Counseling Corner
Brighton High School Counseling Office
Updates for BHS Students & Families
January 2021
Dear Families,
HAPPY NEW YEAR!! We hope you all had a restful break.
Here are a few reminders from our office and upcoming events this month:
- Course Selection for the 20-21 school year starts January 14th! See below for details on the process this year.
- Save the date for our annual College & Career Night!
- Some GREAT new Career Exploration opportunities- University of Rochester's STEP program, ROTC Air Force Shadow Day, Explorer Post in Interior Design!
- Want to get a taste of college? UR is offering 50% of tuition for classes for HS students!
- Sophomores- check out our Seminar Summary & EMCC options!
- Geneseo HEROS Mentor Program! A great career development mentorship program- details below.
- Rochester Peer Tutoring- we are hearing great things about this new organization and the support they are providing students in the Rochester area!
- SCHOLARSHIPS! Check out some of the newly posted ones below. Our list continues to grow on the BHS Counseling website.
We wish you all health and wellness this new year!
Best,
BHS Counseling Office
(585) 242-5000 x4526
BHS Course Selection
New this year- we are requesting that students schedule a 1:1 appointment with their counselor to make their final course choices for next school year. Each of our counselors will be using Calendly. Please choose your counselor's Calendly link to schedule an appointment for Course Selection. These appointments can take place in person during a free period or via Zoom on asynchronous days- whichever works best for you.
All of our counselor's Calendly links are below. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your counselor. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Kevin Donohue https://calendly.com/kevin_donohue
Keri Crowley https://calendly.com/keri_crowley
Courtney Stern https://calendly.com/courtney_stern
Jennie Viggiani https://calendly.com/jennie_viggiani
Travis Figueroa https://calendly.com/travis_figueroa
Holly Juliano https://calendly.com/holly_juliano
College & Career Night!
Zoom links will be sent to all families via email around 5:30 pm on the night of the event.
Please visit our Newsletter & Events page on the BHS Counseling Website for detailed descriptions of the sessions available: https://www.bcsd.org/Page/2072
Thursday, Jan 21, 2021, 06:00 PM
undefined
Sophomore Seminar Review
- Check out the Sophomore Seminar information packets on the Seminar page of our BHS Counseling Website. These contain all of the information provided to students in session: https://www.bcsd.org/Page/2068
- Check out the career exploration inventories and continue to update your resume in Naviance!
- Please take the time to review the video below from Eastern Monroe Career Center and see attached flyer for a list of the programs available. As a junior and/or senior, our students have the opportunity to attend these programs for half of their day. At the end of the two year programs, the students will leave with certifications or licenses that allow them to enter the workforce directly or continue on for further education. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR COUNSELOR IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ANY OF THESE PROGRAMS.
- More information about EMCC's programs can be found on the EMCC page of the BHS Counseling website: https://www.bcsd.org/Page/2071
- A longer video with more details on the programs can be found here: https://www.monroe.edu/domain/69
Juniors- PSAT Scores available!
Your October PSAT/NMSQT® scores are now available online!
In order to access your scores:
- Create a College Board account so you can easily access your score online and unlock a robust set of personalized resources to help you understand you score. Click here to do so: https://cbaccount.collegeboard.org/iamweb/smartRegister?appId=395&DURL=https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10/scores&SFMC_cid=EM401722-&rid=74478015
- Students who don’t see their scores after they log in may need to enter an access code. Please contact Jane Ingle in the counseling office to get your access code if needed- jane_ingle@bcsd.org
- Students will have an opportunity to connect with 1,500 colleges and over $300 million in scholarships through Student Search Service® with their College Board account.
Class of 2021
Don't forget to complete your DIPLOMA SURVEY in Naviance. You don't want a blank diploma!!
Please check out the Senior Newsletter and Senior Information Page on the BHS Counseling Website for all up to date information!
Virtual Reality Headsets!!
Interested in touring a campus but can’t seem to get there due to travel constraints, jammed schedule or lack of time?
Make an appointment in the Counseling Office to use our new Virtual Reality Headsets to tour whatever campus you like, here’s how:
- Download the free “YouVisit” app to your smartphone. (If you do not have a smartphone you can use your lab top to take a similar 360 experience for multiple colleges
- Complete the 1 page registration.
- Turn your phone’s Bluetooth on – and pair it with “SI VIRTUAL” (adjust Velcro head straps and ear pieces)
- Turn your phone’s “DO NOT DISTURB” mode on/ Turn volume to a comfortable level
- Type in a college you wish you visit
- Click on the GOGGLES icon
- Place phone into docking station of goggles and press firm until you hear click (may need to take off aftermarket phone case in some instances)
- Follow onscreen prompts using the pointer to navigate from location to location and enjoy your tour!
- Hand back in the googles
We have been testing it out in the office and having a blast, while also learning some great information about some schools. We hope you all will be able to take advantage of these great new assets to the department!
Career Connections & Community Programs
SUNY Geneseo HEROS Program
I hope this email finds you well! My name is Claire Bressette and I am currently a student at SUNY Geneseo in addition to being the co-coordinator of the SUNY Geneseo HEROS Program, which stands for Higher Education Resource Opportunities in Schools. Our program pairs students from SUNY Geneseo as mentors to high school students with the goal of helping high school students figure out their plans for life after high school, whether it be at a 2-4 year college program, a trade school, or something else that fits the student's unique goals and needs. We know the pandemic has impacted students and would like to support by offering two on one bi-weekly mentorship!
These mentorship sessions would take place via Zoom starting in the beginning of February, and we would love to have lots of students from your school participating! We truly believe that this program can change the lives of both our mentors and mentees by helping them every step of the way through an important and often confusing process.
I have attached our program overview and here is our program interest form for students to sign up with: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdKmoGsQSnuxqsvs9jhlCoze88LKp9hd4iL1DgzlwouGtr9Hw/viewform | Our enrollment deadline is January 20th.
SUNY Geneseo- free virtual sample class on Wednesday, January 20th at 5:30pm ET titled: 'The Importance of Social Media Marketing.'
Professor Ian Alam, from Geneseo's award-winning, nationally accredited School of Business, will address how social networks are one of the fastest growing industries in the world. As a result, social media is quickly becoming one of the important aspects of marketing. The purpose of social media marketing is to build a brand and increase a brand’s visibility, through building relationships and communicating with potential customers. Yet, using social media for the purpose of marketing is a challenging task. In the class, students will explore these challenges and the best practices for effective social media marketing techniques.
Please forward this information to your students so they can take advantage of this exciting opportunity to discover why there's no place like here.
To register, students can click here: https://connect.geneseo.edu/register/?id=c039bd2e-6b94-44ad-9481-3ff438dac99a
ROTC- Air Force Shadow Day
Virtual Shadow Day program on Monday 15 February 2021.
What is Shadow Day?
Shadow Day is an exciting opportunity for interested high school junior and senior students to experience the Air Force ROTC program at Detachment 536 prior to entering their freshman year of college. We partner interested students with current cadets and to preview Air Force ROTC and university classes, Leadership Laboratory training, Physical Training, and campus lifestyle.
How Will Shadow Day be Conducted This Year in Light of COVID-19?
For the safest and most informative experience possible during the pandemic, this year’s Shadow Day will be conducted virtually. Interested students will be able to remain at home while previewing college life and AFROTC training. Zoom links will be provided to all attendees. For health & safety purposes, there is no in-person or overnight option this year.
We ask that any of your students who are interested in attending the virtual Shadow Day program or are interested in joining our Air Force ROTC program in general after high school please contact us directly at det536af@clarkson.edu or rkittle@clarkson.edu and we will email them a quick survey to complete.
The survey should be completed by 31 January 2021 for our planning purposes.
We encourage all students interested in AFROTC to attend, including those who plan on enrolling at Saint Lawrence University, SUNY Potsdam, and SUNY Canton.
If you have any questions, please let me know. We sincerely appreciate your assistance in passing along this information to your students.
V/R
RYAN P. KITTLE, Capt, USAF
Recruiting Officer, AFROTC Det 536
Associate Professor
Department of Air, Space, and Cyberspace Studies
Clarkson University
Phone: 315-268-7989
Email: rkittle@clarkson.edu
UR's STEP Program
The Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) serves as the introductory component of the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry's (URSMD) pipeline programs. STEP is designed to increase, encourage, and provide support for underrepresented and economically disadvantaged seventh (7th) through twelfth (12th) graders interested in medicine or allied health professions. URSMD is a collaborating institution in the Associated Medical Schools of New York's (AMSNY) State Department of Education funded Science and Technology Entry Program. Leading to careers in the health professions, biomedical sciences and technical fields.
STEP runs through the academic year and has a summer intensive four-week session. The program is designed to strengthen the problem-solving, test-taking, conceptual processing and computational skills of the participants. The program's developmental approach places emphasis on ·increasing skill development, tied to core learning objectives. STEP students have the opportunity to work with physicians, technical staff, medical and graduate students.
Below, please find the information regarding the upcoming program year. Please follow the link below to apply.
https://stepapplication.urmc.rochester.edu/
Explorer Posts
NEW POST- From the College of RIT, and the help from Labella Associates, they are offering a program focusing on the career pathway of Interior Design.
The program will kick off sometime in January/February, and most likely virtual to begin with, but hopefully moving to in person. It is a very interactive and educational program that dives into the ins and outs of this career.
Explorer posts are a GREAT way to get hands-on learning experiences in careers- they can also count as INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE HOURS! Many Explorer Posts ARE RUNNING. See the list of posts below- the ones in green are or will be running!!
Please take a minute to complete this quick survey. It will help our Explorer reps create experiences based on WHAT YOU WANT: https://scouting.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dmL5MyDXlCAyNVz
Visit swcexploring.org to learn more about the Exploring programs!
Scholarships
The Rochester Alumnae Chapter of Delta Delta Delta is pleased to award a $1,500 college
scholarship to a young woman from Monroe County.
Delta Delta Delta is a national sorority, founded in 1888. The Rochester Alumnae Chapter has
presented a local scholarship annually since 1954. The scholarship will be awarded to a
well-rounded applicant who demonstrates scholastic ability and performance, leadership in
their school, as well as a commitment to community service.
- Any woman who is currently enrolled in a Monroe County high school and who wiill be attending college in September 2021 is eligible and encouraged to apply.
- Applications and supplemental materials must be submitted electronically no later than March 30, 2021.
The Scholarship Committee will judge applications and the student selected for the award will be notified by late April.
If you have any questions or issues with the application process, please contact me at
Here is a link to the electronic application:
https://forms.gle/KiLFEAZQ5R1P18m67
Helping Hands and Caring Hearts of America will be awarding $5000 Prepare 4 Tomorrow scholarships for the 2021-2022 school year to two college bound high school minority seniors from low income backgrounds. This is our fifth year and each year has grown in response.
Each student will need to go to the website below and fill out the application and complete a 500 word essay titled, “If I could, I would…..” In addition, the students will be required to provide the following: 2 Teacher recommendations, their high school transcript, a college acceptance letter, and an approved FAFSA as proof of financial need.
https://helpinghandsandcaringheartsofamerica.org/scholarship/
All applications and documentation must be received before 11:59 pm on Thursday, April 15. Any applications or accompanying documentation received after this time will not be eligible for the scholarships. All applications missing the required documentation at this time will not be considered for the scholarships.
**The recipients awarded will be required to perform 40 hours of volunteer work within the DFW area with myself and my Volunteer teams before they are eligible to receive their awards.
UR Courses for credit!
LOOKING TO GET COLLEGE CREDIT?
TAKE AN ONLINE COURSE AND EXPLORE THE ROCHESTER CURRICULUM!
REGISTRATION OPENS DECEMEBER 14, 2020
CLASSES START FEBRUARY 1, 2021
Enroll in a course this Spring semester and receive a 50% tuition discount.
Questions?
Email us at precollege@rochester.edu
Summer Programs
UB Pharmacy Summer Institute
The University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Pharmacy Summer Institute is an enrichment program providing information about the challenging career pathway opportunities in the profession of pharmacy and exposure to the fields of pharmacy practice and pharmaceutical sciences to interested and motivated middle, high school and college students. This unique experience incorporates active participation in a broad scope of learning experiences, including “hands-on” training in pharmacy practice skills and lectures by faculty and local Buffalo area alumni pharmacist practitioners. The program reviews pharmacy education opportunities and the pharmacy curriculum at SPPS as well as recommended high school preparatory and collegiate pre-pharmacy course work.
Our 2021 program will again be virtual and free. Last summer, we had an amazing experience with 125+ students from across the world. It will be held from July 12 to July 14 from 10:00am-3:00pm ET. The application is open and due June 1.
We proudly create and graduate pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences leaders. For over 130 years, we have continually been a leader in education, renowned for innovation in clinical practice and research. We are accredited by the American Council of Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE) and the #1 ranked school of pharmacy in New York State and #14 in the United States by U.S. News & World Report.
Click here for more information: https://pharmacy.buffalo.edu/summer
Jennifer M. Rosenberg, PhD
Associate Dean
Admissions, Enrollment Planning and Undergraduate Advisement
University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Work Permits
It's a good idea to apply for a work permit prior to seeking employment!
Please follow the steps below for a work permit:
Step 1: AT-17 Form
Complete Part 1 only at the top of the AT-17 form. This can be picked up in the Counseling office or using the following link: http://www.p12.nysed.gov/sss/documents/AT176-19.pdf
It requires a parent signature. This can be done with pen or with a digital signature using Acrobat reader or a hand signature. The following link can be used if you chose a digital signature: https://get.adobe.com/reader/
Step 2: Health Form
A health form from a physical dated within the last 12 months is necessary.
Step 3: Email both forms
Drop off or Email the AT-17 form to Jane_Ingle@bcsd.org
Email the health form to Janet_Fitzpatrick@bcsd.org
**All questions can be directed to Jane Ingle, Counseling Office Secretary
Step 4: Student signature
Once the appropriate forms have been received and approved by the school nurse, please see Mrs. Ingle in the Counseling Office to pick up your work permit.
Due to Covid 19, New York State has waived the requirement of having the student sign the permit in the presence of a school staff member. The card should be signed by the student upon receipt and prior to being presented to an employer.
Virtual College Exploration Experiences
Ways to get "on campus"
- Individual college websites
- Naviance (many of the colleges have videos and interactive information posted there)
- www.campusreel.org - over 15,000 real videos, tours and experiences from 300+ college campuses, created by current students
- Thanks to an incredible colleague in a College Admissions Counselor group who put together this working excel file. Including demographic data from College Board, she lists colleges in the US and Canada who offer virtual tours, youtube channels, etc. UK coming soon! https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1sO7pVos0EvK0BvXoMbnyg00K6r7hXbOQE0HNXF4N4eM/htmlview
2021 HBCU Festival- Save the Date for February 20, 2021
Alfred Street Baptist Church is hosting the 19th Annual Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Festival on Saturday, February 20, 2021. In response to COVID-19 concerns, this Festival will be VIRTUAL. Registration has not yet opened; we will be sending another email with instructions and details for registration.
All high school students who are considering/planning to attend an HBCU college or university should plan to attend. It is never too soon to prepare for college. We will have a host of seminars, admissions directors and recruiters, and exhibitors to assist with your preparation.
On January 25, 2020, close to 10,000 people attended the 18th Annual HBCU College Festival, making this the largest HBCU College Festival in the nation. We welcomed over 70 HBCUs to recruit and approximately two-thirds offered on-site interviews and immediate acceptance to college.
During our 2020 Festival, many of our colleges and universities conducted on-site interviews resulting in over 1,700 offers for admission on the spot. In addition, approximately $5.4 million in scholarships and waived application fees were offered to those accepted. We also had band and chorus directors who conducted auditions. With your help we are hoping to increase the number of high school students, parents and guardians in virtual attendance on February 20, 2021.
Festival Benefits:
* HBCU virtual Drumline competition!
* Over 70 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
* On-site Interviews and Admissions by some schools
* Band and Chorus auditions by some schools
* Application Fee Waiver by some schools
* Seminars for students, parents and guardians (sign up when you register)
We look forward to you, your students, and their parents and/or guardians attending the virtual 19th Annual HBCU College Festival on February 20, 2021. If you have questions, please email: hbcufestival@alfredstreet.org
Best Regards,
Alfred Street Baptist Church
Alexandria Virginia
2021 HBCU Festival Planning Committee
SAT & ACT Updates
As of today, all upcoming SAT & ACT exams are on track to happen at BHS
Students must bring a copy of the Health Screening Form (attached to Dr. Hall's email) with them or they will not be allowed into the test. Temperatures will be taken and students MUST WEAR a MASK for the entire test.
If you have any questions moving forward, please contact Kristin Haughey at 242-5000 ext. 4537 or Kristin_haughey@bcsd.org.
As things are changing so often, please refer to the testing sites for updated information:
ACT- www.actstudent.org
SAT- www.collegeboard.org
_________________________________________________________________
FREE Online Proctored SAT & ACT Exams
Our friends at Chariot Learning will be running free online practice tests every Saturday until we can go back to in-person testing. All the details will be on their calendar: https://chariotlearning.com/events/
Student Tech & Academic Supports
Students- if you are in need of support on your remote days, please use the resources below!
TECH HELP LINE
Call 242-5200 ext 5569. Please leave a message and someone will return your call.
GENBAR - Brighton High School's student run tech help desk!
GenBar is now operating fully remote via Zoom.
Monday - Friday from 8am-3pm.
Students or faculty members/staff at BHS or TCMS may contact GenBar via Zoom for questions or assistance with their school devices, software questions, or tech related resources for school projects.
Students may also receive academic help from the student GenBar staff.
GenBar is still accepting new BHS student members. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Mr. Howard Enis in the library or email howard_enis@bcsd.org .
STUDENT INSTRUCTIONAL HELP
Need assistance with your assignments? Zoom into the student academic help line. Information below. Note: these sessions are primarily for academic help and not technical help.
Grades 6-12
M-F. 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Rochester Peer Tutoring
We have heard great things about this organization!
A youth organization connecting Rochester high school and college students with their peers to share their passion in an academic area or an extracurricular activity.
This is a link to the tutee form to request tutoring:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfaimEplIxtAulJQXSPqAn1xRr-OBSRFPbSwRZFZffnlJcBxw/viewform
Health and Wellness
We have updated our BHS Counseling Department Mental Health page with resources specific to managing stress and anxiety related to this pandemic and counseling supports available in the community. Please check them out here: https://www.bcsd.org/Page/2076
Brighton High School Counseling Department
Email: courtney_stern@bcsd.org
Website: https://www.bcsd.org/Page/2063
Location: 1150 South Winton Road, Rochester, NY, USA
Phone: (585) 242-5000