BHS Counseling Dept.

Falling into place...

As the first grading period comes to a close, it’s a good reminder that academics are moving quickly and expectations continue to rise. With fall well underway, students are finding their rhythm, but classwork is becoming more rigorous. This is an ideal time to check in on your student’s academic progress.

We encourage you to consistently review the Parent Infinite Campus App to stay informed about your student’s grades, assignments, and attendance. Early attention can make a significant difference in outcomes, so if you notice missed work or grades that seem lower than expected, take the opportunity to talk with your student about how they are managing their workload, study habits, and any obstacles they might be experiencing.

Fall also brings a full calendar of extracurricular activities and outside commitments. Balancing these with school responsibilities is essential, and now is the perfect time to help students strengthen their time management skills. If additional support is needed, don’t hesitate to connect with teachers or counselors for guidance.

Remaining proactive throughout the semester will give your student the best chance to excel here at school.

Respectfully,

The BHS Counseling Team

Career Readiness Platform

We encourage you to sit down with your student and help explore their future. Use their Chrome Book, or sign into Google on your computer using their student log in. Then go to app.schoolinks.com and click the button "Sign in with Clever".

College Guidance Newtork

College Guidance Network brings the top experts on the college admissions process into the homes of students and families across the country. After activating your account using the instructions below you will be able to tailor a roadmap outlining processes and key dates for your students specific future path.

In order to introduce you to the network, please watch this short overview video.

CGN video overview: Click here to access video

Activate your account.

Go to: https://www.cgnroadmap.com/activate/140367
When asked for a PIN number, enter 715432

Activation only takes a minute -- literally! Once you have activated their account, you'll be able to customize a College and Career Roadmap for your student according to the factors that matter to them and to you.

More detailed instructions can be found at: https://www.cgnroadmap.com/guide/140367

Whats happening this month...

Seniors- will should be finishing up their college applications in order to meet the early action deadlines of November 1st. Also, The free application for financial aid (FAFSA) has opened up early. Make sure they apply for financial aid, this is a graduation requirement in Illinois. If they wont be applying for any reason have them see their counselor for the FAFSA opt-out form to satisfy that graduation requirement.
Juniors- will attend a presentation where they will work with counselors to understand their transcript and how it connects to their post-secondary goals. During this session, students will reflect on if they are on track for their future career path. We will also be releasing course selections for them to start going through and picking classes for next year. If their plan is to attend a four year college it is important that they keep their rigor up in the classes which align to their college majors. Take the AP or Dual Credit classes which apply to their majors but do not bury themselves in academics either, senior year is supposed to be fun too so be sure to find the balance between rigor and acadmic success.
Sophomores- This month our Sophomores should be continuing to utilize SchooLinks to research careers of interest. We will also be releasing course selections for them to start going through and picking classes for next year. Remember: This will be the first time in their educational career that the classes they pick for next year will actually matter. If their plan is college they need to be in the classes which align to their major of choice.
Freshman- this month the freshman will be meeting with their counselors to check in and see how their year is going so far . This is being done to identify and provide any other supports they might need to have a successful year. We will also be releasing course selections for them to start going through and picking classes for next school year.

Homecoming Week and Homecoming Dance

The week of September 29th will be Homecoming Spirit Week

Dodgeball Tournament - Tuesday September 30th
Powder Puff Game - Wednesday October 1st
Food Truck Rally / Bonfire - Thursday October 2nd
Homecoming Game - Friday October 3rd
Homecoming Dance - Saturday October 4th

PArent Teacher Conferences - no student attendance either day

Evening Conferences: October 30th - from 5:00pm - 7:30pm - No student attendance

Morning Conferences: October 31st - from 8:00am - 11:00am - No student attendance

Underclassmen Picture retake day October 2nd - No Seniors

This will be held throughout the school day in Room A119C just past the auditorium entrance. Have your student ask for a pass.

Optional PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, and ACT test days

If you signed up and paid for the optional PSAT , SAT, or ACT tests they will be held on:

PSAT/NMSQT and SAT tests will be during the school day on October 15th.
ACT test will be during the school day on October 29th

Whats Happening Next month...

Election Day - no school

November 4th

Top 20 Luncheon

November 6, 2025

Senior Portraits

After school from 3pm to 9pm the entire week of November 17th

Thanksgiving Break

November 26th - 28th

college and career center happenings

College Representative Visits to BHS

Junior and Senior students can register to attend through the "Events" link on their main SchooLinks page.

Here is a video of the first week of October's College Visits to BHS. Students meet with the reps during our lunch periods.

*Keep an eye out on ParentSquare, this is where we post the upcoming visits weekly.

FAFSA Compeletion Workshop

-for seniors and their Parents

BHS will be hosting FAFSA completion Workshops in partnership with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). The goal is to have students and their parents come in to complete the FAFSA, have any questions answered, and by the time you leave your FAFSA is complete.

Please see the list of required documents to help you prepare to complete your Application for Financial Aid. Remember these documents apply to the student, as applicable, as well.

The dates are:

October 16th at 6pm: located in the Cafeteria by door 17
October 31st from 8:30-10:30am: location TBA

<-- Have the following documents available when you sit down to start your FAFSA!

Upcoming College/Career Workshops - Students sign up in SchooLinks under Events

NCAA REcruitment Workshops

This Workshop is for any student in Freshman, Sophomore, or Junior Year.

*If you are a senior trying to figure out how to get recruited you need a different approach, please reach out to Mr Soderstrom.

These workshops are designed for students with a dream to compete athletically at the collegiate levels. This helps them understand the dynamics of marketing themselves to college coaches in the current NCAA climate.

You can't get recruited if coaches don't know who you are, encourage your athlete to register for the workshop if this is a goal of theirs.

Seniors - Common Application help

This workshop is to help provide a space where they can work on their applications and ask questions on areas they get stuck.

In this workshop staff will be on hand to help students navigate and work through their applications in order to meet the November 1st Early Action deadlines, answer questions when needed, and to provide them support.

Job Opportunity

Bass pro shops / Cabelas National Hiring Event

October 8th and 9th from 10am-7pm

Bass Pro Shops is hosting a National Hiring Event in all Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s retail locations. They will be offering immediate, on-site interviews. If you are interested in applying for open positions, they encourage you to apply at the link below. They wish you to note that all career opportunities are available for review at any time on their website, www.basspro.com/careers, and all applications must be submitted online.

Please call Bass Pro Shops with questions or for more information.

(Please note that their Seasonal Events Associate position is open to 17-year-old individuals and all other positions within their organization have a minimum age requirement of 18 years old).

Interesting Reads...

Submit test scores or not for college applications?

There are many things test scores can impact when it comes to being admitted or denied. A score such as 1300 on the SAT, or 29 on the ACT, can get you into an education or business major but be declined for Engineering. It is important to know what each major requires in terms of expected, or average, scores. Watch this video from the Princeton Review Click Here

What is the ACT exam?

Many colleges require scores from the ACT or SAT tests as a part of the admissions process. Your ACT score is a key component of your college applications. What exactly goes into the ACT Exam? How is it different from the SAT?

(Click here for more from the Princeton Review)

ACT vs. SAT: How to Decide Which Test to Take

The ACT and SAT are widely accepted by U.S. colleges, which often prompts students to ask: Which test should I take? The answer lies in understanding the differences between the two tests.

October

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