Week 8

Hello Beautiful People!,

This week at BCSM we had the parent dinner at Frankie & Johnny's where I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with parents and students over delicious Italian food. It was truly a pleasure to talk with parents about what the students and me have been up to this term. Also, a big thank you to Danise Olague and Jenni Gargano for joining us at the parent dinner and visiting BCSM the following day. I had a great time giving them a tour of BCSM and introducing to the wonderful staff I have been working with this term. I also just felt genuine joy to see familiar faces from Dartmouth.

This term I've also had the pleasure of working with the senior class at BCSM on their college essays and resumes. As a reward for seniors submitting their college applications in a timely manner they received a pizza party. There they received bags from colleges stuffed with goodies and also put into a raffle for free dress down days and metrocards. I was happy to be able to join in on the festivities and snapped a few pictures that you can see below.

This coming week will sadly be my last week at BCSM (Though not my last blog post). As my time is winding down at BCSM I will be going over wrap-up activities with the SEAD students. We will look over transcripts and decide what each students area of strength is and what goals they will work on next term with their new SEAD intern. I will also be making my rounds to say goodbyes and thank yous to all the wonderful people who have been apart of my SEAD experience this term. Of course I can not leave without having one last activity with the SEAD students which will be on Saturday November 22nd where we will be having lunch to reminiscence about the memories we've made during my time here and then seeing a movie at the AMC theater in Bay Plaza. More information will be given out as the week progresses. Have a wonderful week everyone!

SEADlove,
Erika

Week 7

Hello Lovely People,

We had an amazing week 7 at BCSM! Big shout out to the students who made the practice SAT on Tuesday (not to mention on your day off from school). Your dedication and hard work is definitely going to pay off! We also had the opportunity to discuss our dream schools. While some students do not have an exact school in mind, all of them have an idea of the type of school they envision themselves at which is a great start! I'm so excited for all the students as they begin this college selection process. They are so  much closer to the application process than they think.

Next week is going to be quite eventful as we will be having our parent dinner where I hope to see all of you there! Again it will be on November 11th at Frankie and Johnny's, located on 1913 Bronxdale Ave. at 6:30pm. I am so excited to see students and parents all together. Also, we can expect to see Danise and Jenni from the SEAD staff at Dartmouth who will be joining us for dinner. They will also be stopping by for a quick visit on Wednesday to get a glimpse of  BCSM. As it will also be my second to last week at BCSM I will be starting to do wrap workshops with the students. This upcoming week we will talk about transcripts and what they say to colleges. Every student has a story and we will discuss what story their transcript tells colleges. Do not be discouraged if freshman year was a rough start, your hard work and improvement is something that can be seen if you put in the work. We will also begin to set goals that students will work on with their next intern who will arrive on January 8th.

As our time is drawing closer to the end :( students can also expect to meet with me in more one on one meetings to discuss how our time and term together has gone and what improvements they would like to see. Please also feel free to give opinions as to what they would like to do as our last SEAD activity together! Have a great week everyone!

SEADlove,
Erika

Week 6

Hello Everyone!

Last week at BCSM students met with me to begin discussing their college choices. Can you believe that in the fall they will be applying to college? Before you know it they will be off to college doing great things! While some students have gathered a mighty list of places they would like to apply others are making sure of what type of college environment they envision themselves in. Whether that be small, liberal arts or in a warm and sunny place all year round I encourage students to just take their time and do their research. In time they will find the college that just feels right to them, even if right now it seems impossible. But remember you have people here to help you along the way and to help guide you so do not be shy of dropping by the office and talking about college!

Next week we will be having our practice SAT where I will give students the SAT exam as if they were taking the real test. They essay will be included and it will be timed. However lets not forget the benefits of taking the exam which are performing even better on the real SAT, a free Dartmouth water bottle plus ten points towards the prize of their choice, and snacks galore brought by yours truly :) The exam will be taking place on November 4th (students you do not have school on this day) at BCSM from 10:00 am until about 2 pm. Don't forget to bring a calculator! If you do not have one please see me so we can work something out. 

As for the parent dinner the location has been moved to Frankie & Johnny's which is located on 1913 Bronxdale Ave. It is still taking place on November 11th at 6:30 pm and I look forward to seeing all the parents and students together to celebrate the hard work all the students have been putting in this fall. Not to mention to dig into some great Italian food!

Seadlove!,

Erika