesota State Week, June 24-28.
Minnesota State Week is a great time to explore the 33 colleges and universities that make up Minnesota State. Special campus visit events are planned at all of the Minnesota State campuses.
Assessment Information
ACT:
Juniors thinking about taking the ACT in June: Register now to avoid driving to another community! How Do I register for the National Test? Register for the ACT
Smarter Balanced Scores: Juniors and Junior Parents, Smarter Balanced scores will be sent home in the next week when all scores are in. An e-mail will be sent when that takes place.
PSAT/NMSQT: BHS will offer the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) in October of 2024. This is an optional test for 10th and 11th graders (current 9th and 10th graders), designed to help prepare students for the SAT, which is a college entrance exam similar to the ACT. This is also a way for juniors to enter the National Merit Scholarship Program. In order to get an idea of how many students will want to take the exam next fall, we would ask that you fill out this form if you plan to. Note: Payment for the exam will be collected next fall.
IMPORTANT: If you plan to take the PSAT/NMSQT and need accommodations as stated in your IEP or 504 plan, you must note this on the form prior to the end of this school year. Students who report this in the fall will not be able to take the test with accommodations.
Personal, Social & Emotional Information:
The summer months are a great time to get outside, and enjoy the sunshine, and warm weather! Summer presents opportunities to switch up your routine and enjoy what the season has to offer. A few small changes to your routine could help improve your overall mood. Make this summer a season of self-care! Below are a few ideas to get started!
- Get outdoors to relax: Grab a blanket, and book, and set up on a shady patch of grass.
- Go for a walk: A stroll around the block can be a great way to clear your head.
- Plant a garden: Enjoy the outdoors, get some sun, and bond with your family or friends.
- Make a summertime playlist: Music may lift your spirits and motivate you to get moving.
- Have a picnic: Appreciate a meal outside and get some extra fresh air!
- See what's going on: Outdoor movies, sales, festivals, or concerts offer fun and recreation!
- Journal: Check-in on your emotions, doodle, write poetry, make lists, or set goals.
- Call someone: Reconnect with an old friend, parent, grandparent, or friend.
- Have a spa day: With a bubble bath, face mask, pedicure, and music treat yourself!
- Go exploring: Explore a new trail on your bike, walking, hiking, or running.
Brookings Backpack Project Summer Distribution
Free this summer
Weekend snacks and food
This summer the Brookings Backpack Project (BBP) will provide a free weekend supply of kid‐friendly meals and snacks to school-age children and youth. In addition, we will have family size options weekly throughout the summer for those who pick up the bags at the site.
Begin picking up your children’s food at the packing site. Located at 908 Hope Drive Brookings, SD. Distribution will be every Wednesday from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm and Thursday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Distribution starts Wednesday, May 29th, every week (except July 1 thru July 6 week) through August 29th. Sign up here.
Senior Message:
To The Senior Class of 2024!
Congratulations & Best Wishes….. Wow! Can you believe your graduation month is here? We can hardly believe that this year is drawing to a close. We have enjoyed working with all of you this year and throughout high school. We are so proud of your accomplishments. Each of you will be missed at BHS. We wish all of you the best in your future adventures! Make sure to stop in and visit us!
May Checklist:
- Don't forget how much you have accomplished and live in the present!
- Watch for summer orientation information.
- File your FAFSA if you haven't already.
- Thank those who have helped you throughout your admissions process.
- Send your final transcript.
- Check and read any emails from your college.
- Continue your scholarship search!
Senior Scholarship Recognition Event
Tuesday, May 7th during Bobcat Time (2:00-3:00 p.m.)
Students who are receiving local, state, national or college scholarships will be recognized at this event. The event will be for students and parents only. However, we will live stream the event here for other family members to watch!
Final Transcript Requests
Seniors must go into Parchment and request that a final transcript here be sent to the school that they plan to attend in the fall. (Use a non-school email address. Also, click "hold for grades", as you will want this to not be released this until all final grades are in, likely in mid-June.)
South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship
Students seeking to establish their initial eligibility in the SD Opportunity Scholarship must complete the application form provided at the website: https://sdos.sdbor.edu/forms/ September 1st deadline. (You do not need to send a transcript, as you will complete that step when sending your final transcript via Parchment.) We encourage you to complete this step prior to graduation! Thanks!
Scholarships To Be Thinking About:
Below are current scholarships that have been brought to the attention of our office. The date next to the scholarship is the deadline for the application. Any scholarship with an asterisk next to it denotes a Brookings or South Dakota Scholarship.
*May 10th- Mike and Sarah Schulte Scholarship
*May 31st: SigEp Balanced Man Scholarships (Search by institution; SDSU offers this scholarship)
May 31st-Abbott and Fenner Scholarship
*June 14th-South Dakota Telecommunications Association Scholarship
*Sept. 1st-South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship
BHS Counseling And Student Services Team:
Counseling Office Assistant:
Mrs.Victoria Brockel victoria.brockel@k12.sd.us, Phone Number: 605-696-4124
BHS School Counselors:
Mrs. Linda Johnson: linda.johnson@k12.sd.us
Mr. Gary Mork: gary.mork@k12.sd.us
Mrs. Randi Hartman: randi.hartman@k12.sd.us
BSD Mental Health Counselor:
Mrs. Susan Kranz: susan.kranz@k12.sd.us
Other Ways To Get Information From Us!