BHS Counseling Corner

• Grade level updates.
• Financial Aid Presentations, Scholarship Information ***Seniors ....pay close attention to Fee Waivers for College Apps this month!!!!***
• Upcoming Events at BHS
• Upcoming Events in the Area
• Parenting Teens 101

After you read Mr. Miner's update, keep scrolling for a whole section dedicated to you regarding: College App Fee Waivers and FAFSA info!

Seniors,

It's been great to see so many of you in my office lately regarding college, college apps, and opportunities to pursue if you are not attending college. Application season is definitely in full swing, and taking advantage of the free applications offered during October by many schools is a smart play. Getting your applications finished and sent in is the first step to going to college, but in some ways the easiest one.

The most difficult one is often waiting for schools to give you a decision so you can make your choice and start to figure out where you'll be next fall. Some schools will tell you quickly, others will wait until December or even later, with UM Ann Arbor notably sending their first round of decisions out on January 15th, 2026. I know this can be very frustrating, especially when you are waiting for THAT ONE SCHOOL that you really want to attend. It's especially frustrating because they aren't on our time frame, and we have no control over the process.

However, there are many colleges out there, and many of those will be good fits for you. If choice #1 doesn't accept you, chances are that you will have just as good an experience at choice #2 or 3, or maybe even better!

If you aren't going to college, or aren't sure, now is a good time to start making plans for June and beyond. Are you going to transition into full time work? Look at options for joining the military? Checking out training programs for skilled trades? Whatever it is, it's better to have a plan for life than to just let it happen to you.

The one sure thing is that once June 5th ends, so does your time at Brighton High School. While that thought brings joy and anticipation to many of you, to others it's definitely a scary one. Don't be afraid to talk about it with parents, siblings, or other trusted adults. I have every confidence you all will be fine when your time here is done.

Thanks,

Mr. Miner

Juniors - great job on the PSAT/NMSQT! Everyone seemed to take it seriously, and hopefully it will help you on the SAT in the spring. If you thought you were supposed to get accommodations and did not, please let me know so we can get that fixed for the spring. Even if you don't think you'll be going to college after high school, doing your best on this test keeps all of your options open, which is always a good thing. Remember, you have many options after high school including: four-year college, two-year college, military, skilled trades/apprenticeships, or working full-time. This is a great year to take advantage of the opportunities we offer to help you find which path fits you the best. Career chats, visits by college reps and military recruiters, Xello, Big Future, and friends/relatives/parents are all great resources to learn about what different careers are like and if they would be of interest to you. I am also available to sit down and talk one one-on-one and help you start to figure this out.

****Job Shadow Day opportunities have returned. See below under "Events at BHS" for more information. This is an incredible opportunity to get exposure to careers of interest for your future aspirations!******

Mrs. Caverly

Dear Sophomores,

I hope you're settling into the school year and making the most of your sophomore journey!

I am excited to share some upcoming career exploration opportunities designed to help you discover your interests and start thinking about your future. Whether you're curious about healthcare, tech, business, the arts, or any other path, now is a great time to explore what inspires you. In November, all sophomores will be meeting in the media center during the day to work on some Xello career activities. I will lead you through specific tasks that will be appropriate for the 10th grade. Some of you signed up for the MiCareerQuest field trip in November and I will be going with you. This invite came out in an email from Mrs. Napuli. If you missed the deadline for that sign up please watch for future Career Chats (previously lunch and learn) during advisory. Lastly, in December we will be hosting the ASVAB-Career Exploration test and it is a free federal program designed to help guide, 10th grade through collegiate students into fulfilling careers that match their academic strengths and includes posttest guidance to help them better understand their results. So, watch for the announcement on when to sign up.

At the same time, I want to remind you that there’s still plenty of time left in the marking period to raise your grades. Every effort counts, and we’re here to support you. Don’t forget that free tutoring and academic support are available — don’t wait until it feels overwhelming. Whether you need help with homework, studying for a test, or staying organized, we’ve got resources to help you succeed.

Take charge of your future — both academically and professionally. You’ve got this!

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.

Best,

Mrs. Petit

Freshmen-

It’s hard to believe we are already over a month into your first semester! By now I am hoping you all are feeling pretty comfortable with where you are going and getting settled into your routine. As we get closer to the first marking period, remember that you are building your foundation for your GPA and your future, so keep going strong! It has been great to see so many of you rising to the challenge and expectations of high school and getting involved in activities at BHS! With homecoming just around the corner, I would encourage you all to take advantage of the festivities, go to the game and dance and make amazing memories that you will look back on one day! I will be coming to visit classrooms soon to talk about GPA and show you what your HS transcript will look like and answer any questions you may have. As we get closer to what feels like fall, make sure you take time to soak up the sunshine as we all know the cold will be upon us soon!

Mrs. Feliks

See file below for colleges with free applications and/or discount applications!

What is FAFSA?

It is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Why complete the FAFSA do?

Get access to:

• Federal financial aid programs.
• State financial aid programs.
• Institutional financial aid programs.
• Loans, grants, and work study opportunities.

By completing the FAFSA, your could qualify for:

• A significantly REDUCED TUITION (approximately ½ the cost) associate degree or skill certificate at a community college with the Community College Guarantee. The scholarship also provides significantly reduced tuition for students attending community college before transferring to a four-year university. Plus, students receiving the Federal Pell Grant qualify for an extra $1,000 to help pay for living expenses. All Michigan high school grads are eligible and there are no GPA or household income requirements.

• Up to $27,500 ($5,500/year up to 5 years) for a private or public university through the Michigan Achievement Scholarship. 7 out of 10 students in Michigan may qualify, no matter their academic or athletic abilities.

• Up to $4,000 for a career training program with the Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarship. Students simply choose an eligible career training provider and complete their application through the MiSSG student portal.

Helpful links:

What is the FAFSA and why should you fill it out?

How Financial Aid Works

Federal Student Aid

MI Student Aid

Need help completing the FAFSA?

Here is a link to virtual financial aid presentations.

If you still need help, you can contact the Financial Aid Office of a college you are applying to for further assistance and/or plan to attend our FAFSA Workshop on Dec 9th at BHS (see more info below).

We will be hosting a FAFSA night at BHS on December 9th at 6pm in the Media Center. More information will be shared about this event in the near future.

High school students and families interested in learning more about the Michigan Achievement Scholarship are encouraged to attend an informational webinar provided by MI Student Aid.

Participants will be able to gather the following information:

• Information about the NEW Community College Guarantee
• Michigan Achievement Scholarship eligibility requirements
• Michigan Achievement Scholarship award amounts
• Important action items for students and families
• Additional resources and program information

All sessions are free of charge and open to the public. Register for one session only, as space is limited.

REGISTER HERE!

Hey Juniors/Seniors! Ever wonder what your future career could really look like?

Don’t miss LivCo Job Shadow Days — your chance to spend a few hours exploring real workplaces, meeting professionals, and seeing how what you learn in school connects to real jobs! You might even find your dream career — and earn extra credit for completing a short reflection!

Job Shadow Dates: November 5–7, 2025
Register starting: October 15, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Deadline to sign up: October 29, 2025
Register on the Livingston Career Hub

💡 Plus: Participation counts as a student school business excused absence

Spots go fast — have your top five career choices ready!

Questions? See Counseling, Dr. Clark, or contact Laura Saline at laurasaline@livingstonesa.org or 517-540-6807

Brighton High School Parent/Teacher Conferences are coming up quick. We will have in-person PT Conferences on 10/23 and virtual PT Conferences on 10/28.

• You may notice one of your student’s teachers has an alternative schedule for conferences due to extenuating circumstances. Please contact them directly via email with any questions or clarifications.

To schedule a conference, visit: https://www.ptcfast.com/schools/Brighton_High_School_1

Simply check the boxes for the teachers you would like to set up conferences with and you will receive an email with the times they are available for conferences. If you select a virtual conference, the teacher will send you an email directly with the link to the virtual conference session in the near future.

Juniors and Seniors.... You have an awesome opportunity to attend college visits from admissions reps at BHS. You will get up-to-date admission information as well as other insight into what is unique about colleges in our area. Register today for these informational sessions!

BHS will be hosting WCC during Advisory on Wednesday, November 12th, which is different from our regular lunch visits. Sign up via the QR code to take advantage of this opportunity!

Are you or your student looking to attend a college fair? Here is a list of accredited fairs in Michigan!

• Do you need food assistance?
• Do you need extra help during the holidays?

• Are you looking to give back to the community?

There are some opportunities to get and give help in Livingston County. See below for information.

October can be a stressful month for students and families. We’re now more than six weeks into the school year, and the “honeymoon period” is over. Homework, tests, progress reports, and emotions are all in full swing. Life at school and at home might be feeling a little more challenging.

For some students, this time of year brings adjustment and growth as they settle into new routines, schools, or schedules. For others, the stress may start to feel overwhelming. Whatever your teen is experiencing, it’s likely within the range of normal. Still, sometimes emotions or behaviors can signal that extra support is needed.

If you’re concerned about your teen’s mental health or just want to be proactive, the articles below offer helpful guidance on recognizing warning signs and starting open, supportive conversations:

• Teen Mental Health Warning Signs: What Parents Should Know (The Jed Foundation)
  
  

• Mental Health and Teens: Watch for Danger Signs (HealthyChildren.org)
  
  

Your counseling and social work team is always here to support you and your students. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions or concerns.