BHS Bulldog Senior Bulletin

• Upcoming Senior Presentation 11/6 - Fentanyl Fathers
• Senior Picture for Yearbook - due 11/8 (Portraits by Alex 11/13 & 11/14)
• Senior Directory for Yearbook - due 11/8 (link provided below)
• Cap N Gown Deadline 11/17 and clarifying information
• Get ready for FAFSA - opens 12/1!
• Upcoming College Visits
• Upcoming College Fairs
• 24/25 Application Fee Waivers Reminder ($0 College Applications)
• Michigan Assured Admission Pact - Guaranteed College Admission
• Michigan Achievement Scholarship Update & Additional Scholarship Opportunities

Previous Newsletter items included at the bottom for your reference:

• Senior Meeting 10/23 - Slides and clarifying information
• Counseling Update from Mrs. Grossfeld
• College Essays, Parchment, Requesting Transcripts and more
• Letters of Recommendation
• Senior Events

Hi Seniors!

I hope you all had a very successful 1st Quarter and you're feeling a little more comfortable with college applications. Many of you submitted them by November 1st, and we're excited to see your hard work pay off as you start hearing back from College Admissions in the next few months!

I wanted to send the November update out a little earlier this month, so that you don't miss some important dates/deadlines coming up. We will have a senior presentation during Advisory this Wednesday, 11/6 in the BCPA. You'll report to the BCPA immediately following 4th hour, then you'll take C lunch. See the information below regarding the Fentanyl Fathers presentation. Also due this week are the Senior Headshots for the Yearbook, and the Senior Directory for the Yearbook - both due by Friday, 11/8. See below for more information and links.

The beginning of this bulletin is updated with information that is coming up, but I've also included repeat information at the bottom so that it's all in one place for you. Families can refer to Mr. Evans weekly communications as well, so there is some overlap of information. We are trying to be as proactive as possible to help you have a successful year. We are here for you!

~Mrs. Richards

On November 6th, Seniors will be attending a presentation by the organization Fentanyl Fathers in the BCPA beginning at 11 am. Students will report directly to the BCPA after 4th hour (at the beginning of Advisory) and will attend C lunch this day. Fentanyl Fathers is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization on a mission to prevent illicit fentanyl poisoning and overdose deaths among America's unsuspecting youth. The crisis of fentanyl and counterfeit pills is claiming far too many young lives, and we are committed to making a difference. Fentanyl Fathers Story

They provide assemblies all across the country to schools and their team of passionate bereaved parents travel across the country to directly educate students about the dangers of fentanyl, counterfeit pills, and the critical steps for recognizing and responding to an overdose. Through impactful presentations, they aim to empower youth with knowledge and resources, helping them make informed decisions and stay safe.

Parents and students can view all of the components of their presentation on their landing page by clicking Presentation Detail. This includes:

• Presentation Slide Deck - They use the Orange Deck
• Seaholm High School Presentation
• Dead on Arrival Video
• Student Survey Summary Sample
• School Reference Letters

The orange slide deck is the one that they will be showing at BHS. You can learn more at fentanylfathers.org. You can also see over 300 of their videos by going to YouTube and typing Fentanyl Fathers into the search box. We plan to record the presentation at BHS so that we can share it out with all BHS families

Our Yearbook students are already busy capturing moments and memories to create a keepsake that you will look back on for many years to come. Get ahead now and order your yearbook today! Prices will begin to increase after October 1, so take advantage of this deal now!

Yearbooks are available for order at https://www.yearbooknerds.com/brighton-high-school

Senior parents, consider purchasing a personalized yearbook ad for your student to allow for a personal message with your favorite photos! Yearbook ads can be purchased from the same site listed above. Click on the BHS Senior Yearbook Flyer for more information.

Senior Headshots

Seniors must submit their portraits to the yearbook by November 8th. Everything you need to know about submitting your portrait can be found on our website HERE. If you do not have a photographer submitting pictures on your behalf, you will have the opportunity to have Portraits by Alex take your senior picture on either 11/13 or 11/14 for $50. This photographer is available after the deadline to catch any seniors who have not submitted a portrait and/or those who do not have a photographer and would like them to take their picture. Here is the sign up for this photographer -the student, must access the Google Form linked HERE to sign-up. This form is not available to emails outside of the brightonk12 domain. Parents can sign up for they if they are logged into your student account.

Senior Directory Form for Yearbook

The Senior Directory Form LINKED HERE is also due Nov. 8. This is the information that will appear next to your name and formal portrait in the yearbook. PARENTS: PLEASE ONLY COMPLETE THIS IF YOU ARE LOGGED IN AS YOUR STUDENT - DO NOT SUBMIT IF YOU ARE LOGGED IN AS YOURSELF OR THE RESPONSE WILL BE DELETED.

Herff Jones was at BHS on 10/30 & 10/31 to take orders and answer questions. The mandatory items are Cap, Gown, Medal and Tassel. These are included in the "Unit=Cap N Gown Package" for $35. You can purchase these items online here: Herff Jones website for Brighton High School. If you have any questions, you can call 734.725.5743.

For those students who are planning on using a sibling's Cap N Gown, you just need the tassel and medal. The tassel is available on their website under the Grad Gear and Apparel tab for $11.95. You may still have the medal from a sibling as well. If not, those can be purchased at the end of May when we pass out Cap N Gown packages for $15 (cash). The deadline for group orders is November 17th!

Financial Aid season is right around the corner! This means it's time to get ready for the 25-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to open on December 1st. Regardless of what the plan for after high school is, we encourage every senior family to fill out the FAFSA. This email includes many financial aid resources for your convenience.

Here's what you can start doing NOW in terms of financial aid:

• Each senior and a parent should aim to create their FSA IDs prior to December 1st. (They take time to verify)

• Use this tool or this resource to find out which parent(s) needs to be part of the FAFSA process.

• Attend a financial aid webinar or watch this recorded webinar.

• Learn about the Community College Guarantee and Michigan Achievement Scholarship. Informational webinars can be found here.

• Look into scholarships offered at the schools you are applying to. Local scholarships are updated here throughout the year. National scholarships can be found at websites such as Going Merry, Fastweb, CollegeBoard Big Futures, and many more.

• Review Federal Student Aid video resources

• Reach out if you have questions. I am here to help students and families with anything college-related, including financial aid! (farinac@brightonk12.com)
  

Why should I fill out the FAFSA?

• Everybody is eligible for some amount of financial aid. You won't know what you qualify for unless you fill out the FAFSA.

• It is the only way to qualify for the Community College Guarantee, and is necessary to be considered for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship.

• You are planning to attend college OR a career training program after high school.

• It allows schools to consider you for more scholarships, grants, and other aid.

• It's FREE and you do NOT have to accept any of the aid that is offered to you.

Many of you have already completed your applications in Common App, but if you haven't it's not too late! Here is the link to sign in: https://www.commonapp.org/. Be aware of deadlines, but don't rush through the application. If you have any questions prior to applying, please don't hesitate to reach out to the BHS Counseling Department (see the support information below from Mrs. Grossfeld). Common App can be a great option depending on your application plans. You want to make sure your application is as strong as possible prior to submitting and we are here to assist you!

BHS hosts several college visits with representatives to answer your questions. Check out THIS LINK to sign up for any upcoming College Visit that interests you!

In case you missed the College Fair at Cleary University this past week, there are a number of additional college fairs coming up between now and the end of the school year. The Michigan Association for College Admission Counseling and the Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers keeps a list of upcoming, accredited College Fairs that they post for anyone who is interested. The list can be found here.

October is Michigan College Month, and they have released the list of schools with free applications! See the link to the 24/25 Application Fee Waivers here. In addition, here is a link (Michigan Institution Updates) to a list of all public and private, 2-year and 4-year colleges in Michigan. You can find institution-specific information, such as admissions and financial aid. Some really great information if you are planning on attending a Michigan institution, so we hope you find this helpful!

The Michigan Assured Admission Pact (MAAP) was developed in 2023. The goal was to remove uncertainty from the college admissions process for students.

10 of the 15 public universities banded together and are guaranteeing admission for students who have a 3.0 GPA or higher; all the student needs to do is apply.

For more information, a list of participating schools, as well as an updated FAQ, visit the MAAP website.

Seniors, You could get a college or career school scholarship!

• A TUITION-FREE associate degree or skill certificate at a local community college with the Community College Guarantee. The scholarship also covers tuition for students attending community college before transferring to a four-year university. Plus, students receiving the Federal Pell Grant qualify for an extra $1,000 to help pay for living expenses. All Michigan high school grads are eligible and there are no GPA or household income requirements.
• Up to $27,500 for a private or public university through the Michigan Achievement Scholarship. 7 out of 10 students may qualify just by filling out the FAFSA, no matter their academic or athletic abilities.
• Up to $4,000 for a career training program with the Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarship. Students simply choose an eligible career training provider and complete their application through the MiSSG student portal (on the link above).

We are regularly looking for potential scholarship for our students to help offset the cost of any type of postsecondary education our students pursue. One of these options is the scholarship directory. Within this directory, you can find scholarships available for a variety of different categories. Scholarships specific to this year's Seniors can be found here. You will find scholarship information for a multitude of scholarships dated as far out as August 31, 2025. You may also be interested in some of the Michigan-specific scholarships listed as a separate category. This page is one of many resources available for students when it comes to potential scholarship opportunities so we would encourage you to check it out! Our counseling website also includes pages for both local/state and national scholarships that your student may apply for.

The American Legion Department of Michigan offers high school students several opportunities to gain valuable experience that will last a lifetime. At the same time, students can earn money for college or earn the needed community service points required on many college entrance applications, including the West Point Military Academy. They are currently offering over $75,000 in scholarships for both college, as well as skilled trades. For more information, check out their information here!

There is a Brighton-based construction company, Schafer Construction, offering $2000 scholarships through their Build Better Foundation. Students may use this money for tuition, certification, PPE and other equipment. The deadline for this scholarship is December 31, 2024. For more information about this scholarship opportunity, and how to apply please see the link in your email.

Hello, seniors!

If your Common Application has a November 1st deadline, you have to add me as a counselor recommender by October 25th. The sooner the better if any of your colleges require a letter of recommendation.

Reminder: If you are applying via Common App, I will upload your transcripts after you add me. If you're NOT applying to college via Common App and are applying directly through individual college applications, make sure you request your transcripts via Parchment .

Please note that you can submit your Common App before my counselor portion is completed. You do not have to wait for me.

Take advantage of the help that Mrs. Farina provides in the media center each week during lunch, and don't hesitate to come by and see me if you need support or have any questions.

See below in the newsletter for college fee waiver codes.

Don't forget that College Reps come to BHS almost every day! Swing by counseling to scan the QR code to sign up!

Take a look at the upcoming job shadow day information, as well :)

Hope you had a great time at homecoming!

Mrs. Grossfeld

Meet Brighton High School's college adviser, Ms. Clarice Farina! Ms. Farina is a graduate of Michigan State University who can help students navigate planning for life post-high school, from university and community college to trade school, apprenticeship program, gap year, and joining the workforce. Her goal is to walk students through all their options and support them in planning for success after high school based on their interests. Ms. Farina can help with finding a program, making a plan, filling out applications, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), searching for scholarships, and more. Ms. Farina is in the BHS counseling office Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and every other Monday.

Seniors and senior families can now keep an eye on the 2024-25 BHS College/Career Calendar, which includes upcoming career- and college-related events and information. This will be updated regularly throughout the year. You can reach her at: farinac@brightonk12.com. See above if you want to make an appointment with Ms. Farina.

There was a lot of information shared to seniors on 10/23, and linked HERE are the slides for your reference. There is additional information and due dates on baby pictures, senior video submissions, Senior All Night Party and lawn signs. These lawn signs are a fundraiser for SANP, and are different than the lawn signs we put out in front of the school and at the stadium for graduation for every senior. The ones we put out in front of the school have their senior portrait on them, and these were included in your senior fee. You will get to take these home AFTER graduation commencements in June. The senior class composite picture is also available for order here = https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001172795 .

The University of Michigan recently sent out some great information on writing the Common App essay. You can find that information here:

The Common Application Personal Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don't feel obligated to do so. (The application won't accept a response shorter than 250 words.)

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

In addition, here are a few more resources to help you craft a college essay:

College Board - https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/plan-for-college/apply-to-college/application-process/6-tips-for-crafting-your-best-college-essay

Harvard Summer School - https://summer.harvard.edu/blog/12-strategies-to-writing-the-perfect-college-essay/

The Princeton Review - https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/college-essay

When thinking about who to ask for a college letter of recommendation, College Board suggests that this person should be able to describe your skills, accomplishments and personality.

1. Give teachers plenty of time to complete your letter. We receive several requests, and you don't want us to have to rush through it or not have enough time to complete it by your deadline.

2. Be sure to ask teachers who know you best, especially if they know you on some level beyond the classroom.

3. Coaches, employers and advisors are also good sources for letters.

4. Give positive, detailed information to who you are requesting letters from. Sharing your Senior Questionnaire is a great start.

5. Write thank you notes to anyone who completes a letter or is a Recommender for you on Common App.

For additional details pertaining to these tips, click on this LINK.

You may not be able to apply to some schools via Common App, or you may make the decision to apply directly to a certain school via their website. You will, however, still need to submit a copy of your transcript as part of the application process. For prospective college athletes, you will also need to send a copy of your transcript to the NCAA Eligibility Center to ensure you are eligible to compete. If you need to send a copy of your transcript to a school for any reason, you have the ability to submit a request via Parchment. All schools have the ability to receive transcripts through this method. Directions for how to create an account and request a transcript be sent via Parchment can be found here. Please do not request transcripts be sent to a personal email address via Parchment. We can get your student a copy of their transcript, but we do not utilize Parchment to do this. They can stop in the Counseling Office at any point in time to receive a copy of their transcript directly.

Senior Class Council has put together a 1-page document with important information for the upcoming year that will be made available to all students at Back to School Registration. However, there are some dates included below that you may want to put on your calendar now and your student may want to participate in. We would encourage you to follow the social media accounts listed and also join the Remind App listed at the bottom of the page based on your last name to receive updates over the course of the year. These Remind groups are for BHS senior students only!

Wednesday, November 6th - Fentanyl Fathers presentation in the BCPA during Advisory at 11 am

Friday, November 8th - Senior Headshots by photographers due for Yearbook

Friday, November 8th - Senior Directory Information for Yearbook Due

Wednesday, November 13th & Thursday, November 14th - Portraits by Alex for Senior Headshots

Sunday, November 17th - Cap N Gown Group Orders Due

Sunday, December 1st - FAFSA Opens!

Friday, January 10th - Senior Recognition Ads Due

Monday, January 27th - Baby Pictures Due

Wednesday, February 5th - Junior vs. Senior Volleyball Game in the BHS Fieldhouse @ 7:30 pm

Wednesday, March 5th - Senior Class Council 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament

Tuesday, April 1st - Senior Photos/Videos due for the Senior Video

Wednesday, April 16th - Mandatory Spring Senior Meeting during Advisory

Tuesday, April 22nd - Graduation Speech Tryouts 7 am and 2:30 pm in D47

Tuesday, April 22nd - Staff vs. Student Basketball Game

Tuesday, April 29th - Graduation Song Tryouts 2:30 pm in LGI (Old Choir Room)

Friday, April 25th - BHS Lip Dub

Monday, May 19th to Friday, May 23rd - National Honor Society's Senior Survivor Week

Tuesday, May 27th - Seniors' Last Full Day

Wednesday, May 28th to Friday, May 30th - Senior Exams

Thursday, May 29th - Senior Sunset in the BHS Stadium starting @ 8 pm

Friday, May 30th - Cap and Gown Pick Up starting @ 8 am

Friday, May 30th - Senior Walk at BHS starting @ 9:45 am (family and friends encouraged to attend)

Friday, May 30th - Senior Picnic in the BHS Stadium following the Senior Walk @ approx. 10:30 am

Friday, May 30th - Senior Elementary Walk (more information to come) @ approx. 11:30 am

Wednesday, June 4th - Summa Cum Laude Breakfast (invite only) in the BHS Cafeteria @ 8 am (parents invited)

Wednesday, June 4th - MANDATORY Graduation Practice in the BHS Fieldhouse @ 10 am

Friday, June 6th - Brighton High School Commencement Ceremony in the BHS Stadium @ 7 pm (rain date is Saturday, June 7th @ 7pm)

Saturday, June 7th - Senior All-Night Party at BHS from 10 pm - 4 am

I'm here to support you throughout your senior year!

Email: richardst@brightonk12.com

Office: (810)299-4114

To schedule a meeting: https://calendly.com/richardst_bhs/scheduling-meetings