Monday, December 22, 2014

Important Financial Events for Senior Parents

Burlington High School will be hosting two upcoming financial aid events. We highly recommend Burlington High School senior parents attend ( Class of 2015 ). Since both events are in January we felt it was important to remind parents before the December vacation. Please be sure to check out the side bar on the Guidance Blog for links to more specific information in regard to financial aid and scholarship information. Below are descriptions of each event:

Event: M.E.F.A. (Massachusetts Educational Financial Authority) Financial Aid Seminar
Date: Thursday January 8, 2015
Location: Burlington High School
Description: This seminar covers the financial aid process in detail. A Financial Aid Advisor will be the presenter beginning at 6:30 P.M. in the BHS auditorium.


Event: FAFSA DAY 2015- http://www.fafsaday.org/
Date: Sunday January 25, 2015 1 :00 P.M.
Location: Burlington High School
Description: This is a non-profit volunteer driven effort across the state. Parents and students will receive:

• Free assistance completing the FASA

• Access to experienced financial aid administrators, and FAFSA experts, available to answer FAFSA questions.

• Guidance on the financial aid process and next steps after filing the FASA.

Parents MUST register at http://www.fafsaday.org/. Although computer labs are available, it is highly recommend that parents bring a laptop that day. Also if any parents are interested in volunteering as a Support Volunteer (registration tables, setup, cleanup, etc)  please feel free to register at http://www.fafsaday.org/volunteer.php

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

KAPLAN Program

For the past ten years roughly 90 % of BHS seniors take the SAT exam. The Guidance Department strongly recommends that juniors take the exam in either March, May or June. SAT registration information can be accessed through collegeboard.org

The KAPLAN program offers SAT/ACT test prep courses at Burlington High School. Burlington juniors receive a subsidized rate of $249.00. Please click here to see the KAPLAN schedule and enrollment instructions. We recommend that BHS Juniors take advantage of the free ACT/SAT practice test on Saturday February 7th, 2015 at 9 AM. This practice test is offered at BHS. Please register by calling 1-800-KAP-TEST.

In addition, Kaplan offers Free on-line PSAT, SAT and ACT test prep using the below access codes effective January 1. Go to http://www.kaptest.com/College/SAT/sat-prep-courses.html and select On Demand (regularly $699). The codes beginning January 1, 2015 will be:

For SAT:          KAS1215SAT               (This is for practice SAT)

For ACT:          KAS1215ACT              (This is for practice ACT)

PSAT Scores released

PSAT score reports will be mailed home to parents on Friday  December 12, 2014 to Sophomores and Juniors that participated in the exam on October 15, 2014. The PSAT/NMSQT exam is a measure of three key areas: critical reading, mathematics problem solving and writing skills. The exam prepares students for the same types of questions on the SAT exam. In addition, juniors who achieve high PSAT/NMSQT scores may qualify for National Merit competition and corporate scholarships.

The PSAT score report is very parent/student friendly. Parents/students should take notice of the section at the bottom of the score report called "Improve your skills”. This section gives specific data based on the student’s individual PSAT exam. All Sophomores and Juniors will have an assembly on January 13th in which the BHS Guidance Department will give an overview on interpreting and using these results. Also the BHS Guidance Department will host a "PSAT Results" breakfast on January 28th at 8:30AM




Monday, November 10, 2014

Google Parent Breakfast on 11/18

The Guidance Department at Burlington High School will be hosting a Parent Breakfast on Tuesday November 18, 2014, from 8:30-9:30 AM in the BHS Guidance College and Career Center. This breakfast will be hosted by Michael Westervelt from Google. The purpose of this breakfast will be to help parents understand the impact and importance of your child building a digital footprint in preparation for college. We look forward to seeing you! Please RSVP at by calling 781-270-1780


Thursday, November 6, 2014

Focus on Freshmen

As in years past the BHS Guidance staff puts a tremendous amount of focus on incoming freshmen. An incoming 9th grader faces many new challenges with the transition to high school. Freshmen are dealing with a new environment, new teachers, more freedom and responsibility, etc. The Guidance staff makes every effort to be in tune with this process and to serve as a resource.

Each year Guidance Counselors meet with freshmen in small groups within the first month of school. We call students to the Guidance Office and introduce ourselves, and discuss the many resources available to them. Although we have found this process useful, we also feel it is not enough. In fact, what we have learned from our freshman over the past several years is that they prefer to hear about graduation requirements, academic expectations, how to go about making a level change, etc.

For a second year the BHS Guidance staff worked with Ms. Sullivan in the health department. Ms. Sullivan allowed the BHS Guidance staff to teach a lesson during her Freshmen health class. The Guidance staff covered and discussed BHS graduation requirements and the importance of identifying resources. One teaching practice that we used again this year was a “ticket to leave”. The ticket to leave is simply a form that we ask freshmen to complete at the end of the lesson so we can gauge if students understood what was covered. Based on the data, we felt our message was clear to a vast majority of freshmen.  We look forward to continuing and refining this practice in years to come. 

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Parent Breakfast on 11/12/2014

The Guidance Department at Burlington High School will be hosting a Parent Breakfast on Wednesday November 12, 2014, from 8:30-9:30 AM in the BHS Guidance College and Career Center. The purpose of this breakfast is to give parents of Burlington High School students the opportunity to have an open dialogue around stress and anxiety with the school psychologist, Ms. Elizabeth MacKay and the school social worker, Ms. Christine Conceison. Stress and Anxiety impacts all students in a variety of ways. The breakfast is aimed at providing insight into stress and anxiety in adolescents and effective coping strategies.  We look forward to seeing you! Please RSVP at by calling 781-270-1780.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Free SAT/ACT Combo Practice Test

On November 14th  there will be a free SAT/ACT Combo Practice Test held by Kaplan Test Prep to help students decide between the SAT or ACT.  The practice test will be held at Melrose YMCA, 497 Main St., Melrose, MA. Please visit kaptest.com/whichtest or call 1-800-KAP-TEST to sign up today.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

College Fair Co-Sponsored by BHS Guidance

On Tuesday October 28th from 6:30 -8:30 p.m., a college fair will be held at the Shriner's Auditorium in Wilmington, MA. The Burlington High School Guidance Department co-sponsors the event with many other Middlesex League High Schools. Usually over two-hundred colleges will attend. A college fair can be a very overwhelming experience for parents and students. The National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) has developed a very helpful list of questions that you can bring to the fair. We also recommend bringing a pre-determined list of colleges. Make it a priority to visit the schools on your list, then time permitting check out some others. Please remember you are not obligated to stay the whole time, many students spend about an hour at the event.  Below is the most up to date list of colleges attending:


Confirmed Colleges as of October 15
Albany College of Pharmacy
American International College
Anna Maria College
Assumption College
Bay Path College
Bay State College
Becker College
Benjamin Franklin Institute
Bentley College
Binghamton University
Boston University
Brandeis University
Bridgewater State University
Bryant University
Castleton State College
Champlain College
Clarkson University
Colby-Sawyer College
College of Mount St. Vincent
College of New Jersey
College of Our Lady of the Elms
College of Saint Joseph
College of St. Rose
College of the Holy Cross
Columbia College-Chicago
Curry College
Daniel Webster College
Dean College
Eastern Connecticut State University
Eastern Nazarene College
Elms College
Emerson College
Emmanuel College
Endicott College
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
Fisher College
Fitchburg State University
Florida Institute of Technology
Framingham State University
Franklin Pierce University
Gordon College
Hamilton College
Hampshire College
Harvard College
High Point University
Hofstra University
Husson University
Iona College
Ithaca College
ITT Technical Institute
Johnson and Wales University
Johnson State College
Keene State College
Laboure College
Lawrence Memorial/RC Nursing & Med. Radiography
Lesley University
Long Island University
Lyndon State College
Manhattanville College
Marian Court College
Marietta College
Marist College
Massachusetts Air National Guard
Massachusetts Army National Guard
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Merrimack College
Middlesex Community College
Millenium Trianing Institute
Mount Holyoke College
Mount Ida College
National Aviation Academy
New England College
New England Hair Academy
New England School of Photography
Newbury College
Nichols College
North Shore Community College
Northeastern University
Northern Essex Community College
Northwestern University
Paul Smith's College
Pennsylvania State University
Personal Financial Management Plus
Pine Manor College
Plymouth State University
Providence College
Purdue University
Quinnipiac University
Reading Cooperative Bank
Reading Scholarship Foundation
Regis College
Rivier College
Roanoke College
Rochester Institute of Technology
Roger Williams University
Rutger's University
Sacred Heart University
Saint Anselm College
Saint John's University
Saint Joseph's College - Maine
Saint Lawrence University
Saint Leo University
Saint Michael's College
Salem State University
Salve Regina University
Savannah College of Art & Design
School of Fashion Design
Siena College
Simmons College
Smith College
Southern New Hampshire University
Southern Vermont College
Springfield College
Stonehill College
Stonybrook University
Suffolk University
SUNY - Cobleskill
SUNY-Genesco
Texas Tech University
Thomas College
Trinity College-CT.
United States Air Force
United States Army Recruiting Station
United States Marine Recruiting Office
United States Navy Recruiting Office
Unity College
University of Alabama
University at Albany
University of Connecticut
University of Delaware
University of Maine-Farmington
University of Maine-Orono
University of Massachusetts - Boston
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
University of New England
University of New Hampshire
University of Rhode Island
University of Rochester
University of Saint Joseph's
University of Scranton
University of South Carolina
University of Southern Maine
University of Tampa
University of Vermont
Utica College
Vermont Technical College
Walsh University
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Western New England University
Westfield State College
Wheaton College
Wheelock College
Wittenburg University
Worcester State University

Friday, October 17, 2014

College Topics for Senior Parents

The Guidance Department will host a breakfast called “College Topics for Senior Parents”. The purpose of this breakfast is so the counseling staff can give a very brief overview of important tasks associated with the college selection and application process. This event is geared for parents that missed the Senior College Planning Night on 10/9/14. Please join us for this informative event on October 22nd at 8:30 AM in the BHS Guidance College and Career CenterParent's MUST RSVP at 781-270-1780.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

The Roadmap To College Admission - With Special Guest: Dr. Mark Montgomery

Date: Thursday October 23rd
Time: 6:30PM– 8:00PM
Location: Burlington (MA) High School Auditorium

The college admission process is stressful.  It all seems more competitive, more stressful, more expensive, and more unpredictable than ever before. 
How will I pick the right college for me?
What is the secret to admission to highly selective colleges?
What if my SAT or ACT scores are lower than I want them to be?
What if I got a C in chemistry…am I doomed?
 My GPA suffered freshman year (I was temporarily possessed by
 aliens); can I still get into a good college?
Which activities should I pursue to stand out from the crowd?
Why do smart people attend community college?
Will I ever be able to afford to go to college, even if I can get in?
With only 24 hours in a day, how can I be a high school superstar?

To answer these questions and to arrive at your chosen destination, you need a map.  This presentation will be your personal GPS for choosing the right college—and getting in.

Join us for an entertaining, informative, and stress-reducing presentation by a national expert in higher education. This presentation is aimed at students in 8th through 11th grade.  Students are encouraged to attend with their parents.

Mark Montgomery, Ph.D., is an independent college consultant serving a national and international clientele from offices in Denver, Colorado, Westfield, New Jersey, and Hong Kong, China.  As a former college administrator, admissions officer, professor of international relations, and high school teacher of French, Dr. Montgomery brings a wealth of educational experience and perspective to the process of college selection and admission.  He speaks to audiences around the world about how to choose the right colleges—and get in. 

College Planning Night on BCAT

For senior parents that missed College Planning Night hosted by the BHS Guidance Department please tune it to BCAT. College Planning Night will beginning Monday October 20th to Friday October 24th at 6:30 PM, then on Saturday and Sunday 12PM and 6PM.

If you would prefer to view this event at another time feel free to watch the streaming video recording at http://www.bcattv.org/programming/video-on-demand/.


Support Students During Tomorrow’s Burlington Community Scholarship Foundation Telethon


It’s time once again to help Burlington students looking to further their education by attending a college or university.
The 20th Annual Burlington Community Scholarship Foundation’s (BCSF) Dollars for Scholars Telethon will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 15 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. It will run live on Burlington Cable Access Television’s Education Channel (Comcast – 22, Verizon – 40, RCN – 13).
The telethon, hosted by BCSF President Jack Ferren, will featuring three segments – one on education, one with businesses and a third with town officials. The groups come in and give donations and speak about their work.
“It’s Burlington on TV,” Ferren explained.
Viewers looking to support scholarships for Burlington students will also be given a chance to call in and make a donation. Also, from Tuesday, Oct. 14 to Thursday, Oct. 16, student volunteers will be calling residents to solicit donations to the cause.
BCSF, a non profit 501c3e, was founded in 1988 with the mission of helping Burlington residents defray college expenses, Ferren said. Since it began the organization has awarded $8 million in scholarships.
In 2013, The BCSF awarded 38 scholarships to high school graduates for a total of $80,000. The Adopt a Class program sponsored by Northern Bank & Trust awarded 28 scholars for a total of $22,500. Also last year, BCSF awarded six scholarships to Burlington Adults who have returned or began school, totaling $12,000.
Additionally under the BCSF umbrella the Burlington High School awarded $205,000.
“The grand total for 2013 in total scholarship awards collectively with the Burlington Community Scholarship Foundation and BHS program are; 397 individual scholarships totaling $315,000,” the organization’s annual report states.
Also in 2013 the organization became part of the Dollars for Scholars National Association, Ferren said.
“We took the foundation from local to global,” he said. “Graduates are now eligible for scholarships all over the world.”
Along with making a donation during the week of the telethon, Burlington residents can also support the foundation when they pay their town real estate tax, excise tax or water bill.

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Senior College Planning Night

Senior College Planning Night was well attended with roughly 125 parents. Many aspects of the college planning and application process were covered. For parents that missed the event, BCAT will stream the event within the next few weeks. Informational packets were distributed to all that attended. If you would like to pick up a packet please feel free to stop by the Guidance Office.

Also for parents that missed the event last night we will hold our annual "College Topics for Parents of Seniors" breakfast on October 22nd at 8:30 AM in the BHS Guidance College and Career Center. This informative event will cover the various topics relating to the college selection and application process for parents of Burlington High School seniors.

In terms of financial aid, two very important forms were mentioned last night. The FAFSA and the CSS profile. We encourage parents to investigate both applications ASAP. Please remember that the BHS Guidance Department will host a Financial Aid Night on Thursday January 8, 2015 and BHS will be a location this year for FAFSA Day on January 25th.

One "new" process this year for seniors and parents to remember is using the Burlington Community Scholarship Foundation Web-site. All seniors should create a profile ASAP.

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

PSAT at BHS on 10/15/14

Sophomores and registered juniors taking the PSAT are reminded to bring three sharpened number 2 pencils and a calculator on Wednesday October 15th. Burlington High School has a very limited amount of calculators on hand. Although the math sections can be completed without the aid of a calculator, having one can be very helpful.

As a reminder sophomores do NOT need to register for the PSAT, they will automatically take the test. However, Juniors MUST register. The registration deadline is Wednesday, October 8th.

On Friday room assignments for juniors will be posted near the caf. and main lobby. Sophomore assignments will be announced in homeroom.

Friday, October 3, 2014

College Planning Night will be held on 10/9 at 6:30


Senior Parents and Seniors are reminded that College Planning Night will be held on Thursday October 9th, 2014 at 6:30 in the Burlington High School Auditorium. The evening will cover a variety of topics in regard to the college selection and application process. The entire guidance staff will be at this event and we look forward to seeing you.

If you cannot make the event, it will be televised on BCAT. The showtimes will be posted soon.

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Freshman Parent Breakfast

The Burlington High School Guidance Department will be hosting a breakfast for all parents of freshman students on Wednesday, October 1st in the BHS Guidance College and Career Center from 8:30 to 9:30 am. The Guidance Department at BHS has recognized that it often takes a full year for students and parents to understand and access the numerous programs, resources, and committed staff we have at Burlington High School. Our goal is to expedite this process for you by discussing topics important for the transition to high school. Please join the Guidance Department for this informative and open dialogue. Please RSVP by calling 781-270-1780.

Friday, September 12, 2014

Academy Night

A message from John F. Tierney, Member of Congress

September 12, 2014




As you may know, I host an Academy Night every year for those students in the 6th Congressional District who have an interest in being a potential candidate for nomination to a United States Service Academy.
The date of this year’s event is Tuesday, September 23, 2014 on the Danvers campus of North Shore Community College. I am confident that this meeting will be both informative and productive to those in attendance.
I ask you to encourage any potential nominee to attend this event, and to join us yourself if you are so interested. The application process for the Service Academies can be complicated, so this meeting provides an excellent opportunity for interested students to ask the many questions they may have, learn about the nomination process, and speak with admissions representatives and local graduates.
For your convenience, I have enclosed an informational flyer that you are welcome to display at your school or distribute to your students. Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Maria Costigan in my Peabody office at 978-531-1669.
Sincerely,

John F. Tierney
Member of Congress

LINK TO FLYER

Thursday, September 11, 2014

PSAT Offered at BHS on 10/15

Burlington High School will be a national testing center for the administration of the PSAT Exam and National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test on Wednesday, October 15, 2014. For the several years 90% or more Burlington High School seniors take the SAT exam. The PSAT is an excellent opportunity to prepare and gain an understanding of the SAT exam. Juniors are also eligible for a National Merit Scholarship depending on the score.

All sophomores will take the PSAT free of charge, however juniors MUST register and pay a fee of $25.00. The Guidance department highly recommends juniors take the exam again this year. Registration materials are being mailed on Monday 9/15/14, and students will also receive information in homeroom. We ask that Juniors register ASAP so they may pick up a PSAT study guide which provides valuable testing information.

The SAT will be re-redesigned beginning in the spring of 2016. This will impact students in the class of 2017 and beyond. Although the PSAT will be very similar to the PSAT in years past, parents and students will still have the ability to compare PSAT scores from this PSAT test to PSAT and SAT test rolling out next spring. Click here for details on the changes. 

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Free Practice PSAT or SAT for BHS Students


Burlington High School students can take either a free SAT or PSAT test at BHS on Saturday 9/20 beginning at 9AM. In order to take the free test students MUST register (registration information below). We strongly recommend students in grades 9, 10 and 11 consider taking the practice PSAT. BHS will offer the full PSAT exam on Wednesday October 15, 2014 for all sophomores and registered juniors.

Seniors that want one more chance to take a free practice test OR a senior that has NEVER taken an SAT exam should strongly consider registering for this free opportunity. The SAT exam will be offered at BHS on 10/11, 11/8 and 12/6.

In order to register click here or call 1-800-KAP-TEST. 

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Guidance Events for the 2014/2015

The Guidance Department is happy to announce a full schedule of BHS Guidance Events for the 2014/2015 school year (links can be found on the right hand side of this blog). In addition to ALL the BHS Guidance Events, we have the schedule for the Guidance Parent Breakfast Series. Based on parental feedback the Guidance Department has identified a variety of topics to cover throughout the school year for any interested parent.

Please note: Senior College Planning Night will now be held on Thursday, October 9th, at 6:30 in the BHS auditorium. 

Monday, August 18, 2014

Common Application

The Burlington High School Guidance Department highly recommends that seniors create a student account on the Common Application Website ASAP.

What is the Common Application?

The Common Application allows a student to complete ONE application which can be sent to multiple colleges.

How many colleges and/or universities subscribe to the Common Application?

Currently nearly 500 colleges and/or universities are Common App members

Why use it?

Once completed online or in print, copies of the Application for Undergraduate Admission can be sent to any number of participating colleges. The same is true of the School Report, Midyear Report, Final Report and Teacher Evaluation forms. This allows you to spend less time on the busywork of applying for admission, and more time on what's really important: college research, visits, essay writing, and senior year coursework.

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Schedules are in the mail

Schedules are in the mail (mailed on 7/8). Please remember that all students must carry six academic courses each semester plus physical education and/or health. The one exception to this is if a junior or senior is enrolled in two or more AP courses.


Also if there is an error or omission in the schedule you need to make arrangements to correct the problem. If your schedule reads “Please Schedule an Appointment with Guidance” then your schedule is invalid and it is imperative that you call to schedule an appointment. There are several options available:


Beginning Monday July 14th and continuing through July 24th, then again August 11th to August 21st, Mr. Joseph Attubato, Support Services Coordinator, and several Guidance Counselors will be available (by appointment only) Mondays through Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon. Please call Mrs. Patty Lewis at 781-270-1780 to schedule an appointment.  

Guidance Counselors will be available during the week of August 18th through August 21st  from 8 A.M. to 12 Noon. During this week, students will be helped on a first come first serve basis.

You are encouraged to correct any problems in your course schedule as early as possible. Doing so will ensure a smooth opening of school for you. If you were not enrolled in your first choice elective course please call the guidance office to be added to a wait-list. Also, please be advised that specific teacher requests cannot be honored.

Monday, June 23, 2014

Bay Path College Fall Offering

Burlington High School in conjunction with Bay Path College is happy to offer a fall 2014 course for Burlington High School seniors and juniors. The course will be Principles of Marketing. This is an excellent opportunity for selected seniors (and juniors) to receive dual credit. Dual credit gives BHS students the opportunity to receive college credit and high school credit. Given that Bay Path has a satellite campus at BHS travel requirements are minimal. Click here for an application and details or stop by the Guidance Office to pick up an application.

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Financial Aid 101

The Financial Aid Night for parents was well attended. Many aspects of the financial aid process were covered. Heather Ward, from Discover, covered all aspects of the financial aid process.

Two very important forms were mentioned last night. The FAFSA and the CSS profile. We encourage parents to investigate both applications ASAP. (Please note, however, that, like an income tax form, the FAFSA can never be filed for seniors prior to January 1st of senior year.) One clarification we would like to make is the cost of the CSS profile. The fee for the initial application and one college or program report is $25. Additional reports are $16. Please see the CSS profile student guide for more specifics.

Fafsa.gov now offers a new feature called the FAFSA forecaster. We recommend parents take advantage of this to determine your estimated financial aid eligibility.

For parents that missed the event please click here for the presentation or feel free to stop but the guidance office to pick up a hard copy of the presentation. If you would like to hear the presentation in its entirety, it will be televised on BCAT. Please check the BCAT web-site for specific times.


.

Monday, June 16, 2014

KAPLAN Test Prep

Once again KAPLAN will be offering SAT test prep courses this summer and fall to BHS students. Information will be mailed out on June 17th week, but we wanted to post the schedule for students/parents that wanted to get an early jump on test prep. registration. Registration must be completed as soon as possible. Burlington students only pay $249, which is a reduced price. To register please call 1-800-KAP-TEST.

In addition, Kaplan offers Free on-line PSAT, SAT and ACT test prep using the below access codes. Go to kaplanatschool.com/burlington and enter:

SAT On Demand: KAS2014SAT for SAT Prep
ACT On Demand: KAS2014ACT for ACT Prep

PSAT On Demand: KAS2014PSAT for PSAT Prep

The above codes should be entered on the Payment and Confirmation page when you check out online.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

College Financial Aid 101

Wednesday, June 18th
6:30 PM
Burlington High School
Auditorium
  
Many families focus on the college search, selection and admission process. We believe that figuring out how to pay for college is also an important part of this process. ‘College Financial Aid 101’ helps families understand the ins and outs of college financial aid.
This seminar will provide information on:

·         How financial aid eligibility is determined
·         How to maximize grants and scholarships
·         How to read your Award Letter

This presentation will also address common financial aid myths and real questions from other families going through this process.

This presentation is designed for parents of freshman, sophomores and juniors, but ALL parents are welcome to attend.

Friday, June 6, 2014

Annual Advice for Incoming 9th Graders

Each spring, the Guidance Department asks the current freshmen for advice for incoming freshmen.  Here are some of the things the current 9th graders like best about BHS, as well as suggestions they have for future students to make their first year at BHS both productive and fun.


Advice for the 8th Grade:

Get involved in sports and clubs to make a lot of friends.*
Always get your homework done or you won't understand.*
Don't stress out about coming to high school too much!  It's not that bad and it goes by quick!
Be involved in different clubs and sports, like Science Olympiad and track.
Stay on task.
Talk to more people.
Be yourself, have fun and take your grades seriously.
Don't stress out. It's not bad.
Don't do anything really stupid.
Visit the school this summer to find your classes.
Don't be afraid to take honors English.
Don't procrastinate.
Pack your backpack with only the things you need.
It's normal to ask teachers for extra help.
Freshman year counts!
If you need help, go to a teacher.
Do not skip an assignment or a class and you'll do great.
Study!
Don't be so worried about "honors" or anything like that, because it's not as scary as people make it
    out to be.
Have fun !! but still focus on school.
Grow up and buckle down.
Make upperclassman friends. Older friends are the best.
You have to work extremely hard and put in much more effort than you did at MSMS.
Pay attention in class.
Don't randomly stop in the hallway.
ALWAYS study for tests and quizzes.
Use your iPad wisely.
There is no pool on the third floor.
Do what your (sic) told.
Plan ahead.
Don't be shy and don't be annoying.
Be yourself and always try your best.
You gotta study for every single test.  You'll regret every second of not studying when you get your
   grade.
Become more mature. People don't hold your hand anymore. There is more independence.
High school isn't harder. It's just different.
Don't be scared, just jump in and before you know it you'll love it.

*A lot of students recommended these two tips in particular:  get involved, do your homework.

We look forward to welcoming you to BHS in the fall. Have a safe and happy summer!

Thursday, June 5, 2014

College Topics For The Summer

The Guidance Department will host a breakfast called “College Topics For The Summer”. The purpose of this breakfast is so the counseling staff can give a very brief overview of important tasks associated with the college selection and application process. Although this event is geared for parents of juniors, ALL parents are welcome to attend. Please join us for this informative event. We look forward to seeing you on June 11th at 8:30 AM in the Guidance College and Career Center. We ask that parents RSVP at 781-270-1780. 

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Making the Most of College Visits

Despite all the opportunities to explore colleges through websites, virtual tours, and social media, nothing beats an actual visit to a campus.  April is a great time to tour a few colleges that you’re considering because the weather is warmer (hopefully), juniors have a week off for vacation, and colleges are still in session, which means you get to see the campus when it's active and busy.

Here are some tips for making the most of a visit to a college.

1) Let the admissions office know you're coming.  Sign up for an official campus tour, including the information session if you have time.  It's important for admissions to know that you have their college on your radar screen and vice versa. Some colleges even track how much "demonstrated interest" a student has shown through contact with them, and the college tour can be a significant factor for some schools.

2) Think about specifics.  Ask questions that apply to YOU and your wants and needs for getting the best possible college education and campus experience. These may include questions about academic programs, sports, extracurricular activities, financial aid, dietary considerations and/or personal or social values.  Be honest with yourself, and know that it’s OK to ask “quality of life” questions, in addition to questions related to majors and careers.  If you’re a vegetarian, and the only options in the dining hall are “pizza and salad” (as one of our BHS counselors was once told by a tour guide), if you’re political and the campus is known for being apolitical, or if you absolutely must be on a campus with a marching band and they don’t have one, it’s OK to say, “This college isn’t going to be the right fit for me.”

One side note about questions:  While specific questions are always helpful, try not to ask questions that are easily answered elsewhere, such as on a college’s website. For example, asking an admissions officer whether there's an ice skating rink on campus can indicate that you haven't done much advance research. Asking how much ice time is available for different competitive or club sports shows that you’ve done a little homework.  Try to get answers to the big questions before you visit.

3) Take notes.  You can take notes on your phone or on paper or both.  Ask the guide if it's OK to take pictures. (It usually is, but as a courtesy you should ask. As a general rule, though, NEVER take pictures that include the faces of students on campus.)   Here's a photo-taking tip:  before you enter a building, take a picture of the name of the building or of a sign that indicates you’re in a specific department or area. This way you'll know that all the pictures that follow were taken in that specific place, and you don’t have to write as much down.

4) Ask random questions of random people.  Don’t be afraid to ask various students or professors on campus what they think of the place.  (This can be a great task for one of your parents or siblings, if they accompany you.)  Sometimes people who are unaffiliated with the official tours or orientation days can provide important insights, for better or worse, into security, teaching assistants, class size, dorm life and “partying.”

5) Be reasonable AND also trust your gut.  Let’s face it, touring a campus on a cold or rainy day is not going to be a lot of fun, but don’t rule out a college because of uncontrollable factors, like the weather or a less-than-stellar tour guide.  On the other hand, sometimes after a tour or after doing research, a campus simply “doesn’t feel right,” even if you saw it on a beautifully sunny day.  If that’s the case for you, take the college off your list.  Part of touring is the process of elimination.

6) Finally, be sure to keep refining your list of wants and needs, and if you find that those are changing, complete new college searches.  Talk to friends, relatives and teachers about their college experiences and alma maters, but remember that you are the one who will be spending the next four years on a campus. Ultimately, the college you choose should be one that is the best fit for YOU.

Monday, April 14, 2014

Deadline Fast Approaching

The deadline for the Burlington Community Scholarship Foundation Scholarship process is Friday April 18th.  As a reminder seniors need to create a profile at the Burlington Dollars for Scholars web-site by April 18. For students under 18, parents must complete a portion of the application.The web-site can be found by clicking here.

We encourage ALL seniors to complete this application, and submit your name for as many scholarships that you are eligible for.

For parents that need help understanding the process please click here for a summary of your role in the application process.

Although seniors have been given instructions previously, feel free to click here for specific student instructions.

After the profile is complete students MUST submit their name to all matched scholarships.
We encourage ALL seniors to complete this process.

If you have any questions please contact the Guidance Office at 781-270-1780. 

Monday, April 7, 2014

2015 Boston National College Fair

The National Association for College Admission Counseling is pleased to invite students to the 2015 Boston Area National College Fair, which will be held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. This year the BHS Guidance Department recommends students attend on Thursday, April 9th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Click here for a list of schools attending

The evening session is a great time for families to attend, and we encourage you to suggest it to the parents of your students in particular if you will not be attending the fair. 

College Admission Testing Breakfast

The BHS Guidance Department cordially invites parents of underclassmen ( grades 9, 10 and 11) to join us for the next Guidance Breakfast. The topic will be about College Admission Testing.  Our hope to provide parents with a better understanding of standardized tests such as the SAT, ACT and PSAT.  The breakfast will be held in the BHS Guidance College and Career Center at 8:30am on Thursday April 10th, 2014. Please RSVP by calling 781-270-1780. We look forward to seeing you!