![page background](https://cdn.smore.com/_fr/handeducation39.af717461.jpg)
![Logo](https://cdn.smore.com/u/thumbs/b30e/thumb-886f19b89c997c90d4dfe9c136a78744.png)
Bull Run MS Counselor Connection
Fall Edition ~ November 2023
Meet Our School Counselors
Amy Shelton
Director of Counseling
sheltonab@pwcs.edu
Rebecca Staines
6th Grade School Counselor, Last Names A-Q
stainer@pwcs.edu
Susan Brooks
7th Grade School Counselor, Last Names A-Q
brookssb@pwcs.edu
Lisa Ware
8th Grade School Counselor, Last Names A-Q
warel@pwcs.edu
Kari Chambers
All Grades School Counselor, Last Names R-Z
chambekl@pwcs.edu
Tracey D'Amico
School Social Worker
damicota@pwcs.edu
Tiffany Paik
School Psychologist
Karitta Coelho
Counseling Secretary and Registrar
coelhokf@pwcs.edu
PWCS Student Needs Survey Results
Top 5 things students are looking forward to this school year
1. Seeing my old friends-78.5%
2. Making new friends- 57.9%
3. Learning new things- 49.9%
4. Trying a new sport or club-40.2%
5. Getting back into a routine- 35%
Percent of Students Who Have Experienced the Following in the Last 6 Months- Compared to 1 and 2 Years Ago (September 2021, September, 2022, September 2023)
I had trouble playing attention in class (43%, 26%, 18%)
I had trouble staying organized (36%, 26%, 20%)
I felt lonely (23%, 18%, 11%)
I felt sadder than normal (21%,15%, 11%)
The top two concerns students wanted support with:
Study and/or Organizational Skills- 63.9%
Navigating friendships/relationships- 40.7%
Quarter 1 & Quarter 2 Counseling Lessons
◦All Grades: Counselor Introduction Lessons (August/September)
◦6th Grade: Technology Choices and Consequences (October)
◦6th Grade: Intro to Naviance (January)
◦7th Grade: Signs of Suicide-S.O.S (September)
◦7th Grade: What is MY Gameplan? (each quarter in Career Investigations)
◦8th Grade: HS Specialty Programs (October)
◦8th Grade: High School Transition and Strengths Explorer (January)
School Counseling Groups
This school year, we are planning the following small groups. If you are interested in referring your student, please reach out to their School Counselor.
Restorative Attendance Circles
Organization and Study Skills
Social Skills
Anxiety Coping Skills
6th Grade Lunch Bunch
Veteran's Day Tribute!
Veterans Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on November 11, for honoring military veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Bull Run Middle School is a Purple Star school, and we strive to support our military connected families and students. Thank you to all those who submitted pictures for our special Veteran's Day tribute video. You can view the video below (link). The video was shown during Advisory on Monday, November 13th.
Eagle Ambassadors
Thursday, October 5th, we had our first Eagle Ambassador meeting. Students enjoyed donuts while getting to know each other and signing their agreements. Eagle Ambassadors will maintain good grades, welcome new students, and set a good example for their peers. The School Counselors meet with their grade level Eagle Ambassadors monthly to work on community service activities and leadership skills for this school year.
Eagle Ambassadors will be selling candy grams on December 5th and 7th during lunch time for $1.00. Students can send a candy gram to friends, teachers, or staff. The candy grams will be delivered during Advisory on December 8th. Proceeds will go to our holiday giving fund (see below) to help our students and families in need.
Holiday Giving Fund
Initially funded by our staff members and the PTSO, the program has grown, and we are asking for BRMS community support. If you are looking for a program where 100% of your donation will be used to benefit the children in our community, please consider a donation. Donations are tax deductible.
Below are three different ways to donate:
-PTSO Venmo: @BRMSPTSO
-Or bring cash/check (payable to BRMS) in envelope to the front office
Ronald McDonald House Collections
During the month of November, the Eagle Ambassadors will be collecting items to be donated to the Ronald McDonald House Charities. This charity helps to support families who have to travel far from home to get medical care for their sick child. Ronald McDonald House charities work to provide families with a place to stay, access to medical care, and access to resources and supplies that the family may need while away from home. As a way to support this great cause, we will be collecting items such as laundry detergent, paper towels, copy paper, and disinfecting wipes in your advisory class. You can also access a list of needed items here - https://rmhcdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023-Wish-List-Update.pdf At the end of this drive, the advisory that donates the most items will receive a donut party in December. Please bring in what you can during this holiday season.
No Place For Hate Committee
BRMS is proud to be a No Place for Hate School! No Place for Hate is a national program supporting schools in their commitment to celebrating diversity, promoting respect for differences and challenging bullying at all levels. The committee includes staff, students, and parents and meets once each quarter. Responsibilities include organizing the school wide signing of the No Place For Hate pledge and implementing one school wide activity each quarter.
Bullying Prevention Month and Unity Day
October was National Bullying Prevention Month. Students wore orange on Wednesday, October 18th to take a stand for inclusion, acceptance, and kindness for all!
Red Ribbon Week
Hispanic Heritage Month
During Hispanic Heritage week, students participated in a number of activities to celebrate. Students participated in a fun Hispanic Heritage Spirit Week October 9-13. The Hispanic Heritage Family Night was held on Thursday, October 12th and was a huge success! Students completed different activities centered around Hispanic heritage in their Art, Language Arts, and Social Studies classes. These assignments and art pieces were displayed in an art gallery walk on the Hispanic Heritage Family night. The Unity Reed HS Latin Dance Club also attended, and their performances are always a highlight of the event! This year, we also had a surprise live Mariachi Band, MARIACHI IMPERIO by BLANCA CHUCAN, perform while students entered the school building!
Our Therapy Dog Oakley!
Bull Run MS has been excited to welcome Oakley, our therapy dog, to school two days a week. Oakley visits Special Education classrooms and is available for students during lunch times on some days for students to de-stress. Oakley also may visit classrooms for a special activity or event. Oakley even participated in our Red Ribbon Week spirit week this year (pajama day) and signed the pledge to drug free! We appreciate the Wagging Warriors Organization and Oakley being a part of our Bull Run MS community!
High School Specialty Programs
If your student is interested in applying for a High School Specialty Program, make sure to check the PWCS Specialty Program Website for program information sessions. Individual schools are hosting information nights about their programs from October through January.
www.pwcs.edu/SpecialtyPrograms
The application link is LIVE on this website as of November 1, 2022. The deadline for most programs is February 1, 2023. Colgan High School's Fine Arts Program application deadline is December 14th.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to your student's School Counselor:
Lisa Ware (Last Names A-Q): wareL@pwcs.edu
Kari Chambers (Last Names R-Z): chambeKL@pwcs.edu
BRMS High School Specialty Program Fair
BRMS will be hosting a High Specialty Program Fair for 8th graders on Wednesday, Nov. 15th, during Music and Exploratory Arts classes. Six schools will be attending: Battlefield, Colgan, Hylton, Gainesville, Patriot, and Unity Reed. Classes will visit the fair from 11:05-12:42 pm. Students will have additional time, if they choose, to come during lunch between 12:51-1:55 pm. Parents are invited to attend during 8th grade lunch times, 12:51-1:55 pm, if they would like to learn more about HS Specialty Program options and talk to a representative from the schools. Parents must check in at the main office to attend.
Pablo is back!
Our mascot Pablo has been making his way to different sporting events this school year. You may see Pablo throughout the year helping to boost school spirit. Go Bull Run Eagles!!
Connect With Us
Email: sheltonab@pwcs.edu
Website: https://bullrunms.pwcs.edu/about_us/counseling/index
Location: 6308 Catharpin Road, Gainesville, VA, USA
Phone: (703) 753- 9969