BHS Counseling Dept Weekly Update

This week of March 17 will be a regular 5 school day week schedule.

Next week of March 24 is a special schedule 5 school day week due to ELA MCAS for 10th graders on Tues 3/25 and Wed 3/26 mornings.ELA MCAS requires 10th graders to be at BHS for these tests (which are still required for BHS students, but don't count towards graduation requirements anymore).

The special schedule for that week is uploaded below.

In addition, on the 3/25 and 3/26 mornings, the BHS counselors will be offering REQUIRED workshops for juniors. Each morning will offer multiple workshop sessions on various topics related to post high school planning. EVERY JUNIOR IS REQUIRED TO ATTEND AT LEAST 2 OF THESE WORKSHOPS OF THEIR CHOICE - attend 2 workshops on one morning and sleep in the other, or sleep in each morning and attend only one workshop each day before classes start, or attend 4 different workshops over the 2 mornings. Topics may include (but are not limited to): Getting Started on Naviance, Teacher Recommendations, Get to Know College Affordable (free college financial aid resource), or Alternatives to College... to name a few.

Remember- Quarter 3 IPRs were posted last week, March 11. Please check the student or parent portals on Aspen to review student progress. Quarter 3 ends on Tues April 8. There is just over 3 weeks left in this term so time for students to do their best work and check in about make up work or other ways to keep learning strong.

The week of March 31 is also a special schedule 5 school day week for the Day of Dialogue at BHS on April 1st. See that special schedule below.

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Course requests & selection conversations for SY 25-26 have been happening. Teachers have been talking with students about curriculum level recommendations for the next school year for 9th, 10th, and 11th graders. Starting this week, students are required to go to their student aspen portals (not available on the parent portal) to review their course recommendations and add elective and wellness course requests and alternates between March 18 and April 1st.

-- EVERY CURRENT STUDENT IN GR 9,10,11 WILL NEED TO REVIEW AND ADD REQUESTS.

-- THERE IS NO ADVANTAGE FOR STUDENTS TO ADD THEIR REQUESTS EARLY IN THIS PERIOD.

Students can make an appt with your assigned counselor to discuss this process now.

Use the QR code below to download the 2025-26 BHS Course Catalog to read about courses and make elective and wellness course requests that are the BEST fit for YOU!

April 8: Quarter 3 ends

April 16 (approx): Q3 grades posted to portals

April 18: Good Friday (Category I Holiday) — schools closed

April 21-25: April Vacation — schools closed

May 26: Memorial Day — district closed

June 8: Brookline High School Graduation

June 19: Juneteenth — district closed

June 23: Last day of school (if no more weather cancellations)

June 24-27: Make-up days for weather cancellations

Lenny Libenzon (BHS College Counselor) and Darby Neff-Verre (BHS Counseling/Guid Coordinator) hosted a Junior Parent Coffee Zoom Q&A session last Thurs 3/13. This session offered a short overview presentation of what juniors can expect through this year and into senior year, plus time to answer general questions from junior parents about post high school planning and college admissions.

Here is the recording of this session:

https://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/guidance/jr-parent-coffee-recording

Here's a parent whose student is exploring many options for life after BHS. Their comments may be helpful for some students/ families to consider...

"He is a kid who literally was waffling between ceramics, trying to get recruited for volleyball, engineering, being a plumber, and just knowing he didn't want a desk job after school. After the college fair last night and the [Franklin Cummings 2 year trades discussion in last week's Wed Career Counseling Coffee Talk], he now thinks, pretty firmly, that he wants to do some sort of construction management/construction engineering. We had identified this as an option pre-college fair and saw a few colleges last night that offered this, but today's meet really put him on that path. XX really needed that and it was all he could talk about this afternoon. He texted me the title of the new elective [being offered at BHS next year - see new course descriptions here].

[Parents] don't want to put him on the conveyor belt of college, but want him to intentionally choose (and choose again, and maybe change careers later on... who knows). We are open to all options - except him living in our basement long term :). The opportunities you offer (and the high school in general offers!) are simply amazing and show kids that there isn't just one path to adulthood. I am incredibly grateful for all of this (and so much more).

As we all know, not every student wants to stack their schedule with AP classes, and the work you all have put in to expand the offerings of electives, coffee talks, etc. has made an enormous difference at least to one kid and one family. Thank you thank you thank you.

Vaping has recently become a troubling trend in our schools and communities. This workshop focuses on how to recognize vaping devices and products and the physical impact vaping has on the body.

Here's the registration link.

About the Speaker

Cory Mashburn, M.Ed., has over 20 years expertise in the field of prevention services and more than 25 years’ experience working with youth and people with disabilities. He has overseen the planning and implementation of prevention programs within communities and schools in the New England Region, including substance use and abuse, bullying, cyber safety, and human rights. In addition, Cory has developed multiple health and wellness curricula in schools across the state of Massachusetts. He holds master’s degrees in educational leadership, project management and criminal justice, in addition to his bachelor’s degree in recreational management. As the father of two young children, he understands the importance of equipping youth, their parents, and their communities with the knowledge and skills to enable young people to become the best version of themselves.

Some research says that 70% of girls and 40% of boys express body dissatisfaction, which can lead not only to eating disorders but other mental health issues. This past week of National Eating Disorders awareness highlighted excellent information for parents who might want to broach the topic with their adolescents. B-PEN’s Eating Disorders & Body Image page has a wide range of information and resources, as does the National Eating Disorders Association, which also has an online screening tool appropriate for anyone age 13 or older.

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

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!

From Math Coordinator Josh Paris and the relevant math teachers:

In order to test out of an advanced level math course you need to take an assessment covering the material from the course you wish

to test out of. The dates of these tests are as follows:

Algebra 2 Advanced and Precalculus Advanced: April 9

BC Calculus: May 21

If students are interested in taking one of these tests they should speak with their math teacher directly. More information and sign up information can be found on the Math Department page on the BHS website.

ACE (www.ACEHighSchoolYourWay.com) is open for enrollment for next September 2025 for rising 10th, 11th and 12th graders.

ACE, is a project-based, experiential learning program within BHS with a total of 55 students in grades 10-12. It provides a rigorous college-preparation pathway with honors-level classes in which students can go at their own pace and graduate when they complete their content and skill competencies. ACE graduates have been admitted to a wide range of colleges across the country, including some of the most competitive colleges.

If your child is interested in exploring ACE, they should email ACE Secretary: Christine_Carruthers@psbma.org to attend an ACE information meeting and classroom visit which are mandatory steps in the application process. Admission is based on a first come, first serve basis until each grade level is full (approx. 18 per grade).

ACE Program Coordinator, Amy Bayer, can be reached at Amy_Bayer@psbma.org for questions.

The Massachusetts Democratic Party is seeking intern and scholarship applicants for its internship and scholarship programs!

To apply, applicants need to go to this google form and be prepared to provide the following information:

• Cover Letter of Application
• Essay (300-word limit)
• One-page Resume
• Unofficial Transcript
• 2 letters of Recommendation (Can be emailed to tyler@massdems.org)
  

Completed applications are due by March 21st, 2025 at 5:00 PM and successful candidates will receive a $3,000 scholarship or $2,000 internship stipend, as well as the opportunity to intern with the Massachusetts Democratic Party.

For further information, please see the pdf attached below or feel free to email me and I will do my best to respond to your question as soon as possible.

Tyler Carruth (he/him)

Operations Manager | Massachusetts Democratic Party

tyler@massdems.org

Congressman Jake Auchincloss invites high school students of the Massachusetts 4th District to participate in the 2025 Congressional Art Competition. The competition is sponsored by the Congressional Institute and the Congressional Arts Caucus to promote artistry and creative thought in students around the country. Participation includes high school students (grades 9-12) who reside in the Massachusetts 4th District. Students are invited to submit one piece of original artwork, which will be judged by a panel of local artists.

The categories for artwork include paintings, drawings, collages, prints, mixed media pieces, computer-generated art, and photography. All works must be two-dimensional and no larger than 26 inches high, 26 inches wide, and 4 inches deep, including a frame. See the attached Rules for Students and Teachers form for more detailed information.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

• Deadline: Friday, April 18th at 5:00 PM.
• Drop Off at the Congressman’s District Locations: Students, parents, or teachers can drop off the artwork at any of our district locations:
• Newton Office (29 Crafts Street, Suite 375, Newton, MA 02458)
• Attleboro Office (8 N Main Street, Suite 200, Attleboro, MA 02703)
• Fall River Satellite Location, open on Wednesdays from 10 am - 4 pm (1 Government Ctr, Office 237B, Fall River, MA 02722)
• Pick Up at Schools: If needed, schools may reach out to Catarina Pereira (Catarina.Pereira@mail.house.gov) to arrange for a staff member from the Congressman’s office to pick up all their students’ submissions at the school directly. Please contact Catarina by April 9th if you would like to make these arrangements.
• Students must complete THIS ONLINE FORM, in addition to the attached Student Release Form, if they are submitting artwork for the competition.

JUDGING AND RECEPTION:

A panel of local artists will judge all the works submitted. The winner will be announced at Congressman Auchincloss’ Art Competition Reception. The reception is being held on Saturday, May 17th from 3:00-4:00pm at the Attleboro Arts Museum (86 Park Street, Attleboro, MA 02703). A formal invitation will follow. The winning student will then be invited to an annual Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C. this summer, and their artwork will be displayed in the Capitol for a year.

Feel free to reach out to me with any questions at Catarina.Pereira@mail.house.gov or (617) 332-3333.

Please join our lifesaving mission and schedule an appointment today!

Drive Details:
Site: Brookline High School
Address: 115 Greenough Street, BROOKLINE, MA, 02445
Room Name: Room 106
Date: Wed Apr 30, 2025
Time: 08:30 AM - 01:30 PM
Blood Program Leader Name: Kaylee Co, Kate Ferguson, Brett Schneider, Heidi Kim, and Ed Wiser
Blood Program Leader Email: 27cok@brooklinek12.org, 27fergusonk@brooklinek12.org
Click here to make an appointment

Requirements:

Age: 17 years old or 16 with parental consent form signed HERE

Weight: 110+ lbs

Bring a student ID

The need for blood is constant and only volunteer donors can fulfill that need for patients in our community. Nationwide, someone needs a unit of blood every 2 to 3 seconds and most of us will need blood in our lifetime.

Thank you for supporting the American Red Cross blood program!

Think you know your stuff when it comes to the NBA, NFL, MLB, Soccer, and more?

Want to waste a perfectly good hour on a Wednesday night at 7:30?

Then have I got news for you!

The world famous (or at least Brookline famous) BHS SPORTS ZOOM is back baby!

Started in the depths of Covid by social workers Paul Epstein and John Ortiz, the sports zoom is the place to be to hang with fellow students and staff who care way too much about Jayden Daniels, Erling Haaland, and Alex Bregman.

We'll have cool surprise guests (like Boston area athletes, sports journalists, or front office types), hot timely issues for debate, trivia, and a good dose of smack talking.

Throw on your favorite team jersey or hat, log onto zoom, and prepare to spend an hour talking sports.

Here's the zoom link to join.

Brookline High School is excited to introduce Unified Track, a new and inclusive sport where students partner with athletes of all abilities to compete together in a supportive and fun environment.

With 10 different events (not all running!), 4 meets, and no weekend commitment, this is a great way to get involved in athletics without a major time commitment.

Whether you're looking to stay active, make new friends, or earn wellness credit. Unified Track is a rewarding experience that promotes teamwork, inclusion, and school spirit. No prior experience is needed—just a positive attitude and a willingness to support your teammates!

Please reach out to Amanda Mortelette - Asst Athletic Director - if you want more information. Practices will be 3x/week (days not yet decided), starting this week of 3/17. Registration will open the last week of February to sign up.

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Participation in this program cannot be used for community service credit at BHS.

This page is also helpful:

https://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/unified-basketball.html

And registration is now open:

https://students.arbitersports.com/organizations/brookline-athletics

Tired of eating lunch alone? Too loud in the 115 and 22 cafeterias? Want to meet some new friends?

Come to Lunch Lounge on Thurs 2nd lunch @ 115 - Room 317C

The Counseling and Social Work dept has started offering quiet spaces for lunches during a few lunch blocks each school week. Lunch Lounge is happening on Thurs 2nd lunch @ the 115 main campus. See below for location and stop by to check it out!

Looking for something interesting and different this coming summer?

Check out these guides to Summer Programs!

The BHS Summer Opportunities document is now available! Click here.

This document will be updated on a regular basis through the end of the school year.

"Learn more about the value of pre-college programs, the benefit of programs for neurodiverse teens, why summer's the perfect time to learn another language....

[This] 90+ page guide is chock full of exciting, memorable experiences and unique offerings that appeal to all ages and interests. Want to let the programs you see in this guide know that you’re interested? You can fill out a quick form for Online Summer Programs and Main Summer Programs".

Check out the BHS Career Counseling blog on the BHS website (Guidance link). This link is updated regularly with opportunities to consider.

Plan to come to the BHS Annual Job/Career Fair during X block on Wed, April 18. Many vendors will be looking for BHS students to employ in the spring or summer.

More info to come soon!

See below for the 2 events happening soon.

BHS Career / Counseling Dept collaboration with Natick & Framingham high schools.....

Natick HS and Framingham HS are hosting a Personal Pathways to Success Career & Training Fair soon!

Framingham High School

March 18, 2025 | 6:30 PM

The event offers great opportunities to explore careers in healthcare, skilled trades, tech, and more! They'll connect with industry pros, apprenticeships, and training programs.

Check out the newsletter for the full vendor list and more info: https://secure.smore.com/n/t3qpm

This event is an opportunity for current BHS students to connect with alumni.

Join us on March 26 from 6 pm to 8 pm in the Stem Commons at the 115 Greenough Street Campus.

The BHS Networking Night Leadership Committee is excited to BHS students to campus for a night of exploration, conversation, and networking. Through panel discussion, informal conversations, and shared BHS experience we are working to strengthen our accomplished community. RSVP for the event here.

If you have any questions feel free to reach out to advisor Ms. Kennedy kate_kennedy@psbma.org or bhsnetworkingnight@gmail.com

Check out the Youth Connections program for great resources!

Contact Kate Kennedy (Kate_Kennedy@psbma.org/ office 285D 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

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.

The short article starts with... "First, remember that worrying is like walking around with an umbrella, waiting for it to rain. I excel at this, so honestly, I mean it when I say take a deep breath. And one day at a time".

Here's the link to remind more.

The Brookline High School Scholarship Committee is now accepting scholarship applications.

The application is available on the right hand side of the BHS homepage and at this link. Students who wish to be considered for the many scholarships offered through the BHS Scholarship Fund should submit their application by April 1st, but the application is easy to complete so we recommend submitting it ASAP.

Three criteria are used for choosing award recipients: academics, contributions and activities at BHS, and most importantly, unmet financial need.

There are no merit scholarships per se given out through this program. To make fair decisions, the Committee requires that families complete and submit the CSS Profile financial aid form, available at CollegeBoard.com. The CSS Profile must be submitted to the Brookline Scholarship Fund, which is code 0424.

As your financial aid offers start to come in you may notice a theme…they are confusing!

Colleges use different naming conventions, layouts, and designs which often leaves students and families stuck trying to decipher what everything means.

Don’t stress! College Affordable can help you review your offers, explain what each line item means, and let you know if there may be any opportunities to appeal for additional funding from the colleges.

To get started, complete the Award Letter Feedback Request. Make sure you include all of your offers, even to colleges you are considering, as those offers may help you with an appeal at the colleges you are most interested in.

All questions can be directed at College Affordable via email financialaid@collegeaffordable.org or call/text 781-343-1941.

If you are Waitlisted, this means that the college will accept you if spots become available (i.e. enough accepted students decline their admission offers around May 1st). You could be admitted from the waitlist anytime, including in August of your senior year. We have even seen students admitted from the waitlist during the December of their freshman year in college.

1. First and foremost, decide if you would like to stay on the waitlist and let the college know, following their specific guidelines delineated in your waitlist letter.

2. Write a letter to the college indicating three things: a) your continued interest in this school, b) your improved grades since the application, c) any achievements you’ve made in your activities.

3. There is no need for additional recommendation letters.

4. Your counselor may call only one school if you confirm that you will go to that school once you are admitted off the waitlist.

5. Make sure you commit and deposit to the school that has accepted you straightaway, as chances of being accepted from the waitlist can be very low at most colleges.

- It's time to think about the good "fit" and good "match" for you with other colleges. Being deferred is a toss up about potentially getting admitted to most colleges in their regular decision round... and it is best to assume you will not be accepted. Hard advice to hear but seniors need to consider other colleges that they'd be happy to attend instead of assuming they will be accepted in the regular decision round at that college.

- Use your BHS resources including making an appointment with your counselor and/or stopping by BHS College Counselor Lenny Libenzon's office 280 for some consultation.

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/plan-for-college/apply-to-college/after-youve-applied/what-to-do-if-youre-waitlisted

-- Thinking about a job? Contact Ms Kate Kennedy (kate_kennedy@psbma.org), BHS Career Counselor

-- Considering the trades - plumbing/HVAC/Electrical/Construction? Contact Ms Kennedy too

-- Looking at 2 year certification programs - Cosmetology? Vet Tech? Pharmacy Tech? Paralegal? Check out this article (https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/two-year-degree-jobs-in-demand_ and see Ms Kennedy too

-- Military - Talk to your counselor, Mr Libenzon (280) , or Darby Neff-Verre (285F)

-- Gap Year experience? Talk to your counselor! Gap Year can be working and living at home, traveling, your own community service plan, or a program that is structured for you. If you plan to attend college after a Gap Year, it is best to apply to some colleges now while you have direct access to your counselor and college support at BHS.

After months of beta testing, the new FAFSA for 2025-2026 is available.

Completing your FAFSA as early as possible is the best way to help ensure that you don’t miss financial aid deadlines or the best financial aid and scholarship opportunities, so it’s time to get started if you haven’t already.

To help, we’ve rounded-up some of the most common FAFSA errors people make when completing their FAFSA forms so you can avoid any issues and finish your FAFSA as quickly and painlessly as possible.

Check this article for some important reminders re: FAFSA too!

- 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.

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

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.

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) -

Topic: Grants, Scholarships, Loans, Work-study...what does it all mean?

Thurs Feb 13 @ 6:30pm - Financial Aid Webinar - Grants, Scholarships, Loans, Work-study...what does it all mean? Join College Affordable as they review the different types of financial aid available and what makes a family eligible for each.

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.

There are some simple criteria to consider in the college research process (or to ask on college visits), "there are things that students should focus on that potential applicants sometimes gloss over. G & F asked over 300,000 members what they DID NOT consider when looking at colleges, but wish they had?"

Here's the article.

Junior Counselors are now cycling through all junior advisories.

Attending your advisory's seminar is important for all juniors. The focus of the info sharing is starting the college research and application planning process. Other resources will be shared for juniors interested in FREE community college options, 2 year certification programs, job searches (including connecting to the high paying trades professions), Gap Year and the military.

Register

--Should you go test optional or take the ACTs or SATs? If you took the PSATs back in October, check your account on the College Board website to get your scores. If you took the PreACTs last school year, look back at your practice scores and compare with your Practice SAT (PSAT) scores? If you plan to take either the SAT or ACT, now is the time to register for a test date. FYI - BHS is currently for all SAT test dates through June 2025 but we're working to possibly add more seats.

-- Make an appointment with your counselor to start your own individual conversation about your next steps, including the college search process and/or considering a 2 year college or certification program, working or the military. Email your counselor or stop by to schedule a meeting time. Be sure to leave a note at your counselor's door if they are not available.

- Review your current unofficial transcript for any missing classes or errors. Contact your counselor with any questions or concerns.

with your counselor now. These forms can be found on Naviance (go to "About Me" link at top of your account and click "Surveys from my school" link) or complete the paper questionnaire - part of your Jr Seminar packet, handed out in advisory seminars. You can download the questionnaire below too.

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 DATES NEXT FALL.

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

Creating your College Financial Game Plan Webinar

Now is the ideal time for Junior (and Sophomore) families to start strategically thinking about the costs of college and the different methods available to reduce them before starting the college search.

Dates: Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 6:30 PM

Topic: Creating your College Financial Game Plan

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.

This test is a practice for the ACT college admissions test, including a helpful career interest inventory.

It is normed for sophomores in high school so we suggest that 10th graders take this practice test, plus 11th graders to take it too.

More information about PreACT registration and further details will be shared on March 23.

Stay tuned!

If you haven't found an activity outside of school work to make you happy and excited about your daily routine, now's the time!

Put down that device and try one of these suggestions:

- Get some exercise and fresh air! Take a walk, even when it's cold.

- Consider checking out one of the many BHS clubs, even at this point in the school year. Here's the link to the clubs for this year. If you want to talk more about this, set up an appointment with your counselor.

- Community service - Scroll to the Community Service section above in this Update to check out lots of interesting opportunities. There are options at BHS as well :

--Volunteer at one of the BHS libraries during a free block (see one of the librarians)

-- Help to get support dogs to visit BHS - contact Darby Neff Verre (darby_neff-verre@psbma.org)

- Join one of the Lunch Lounges to have some fun. Bring a friend! (See the Lunch Lounge info earlier in this Update.)

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