BHS Counseling Newsletter:

December 3, 6, 13 - Pre-ACT Interpretation (10th Grade Advisories)

December 10 - SDSU Admissions Representative in Counseling Office from 2:00-2:30 p.m.

December 13 - Dual Credit Work Session | Counseling Office | Bobcat Time

December 16 - Spring Dual Credit Applications Due at 3:00 p.m.

December 17 - NCAA/NAIA Meeting for Students Interested in College Athletics during Bobcat Time; Bell Auditorium

December 23 - January 1 - Winter Break: Have a great break, do something fun or relaxing. Use this time to rejuvenate and take care of yourself! (Please note that the Counseling and Student Services Office will be closed from December 23rd through January 1st)

*Please stop by the Counseling Office if you need a pass for college representative visits!

In addition, we continue to offer personal and social emotional services to our students as well. This time of the year can be stressful and difficult for all of us! Make sure to be good listeners to your family members this month, as many are feeling the many stresses that come with this time of the year. We wish all of you a very wonderful holiday season!

Scholastic Art and Writing Awards- A national contest for writers and artists in grades 7-12 -regional contest hosted by the University of South Dakota. For questions, contact Cheyenne.Marco@usd.edu. December 18th deadline.

Yale Young Global Scholars Program- YYGS is a two-week summer program that facilitates discussions on cutting-edge topics in academia. You must be between the ages of 16-18 years old by July 20, 2025. Participants choose a session based on their academic interest, and they meet like-minded peers from around the world while navigating classroom discussions. January 10th deadline.

John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest-Grades 9-12 are eligible to participate; must write an original and creative essay demonstrating an understanding of political courage by a US elected official who served during or after 1917; $10,000 first place. The contest deadline is January 17, 2025.

Coolidge Scholarship for Juniors-A full-ride scholarship that covers a student's tuition, room, board, and expenses for four years of undergraduate study at any accredited U.S. university and any field of academic study. High School Seniors are not eligible to apply. December 11th deadline.

2024 Drake Physics Prize-This examination is open to any student enrolled in a high school in some midwestern states including SD. It will cover topics in physics normally studied during the 1st semester of a high school physics course. First place is a full scholarship to Drake University. Students wishing to take the test should register soon as they will take place in early February.

Notre Dame Pre-College programs- The programs offer high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors the opportunity to earn college credit, experience world-class academics, and immerse themselves in the Notre Dame community. Courses take place on campus, abroad, and online. Febuary 19th deadline.

Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference Opportunity for Juniors- The annual Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference for high school juniors returns to the nation’s capital June 22-27th, 2025. The Freedom Forum is pleased to welcome students to a week of activities including panels with top journalists and visits to the U.S. Capitol and other landmarks in Washington, D.C. Students selected for the program receive an all-expenses-paid trip and a $1,000 scholarship to the college of their choice. March 23rd deadline.

Dual Credit - We will host one more work session for Dual Credit Applications. If you need assistance, please stop by the Counseling Office during Bobcat Time (2:15-3:25) on December 13th. Reminder: Dual Credit Applications are Due on December 16TH AT 3 PM.

NCAA/NAIA - A meeting for Students Interested in College Athletics during Bobcat Time; Bell Auditorium For more information about NCAA eligibility click here.

Schedule Corrections for Second Semester

The Counseling Office is starting to receive requests to adjust schedules for second semester. At BHS there is a process in place for schedule corrections only. All requests for schedule corrections must be made through the BHS Schedule Corrections Form. Administration, School Counselors, and Staff will meet to review requests.

Just as a reminder, we can only make corrections for the following reasons:
A. There is a computer error in your schedule
B. Accommodate physical impairments or you are on a 504 or IEP plan
C. Drop a seventh class to take a study hall
D. There are special circumstances approved by our BHS Administration

The schedule correction form will be available in January's Newsletter.

My 14-year-old explained “crashing out” to me as meaning “you’re going to flip out,” or “you can’t pull it together.” A popular TikTok also explains the term as essentially being an overreaction to a minor problem—like having your shoe stepped on.

We may have called it something else, but kids (and adults!) have been “crashing out” since the beginning of human history. And there’s no denying that emotional regulation is a tough skill for people of all ages to master.

That's especially true for tweens and teens, who are battling changing hormones, and pressures ranging from school to social media. Teens are also just learning how to navigate tough situations on their own, so “crashing out” happens.

How Parents Can Help Kids Avoid ‘Crashing Out’

Understanding the underlying emotions that cause kids to “crash out” can help prevent outbursts and encourage healthier emotional expression, according to Tse.

Meanwhile, modeling appropriate reactions to stressful situations is one of the most important things parents can do to help kids do the same.

Here are more tips for helping your child practice emotional regulation skills:

Identify potential triggers. Walking through scenarios that may be challenging may help prepare your child to handle stress.

Encourage mindful activities. Art, sports, and meditation serve as outlets for stress

Remind your child to consider the consequences. Thinking about how impulsive behavior may impact them and others can help in the moment.

When Your Kid May Need More Help

“Some things are unavoidably stressful, but necessary, for our personal growth and identity formation, such as studying for tests and participating in sports games, theater performances, and other activities children and adolescents engage in,” he shares.

However, if emotional episodes start to interfere with daily functioning, Tse says it’s time to seek professional intervention.

See full article from Parents.com

● Website: Common Sense Media: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/

● Margos Place Domestic Violence Help: Services - Margo's Place

● Parent Guidance

● Brookings Area Basic Needs Resource Guide

● Brookings Helping Hand Emergency Resource Guide

● Brookings Area Mental Health Resource Guide

● Brookings Helping Hand Guia de Recursos de Emergencia

● Home | South Dakota Quitline

🐾 Don't check out, colleges still care about the rest of your senior year!

🐾 Re-evaluate your college list and which schools on your list are a good fit for you.

🐾Be prepared for all scenarios and have an alternate plan if things don't go as you anticipate.

🐾 Ensure you sent test scores directly from College Board or ACT to the schools you applied to.

🐾 Don’t forget to read between the lines when applying, all details factor into your acceptance.

🐾 Once you're applications are done try not to stress! At that point, it's out of your hands.

🐾 Keep working on scholarship applications, and reviewing the information the school sends you!

🐾 Complete the FAFSA, Application is now open!

🐾 Be proud of your efforts!

Letter of Recommendation Request Deadline

All requests for letters of recommendation or transcript requests for over the Christmas break must be made by Friday, December 13th in order to allow sufficient time for completion prior to Christmas break. Please plan ahead. Thanks!

2025-26 FAFSA is available

Your high school seniors (and other learners) planning to attend college in the 2025-26 academic year can now complete their FAFSA. Find more information on the early FAFSA release here.

Remember, if your students have any questions or need help completing the FAFSA or obtaining their FSA ID, Mapping Your Future is an excellent resource. Mapping Your Future can be contacted at feedback@mappingyourfuture.org or 1-800-374-4072.

FREE FASFA Webinar - December 10th @ 11:30 am
The One FAFSA Webinar You Can't Afford to Miss

Five things you can do while you wait for the 2025-26 FAFSA

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.

Dec. 11 - Coolidge Scholarship

*Dec. 15th - SD Dakota Corp Scholarship

Dec. 16th - Burger King Scholarship

Jan. 3rd - GE Reagan Association Scholarship

*Jan. 17th -Sioux Valley Energy Scholarships; 2 year, 4 year & Power Line

*Jan. 17th - Agtegra Agricultural Scholarship
*Jan. 17th - SDES Enginering Scholarships

*Jan. 17th - Dakotaland Federal Credit Union Scholarships

*Feb. 9th - Optimist Club of Brookings

*Feb 14th - Kingbrook Rural Water System Scholarship

*Mar. 1st - Junior Achievement of South Dakota $500 Leo Crawford Scholarship

*Mar. 3rd - Dacotah Bank Scholarship

Mar. 14th - Missouri River Scholarships
Mar. 16th - The Bellator Titans Motorcycle Club

*Apr. 1st - SD Association of Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling Contractors Educational Foundation Scholarship

Requesting Your Transcript (Parchment):

CLICK HERE TO REQUEST YOUR TRANSCRIPT!

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. Angela Bucholz: angela.bucholz@k12.sd.us

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