Important Dates |
- 9/15 9th grade Student Orientation
- 9/16 First Day (Remote) School
- 9/17 Senior Parent Meeting
- 9/29 Sophomore Parent Meeting
- 10/04 College Essay Workshop
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Dear Brookline High School Parents, Guardians, and Caretakers,
Tomorrow, our shared Brookline High School students will receive their individual school schedules, an annual rite of passage: the theories of spring transform into paper (and PDF!) realities of courses, teachers, and blocks. In most years, this rite occurs in the early or middle parts of summer. During our most difficult years, we're sprinting to push out schedules in mid to late August. Welcome to 2020-21, when schedules are ready on September 14th. Oy.
Fortunately, the names and courses our students will see tomorrow are those of Brookline High School faculty and staff and. That's (a lot more than) one for the home-town team. Go, Warriors.
It has been a hard spring and summer to feel the usual mojo and swagger of beginning a new school year. After more than twenty years working in schools, I know how to absorb and imbue the wonder, excitement, and promise of September. I finally feel some mojo and swagger as we launch our 20-21 school year this week.
This is not because we have every detail determined or that the year will begin mistake-free. It is because I have worked with BHS faculty and staff over the last eight days and see their passion, commitment and excitement to offer an excellent educational and student support program to our students. The mojo and swagger return also because the students are coming back. Not surprisingly, we are better as an educational institution when the kids are in our midst.
To this end, we offer an in-person orientation to ninth graders on Tuesday 9/15, an enterprise about which Dean of OLS Jenee Uttaro has been in communication with families. We also shared an opening days schedule within a fairly comprehensive update sent last Thursday 9/10. Students will receive this schedule (for 9/16-18) along with a welcome letter from Assistant Hal Mason and me tomorrow, Monday 9/16.
I will be in touch with parents, guardians, and caretakers via BlackBoard tomorrow to share further updates. For now, please know that fall sports registration is open now on our BHS athletics web-site. That's another one for the hometown team!
Lastly, please know our faculty, staff, and administration appreciate the supportive emails, notes, and gestures from so many high school families. It is important that we continue to remain grounded in our commonalities, especially a deep, shared desire to support and engage young people in the life of school. And this real, human Brookline High School work happens with our students this week and onward throughout 20-21...
In the meantime, I hope you and each and all have a nice Sunday in mid-September and enjoy the rather glorious fall weather.
Sincerely,
Anthony
Anthony Meyer
Head of School
Brookline High School |
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SENIOR PARENT/CAREGIVER NIGHT: THE COLLEGE PROCESS
Thurs., Sept. 17, 6:30 to 8 pm, a meeting via Zoom for parents of 12th graders with BHS College Counselor Lenny Libenzon, Guidance Head Darby Neff-Verre, and Dean Lisa Redding, (Zoom link will be sent directly to parents).
BHS college counselor Lenny Libenzon will present the "nuts and bolts" of applying to college from BHS. Topics will include: "releasing" transcripts from BHS, Early Action and Early Decision, college essay tips, and more. We will also cover some basic information regarding Gap Year, military, and employment resources. The presentation will also cover changes in the college process due to the pandemic.
FALL SPORTS
BHS sports are back! With lots of modifications. . . The MIAA recommendations for HS sports seasons are: Fall 1: Sept. 18 - Nov. 20; Winter: Nov. 30 - Feb. 21; Fall 2 (floating season): Feb. 22 - April 25; & Spring: April 26 - July 3.
During "Fall 1," BHS will offer: Cross Country (boys & girls), Field Hockey, Golf (boys), Soccer (boys & girls), Swimming & Diving (girls). Please register here by Mon. Sept. 21st.
Cheerleading, Football and Girls Volleyball will play Fall 2.
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STUDENT ASSEMBLY FOR 12th GRADERS
Virtual Assembly for Senior STUDENTS is being help TOMORROW, Mon., Sept. 14, 10:10 to 11 am. (Before the official start of school.) Guidance Head Darby Neff-Verre and BHS College Counselor Lenny Libenzon. Zoom invite will be sent to students.
UPDATE ON AMAZON WISHLIST
Thanks to everyone who purchased items from the BHS Teacher Amazon Wishlist. Almost every request, a total of 265 items, were purchased!
Many of these will assist students learning in a hybrid mode. Teachers were overwhelmed by the support and generosity from the BHS community.
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SOPHOMORE PARENT/CAREGIVER MEETING
SAVE THE DATE for a virtual parent meeting with our Deans for Class of 2023, Lisa Redding, Melanee Alexander and Brian Poon on Tues. Sept. 29th from 7pm-8pm.
DEALING WITH BACK-TO-SCHOOL TRANSITIONS
The pandemic has made this year’s back-to-school transition more challenging than ever. As families adjust to all that’s new and different, we need to hold tight to those strategies that keep our families grounded. B-PEN (Brookline Parent Education Network) can help, with a wide range of resources at www.B-PEN.org. The “Transitions” page offers a variety of tip sheets to help families get off to a good start. Check it out! And follow us on our BPEN facebook page for the latest news and info on parenting concerns, from common developmental milestones to substance use
GUIDANCE UPDATES.
Individual student information can be viewed on the Aspen Portal.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR BHS COLLEGE ESSAY WORKSHOP
On Sun. Oct. 4 from noon to 4:30, the annual BHS College Essay Writing Workshop will be held via Zoom.
We are seeking parents, guardians, caregivers, and community volunteers to help on Oct. 4. BHS teachers lead the workshop and provide volunteers with a day-of orientation. It is sponsored by the BHS PTO.
This workshop helps seniors with their essays for college applications, no matter where they are in the writing process. Many BHS graduates report benefitting from this one-day opportunity as they began their college application process. This year's seniors may sign up here to participate in the workshop.
Adults, sign up here to assist students with their writing or provide logistical support, including administering Zoom breakout rooms. No experience necessary. Most volunteers truly enjoy the opportunity to help these kids. Please consider joining us!
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
The Brookline School Committee will meet on Mon. Sept 14 at 6 pm. Agenda is here.
GIRLS WHO CODE IN BROOKLINE
Join us to find out more about Girls Who Code at the Public Library of Brookline - coming to you via Zoom this fall. Please come to ur meet and greet on Wed. Sept 16th at 6:30pm. Register here. (Attendance at this meeting is not required to participate in the club.) This year our club will meet on Wed. starting September 23 at 6:30 PM via Zoom until June 2021. This club is open to girls in grades 5 to 12.
BROOKLINE ART CENTER FALL CLASSES
The Brookline Arts Center (BAC) is excited to provide arts education for all ages this fall! The Fall Session will begin the week of Oct 5 and includes classes for children, teens and adults in painting, drawing, comics, sculpture, ceramics, ArtVentures and more. Classes for children and teens will be held virtually. Instruction will be face-to-face via Zoom, prompts and written lessons, as well as video-based group critiques.. The online classes offer the same level of personalization and teacher interaction as in-studio courses. Register here today.
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100 BOOKS BEFORE GRADUATION
Calling all high school students! The Public Library of Brookline is excited to announce the launch of a brand new program: 100 Books Before Graduation (for grades 9-12). Read 100 books of your choice and enjoy fun perks, such as monthly raffles, a grand prize upon completion, expert book recommendations from our Teen Librarian, and major bragging rights!
For more information, visit our website at brklib.com/100books or come chat with us at our virtual info session on Wed, Sept. 23 at 4 PM. Learn more about the info session here.
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Sports and Extracurricular Events
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| FALL SPORTS: Deadline to register is Sept 21. |
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Support BHS
The Brookline High School Parent Teacher Organization is committed to supporting important communications between school and home. It sponsors a variety of events each year designed to show support of the school and to keep parents informed about how to help their children make the most of the BHS experience.
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