Dear Families,

We hope this finds you well and that you are off to a positive start to this new school year!

To our 9th grade families & new entrants- WELCOME TO BHS! We look forward to getting to know you! We use this newsletter (monthly) to keep families informed of what is going on in our office and the community as related to academic, career and social-emotional learning.

Our department works closely with one another to support you throughout your time in high school. Here are the counseling team members who will be helping you in the coming school year:

School Counselors

Mary Crelley

Keri Donohue (formerly Crowley - she got married this summer - YAY!!)

Elissa Maxson

Jennie Viggiani (Counseling Coordinator)

Travis Figueroa

Holly Juliano

Tricia Zeller (Aspire)

Courtney Stern (College & Career Counselor)

School Social Workers

Lance Mitchell

School Psychologists

Erin Merydith

Heather Gabriel

Counseling Secretaries

Jane Ingle

TBD

Registrars

Charlotte Haag

Gwendolyn Parks

Below are a few reminders from our office. We also have some great updates of things happening this fall throughout the newsletter.

• The Counseling Office is open Monday-Friday, 7:30am-3:30pm, on school days.
• Please use the BHS Counseling Office phone number and school emails to connect with your counselor. We will get back to you as soon as we are able. Contact information can be found on our website: https://bhs.bcsd.org/52042_3
• If you would like to schedule an appointment with your counselor, you can do so using our Booking links or stopping into the Counseling Office to speak with a secretary.

We are so glad to see you all!! Here's to a great school year!

We wish you all peace and wellness.

Best,

BHS Counseling Office

(585) 242-5000 x4526

https://bhs.bcsd.org/46697_3

Administration has asked us to limit any adjustments to student schedules, unless a student:

• does not have enough courses to meet full-time enrollment requirements (minimum of five classes plus physical education per semester)
• is missing a required course for graduation
• has scheduled too many courses and wants to make adjustments
• is requesting a level change
• are missing Counseling Seminar- 12th & 10th- fall semester, 9th & 11th- spring semester.

If you fall into one of these categories, please schedule an appointment to see your counselor so we can help. ALL SCHEDULE ADJUSTMENTS MUST BE DONE BY THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 18.

Counseling Seminars are an important piece of your child's HS journey! We meet in small groups each year to start thinking about our strengths, interests, and personality traits to better prepare for life after high school.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

FALL SEMESTER:

Senior Seminar began SEPTEMBER 11th

Sophomore Seminar begins OCTOBER 30th

SPRING SEMESTER:

Junior Seminar begins FEBRUARY 28th

Freshman Seminar begins MARCH 11th

Check out the weekly SENIOR ONLY Newsletter starting NEXT WEEK! Please read the newsletter 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

See you next week in Seminar and Senior Office Hours!

Hope you can join us!

URMC/BHS Partnership

Group Therapy Sessions THIS FALL!

URMC is pleased to announce group therapy offerings at BHS. Katie Lembo, M.S., LMHC, staff clinician is currently providing individual therapy services to TCMS & BHS students on Tuesdays and Thursdays and will be extending her services by including group therapy sessions. These sessions will have an intervention of focus (i.e., cognitive behavioral therapy, coping skills, social skills, anxiety, and depression).

The first group offering will target the following populations:

Any middle school student or high school student who experiences anxiety related to academic performance, sports performance, etc.

The group goal:

Group members will develop a better understanding of anxiety as well as learn and practice a variety of relaxation and coping skills, including cognitive and behavioral strategies.

How long will the group run?

The group will run for 12 sessions and will alternate class periods every week so that students will not miss the same class.

What is the cost of group?

URMC bills through insurance companies, so the cost will vary, depending on your insurance. After completing a group screen, someone from financial services will be able to speak with each individual family directly about any financial questions and/or concerns.

The second group offering will target the following populations:

Any middle school student or high school student who experiences anxiety related to schoolwork, being at school, attendance difficulties, and/or difficulties interacting with peers due to social anxiety.

The group goal:

Group members will develop a better understanding of anxiety as well as learn and practice a variety of relaxation and coping skills, including cognitive and behavioral strategies. There will also be a parent component where parents will meet virtually with group leader to practice specific skills to help their child succeed.

How long will the group run?

The group will run for 15 sessions, with 4 of those sessions being parent-only sessions and will alternate class periods every week so that students will not miss the same class.

What is the cost of group?

URMC bills through insurance companies, so the cost will vary, depending on your insurance. After completing a group screen, someone from financial services will be able to speak with each individual family directly about any financial questions and/or concerns.

If interested, please reach out to your child’s school counselor.

Field trip permission form below. Great opportunity to learn more about all of the careers available in this incredible field!

Permission forms due OCTOBER 7th!

The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) is a groundbreaking and exciting program that transforms local middle and high school students into real, confident entrepreneurs. Through the year-long program, students in grades 6-12 generate business ideas, conduct market research, write business plans, pitch to a panel of investors, and launch their very own companies.

Application is due SEPTEMBER 20th! Don't miss out on this great opportunity to explore the world of business!!

https://yeausa.wufoo.com/forms/ruy1odi0itbgzf/

**You can earn HS INTERNSHIP credit if accepted!!

Please join us on Monday October 7, 2024 from 4PM-7PM for our Fall Session!

Interested perspective students are welcome to bring with them anyone they wish who supports their dream to pursue a career in the beauty industry. Our Executive Director/Director of Admissions Jennifer Wells, and Admissions Representative Lauren Dufresne are excited to bring all perspective students through the school to see our facility, meet our staff of dedicated instructors who will all be in attendance, as well and answer any and all questions that you may have in regards to a career in the beauty industry and possible enrollment.

Our Financial Aid Representative, Caitlin Dance will also be present to answer any questions regarding financial aid and payment options, and you will also have the opportunity to meet the Owner of our school, Eugene P Cardamone!

We will have food and beverages and opportunities to win some awesome prizes through our raffle drawings!

To confirm your attendance or to ask any questions you may have regarding this event, please contact Jennifer Wells at jennifer@shearego.com or Lauren Dufresne at lauren@shearego.com or by phone at 585-342-0070.

This event is open to anyone ready to start their career in the beauty industry for Cosmetology, Barbering, Esthetics, Skin Care & Make Up, Nail Specialty, and Waxing! We can’t wait to see you all there!

“Turn You Passion Into Your Profession”

The Skirboll Family Autism Conference is a 3-day virtual conference covering topics of special interest to disability self-advocates, caregivers, and professionals. The theme for 2024, "Inclusive Care, Inclusive Living: Support Across the Life Course" focuses on support for individuals with disabilities across the life span.

October 16–18, 2024
Inclusive Care, Inclusive Living: Support Across the Life Course

Hosted virtually by the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics and Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities.

• Opening Session: October 16, 2:00–5:00 p.m.: Navigating Healthcare and Disability Systems
• Session 2: October 17, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.: Future Planning and Supporting Independence
• Session 3: October 18, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.: Understanding Lived Experiences

Reps Visit are back at BHS!!!

We will post the coming week's visits here, updated every Friday: https://bhs.bcsd.org/46742_3

Reps will be visiting in-person and virtually.

• Be sure to SIGN UP for the visit in Naviance.
• If a rep is in person, they will be in room 257 (the conference room across from the Counseling Office)
• If they are virtual, you will be able to access a link to their zoom via Naviance. You may come to the Counseling Office and we can help find you a quiet space to attend if needed.
• You will need teacher permission to attend if the visit takes place during a class.

You are welcome to sign up for as many visits as you'd like! We encourage you to sit in on the ones you know, as well as some that you've never heard of before. There are so many INCREDIBLE institutions all over the country with phenomenal opportunities. You just don't know about them yet!

Be sure to check out Naviance for a complete list of ALL visits this season starting in September. Check often- we get new visits scheduled every day!

Sunday, September 15, 2024, 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM2024 Virtual College Fair - Sept 15

Sunday, October 13, 2024, 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM2024 Virtual College Fair - Oct 13

Sunday, November 3, 2024, 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM2024 Virtual College Fair - Nov 3

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!

Reach out to our Exploring Executive, Casey West for more information on sessions available:

Casey.west@scouting.org

https://senecawaterways.org/exploring-ages-14-20/

**You can earn INTERNSHIP CREDIT for joining an Explorer Post! See Mrs. Stern for details!

Check the Scholarship page of the BHS Counseling Website for the most up to date list of available scholarships. As they come, they are also emailed directly to students via their BCSD email. https://bhs.bcsd.org/46758_3

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!!

Please see below if you are interested in any of our WBL programs:

General Work Experience

• Did you have a job this summer or during the school year?
• Will you work at least 150 hours by end of the school year?
• Are you a 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.

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.

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=ZLm1_AgyPkeLzTMrIV6bE1FNnWpNYnRGluEgXgoFHwJUREJWMUJTNTBTWThHN0VQRExKSVZPNURLSy4u

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!

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:

Standardized exams have traditionally been a part of the college application. This year, due to COVID, many schools allowed 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

Collegeboard.org

• Designed to measure academic aptitude in verbal and numerical reasoning.
• Test Content: Reading, Math and Writing.
• Cost $68.00

ACT

Actstudent.org

**Changes are coming to this exam! Read more here: 2025 ACT Enhancements–First Looks – Chariot Learning

• Designed to measure academic achievement.
• Test Content: English, Math, Reading and Science Reasoning.
• Cost $69.00 (w/o writing)
• Cost $94.00 (with writing)

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.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

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.

Any students needing financial assistance have been directed to contact Jane Ingle by email or go to the Counseling Office during the school day.

Check out all courses available and register at: https://brightonschools.revtrak.net

Please reach out to Mona Zamiarski for any additional information

mona_zamiarski@bcsd.org

(585) 242-5200 ext. 5595

BHS has a long standing tradition of offering individual and group counseling services to all students. Please check out the QR code below for more information and instructions on how to sign up!

Email: courtney_stern@bcsd.org
Website: https://www.bcsd.org/Page/2063
Location: 1150 South Winton Road, Rochester, NY, USA
Phone: (585) 242-5000