BT Counselor's Corner

Fall, 2022 Edition

Welcome back BT Students!

We invite you to read the School Counseling Department's quarterly newsletter, sharing activities, events, and helpful resources that support our students' success and well-being!


Please refer to our school's website for more detailed information.

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Where can I find my School Counselor?

The School Counseling Department is now located on the west side entrance of the building (room 110). Come visit us or schedule a meeting using the calendar links below:


Ms. Genicoff's Calendar

Ms. Kendall's Calendar

Mr. Pena's Calendar

2022-2023 School Counselor Assignments

Sharon Genicoff
ext. 7613
email: shagen@bergen.org

  • Digital Media
  • Law & Justice
  • Culinology® (Grade 12)
  • Commercial Art (Grade 11 & 12)
  • Fashion Design (Grade 11 & 12)

Monet Kendall
ext. 7705
email: monken@bergen.org

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Automotive Engineering & Design
  • Culinology® grade 10
  • Fashion Design (Grade 9 & 10)

Carlos Pena
ext. 7607
email: carpen@bergen.org

  • Computer Science
  • Culinology® (Grade 9 & 11)
  • Commercial Art (Grade 9 & 10)
  • Strategic Asset Management

*Ms. Mak is out on leave*

How can I make changes to my schedule?

Requests for schedule changes are carefully reviewed in terms of the overall quality of the student’s program of studies. Sometimes, what appears to be a simple request from a student and his or her parent(s) is a logistical challenge. Changes in courses will be made for the following reasons: core courses missing, appropriate subject level changes and prerequisites not met. In order to meet the educational needs of all students, we will not accommodate requests for specific teachers nor can we accommodate requests that a student not receive a specific teacher.


If a student would like to request a change in their schedule, they must download and complete a Change Of Schedule Request Form and submit it to their School Counselor.


All requests must be completed by Thursday, September 15, 2022. Students wishing to drop a course after this deadline will receive a “W” on their transcript and be placed in a study hall.

Dual Enrollment Information

All Dual Enrollment questions can be directed to Mr. Pena carpen@bergen.org. More information about how to register to receive dual enrollment course credit can be found here.

Mark Your Calendars!

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PSAT/NMSQT® for 10th and 11th graders

Wednesday, Oct. 12th, 8:15-10:15am

504 U.S. 46

Teterboro, NJ

Register for the PSAT here! (Deadline is 10/11/22)
Get Directions

VIRTUAL COLLEGE PRESENTATIONS (Grades 11 & 12)

FAFSA Presentation with HESAA

Tuesday, Sep. 13th, 7-8:30pm

This is an online event.

11th and 12th grade families are invited to attend a virtual financial aid presentation hosted by a Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) representative who will guide families on how to complete the FAFSA. They will answer questions at the end of the presentation.

*Zoom Link to be shared via email 1 week prior to event

College Admissions Panel

Tuesday, Sep. 20th, 7-8pm

This is an online event.

11th and 12th grade families are invited to attend a virtual college admissions panel featuring college admission representatives from Emory University, The College of New Jersey, Northwestern University, Case Western University, who will educate families on how to thoughtfully navigate the college exploration and application process. More information about the college admission representatives who will be in attendance will be shared in September.

*Zoom link to be shared via email 1 week prior to event

Everything You Need to Know About College Financial Aid

Wednesday, Sep. 21st, 7-8pm

This is an online event.

Financial aid experts will address the following:

  • Overview and timeline of the financial aid process
  • FAFSA & CSS/PROFILE tips and timelines
  • Will you qualify for financial aid?
  • How do I maximize aid eligibility?
  • How do colleges award aid?
  • What to do if you don't qualify for financial aid?
  • How to present assets on financial aid applications – Home, 529’s, retirement, etc.
  • Which colleges are the most generous?
  • How to leverage colleges against one another
*Zoom link to be shared via email 2 weeks prior to event
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National Honor Society 2022-2023 Application Due (Rising 11th and 12th graders)

Friday, Sep. 30th, 8am

This is an online event.

The application was sent via email to all eligible rising 11th and 12th grade students. For more information about eligibility please follow this link.

Test Prep: Learn more about the PSAT/NMSQT®, ACT, and SAT

Thursday, Oct. 6th, 7-8pm

This is an online event.

10th and 11th grade families are invited to attend a virtual presentation with Private Prep to learn more about the PSAT/NMSQT®, ACT, and SAT.


*Zoom link to be shared via email 1 week prior to event

New Jersey Start Strong Assessment

Monday, Oct. 10th, 12am to Friday, Oct. 14th, 12am

504 U.S. 46

Teterboro, NJ

The New Jersey Start Strong assessment is based on a subset of prioritized prior-year academic standards. The following subjects and grade levels will be testing:



  • English Language Arts - 9th and 10th graders
  • Mathematics - 9th graders enrolled in Alg I H or MA I H, 10th graders enrolled in Geometry H, 11th graders enrolled in Alg II H
  • Science - 9th and 12th graders
  • Each test is administered in approximately 45-60 minutes



A detailed schedule will be shared with students and posted on the school website prior to testing.

Get Directions

Helpful Resources

Community Service

Looking for community service? Here is a list of organizations that accept high school volunteers. Note: Students in the class of 2025, 2024, and 2023 are required to complete at least 40 hours of community service in order to graduate.

For more information about community service follow this link. Students can continue to submit community service hours during the summer through the online submission form.

Working Papers

If you are in need of working papers, please follow this link for instructions and the required form.

Fall College Fly-In Programs (For Rising 12th Grade Students)

College fly-in programs provide high school seniors from historically underrepresented populations with the opportunity to get a more in depth look at a college/ university through a FREE (housing and travel is typically covered) multi-day overnight visit. To determine student eligibility and view a list of programs, follow this link. Applications usually open during the summer months.