Counseling Corner

• Registration Information
• Schedule Change Requests
• How to Make an Appointment with Your Counselor
• Grade level updates
• Parenting Teens 101

Registration at BHS happens at the following days/times:

Seniors: 8-11am on Monday 8/25

Juniors: 12-3pm on Monday 8/25

Sophomores: 8-11am on Tuesday 8/26

Freshmen: 12-3pm on Tuesday 8/26

***Responses Accepted 8/25 - 9/5***

• To request a schedule change, please scan the appropriate QR code and complete the Google Form.
• **NOTE: YOU MUST BE LOGGED INTO YOUR student BHS GOOGLE ACCOUNT ONLY!
• Requests will be reviewed in the order they are received.
• Please note that certain types of requests (such as teacher requests, classes with friends, lunch requests) will NOT be honored.

Students -

Starting the week of September 8th, you will be able to make an appointment with your grade level counselor online here.

• Book the appointment time that works best for you.
• You will receive an email/calendar confirmation of your appointment. You will use this confirmation as the pass to show your teacher. In order to limit the disruption in your classroom, counselors will NOT send a pass for you.
• Please make sure to come to counseling promptly at your scheduled time.

I've already gotten several questions about Common App, Parchment, and the college admissions process. If your path after high school is going to include college, you have to apply to get in. For some schools, there is only one way to apply-either through The Common Application or the college's own unique application. For others, you might be able to choose between the two. There is no difference in acceptance rates regardless of how you apply.

If you are using the Common App to apply, you would add me as your counselor, and any teachers writing recommendations as recommenders. Once that happens and you submit the application, we will get a notification that you submitted, and that's our cue to then fill out and submit our parts. I will do the School Report, attach a transcript, and also submit a recommendation letter if any of your schools need one.

For example, if you apply to Central, Western, Eastern, and Michigan State-none of those schools need or want any recommendation letters. In that case, I wouldn't write one because nobody would read it. If you apply to the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, they require one from the counselor, so of course I would submit one.

If you apply to any schools that are not on the Common App, you'll need to request me to send a transcript to that school. We do that using Parchment.com It's free to set up your account, and I've attached a step by step set of instructions on how to do so.

I will do Common Apps in the order they are received, and have already started. Please give me at least two weeks to get to yours, and in some cases it might be even longer. Based on previous years and the size of our class, I would expect to do well over 300 Common Apps-and each one takes between 15-30 minutes.

Thanks,

Mr. Miner

Hello Juniors (not even sure how this is possible already)! Once the bell rings on that first day of class, you'll be more than halfway through your high school career. For many of you, this will be your most difficult academic year. Get off to a strong start, make sure your attendance is good, and get your transcript in order so you keep all of your options open.

The options are the same as they've been since we talked about them back in 9th grade. 4-year college, community college, trade school, apprenticeships in the skilled trades, military service, and going straight into the world of work. Remember that figuring out which option is best for you is a process. Part of learning what you are passionate about is figuring out what you don't enjoy doing. Push yourself to try new things. Explore. Self-reflect. Come up with a plan...it's ok if this plan keeps changing. What's important is that you are setting goals (even if they change), taking steps to reach those goals, and learning more about who you are in the process!! I'm always available for this, as are your parents or guardians.

If you are thinking about college after high school, for example, talk to your parents and come up with a plan to pay for it. How much are your parents willing and able to help you? If you plan on going into the military, develop a relationship with our recruiters - they are at BHS often. If you are leaning towards an apprenticeship, start doing some research about what's available in our area and how you can open those doors!

My hope for all of you is that at the end of this school year, you have learned more about your strengths, your interests, your abilities, and your future possibilities! Set some goals and then take action to make them a reality. Life after high school can be a little scary, but it's much less so if you have some idea of what you may want to do after you graduate (again, it's ok if that plan changes...you're human). All of us at BHS are here to help you through it, so don't be hesitant to reach out to us with questions or concerns.

All the best,

Mrs. Caverly

Welcome Back, Sophomores – Let’s Make This Year Count!

Dear Sophomores,

Welcome to the start of a new school year! Whether you're excited, a little nervous, or somewhere in between, I am looking forward to seeing you in the building and helping you make the most of your 10th grade year.

Sophomore year is a time to grow – academically, personally, and socially. You’ve got one year of high school under your belt, and now it’s time to build on that foundation. This is a great year to:

• Challenge yourself with new courses or activities

• Strengthen your study habits and time management

• Start thinking about future goals (college, career, or anything else!)

• Get involved in clubs, sports, or other school events

I am so excited for what this year holds for you. Let’s start strong and make this a memorable and successful sophomore year!

See you soon,

Mrs. Petit

Mrs. Feliks

Mark your calendars for the 2025 Livingston County College Fair will take place on Wednesday, September 24th, from 6:00–8:00 PM at Cleary University.

Hello BHS Families,

I hope you all had a wonderful summer—it always seems to fly by! For some, summer may have been a season of connection, travel, and growth. For others, it might have been a time of stress or hardship. No matter your experience, transitioning back into a school routine can be a challenge for all of us.

Here are a few suggestions that might help ease the adjustment:

Ease Back into Routines
Gradually shift bedtime and wake-up times to align with the school schedule. Reinforce structure with consistent times for meals, screen use, and eventually, homework.

Get Organized
Help your student set up a planner or calendar, review their schedule, and complete any remaining summer assignments. A clean, distraction-free study space at home can make a big difference.

Talk About Mindset
Take time to check in emotionally. Open conversations about stress, excitement, and personal goals can go a long way in supporting your teen’s mental health and motivation.

Prep Together
Involve your teen in back-to-school shopping and organizing supplies. Reviewing class schedules, transportation plans, and extracurricular activities can help them feel more prepared and confident.

Reconnect Socially
Encourage your student to reach out to friends or attend back-to-school events. Familiar faces and social connections can help ease first-day nerves.

Stay Connected
Keep lines of communication open at home. Weekly check-ins can provide valuable support, encouragement, and a safe space to talk through challenges.

If you need assistance during this transition or have concerns about your student, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our counseling team. We’re here to support a healthy and successful start to the school year.

If your family is in need of additional mental health support, feel free to contact me directly.

Warmly,
Jennifer Harper, LMSW

harperj@brightonk12.com