Counseling Corner
Brighton High School Counseling Office
Updates for BHS Students & Families
February 2021
Dear Families,
Love is in the air, it's the start of a new semester- and we are loving all the good things that are on the horizon!
Here are a few reminders from our office and upcoming events this month:
- Course Selection for the 20-21 school year is under way! Don't forget to sign up to see your counselor!
- Some GREAT new Career Exploration opportunities- check out our list 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.
STARTING THIS WEEK- we will be providing a WEEKLY newsletter JUST FOR JUNIORS! This will include more detailed information regarding your post-secondary planning process. Look out for this newsletter to come out on Thursdays.
We wish you all health and wellness!
Best,
BHS Counseling Office
(585) 242-5000 x4526
BHS Course Selection - MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT ASAP!!
Make sure to schedule a 1:1 appointment with your 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
Is EMCC right for you?
- 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
- ATTEND THE VIRTUAL Q&A TOMORROW 1-2 or 6:30-7:30. https://sway.office.com/cLVwrW4gtfP3pGEG?ref=Link
Class of 2022
Junior Family Night
Tuesday, Mar 16, 2021, 06:30 PM
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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
Careers in Education Virtual Conference
March 17th, 8:30-1:00pm
Join your peers virtually from across the Rochester area and surrounding counties to learn about careers and opportunities in education!
Registration is OPEN through March 6th: https://bit.ly/careersineducation
For more information, contact Mr. Cory Wright at cory_wright@bcoes.monroe.edu or visit www.monroe.edu/careersineducation
JOIN US FOR A VIRTUAL STEM DEMO!
In support of the nationwide STEM initiative, Universal Technical Institute is offering complimentary demos for high school students starting January 20 through March 26! These demos showcase the importance and application of science, technology, engineering and math in the UTI curriculum while also highlighting the evolution of advancements within various industries, and best of all, it’s virtual!
Topics Include:
- Technology based diagnostics
- NASCAR fabrication and design
- Science and math based applications for performance engine systems
- Forced induction
- Superchargers
- Turbos
- Campus highlights across the country
You must register and can do so by clicking on this link: The registration will show all the dates and times, you do not select one, by registering you will be able to access any of the events the day and time you choose (they run every hour on the hour), your confirmation email will include a zoom link to access any of them. I’ve also attached a flyer for this.
https://uti.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0qfu2grzwiHd2m3IU8XxdgHLUMnoaQkOD1
If you have any questions or need help, please let me know
Best,
Dan Kobel | Admissions Representative
Universal Technical Institute
M: (716) 544-0313
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.
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
Ibero – Hispanic Scholarship Application for 2021
The Ibero-American Action League strongly encourages and supports excellence in education and works with other organizations, businesses and individuals to provide scholarships to college bound Hispanic students in the area.
The deadline to apply is March 5, 2021.
If you have any questions, please let me know by email. Thanks!
Adjunto la solicitud de becas hispanas de la Liga de Acción Iberoamericana (IBERO) para el año 2021. Por favor, compártala con estudiantes y padres para que conozcan de esta oportunidad. La Liga de Acción Iberoamericana (IBERO) fomenta y apoya la excelencia en la educación y trabaja con otras organizaciones, empresas e individuos para proveer becas a estudiantes hispanos que están próximos a entrar a la universidad.
La fecha límite para aplicar es el 5 de marzo de 2021.
Yolanda Albino
Ibero-American Action League, Inc.
Administrative Secretary / Receptionist
817 East Main Street, Rochester, NY 14605
The Monroe County School Nutrition Association is pleased to present a $500.00 scholarship to be awarded to a graduating senior for continued education in the fields of Food Service and Management, Nutrition, Dietetics or related studies.
Please see Mrs. Hellman to obtain the application forms. They must be submitted by mail, e-mail or fax by March 9th!
The Rochester Women’s Council is now accepting submissions for the 2021 Young Women of Distinction Scholarship Awards!
This distinguished Award is designed to recognize young women who are outstanding leaders, are involved in their communities and are dynamic individuals who possess strength, wisdom & vision. This year is extra special as we have completely revitalized the submission requirements - in lieu of essays, transcripts and recommendation letters, we are asking for creative & customized videos from the girls in which their individual personalities will shine through. Four exceptional young women will be chosen to each receive a $2,500 cash scholarship.
Submissions are now being accepted through March 22nd, 2021. All submission requirements can be found at:
https://rocwomenscouncil.org/young-women-of-distinction
Feel free to contact me with any questions. Looking forward to seeing representation from BHS this year!
Emily Tay
2021 Young Women of Distinction Committee
Office: (585)666-2806
Cell: (309)645-0480
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.
Summer Programs
Monroe County Sheriff's Office- Teen Police Academy
The Teen Police Academy is designed to give teens grades 9-12 across the county an introduction to law enforcement training. Teens will gain an understanding of law enforcement's role in our community. This opportunity is FREE and includes classroom and hands on experiences.
Students are able to attend one of the two weeks if selected:
July 12-16 or July 26- 30, 8am to 4pm daily.
Please see Mrs. Stern for an application- due March 12, 2021.
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
NACAC Virtual College Fairs
Encourage your students to register for free at virtualcollegefairs.org.
At each virtual fair, students attend college presentations, learn about their options, ask questions, and demonstrate interest... all without leaving home.
Here is a short how-to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kbym4J6Ptvw
Spring 2021 Schedule
Students may attend as many fairs as they wish! Click to see a list of colleges that will share information about their programs, majors, financial aid, and more on each fair date. Additional colleges will be added throughout the spring.
- January 31
- February 28
- March 7- STEM
- March 16- Performing & Visual Arts
- March 21
- April 10- Western US
- April 20- Southeastern US
- May 2
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
_________________________________________________________________
UPDATES FROM SAT- no more subject tests or essay portion
SAT Subject Tests:
As part of our ongoing effort to simplify our work and reduce our demands on students, we have decided to stop administering SAT Subject Tests in the United States (including all US Territories) as well as sovereign nations covered under the Compact of Free Association with the United States (Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Palau), effective immediately. SAT Subject Tests will stop being administered internationally after the June 2021 test administration.
We will automatically convert your SAT Subject Test capacity to SAT capacity for May 2021 and June 2021 (if offered), with no action required on your end. If you would like to make any additional adjustments to your capacity, please contact TAS directly at 866-502-6384 or +1-212-520-8570, or by email at tas@ets.org.
Students who are registered for Subject Tests in May 2021 or June 2021 in the United States or other states and sovereign nations listed above will have their registrations canceled and refunded automatically.
SAT with Essay:
We will be discontinuing the Essay portion of the SAT after the June 2021 test administration (both within the United States and internationally). No action is required on your part, as students can still take the SAT with Essay through the June 2021 test administration if offered.
Students who are registered for the SAT with Essay in Spring 2021 can cancel the Essay portion at any time, free of charge.
For more information on these updates, please visit https://allaccess.collegeboard.org/update-simplifying-our-work-and-reducing-demands-students
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