BHS Counseling Dept Weekly Update

This week of Nov 26 is a short week due to 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 the schedule with the turkey (!) below.

Return to school on for week of Dec 2 - 6 is also a special schedule. Students are dismissed on Wednesday at 12:10 (or stay for lunch until 12:40) due to 1/2 professional development day for BHS staff. See Dec 2 Special Schedule below.

What is a "Q" grade on a report card? It's related to class attendance and means a student is missing classes and could get a N (no credit) for this class if attendance problems persist.

According to the BHS Handbook:

The B-PEN Parent Update on “The Unique Challenges of Sophomore Year” is now available, with links to Kelly Miller’s slides and resources as well as information and insight from BHS Peer Leaders and Prevention/Intervention social worker Abby Dean. More information can be found at www.B-PEN.org

Link if you need to refresh:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1h-hptWk1wCwmMKUKm2xJnKDCTFiYCopzr-wM5luKaHs/edit?usp=sharing

Are you up for a fun, low-commitment, big impact way to volunteer at BHS this year? Join B-PEN's parent advisory committee. You’ll get a chance to meet other parents and offer your concerns and insight into B-PEN's work. We meet four times a year, and your input is always appreciated! Reach out to Karen_Campbell@psbma.org with questions, ideas, and log-in information on our next zoom meeting, Dec. 5, noon to 1.

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

Cancer Pathways Teen Writing Contest is open for 2025! Our contest is a writing contest for any teen around the country touched by cancer. This annual event encourages teens in grades 9-12 to write about their experience with cancer for the opportunity to win one of several $1,000 prizes. The deadline for entries is February 28, 2025. The attached flyer includes a QR code to post at your Massachusetts school or forward via email or social media to anyone in your area/district that has contact with teens. I appreciate your consideration!

The goal is to make sure any teen in the US touched by cancer has access to the contest information. Teens may have a more difficult time expressing all the emotions around an experience with cancer.

Know a teen looking for more support? Cancer Pathways offers an emotional support group for 9th to 12th graders, with cancer or a loved one with cancer. Join us virtually on Mondays, from 6:30-7:30 pm PT, starting November 18th, to build community with people who just get it.

To register, click here to complete the form.

Cartwheel Care is a virtual counseling resource available to both BHS students and parents-caregivers. Virtual counseling can be a helpful support if a student:

- has a busy schedule during and outside of the school day

- would prefer to have counseling outside of school

- would like to work with a clinician with different background or who speaks another language than English

Parents and caregivers can also receive parenting support and guidance separately via Cartwheel Care.

BHS counselors can provide more info to interested students/families, plus directly help with connecting to this resource.

This organization also offers monthly free webinars on mental health topics. You must register to get the webinar links. See the webinar calendar below for topics and additional info.

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!

Finn and his team will be available at the 22 Tappan library from 11-11:45 (1st lunch) this Tuesday 11/26.

Stop by and say hello!

What are Self-Injury and Self-Injury Awareness?

The Butterfly Project -

The act of drawing butterflies comes from the Butterfly Project, a social movement designed to support sufferers on their journey toward healing. Simply draw a butterfly on the part of your body you feel compelled to self-harm and name it after a friend, family member, or loved one. This technique is a positive alternative to other harm-reduction strategies, such as snapping a rubber band. Those who do not self-harm may also participate in the Butterfly Project to show support and spread awareness.

The rules are simple:

• When you feel the urge to self-harm, draw a butterfly on your arm, hand, or location that you are compelled to hurt.

• Name the butterfly after a loved one or supporter.

• Let the butterfly fade naturally, no scrubbing it off.

• If you self-harm before the butterfly is gone, the butterfly “dies,” so the goal is to help it live.

• Another person may draw them on you. These butterflies are extra special and should be handled with extra care.

• If you don’t self-harm, draw a butterfly on yourself to show support. In this case, name the butterfly after the person you are supporting.

This website is dedicated to sharing resources related to self-injury and associated conditions. We also aim to translate the growing body of knowledge about self-injury into resources and tools useful for those seeking to better understand, treat, and prevent it.

Thanks to Dr. Janis Whitlock at Cornell too!

100 Essential Life Skills Teens Need to Learn at Home

Just a few of the 100 listed:

- How to read a bank statement and monitor an account balance

- How to use ride-sharing services safely

- How to make a phone call rather than texting (some things require a real conversation)

- Address an envelope

- Turn off and plunge a toilet

Click here to get the full list!

Winter athletic season starts Monday 12/2...Sign up today! The Winter athletic season begins on December 2nd.

All students interested in participating should be registered by Tuesday, November 26th. Please upload an up to date (valid for 13 months) copy of your child’s physical exam to their registration. Please register online at this link.

Schedule for the first week can be found at this link. Please reach out to coaches with sport specific questions.

Retakes are scheduled for Thurs December 5. Students 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

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!

The dental assistant role requires no college degree and provides flexible hours, on-the-job training, and an opportunity to work in the healthcare environment. The MA Dental Society has a dedicated website, that includes career-focused videos providing information on the field.

Becoming a dental assistant offers advantages for those interested in a career in healthcare who might not be inclined to attend a traditional 2- or 4-year college.

Benefits include:

• Job security, competitive wages, and flexible hours
• Opportunities to help people
• On-the-job training & mentoring
• Career advancement & pathways

Dental assistants are essential members of the team who:

• Prepare and organize dental instruments needed by dentists for patient procedures
• Take X-rays and make impressions, using technological tools and equipment
• Ensure patient comfort and education before, during, and after treatment
• Take medical histories and provide post-operative instructions
• Schedule appointments and work closely with front office staff on operations
• Here's their website, massdentalassisting.org to learn more about this position through our videos featuring real-life dental assistants
• Inform us about any opportunities like career days so our dental professional members can share their insights on the profession with you and your students directly

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.

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

Student volunteers provide basic 1:1 tech assistance for seniors at the Brookline Senior Center. This could be help with iPhone/android general settings/instructions, help with email, setting up computer/phone accessibility, basic web navigating instructions, setting up video calling, etc. This is a weekly 1 hour commitment at the Senior Center for the school year and in the summer if possible. Students usually do this after school (we are not open on the weekend) in the 3-4pm or 4-5pm range. Please contact Valerie Graf, Brookline Senior Center Volunteer Coordinator, at vgraf@brooklinema.gov for more information.

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.

BHS’s own Brookline DoSomething Club generated a campaign to gather a list of scholarships & resources for undocumented students. They did an amazing job!

- Seniors will be getting reminders on their college portals about missing documents now.

- If missing Q1 grades are mentioned, please know that the BHS Counseling Dept will be automatically sending your Q1 grades in the upcoming period between 11/20-11/26. You gave us permission to send your Q1 and sometimes Q2 grades to colleges when you signed your transcript release form.

- If you have a missing grade or another issue with your Quarter 1 report card, see your teacher, then counselor tomorrow Monday 11/18.

Example message from MIT admissions-

- Also, please know missing documents are not any one person's fault, and we are all doing the best we can. Applicants will not be penalized for documents that we process after our application deadline.

Check the Financial Aid link for each college:

- Many colleges require the CSS Profile Financial Aid form to be completed by certain dates - USUALLY RIGHT NOW FOR STUDENTS WHO APPLIED EARLY ACTION OR EARLY DECISION. Be sure to check these deadlines!

- Every college - even community college - requires students (and guardians) complete the FAFSA, federal financial aid form to be considered for aid. Although these forms are not due to December 1, the time is now to start this process by getting a FAFSA ID.

Seniors -

-- 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

- 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.

This is a great deal for many students who don't want to accrue financial burden and want a good education option for an Associates degree ( 2 years of college) or Certification program.

Here's some details and the link

* Earn an Associate Degree

Finish strong! Your GPA can increase your benefits:

• Finish with a 2.0 or higher
  • application essay and fees are waived
• Finish with a 2.5 or higher
  • admission to your major is guaranteed on a "space permitted" basis.
  • *work with your academic advisor to plan: some majors require a higher GPA or additional steps like auditions or portfolio submission.

* Finish at a State University or UMass Campus

You have so many choices to complete your bachelor's!

• Four UMass campuses: UMass Amherst, UMass Boston, UMass Dartmouth or UMass Lowell
• Seven comprehensive state universities in Bridgewater, Fitchburg, Framingham, Salem, Westfield, Worcester, and North Adams
• Two special-mission colleges: the Massachusetts College of Art & Design and the Massachusetts Maritime Academy

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

Click here for spot-on considerations about life at almost any college or university these days.

Plus additional reading to dig deeper into these topics.

A worthwhile and positive Gap Year experience can be anything from working full time while livein at home to volunteering in your community to participating in City Year in Boston/throughout the US to traveling abroad with a structured gap year program.

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

The BHS Gap Year Fair will is scheduled for January 14, 2025 - see the flyer here for more info

1) Inaccurate upfront budgeting due to misleading available info

2) Confusing Financial Aid Forms

3) Misleading Award Letters and Failure to Appeal

4) Missed Opportunities for Merit Aid

5) Predatory Lenders in Student Loan Market

Every BHS family should be registering for the FREE College Affordable resource!

See below for more info....

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. Check - https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt/scores/release-dates

2. Students who took the Oct PSAT can now look up their scores on their College Board accounts

3. 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.

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