BHS Counseling Dept Weekly Update

This week is a 4 school day special scheduled due to the Veterans Day holiday today.

See below for the 4 day schedule to the right - Day 1= Tues 11/12, Day 2= Wed 11/13, Day 3= Thurs 11/14, Day 4= Friday 11/15

Week of Nov 18 is a regular 5 school day week.

Week of Nov 25 is a short week for the Thanksgiving holiday. All BHS students and staff are in school Mon, Tues, with 1/2 day Wed 11/17, and off Thurs and Friday. See this week's schedule below too.

All parents, guardians, and community members are invited! Buy your tickets now for the BHS party of the year! Connect with fellow BHS parents, current 8th grade families, teachers, and staff over great food, drink, and this year's theme - physics! Enjoy an evening, 7-10pm, at BHS's incredible new 22 Tappan St. Building, where 9th graders spend most of their time. The BHS Innovation Fund supports curricular innovation, like 9th Grade Experiential Physics, which we're honoring this year. Over its 25 years, the Fund has contributed over $7 million dollars to BHS for new and innovative courses and programs. The Gala-Rama is the Fund's biggest fundraising effort this year, so please join us!

Parents and caregivers of BHS juniors are invited to Hamilton’s Restaurant & Bar,1366 Beacon Street, next Sunday, November 17 at 1PM to catch the NE Patriot’s pummel the LA Rams! Stop by or stay a while. Grab a drink, meal, or snack while catching up with friends old and new. Fun times ahead!

Questions? Please email 2026 BHS Parent & Caregiver Reps (Nancy Chang, Jenn Forry, and Priscilla O’Reilly) @ 2026reps.bhs.pto@gmail.com.

Sophomore year brings new challenges, including social pressures, open campus, and greater exposure to tricky situations. The PTO and B-PEN invite parents to meet on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. in the MLK Room to learn about what's happening with their teens and explore ways to communicate with them. Bring your questions and concerns to share with BHS social worker Abby Dean and licensed mental health counselor Kelly Miller.

Learn about B-PEN

Some in school counseling support is available and another social worker joining our community soon.

Counselors have outside of school resources including possible referrals to virtual counseling Cartwheel Care, local mental health practitioners, and therapy referral support using Care Solace below.

- Talk to your child to support and find out what may be going on.

- Reach out to someone on your student's BHS school support team - counselor, dean, if appropriate - program coordinator, special education liaison, school clinician

- Consider outside of school counseling support using either:

* Cartwheel Care - Virtual counseling for adolescents and/or parent guidance (contact your child's school counselor)

* Care Solace - therapy referral resource to find a provider that meets your child's needs in the Boston area. See below for more information

Please email Darby Neff-Verre - Coordinator of the BHS Counseling/Guidance Dept - individually for feedback on the Weekly Update.

And always check out the BHS Counseling Dept "Guidance Blog" on the BHS website for past Weekly Updates and info on career exploration, job finding, shared guidance documents and other great resources.

Thank you!

The BHS South Asian Student Association is collaborating with other schools to host a Diwali Potluck this Friday at 5-8pm in the MLK room.

Join us to celebrate over food, games, music and henna.

All South-Asian-identifying students are welcome and encouraged to bring friends!

Here are the important dates and information for the registration process:

• September 30th, 2024 - Registration Begins

• November 15th, 2024 at 11:59 PM - Regular registrations period ends

• Nov. 16th - March 14th - Late Ordering Period (all orders during this time will incur an additional $40

  late fee per exam).

• March 14th, 2025 at 11:59 PM - Late Period Registration Ends. No more exams can be ordered after March 15, 2025.

  Please contact Alexia Thomas, alexia_thomas@psbma.org OR Kate Kennedy, kate_kennedy@psbma,org, if you have any questions.

• Any BHS student can self-study for any AP exam and sign up

• Students can request financial aid if needed

• Cost of each exam = $105

• We don't accept students who live out of town and want to take AP exams at BHS.

SEE THE COUNSELOR PERMANENT OFFICE LOCATION (with office numbers, work phone numbers, emails and QR codes) below.

Of course, counselors will be in their offices whenever possible... and let's keep working on students leaving a note on the counselor's/social worker's door if they stop by and no one is available at that time. The counseling staff won't know if a student stopped by and they are in another meeting, etc if a note is not left by the student!

Just a reminder that BHS counselors are here if a student has questions/concerns or just wants to say hello to their counselor. Students are encouraged to stop by their counselor’s office when not in class. Students can be in touch with their counselor for any questions or concerns – school related, post high school planning related, extracurricular activities related, or life related.

We’re here and ready to support EVERY BHS student!

Even though it's the last few days of Q1, here's a reminder that getting a good night's sleep is essential to your physical, cognitive and mental health functioning! Your school work, play on the sports field, and other activities will be more productive and of better quality if you get decent sleep. As one wise junior said in a recent Gr 9 advisory.... It's better to go to bed earlier and wake up earlier to get your best work done. Try this and see if it works!

Here are some other suggestions for good sleep habits:

Join our screenwriting workshop for high schoolers, where aspiring filmmakers will explore the art of storytelling and character development. Through hands-on exercises and collaborative sessions, participants will learn to craft compelling scripts while receiving personalized feedback from experienced instructors. By the end of the workshop, students will have the skills and confidence to create their own short film scripts, ready to bring their unique visions to life!

Where: 46 Tappan St., 3rd floor

When: Wednesdays, 3:00-5:00pm, November 13 and 20

Who: High schoolers, 9-12th grade.

Cost: Free!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/screenwriting-workshops-big-high-schoolers-tickets-1063244014469?aff=oddtdtcreator

The Networking Night Committee is hosting a STEM Networking Night on November, 20th from 6-7:30 pm in 22 Tappan! The focus will be on Engineering, Computer Science, and Physics. The event will include a panel discussion with professionals from these industries and a chance for one-on-one conversations. Hope to see you there!

Fill out the form to RSVP: (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSebT0bGfIt4mlCVDi7PiiaclBCq2HsMlDifPGrd3NaKuJZg1w/viewform?usp=sf_link)

** This is not a BHS sponsored event. Parents-guardians would need to excuse absences for the day and provide transportation **

On Friday, December 6th, the Center for STEM Education at Northeastern University will once again host Building Bridges, a day dedicated to students considering a career in engineering. This event will be in-person and at Northeastern’s Boston campus.

Building Bridges provides an opportunity for high school students to learn what engineering in college is all about. Choose from a wide variety of professor and student organization-led lessons and create your own unique schedule for the day. See here for an overview of past events. Past classes have included “Virtual Reality Technologies for Rehabilitation”, “Designing Earthquake Resistant Buildings”, “Nanomaterials from Trees,” and “Detecting Disease Through Handwriting”.

Your day will begin at 9:00 a.m. with registration, followed by laboratory visits and classroom sessions, and a lunch session incorporating a Q+A panel with current Northeastern engineering undergraduates. The program will conclude by 1:30 p.m., with an optional tour of Campus from 1:30-2:30pm.

Registration is on a first come, first served basis— so register now. As this event falls on a school day, we will provide written excuse letters as needed. Please feel free to contact event coordinator Nicolas Fuchs (n.fuchs@northeastern.edu) with any questions. Registration for the day is $25 and will cover the cost of lunch/space.

Five employees from a range of roles in construction over their careers came to talk to students. Roles that these speakers have had throughout their careers include: project management, superintendents, BIM/VDC, preconstruction/estimating, the electrical trade and marketing.
See below for a helpful chart about career paths in construction - some requiring only a high school diploma to 2 year programs to 4 year undergraduate degrees and more.

See Darby Neff-Verre in Office 285F for more info on salary ranges for various positions and contact info with Skanska to learn more.

Key highlights include:

• High demand for talent: There are 10.8 job openings for every computer science graduate.
• Strong entry-level opportunities: 39% of job listings are for entry-level roles, with an average starting salary of $108K.
• Top skills to focus on: In-demand skills include Java, Python, AWS, and Oracle Technologies.
• Emerging job markets: Cities like Austin, Atlanta, and Dallas are booming with career opportunities, often offering a lower cost of living than traditional hubs.

Check out the Youth Connections program for great resources!

Contact Darby Neff-Verre (darby_neff-verre@psbma.org/ office 285F in the 115 building) for more information.

Retakes are scheduled for Thurs December 5. Your student will need to be sure to go to the Schluntz Gym, on their own, to have their picture taken.

If you still don't have a BHS school ID, scan the QR code in the BHS 115 Main Office or on the TV monitors and put in a request for one. You can also upload your own photo to get one more quickly.

ALL STUDENTS SHOULD HAVE A SCHOOL ID TO ACCESS THE ENTRIES/EXITS TO THE CAMPUS BUILDINGS

Talk to your current teacher, parent- caregiver and counselor to consider your next step. An add/drop form needs to be completed, signed and returned to your counselor by the dates below.

The next important deadline to consider for all students is:

-- Withdrawal from any class needs to be fully completed by Nov 21 to avoid a W /grade on the student's transcript.

Here are the deadlines:

More detailed teacher extra help availability for 9th graders listed in "9th grader" section below

Keep in mind that students can join most clubs during any point in the school year, not just on the sign up day at the Club Fair. The current list of clubs has been updated. Take a look - https://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/clubs-and-activities-list.html

Community service hours are not a requirement to graduate from Brookline High, but there is great research that confirms that "giving back" is a great way to promote your positive mental health.

In this NACE (Natl Assoc of Colleges and Employers) article, Susan Albers, Psy.D - psychologist for the Cleveland Clinic - says that volunteering can be great for a person’s mental health, too. According to Albers, when you help other people, it activates the reward center in your brain and releases serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins, which is why many people often feel better after volunteering.

Think about experiences you may know of in Brookline or check out this TeenLife Boston area community service info. See your counselor for BHS Community Service talk about possible opportunities. And here's the link to the Community Service page with more options and the required form to get service experiences approved for possible BHS credit.

Read the fine print carefully. There are certain restrictions to the BHS community service for credit options, so read the fine print.

This article offers some suggestions but keep in mind...."Don’t get crazy - Students do not have to engage in every possible demonstrated interest activity for every college. Just select a few for each college."

What is demonstrated interest?

Anything students, prospective college applicants, can do that conveys this message: “I am interested in your campus.”

Why does demonstrated interest matter?

• First, an essential qualification: Not all colleges and universities consider demonstrated interest, and those that do may consider it to varying degrees.
• For those colleges that track demonstrated interest, its principle value lies in helping them predict which students, if admitted, are most likely to attend.
• TAKEAWAY: For colleges that care about demonstrated interest, how much students demonstrate their interest in a particular college may, at the margins, have some influence on admissions decisions. TRANSLATION: Students should engage in activities demonstrating their interest in the colleges they apply to!

Here's the SHORT article. Read the details.

** Use the correct transcript release link by counselor - see the BHS College Application Guide to find YOUR counselor's link. If you have Kate Kennedy for your senior counselor, please use her link!

** If you are considering a change in your schedule, be sure to complete the Add/Drop form and return to your counselor asap. If you are applying early to colleges, we will need to send an updated transcript to admissions offices.

Seniors -

You will be asked to review your unofficial transcript in the senior seminars happening in advisory. Be sure to check for any missing classes or errors on your transcript. Contact your counselor with any questions or concerns.

If you missed a senior seminar or haven't reviewed your transcript, see your counselor now!

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 2023 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

See your Naviance account for your current BHS GPA.

Please make an appointment to see your assigned counselor now to get updates and to review your transcript, especially if you are planning to apply for Early Action or Early Decision (November deadlines) to colleges.

If you are assigned to Kate Kennedy's caseload, please stop by Lenny Libenzon's office 280 or make and appointment to meet with Darby Neff-Verre (office 285F, darby_neff-verre@psbma.org)

If you have Dec 1 or Dec 15 deadline, you need to follow these steps now too:

- Set up a meeting with your assigned counselor (If you are a senior who has Kate Kennedy, contact Darby Neff-Verre or Lenny Libenzon).

- Follow the steps listed on the BHS College Application Guide - see below for digital version

- Be sure to complete the transcript release form link FOR YOUR COUNSELOR and include ALL of the information requested on this link. See the digital BHS College Guide below for these links or contact your counselor. You can add one school at a time or up to 5 schools that you know you're applying to. Use this link again if you apply to more colleges later on.

By completing this link, you are giving BHS permission to send all of your needed school documents to these colleges - transcript, BHS school profile, counselor recommendation and 1-2 teacher recommendations. In addition, you are agreeing that BHS guidance will send your 1st and 2nd term grades to these schools when available (usually starting around Nov 18). Last, you will inform us which college you are planning to attend in May and this permission link allows us to send your final transcript after graduation to that college.

- Be sure to do the FERPA waiver and the "Matching" steps (see the BHS College Application Guide for easy instructions) to allow BHS guidance to send your BHS documents - transcript, school profile, counselor recommendation and teacher recommendations. WE CANNOT SEND YOUR DOCUMENTS TO COLLEGES UNTIL YOU DO THESE STEPS!

- Reminder - students cannot add to the "Colleges I'm Applying To" section on Naviance. This step is done by the counseling dept secretaries after a transcript release form has been shared.

- BHS College Counselor Lenny Libenzon is available for additional support after the student has met with their assigned counselor.

with your counselor 3 weeks before your 1st college deadline date. See below for a copy of that questionnaire or complete a digital version by going to your Naviance account and look under "school surveys".

YOUR COUNSELOR CANNOT WRITE A RECOMMENDATION FOR YOU WITHOUT THIS QUESTIONNAIRE BEING COMPLETED AND SHARED WITH THEM IN A REASONABLE TIME BEFORE YOUR APPLICATION DUE DATE.

See below for this form. When done, please share directly with your senior's counselor or have your student drop it off to the counselor's office.

This Brag Sheet is available in other languages if needed. See your counselor or Lenny Libenzon for more info.

CHAT GPT and college applications (from College Data): Quick Answer is Don't Do It!

And.... use your own words! Don't count on CHAT GPT to give you the most accurate

info on "good fit" colleges and your chances of getting into any particular school!

Your best resource is your BHS counselor for next steps and questions!

https://www.collegedata.com/resources/getting-in/5-things-college-applicants-should-know-about-using-chatgpt?utm_source=dotdigital&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_term=chat-gpt&dm_i=50NV,KE9H,2HLH1D,2AH7R,1

GAP YEAR info....

Check out this list of accredited Gap Year programs - https://www.gapyearassociation.org/accredited-gap-year-programs/

This event is sponsored by the BHS Counseling Dept.

Admission representatives from a diverse group of colleges/universities will give updates about their schools and then answer audience questions. Panelists will include representatives from BU, MassBay, UVM, UMass Amherst.

Zoom link for the recording of our Q&A session (please note the passcode below):

https://psbma-org.zoom.us/rec/share/gY3em-zjoRMKhxpB3NmbT3R6-75ci7V9lJ9X2cbk0AxEmhqKf8MgX_SUHXE88HuB.jy35KNkrSD1cpVSR
Passcode: qr44X@#M

Please view the College Affordable information sheet below.

To access this critically important resource, please register with College Affordable!

We’re excited to continue our partnership with College Affordable for the 2024-25 academic year. For those of you who are not familiar with the program, they offer financial aid support for our members of our community. In addition to being your resource for all questions related to the FAFSA, CSS Profile, and financial aid eligibility, they also hold monthly webinars specifically designed to support families where they are in the financial aid process.

Monthly Webinar topics (need to registered with College Affordable to get link to attend) -

November webinar topic: Your Outside Scholarship Search

Starting your search for outside scholarships can be daunting. Join College Affordable as they help you explore the best approach to starting your search to achieve the best results.

Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 6:30 PM

All families who are new to College Affordable and their support, should click on this link and continue to our school icon to register. This page will house information related to different program aspects you can take advantage of.

If you previously registered with College Affordable and need to just sign up for these webinars, please follow this link.

All questions can be directed at College Affordable via email financialaid@collegeaffordable.org or call/text 781-343-1941.

1. When to Expect Scores? Students will likely receive scores on their College Board accounts around November 14, 2024.

2. Access the BigFuture School mobile app if you provided your mobile number on test day.

Test takers can use their personal College Board student account to view additional insights online.

December 7, 2024 - Digital SAT

December 14, 2024 - Paper ACT
February 8, 2025 - Paper ACT
March 8, 2025 - Digital SAT
April 5, 2025 - Paper ACT
May 3, 2025 - Digital SAT
June 7, 2025 - Digital SAT
June 14, 2025 - Paper ACT
July 12, 2025 - Paper ACT

Applications for the National Honor Society will be sent out in the fall of Senior year. To be eligible students must fulfill the following three requirements:

(1) have a GPA of 3.3 or above

(2) Have no academic or conduct violations

(3) Complete 15 hours of community service during their junior year/summer prior to senior year

Students should work towards these requirements during their Junior year in anticipation of the application during Senior Fall. Any questions regarding the National Honor Society process should be directed to the co-advisors, Mr. Whitehead & Mr. Jones, at bhs-national-honor-society@psbma.org.

Sophomore year brings new challenges, including social pressures, open campus, and greater exposure to tricky situations. The PTO and B-PEN invite parents to meet on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. in the MLK Room to learn about what's happening with their teens and explore ways to communicate with them. Bring your questions and concerns to share with BHS social worker Abby Dean and licensed mental health counselor Kelly Miller.

Learn about B-PEN

Dear 10th Grade Families,

Our school is again participating in the MGH Oasis Project (Optimizing and Advancing SBIRT In Schools). Please read the linked letter to learn more about an upcoming survey of 10th graders in advisory. There will be a chance to opt out your student(s) should you not want them to participate.

MGH OASIS 10th Grade Survey - Nov. 20th

Thank you for your consideration!

BHS Nursing Team

Advisory Topic - MOTIVATION! What helps to motivate and what gets in the way?

Stop by your counselor's office either in the 22 Tappan or 115 Greenough counseling suites. Grab a snack and say hello. Ask a question that's on your mind or set up an appointment about something happening academically, socially, or otherwise.

Click here