Monday, November 18, 2019

Guidance Parent Breakfast

The Guidance Department at Burlington High School will be hosting a Parent Breakfast on Wednesday 11/20, from 9:00 AM-10:00 AM in the BHS Guidance Conference Room. The purpose of this breakfast is to give parents of Burlington High School students the opportunity to have an open dialogue around stress and coping strategies with Burlington High School staff members. 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 by calling 781-270-1780

The BHS Guidance Department has a new blog and web-site. Please see links below:

BHS Guidance Blog

Wednesday, October 2, 2019

The BHS Guidance Department has a new blog and web-site

The BHS Guidance Department has a new blog and web-site. Please see links below:

BHS Guidance Blog


Financial Aid Night

The BHS Guidance Department strongly recommends that Senior parents attend a presentation on Thursday, October 3, 2019 beginning at 6:00 PM in the BHS Auditorium. MEFA will host, and give an overview of the financial aid process. Although this is geared for junior parents, any parent is welcome to attend. 


The BHS Guidance Department has a new blog and web-site. Please see links below:

BHS Guidance Blog

BHS Guidance Web-Site

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Freshman Parent Breakfast

The Burlington High School Guidance Department will be hosting a breakfast for all parents of freshman students on Wednesday October 2nd in the BHS Guidance Conference Room from 9:15 to 10:00 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. Parents must RSVP by calling 781-270-1780.


The BHS Guidance Department has a new blog and web-site. Please see links below:

BHS Guidance Blog

BHS Guidance Web-Site

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

College Planning Night

Senior Parents and Seniors are reminded that College Planning Night will be held on Thursday September 26, 2019 at 6:00 in the Burlington High School Auditorium. The evening will cover a variety of topics in regard to the college selection and application process. Several Guidance staff members 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.


The BHS Guidance Department has a new blog and web-site. Please see links below:

BHS Guidance Blog

BHS Guidance Web-Site

Monday, September 16, 2019

BHS Guidance Department has a new blog and web-site

Dear Students and Parents,

The BHS Guidance Department has a new blog and web-site. Please see links below:

BHS Guidance Blog

BHS Guidance Web-Site

PSAT Exam and National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test on Wednesday, October 16

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 16, 2019. 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 $30.00. The Guidance department highly recommends juniors take the exam again this year. Registration materials are being mailed on 9/16/19, and students will also receive information in homeroom. You can also find registration materials by clicking here. We ask that Juniors register ASAP so they may pick up a PSAT study guide which provides valuable testing information.

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

New Guidance Web-Site

Dear Students and Parents,

The BHS Guidance Department has a new blog and web-site. Please see links below:

BHS Guidance Blog

BHS Guidance Web-Site

Free Practice SAT and PSAT's


Attention 10th, 11th and 12th grade students:

Kaplan Test Prep and Burlington High School will be hosting TWO separate, private practice tests in the Burlington High School Cafeteria. Please see details below:

PSAT PRACTICE TEST (Juniors or younger ONLY)
Class of 2021 or younger
Free Full Practice PSAT Exam
Saturday 9/14/19 from 9AM to1PM
REGISTRATION DEADLINE:  Thursday. Sept.12, 2018
To register go to: 

SAT PRACTICE TEST (Seniors ONLY)
Class of 2020 
Free Full Practice SAT Exam
Saturday 9/21/19 from 9AM to 1PM
To register go to: 
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Wed. Sept.19, 2019 
https://www.kaptest.com/class/SKKA190015


We would recommend that seniors that missed the SAT last spring, or seniors that want to brush up on skills, take the free practice SAT test. 

Juniors and sophomores will take the collegeboard sponsored PSAT on 10/16 The test on 10/16 is a full scale PSAT,  and If students score high enough they can potentially qualify for national merit. So for students in grades 10 and 11, the practice PSAT gives them a chance to prepare for the upcoming PSAT at BHS on 10/16. The PSAT on 10/16 is NOT free for juniors, but is free for sophomores. 

Either practice test gives students a chance to practice under test conditions which hopefully reduces test day stress.

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Guidance Department will offer its first College Application "Bootcamp" for rising seniors

Reminder

On Tuesday, August 20th, the Guidance Department will offer its first College Application "Bootcamp" for rising seniors. This event, held from 8am until noon in the Upper Library, will consist of a series of drop-in review sessions as follows:

     Getting Organized: tracking deadlines/specific college requirements - Ms. Minty
     Finishing (or starting!) Your Common Application - Ms. Diozzi
     Perfecting Your Activity List & Recommendation Requests - Ms. Leary
     Standardized Testing: test prep, sending scores & fall test registration - Ms. Smith
     Using Naviance/General questions - Mr. Attubato

Concurrently, Ms. Netishen will run drop-in workshops on College Essay Writing as follows:
    
      8-9am - Review college essay exemplars
      9-9:30am - Review Common App questions
     10-10:30am - Brainstorming
     10:30-noon - Check in/brief conferences

Students are encouraged to drop in for assistance in ANY area of the application process.





Monday, July 8, 2019

2019-2020 Burlington High School Schedules

Schedules will be mailed out on July 9th. 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 it is incomplete and imperative that you call to schedule an appointment. The options to correct your schedule are below:


* Beginning Monday July 15th and continuing through July 25th, then again August 12th to August 22nd (Monday to Thursday only), Mr. Joseph Attubato, Support Services Coordinator, and several Guidance Counselors will be available (by appointment only) 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 19th  through August 22nd  from 8 A.M. to 12 Noon. During this week, students will be helped on a first come first serve basis

If you did not get placed into your first choice elective please feel free to call the Guidance Office to have your name added to the wait-list. 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. Also, please be advised that specific teacher requests cannot be honored.

Thursday, June 20, 2019

College Application Bootcamp

SAVE THE DATE!!

On Tuesday, August 20th, the Guidance Department will offer its first College Application "Bootcamp" for rising seniors. This event, held from 8am until noon in the Upper Library, will consist of a series of drop-in review sessions as follows:

     Getting Organized: tracking deadlines/specific college requirements - Ms. Minty
     Finishing (or starting!) Your Common Application - Ms. Diozzi
     Perfecting Your Activity List & Recommendation Requests - Ms. Leary
     Standardized Testing: test prep, sending scores & fall test registration - Ms. Smith
     Using Naviance/General questions - Mr. Attubato

Concurrently, Ms. Netishen will run drop-in workshops on College Essay Writing as follows:
    
      8-9am - Review college essay exemplars
      9-9:30am - Review Common App questions
     10-10:30am - Brainstorming
     10:30-noon - Check in/brief conferences

Students are encouraged to drop in for assistance in ANY area of the application process.







Thursday, June 6, 2019

Financial Aid Night

The BHS Guidance Department strongly recommends that junior parents attend a presentation on Thursday, June 13th beginning at 6:00 PM in the BHS Auditorium. MEFA will host, and give an overview of the financial aid process. Although this is geared for junior parents, any parent is welcome to attend. 


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 13th at 9:30 AM in the Burlington High School Guidance Conference room. We ask that parents RSVP by calling 781-270-1780.

Friday, May 17, 2019

Upcoming College Fairs

Two key college fairs will be held within the next few days. Students at all grade levels are encouraged to attend with their families.

  • The Colleges That Change Lives College Fair will be held tomorrow, Saturday May 18th from 10-11:30 at the Sheraton Boston, 39 Dalton Street, Boston.  Based on the 1996 book by Loren Pope, "CTCL was founded on a philosophy of building the knowledge, character and values of young people by introducing them to a personalized and transformative collegiate experience. Although the member colleges approach this challenge with varying perspectives, institutional missions, and pedagogical strategies, a student-centered mission is common to all campuses."  The program opens promptly at 10am with a 30-minute information session. If you're interested in attending, please register at ctclfair.org
  • The New England Association of College Admissions Counselors (NEACAC) is hosting a college fair on the Merrimack College Campus on Tuesday, May 21st from 6:30-8:30pm. The fair will be held in Lawler Rink in the Athletics Complex, 315 Turnpike St. North Andover. More than 150 college and university representatives will be on site. Additionally, there will be access to financial aid and scholarship resources.


Monday, April 22, 2019

Guidance Breakfast Canceled

The Guidance Breakfast Scheduled for April 24th has been canceled. Our next breakfast will be held on Wednesday, June 13th. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Friday, March 29, 2019

FREE full-length practice ACT for Sophomores & Juniors

The SAT and ACT are the two tests used for college admissions. Students who are planning to apply for admission to four-year colleges and universities can choose to start test preparation during their junior year.  Burlington High School will be hosting a FREE full-length practice ACT for all interested sophomores and juniors on Saturday, April 13th at 8:00AM.  


This test is recommended for anyone who is interested in taking the ACTs as a junior or who is interested in figuring out whether they prefer the ACTs or the SATs. To sit for this free full-length practice test, students may sign up by clicking on the link below


Tests will be proctored, graded, and returned to you with a strengths and weaknesses assessment and a plan for improvement. The practice ACT will be provided and administered by Testive, a locally-based test prep agency. Students are asked to arrive at BHS by 7:45 a.m. and testing will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m. Students should bring two sharpened #2 pencils and an approved calculator.



Thursday, March 28, 2019

Scholarship Program Reminder

This is a reminder to senior students and parents that the deadline for the vast majority of scholarships is Monday, April 1.  The scholarships that are to be turned into the guidance department are due by the end of the school day on April 1st.

Image result for scholarshipBCSF Dollars for Scholars web applications must be submitted by midnight on April 1.  Please note that transcripts and letters of recommendation are NOT NEEDED for the Dollars for Scholars website.  




Thursday, March 14, 2019

K-8 Early College Financial Planning

On Thursday March 28th at 6:00 P.M. the Burlington High School Guidance Department will sponsor an Early College Planning Seminar for parents in grades K through 8. A representative from the Massachusetts Educational Financial Authority , also called MEFA, will discuss saving for college, specific ways to do so and how that relates to financial aid. We look forward to see you at the Burlington High School Auditorium.



Image result for early college financial planning                                                            Image result for college financing
Image result for early college planning

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Arlington High School Spring College Fair


The Arlington High School Spring College Fair
Henry Toczlyowski Gymnasium (Red Gym)
Monday, April 1,2019  
6:30pm – 8:00pm

 WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?

The College Fair is a FREE opportunity for you and your family to meet with the representatives and alumni from colleges and universities throughout the country without actually leaving your home state. There will not be enough time to visit with every college and university at the fair, so we have listed some suggestions on how to use your time most effectively.

BEFORE THE FAIR…

Before the fair, it’s a good idea to do a little preparation.

  1. Answer the following questions to help determine what kind of school would best suit you:
    • Do you want to attend a two or four-year institution? Co-ed or single-gender?
    • What size school do you want to attend?
    • Which programs of study are you considering?
    • How far from home are you willing to travel?
    • Do you wish to participate in specific extracurricular activities or athletics?
    • Do you want to attend a school located in an urban, suburban, or rural environment?
    • Do you require any special services (i.e., tutoring, note taker, readers, interpreters)?
  2. Discuss your college plans with your guidance counselor, family, teachers, and friends.
  3. Research your colleges of interest on Naviance via the Internet in the guidance office, media center, computer lab, or your home.
  4. Check dates and registration deadlines for college entrance examinations.
  5. Create labels or profile cards with your name, address, email, and phone number, name of high school, year of graduation and area of interest.  This will help avoid time spent on filling out Information Cards on College Fair night.
  6. Bring a pen or pencil and a notebook to jot down notes about the conversations with individual college representatives, and pick up the cards of college representatives for future reference.  It is helpful to have a specific name when requesting information and/or an interview!

AT THE FAIR…

  1. Bring a bag with you to store college information and pick up a fair directory at the door to the Red Gym.
  2. Visit with colleges and universities that meet your criteria.
  3. Talk with a representative at the Information Table if you have any questions or need help with your college search.

QUESTIONS TO ASK COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES…

  • How can I arrange a campus visit? Are there any special college visitation days?
  • What are the application deadlines for admission and financial aid?
  • How are faculty advisors assigned to students, especially those who are undecided about their major?
  • What percent of students are commuters?
  • When must I select a major?
  • What extracurricular activities are offered on your campus?
  • How accessible are the professors outside of class time?
  • How are roommates selected?
  • What measures does the college take to keep students safe on campus?
  • What additional academic services do you offer to students (tutoring, career counseling, study skills workshops)?
  • What types of internship/co-op experiences are available?

QUESTIONS TO ASK COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES REGARDING DISABILITIES AND ACCOMMODATIONS

  • Are there specialized programs available?  
  • Are there special admissions procedures?
  • Which standardized tests are required?
  • What types of documentation are needed to request accommodations?
  • Should testing and/or an IEP be sent with my application when applying or after a decision has been made
  • What types of accommodations (note-takers, tape recorders in class, etc.) are allowed?
  • Are there extra fees for learning disability related services?  If so, what is the approximate cost?

Still have questions? Please feel free to speak with your guidance counselor about any college-related questions.

Enjoy The Fair!!


COLLEGES ATTENDING THE COLLEGE FAIR
Colleges that have committed to attending the AHS Spring College Fair are listed below. Please keep in mind that colleges are still registering daily and an updated list will be sent shortly before the fair
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF PARIS
ANNA MARIA COLLEGE
ASSUMPTION COLLEGE
BARRY UNIVERSITY
BAYSTATE COLLEGE
BRIDGEWATER STATE UNIVERSITY
BRYANT UNIVERSITY
CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA
CLARK UNIVERSITY
COASTAL CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
COLBY SAWYER COLLEGE
COLGATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY
CURRY COLLEGE
DICKINSON COLLEGE
DREXEL UNIVERSITY
ELMS COLLEGE
EMERSON COLLEGE
EMMANUEL COLLEGE
ENDICOTT COLLEGE
FISHER COLLEGE
FITCHBURG STATE UNIVERSITY
FRAMINGHAM STATE UNIVERSITY
FRANKLIN PIERCE UNIVERSITY
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY
HOBART AND WILLIAM SMITH COLLEGES
HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY
HUSSON UNIVERSITY
JOHNSON & WALES UNIVERSITY
LASELL COLLEGE
LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY
LESLEY UNIVERSITY
LINCOLN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE
MAINE MARITIME ACADEMY
MANHATTENVILLE COLLEGE
MASSACHUSETTS BAY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (MIT)
MASSACHUSETTS MARITIME ACADEMY
MERRIMACK COLLEGE
MIDDLESEX COMMUNITY COLLEGE
MOUNT HOLYOKE COLLEGE
NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE
NEW ENGLAND INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
NEW ENGLAND SCHOOL OF PHOTOGRAPHY
NICHOLS COLLEGE
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
NORTHERN VERMONT UNIVERSITY
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
PINE MANOR COLLEGE
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
QUINCY COLLEGE
REGIS COLLEGE
RIVIER UNIVERSITY
ROGER WILLIAMS UNIVERSITY
SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY
SAINT ANSELM COLLEGE
SAINT JOHN’S UNIV. W/COLLEGE OF ST. BENEDICT
SAINT JOSEPH’S COLLEGE
SAINT MICHAEL’S COLLEGE
SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY
SALVE REGINA UNIVERSITY
SIMMONS COLLEGE
SMITH COLLEGE
SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE UNIVERSITY
SAINT LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY
STONEHILL COLLEGE
STONY BROOK SUNY
SUFFOLK UNIVERSITY
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
TEMPLE UNIVERSTIY
TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN
UNION COLLEGE
UNIVERSITY OF ALBANY (SUNY)
UNIVERSITY OF BRIDGEPORT
UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT
UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE
UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD
UNIVERSITY OF MAINE FARMINGTON
UNIVERSITY OF MAINE MACHIAS
UNIVERSITY OF MAINE PRESQUE ISLE
UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS LOWELL
UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND
UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAVEN
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND
UNIVERSITY OF SAINT JOSEPH
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE
UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT
URSINUS COLLEGE
UTICA COLLEGE
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
WAGNER COLLEGE
WENTWORTH INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND UNIVERSITY
WESTFIELD STATE UNIVERSITY
WHEATON COLLEGE (MA)
WORCESTER STATE UNIVERSITY

UNITED STATES SERVICE ACADEMIES
UNITED STATES ARMY AND ARMY RESERVE
UNITED STATES ARMY NATIONAL GUARD (MA)
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
NORTHEASTERN UNIV. ROTC