BHS Counseling Dept Weekly Update

See the schedule below.

Quarter 1 closes in 2 1/2 weeks - Nov 6. Be sure to keep up with your classes, check your Q1 IPRs, and see your teachers for any questions, concerns or opportunities for make up work.

• November 5, Tuesday: Professional Development Day for BHS Staff – no school for students; teachers and paras report
  

• November 6 : Q1 ends –---> Q1 Report Cards uploaded to Aspen Portal approx 11/15

• November 11: Veterans Day – schools closed; special 4 school day week - see this schedule to the right

• November 28-29, with a 12:15 dismissal on Nov 27 for BHS: Thanksgiving break; see below for special 2 1/2 day schedule
  

Parenting expert Joani Geltman’s presentation, “Adolescent Psychology: The Parent Version,” held on Oct. 9, discussed adolescent development and navigating tricky conversations with teenagers. She provided insight into what happens in a child’s brain during moments of heightened emotion to help parents communicate in a way that is both understanding and effective. In B-PEN’s Parent Update (PDF), you can find key strategies and helpful resource links.

Button: Link to Parent Update PDF
(https://www.b-pen.org/uploads/2/9/2/9/2929884/geltman_oct_2024.pdf)

See BHS Head of School Anthony Meyer's Warrior Weekly for this week of Oct 14 for more info

A team of PSB educators, students, family and community members is ready to launch the Brookline LGBTQ+ Task Force this year with our first in-person meeting on Monday, October 28th from 6:45-8:00 at Brookline High School (room TBA). We are a group of teachers, students, parents and caregivers, administrators, and community members who are working to make Brookline Schools even more LGBTQ-friendly.

The LGBTQ+ Task Force meets 1x a month in-person or on Zoom. It’s a great way to get involved in LGBTQ+ advocacy in the town of Brookline, and to get to know other people who care about LGBTQ+ issues.

We have picked 4 priority areas to focus on this year:

1. More Inclusive District-Wide Systems & Policies

1. Social Networking for LGBTQ+ Students & Families

1. Updates to Health Curriculum

1. Creating LGBTQ+ Resource Guides for Teachers, Students & the Community

At our in-person meeting on Monday, October 28th, we will break into these groups and establish our specific goals for the year. If you are interested in joining the LGBTQ+ Task Force, email Kate Leslie (kathryn_leslie@psbma.org) or Leah McGowan (leah_mcgowan@psbma.org) to be added to our listserv.

We are excited to launch the Brookline LGBTQ+ Task Force this year with our first in-person meeting on Monday, October 28th from 6:45-8:00 at Brookline High School (room TBA). We are a group of teachers, students, parents and caregivers, administrators, and community members who are working to make Brookline Schools even more LGBTQ-friendly.

The LGBTQ+ Task Force meets 1x a month in-person or on Zoom. It’s a great way to get involved in LGBTQ+ advocacy in the town of Brookline, and to get to know other people who care about LGBTQ+ issues.

We have picked 4 priority areas to focus on this year:

1. More Inclusive District-Wide Systems & Policies

1. Social Networking for LGBTQ+ Students & Families

1. Updates to Health Curriculum

1. Creating LGBTQ+ Resource Guides for Teachers, Students & the Community

At our in-person meeting on Monday, October 28th, we will break into these groups and establish our specific goals for the year. If you are interested in joining the LGBTQ+ Task Force, email Kate Leslie (kathryn_leslie@psbma.org) or Leah McGowan (leah_mcgowan@psbma.org) to be added to our listserv.

B-PEN has resources. They encourage you to safely dispose of unwanted medication and help prevent the opportunity for misuse before it starts. Too often patients are prescribed more prescription medication than needed; 70-80% of patients have leftover opioids after surgery, which are risky if they fall into the wrong hands, especially adolescents.

Help prevent misuse by regularly and safely disposing of unwanted medications. In addition to the Brookline Public Safety Building, here’s a list of year-round places locally to safely return unused drugs.

(To refresh link)

https://apps.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubdispsearch/spring/main;jsessionid=0oz8hHvBOCRQk9T3DBOVybm_LgVls_dS96TZCteU.web2?execution=e1s2

Lenny Libenzon (BHS College Counselor) and Darby Neff-Verre (Counseling/Guidance Dept Chair) offered a Q&A session about the college process for parents - caregivers of seniors.

Here is the recording of that information session.

Here's the password - QvH1#z$8

- 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

'It's ok to sometimes do "good enough" to keep your academic and mental health balance in check.

Here's some information to consider about the issue of PERFECTIONISM.

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!

Public Schools of Brookline Updated Health Guidance for respiratory viruses including Covid-19

Please refer to PSB guidelines on When to Keep Students Home
The continued DESE, DPH and DESE guidance for respiratory viruses including Covid-19

• ● Stay home and away from others, returning to normal activities only when symptoms are improving and the person has been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.

• ● Get tested for COVID-19 and flu. Talk to your healthcare provider about getting treatment if you test positive.

• ● Stay away from others in your household. Wear a mask when you have to be around them

• ● Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. If soap and water are not available, use hand

  sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.

• ● Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue or your inner elbow, not your hands.

• ● Clean high touch surfaces (such as countertops, handrails, and doorknobs) often.

  There is no requirement for a 5-day isolation if testing positive for Covid-19

  You should stay home even if you don’t know what virus is making you sick.

  Upon returning to normal activities, individuals are encouraged to take these additional measures for 5 days to prevent disease spread:

  ● enhancing hygiene practices,
  ● wearing a well-fitting mask,
  ● keeping a distance from others, ● increasing ventilation to clean air, ● utilizing indoor air filters

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!

Every year, a Brandeis University club called Education for Students by Students (ESS) hosts a one day event called Splash. Local middle and high school students can come visit Brandeis campus and Brandeis students teach about topics they’re passionate about. In previous years, there have been a range of classes from the History of DNA to learning a language.

The day runs from 10:00am to 1:00pm on Sunday, November 3, 2024.

Lunch will be provided.

Some of the classes offered for this year's Splash are;

• The Politics of the African Great Lakes

• Gods, Superheroes, and Monsters

• Shakespeare Now

• The Art of Storytelling WWE

• Slime Making/Elephant Toothpaste

• Foundation of Economic Thinking

• A History of the Soviet Union

Students can sign up for Splash via the Splash website. The registration deadline is November 2nd.

** This is not a BHS sponsored activity**

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)

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.

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 by the dates below.

L Grade (Late Entry) is particularly important to avoid for 12th graders whose Q1 grades, including L, will be shared with early application colleges.

Here are the deadlines:

Students can officially sign up for the May 2025 AP exams.

Here is some quick info....

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

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

- Deadline to register is Nov. 14th, before the College Board adds a $40 late fee.

- Final deadline to register is March 14th

- Cost of each exam = $105

- Students can request financial aid if needed

More specific info is in the info letter below.

Did you know that BHS students have free full digital access to these magazines, journals and newspapers?

• Atlantic Monthly

• The New Yorker

• The Week

• Scientific American

• Popular Science

• Wall Street Journal

• New York Times

• Boston Globe

• Wall Street Journal

Click here for access to the news.

Congressman Jake Auchincloss’ office encourages students’ participation in the 2024 Congressional App Challenge.

The Congressional App Challenge is the official computer science competition of the House of Representatives. Since its inception in 2013, the Congressional App Challenge has become one of the most prestigious prizes in computer science. Over 30,000 students have participated in the Congressional App Challenge across 340 Congressional Districts in 50 states and five U.S. territories. This year, we are pleased to announce that the Office of Congressman Jake Auchincloss will be participating in the 2024 Congressional App Challenge.

From now until November 1st, Congressman Auchincloss will be hosting a Congressional App Challenge for middle school and high school students (grades 6-12) of all coding skills who reside in the Massachusetts 4th Congressional District. All students are encouraged to enter the competition, regardless of previous computer science experience.

To learn about the rules, prizes, and more, you can visit the Congressional App Challenge website here.

Kian Dana | District & Constituent Services Representative
Pronouns: he/him/his; Office of Congressman Jake Auchincloss, MA-04

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.

Lenny Libenzon (BHS College Counselor) and Darby Neff-Verre (Counseling/Guidance Dept Chair) offered a Q&A session about the college process for parents - caregivers of seniors.

Here is the recording of that information session.

Here's the password - QvH1#z$8

** 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 by 10/28 for accurate transcripts to be sent to colleges.

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)

- 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.

College Admissions representatives from multiple universities continue their visits to BHS to meet with seniors almost every block until early Nov. This is open to SENIORS ONLY (no parents).

Students can see the list of visits & sign up for them on Naviance, under College Visits. Parents can view the list on BHS Calendars page, scroll down (https://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/calendars.html)

In order to attend the visits, students need to sign up on Naviance and then get their teachers to sign the college visits absence form at least a day before the meeting. Please give the signed form to Mr. Libenzon during the meeting. No form is needed if you are not missing the class. Please note that absences from class do count towards the N rule, so plan your time well!

Seniors should consider doing BOTH campus visits (in-person or virtual on college websites) whenever possible. The college reps who will show up for the rep visits at BHS are often the initial readers in the admissions offices for our students. It's a great opportunity to hear more (some info may be repeated from the campus visit), but really helpful for students to introduce themselves in person. If they have some questions that have come up re: that particular school, then this is a perfect time to ask.

College reps do keep track of both who visits their campuses (if the visit included the official college info session and tour) as well as who the students are who come to the rep visits at BHS.

If a college tracks demonstrated interest in their application process (not all do!), these signs of interest can be valuable.

Of course, this is all balanced with the senior not missing too much class time since the MOST important thing college admissions will be looking at are the applicant's grades on their transcript, including their 1st and 2nd quarter grades in senior year.

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/

ASVAB

If you are considering enlisting in the US Armed Forces, you will be required to take the ASVAB. The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is a multiple choice test, administered by the United States Military Entrance Processing Command, used to determine qualification for enlistment in the United States Armed Forces. Newton North High School will be offering the ASVAB test on Thursday, October 24th.

REGISTER: To register please email Mr. Larry Allen at allenl@newton.k12.ma.us no later than October 17th. Parent permission will be required if the student is not 18 years old.

Many interested students gained more information and some got on-the-spot admissions decisions from some HBCU colleges at the Fair last Thurs. Congratulations to you!

And thanks to the BHS METCO team for sponsoring this event for our school community!

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.

This month they will present two webinars in September explaining how to complete the CSS Profile and FAFSA. They will review both forms in detail and highlight the common issues and areas most likely to result in errors.

Last Thursday, 9/12/2024 (register to have access to this recorded webinar)-

Part 1: Errors are costly - completing the CSS Profile

Thurs 9/26 (Back to School Night at BHS) -register with CA to have access to recorded webinar-

Part 2: Errors are costly - completing the FAFSA

All families who are new to College Affordable and their support, should click on this link and continue to our school icon to register with the program. This page is also a great resource for you and will house information related to different program aspects you can take advantage of and contain all their contact information.

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.

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.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://psbma-org.zoom.us/j/98924369934?pwd=NuI1CFFainbPnKWGcaHSb8JYavVdcf.1

Meeting ID: 989 2436 9934
Passcode: 407165

THIS EVENT WILL BE RECORDED

Here is an invitation to attend a (no-cost) virtual event with Harlan Cohen, hosting this Thursday October 24th at 7:30 CT.

Harlan Cohen is a NYT best selling author who is offering this webinar - Happy, Healthy, Almost Stress-Free College Planning for Students, Parents, and Supporters.

Here is the registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5Aq6ErVJRmKsX6KL6gentw. Let me know if you have any questions.

THIS IS NOT A BHS SPONSORED EVENT, but Harlan has spoken in person at BHS in the past and his message is helpful and entertaining!

Unfortunately, this is the only date that BHS will offer this practice test, based on College Board mandated dates.

Are you registered and ready to take the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) at Brookline High School next Saturday, October 26th from 7:45 am- 12:15 pm?

-- The PSAT will be offered in digital form for all students.

-- You should plan to be participating in testing from 7:45am to 12:15pm. Some student groups may leave earlier than 12:15, depending on each group's start time and other issues that may arise during the test. Please arrive outside of the Schluntz gym @ BHS by 7:45am latest. You will look for your name on a Testing Locations info posted outside the gym door, then proceed to the room you have been assigned to test.

-- If you plan to bring a school-issued Chromebook, the Bluebook app is already uploaded. TEST IT BEFORE COMING TO PSAT - https://bluebook.collegeboard.org/students

-- If you choose to bring your own device, YOU MUST DOWNLOAD THE “BLUEBOOK” APP AND TEST IT BEFORE COMING TO PSAT - https://bluebook.collegeboard.org/students

-- Be sure to bring a pencil for scratch paper and your school ID or other ID with recent photo (is. passports). A DESMOS calculator is imbedded in the digital PSAT for all. You can bring your own calculator and be sure to review this info for accepted calculators and suggestions to become familiar with the DESMOS calculator before the test.

-- Wednesday, Oct 23, 2024 at 11:59 AM - Registrations that have not been paid for will be cancelled and exams will not be ordered.

October 26, 2024 - Digital PSAT

November 2, 2024 - Digital SAT
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

Please view the College Affordable information sheet below.

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.

This month they will present two webinars in September explaining how to complete the CSS Profile and FAFSA. They will review both forms in detail and highlight the common issues and areas most likely to result in errors.

Last Thursday, 9/12/2024 (register to have access to this recorded webinar)-

Part 1: Errors are costly - completing the CSS Profile

Thurs 9/26 (Back to School Night at BHS) -register with CA to have access to recorded webinar-

Part 2: Errors are costly - completing the FAFSA

All families who are new to College Affordable and their support, should click on this link and continue to our school icon to register with the program. This page is also a great resource for you and will house information related to different program aspects you can take advantage of and contain all their contact information.

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.

BHS National Honor Society preview for Juniors....

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.

Parents & Students Grades 11 & 10 -

Please join the BHS College Counselor Lenny Libenzon from 6:30- 8pm for an overview of the Junior Post High School Planning timeline, plus a presentation on the current College Admissions Testing landscape with SUMMIT expert Drew Heilpern on everything you need to know regarding ACT and the College Board's SAT testing.

This presentation was recorded - https://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/guidance/standardized-testing-night3428005

Thank you for your patience with the recording since wifi continues to be challenging in the BHS Aud.

** Please note that BHS does not explicitly promote any test prep organization**

The 3 counselors whose offices are permanently in the 115 Greenough building - Mr Gorman, Ms Aggeler & Ms Lopez - will be spending time in the 22 Tappan building too. They will spend 1 full day / week in the 22 Tappan building through Term 1. Look for them in the 231 counseling suite at 22 Tap

Of course, stop by their offices in the 115 Greenough counseling suite too when you are in the main building!

Click here