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Counseling Corner
Brighton High School Counseling Office
Updates for BHS Students & Families
December 2024
Dear Families,
The holiday season has arrived! It is such a gift to be with everyone this year!!
First quarter report cards are available on Schooltool and 2nd quarter grades will be updated on December 11. How did you do last quarter? What are your goals for this quarter? How can we help?
There are just a few more weeks until the winter break, so keep working hard and see your teachers and counselor if you need support.
We wish you all a happy, healthy holiday season and New Year!
Best,
BHS Counseling Office
(585) 242-5000 x4526
https://bhs.bcsd.org/46697_3BHS Counseling Center Updates
Brighton College & Career Night for grades 9-11!
Experts from around our community will be at BHS to share their knowledge as related to the post-secondary planning process. Please see the list of sessions below- descriptions of each session can be found on our website: https://bhs.bcsd.org/46748_3
The hope is that your family will be able to attend 6 sessions over the three years, making you well informed for your next steps after high school.
We look forward to seeing you on this valuable night!
*please note that presentations will not be recorded and there will not be Zoom options. We will try to obtain any hand outs from presenters to add to our website after the event.
Thursday, Jan 16, 2025, 06:00 PM
Brighton High School, Winton Road, Rochester, NY, USA
Sophomore Seminar Update
We previewed the programs available through the Eastern Monroe Career Center (EMCC) in the first seminar.
**The field trip this Friday is full, however there will be a 2nd visit February 7th - see Mrs. Ingle if you'd like to go.
Check out their website for more information and reach out to your counselor with questions: https://www.monroe.edu/EMCC
Seniors
Be sure to read the weekly SENIOR NEWSLETTER (through December break) and check out the Junior/Senior Information Page on the BHS Counseling Website for all of the post-secondary planning needs: https://bhs.bcsd.org/46752_3
Career Connections, College Access & Community Programs
Explorer Program!
Exploring provides exciting activities and one-on-one mentorship for youth looking to discover their future. Whether you’re a local organization looking to strengthen the community or a young person wanting to uncover the possibilities of your future, Exploring is a great place to start.
Exploring let’s you “try a career on for size!”
Students ages 14-20 can explore their career interests in a hands-on real-world environment with professionals in that field. There are Explorer Posts for areas of advanced manufacturing, aviation, cosmetology, culinary, engineering, firematics/EMS, health care, law enforcement, legal, military, skilled trades, sports management, veterinary, and many more!
**NEW INTERIOR DESIGN & ENGINEERING POST STARTING SOON- SEE BELOW!!
https://senecawaterways.org/exploring-ages-14-20/
**You can earn INTERNSHIP CREDIT for joining an Explorer Post! See Mrs. Stern for details!
Autism Up - Next Up Conference February 28, 2025
Transition from school age programs to adulthood
This year's conference will focus on transition topics: Housing Alternatives, ACCES-VR 101: Everything you need to know about Services for Youth and Adults, Managing your Government Benefits, Discipline & Suspension, Alternatives to Guardianship, Family Guide to Transition Planning, Trusts and ABLE Accounts, Public Safety, The Role and Importance Sensory Plays throughout your Lifetime, OPWDD Overview: Supporting Young Adults Transitioning from School, Diagnostic Considerations for Teenagers and Adults: Assessing for Autism Later in Life, NYS Diploma Options for Students with Disabilities, Executive Functioning, Healthy Relationships, Redefining Advocacy for Greater Impact: Moving the Needle on the Housing Crisis and Home Care, and What's Next? Getting your child ready for the Transition from High School to College.
For more info and to sign up, click here: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E232727&id=499
Experiential Learning Opportunities
BHS Job Board
Below is the link to our BHS JOB BOARD- your new home for any information about work permits, available jobs or internship opportunities.
This will be updated weekly as opportunities come in. Check it often!!
Work Based Learning Options at BHS
Please see below if you are interested in any of our WBL programs:
General Work Experience
- Had a job this summer or during the school year?
- Will you work at least 150 hours?
- Are you a rising junior or a senior?
- If you answered yes to the questions above, contact Mrs. Stern about earning HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT next year just for having a job!
Professional Internship/Job Shadowing
We can work together to figure out a career exploration plan!
For more detailed information on either programs, please check out our site: https://bhs.bcsd.org/46761_3
Set up an appointment with Mrs. Stern if you are interested in either of these programs: https://outlook.office365.com/book/CourtneyStern1@bcsd.org/
Calling all mentors- we need placements for student interns!
Hands on experiences are the best way to learn more about the career opportunities available to our young adults. And our students are asking for them! When we thought about who our students could learn from, we wanted to first look to the professionals in our own back yard.
PARENTS- If you are interested in possibly hosting a student for a Job Shadow experience or Professional Internship in the future, we encourage you to fill out the survey below. There is no obligation to host a student shadow or intern currently. It is merely helping us to create a network of professionals in our community. If you have paid jobs available for students, please email Courtney Stern directly.
If you have any questions regarding the programs below, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time. Thank you in advance for considering hosting a student shadow or intern in the future!
Courtney Stern, College & Career Counselor
Sam Rizzo, CTE Coordinator
Academic Supports
Peer Tutoring from PREPWORKS!!
Could you benefit from tutoring from a student who has been there, and done that? If so, Prepworks Tutoring is a new club that is offering after-school drop-in peer tutoring every Tuesday in the library classroom. There are peer tutors for grades 9-12 in all core courses and more. See poster below for more info!
SAT & ACT
Standarized Testing Information
If you have questions specific to BHS testing procedures, please reach out to Deirdre Carter: deirdre_carter@bcsd.org. As things are changing so often, please refer to the testing sites for updated information:
Many schools allow students the option of submitting test scores or not. Juniors- It's safe to say it's a good idea to get an exam or two under your belt if you are thinking of applying to a four-year college. Below is some brief information about the two exams and the website to check out to get more information/sign up for the exams.
SAT
- Designed to measure academic aptitude in verbal and numerical reasoning.
- Test Content: Reading, Math and Writing.
ACT
- Designed to measure academic achievement.
- Test Content: English, Math, Reading and Science Reasoning.
Visit www.fairtest.org for a list of colleges that do not require standardized tests. Check in with your counselor about a Fee Waiver , if needed, to help cover the costs of the exams.
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STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES (504s & IEPS)
SAT- The BHS Counseling Office applies for all College Board test mods prior to your sophomore year (this summer). If approved, these will apply to all future SAT & AP Exams
ACT- you MUST REGISTER FOR AN ACT EXAM before we can apply for your test mods. Be sure to sign up early, indicate you will be requesting accommodations, and let your counselor know ASAP so we can get them processed before the test date. This typically takes 6-8 weeks.
Remember- both College Board and ACT are private companies. They have the right to approve or deny any test modifications you may have. If you have any questions, please reach out to your counselor or College Board/ACT for more information.
Health & Wellness
BHS Counseling Services
Please check out the QR code below for more information and instructions on how to sign up!
Brighton High School Counseling Department
Email: courtney_stern@bcsd.org
Website: https://www.bcsd.org/Page/2063
Location: 1150 South Winton Road, Rochester, NY, USA
Phone: (585) 242-5000