Bull Run MS Counselor Connection

Amy Shelton

Director of Counseling
sheltonab@pwcs.edu

Susan Brooks
8th Grade School Counselor, Last Names A-Q
brookssb@pwcs.edu

Rebecca Staines
7th Grade School Counselor, Last Names A-Q
warel@pwcs.edu

Melissa Leischner
6th Grade School Counselor, Last Names A-Q
stainer@pwcs.edu

Lisa Ware
All Grades School Counselor, Last Names R-Z
chambekl@pwcs.edu

Tracey D'Amico
School Social Worker
damicota@pwcs.edu

Tiffany Paik

School Psychologist

Paiktj@pwcs.edu

Karitta Coelho
Counseling Secretary and Registrar
coelhokf@pwcs.edu

The PWCS College and Career Department awarded BRMS School Counselors with the Shining Star Award during the Student Services and Post-Secondary Success Symposium in October. This award celebrates the outstanding achievement of having 100% of our students complete their career lessons and Naviance program tasks for the 2023-2024 school year. Kudos to the Bull Run School Counselors for their dedication and hard work in guiding our students towards success!

Upon return to school in August, students participated in a survey organized by PWCS. The results of the survey helped us to determine our student's needs and develop our school counseling programming.

Top 5 things students are looking forward to this school year

1. Seeing my old friends- 82.4%

2. Making new friends- 65.6%

3. Learning new things- 54.2%

4. Getting back into a routine- 38.4%

5. Trying a new sport or club-52.0% (up 12% from last school year)

Percent of Students Who Have Experienced the Following in the Last 6 Months- Compared to 1-3 Years Ago (September 2021, September, 2022, September 2023, September 2024)

I had trouble playing attention in class (43%, 26%, 18%, 20%)

I had trouble staying organized (36%, 26%, 20%, 22%)

I felt lonely (23%, 18%, 11%, 13%)

I felt sadder than normal (21%,15%, 11%, 12%)

◦6th Grade: Counselor Introduction Lesson (August)

◦6th Grade: Middle School Success (September)

◦6th Grade: Technology Choices and Consequences(October)

◦6th Grade: Introduction to Naviance (January)

◦7th Grade: Signs of Suicide-S.O.S (October)

◦7th Grade: What is MY Gameplan? (each quarter in Career Investigations)

◦8th Grade: Strengths Explorer (September-October)

◦8th Grade: HS Specialty Programs (October)

◦8th Grade: High School Transition (January)

6th Graders learned about Growth Mindset and the School Counseling program during Mrs. Leischner's school counseling class in September. Growth Mindset is the belief that your intelligence and talents can be developed through hard work, practice and trying your best. People with a growth mindset look at mistakes or failure as an opportunity to learn and improve. Growth Mindset is a skill and takes practice. To illustrate this concept, students worked in small groups to build a tower using the materials provided. During this activity students acknowledged that mistakes helped them to try other ways to improve and the importance of a positive attitude. The lesson ended with an online Kahoot game to review what they learned. The sixth graders did a great job working hard, doing their best, and being kind during the lesson.

All students new to our school in 7th or 8th grade were invited to a new student meet and greet on Sept. 19th (7th grade) and Sept. 20th (8th grade). Students played "get to know you" games, ate donuts, and got to take home lots of BRMS Swag! We encourage new students to get involved in our school community. Getting involved at school is shown to help students make friendships, boost confidence, enhance academic performance, improve attendance, explore their interests and passions, and creates a sense of belonging.

On Sept. 30th, we hosted the "Eagle Minds Matter" after school event in collaboration with Battlefield High School's Our Minds Matter Club. The event focused on promoting mental health and well-being and was a wonderful opportunity for students to unwind, express their creativity, and build meaningful connections. Some of the activities included:

• Making Friendship Bracelets 🤝
• Painting Pumpkins 🎃
• Coloring 🎨
• Bingo 🎉

Thank you to the Battlefield HS students for making this a meaningful and fun event for our students!

Congratulations to our 2024-2025 Eagle Ambassadors!

On Thursday, October 10th, 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 leadership skills, activities, and community services projects for this school year.

Eagle Ambassadors will be selling candy grams on December 10th and 12th 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 13th. Proceeds will go to our holiday giving fund (see below) to help our students and families in need.

Red Ribbon Week (Oct. 21-25) was a success! Students wore red on Thursday, October 24th and helped us form our annual human red ribbon formation. During lunch, students answered questions about drug awareness and got to spin a prize wheel for correct answers. Our therapy dog Oakley even came to support Red Ribbon Day. We loved the enthusiasm the students and staff have shown for this school-wide initiative and hope all our students are inspired to lead a drug-free life!

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 will meet once each quarter. Responsibilities will include organizing the school wide signing of the No Place For Hate pledge and implementing one school wide activity each quarter. If you are interested in getting involved, please sign up to join the No Place for Hate Committee. Please watch the announcements. More info to come in January....

October was National Bullying Prevention Month, and our students showed their support in a vibrant way! On Wednesday, October 16th, they wore orange to stand united against bullying. This gesture highlighted our community’s commitment to fostering inclusion, acceptance, and kindness for everyone. Let’s continue to promote these values every day and create a safe, supportive environment for all.

The Counseling Department sponsored an Awareness Spirit Week to include Hispanic Heritage Month, Unity Day, Mental Health Awareness, and Breast Cancer Awareness. Student were able to support a cause they cared about by wearing a color (or jersey/ethnic clothing for Hispanic Heritage). When students engage in raising awareness, they learn that their voices matter. They develop a sense of agency, realizing they can influence change and make a difference in their communities and beyond.

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually from September 15th- October 15th. Back by popular demand, we welcomed the students into the building on October 15th with a live Mariachi Band, MARIACHI IMPERIO by BLANCA CHUCAN. The band also performed in the hallways for the students to help us celebrate Hispanic culture and music!

This year our annual Hispanic Heritage Family Night was held on Wednesday, October 23rd, and it 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! Thank you to all who attended and supported this special event!

Oakley and her handler, Brittany, from Wagging Warriors are coming back to support our BRMS students! Oakley will be in the school building on Thursdays and Fridays. Oakley supports our special education classrooms and visits students during lunch time. Occasionally, Oakley will come to support special events at school. Oakley's schedule this year is:

Thursdays:

9:45-10:45 am or 10:15-11:15 am

Special education classrooms and rotating 6th grade A or B lunch

Fridays:

11:20-12:35 am or 12:45-2:00 pm

Special education classrooms and rotating 7th grade or 8th grade lunches.

If you would like to opt your student out from contact with Oakley, please fill out the following form. Most of the time, contact with Oakley is per student request at lunch.

https://forms.office.com/r/4PErTffscv

We are started some School Counseling small groups during Advisory and lunch times, including:

*Executive Functioning Skills

*Social Stress Busters

*Attendance

*Social Skills

If you would like to recommend your student for a counseling small group, please contact Amy Shelton, Counseling Director, at sheltonab@pwcs.edu.

8th grade is an exciting time of transition and looking forward to the many opportunities ahead in high school. If your student is interested in participating in a high school specialty program, there are some upcoming information sessions you should consider attending. Please take some time to explore the PWCS Specialty Program Website:

https://www.pwcs.edu/academics___programs/advanced_academics___specialty_programs/specialty_programs/index

Each school hosts specialty program information nights so you can learn more about their programs and make an educated decision about their high school path. If you click on each program on the website, it lists the dates and times of their information sessions. Here are some dates of the high schools our students are zoned for:

Gainesville HS: Nov. 21, Jan. 16

Unity Reed HS: Nov. 7, Jan 16

Battlefield HS: Dec, 4, Jan 9

Specialty Program Applications open November 1st- Feb 1st with the exception of Colgan High School. Their timeline is different due to the audition process, and their applications are due Dec. 14th. No late applications are accepted. Colgan HS: They will also have an informational webinar on Nov. 25th at 6:30 pm.

The BRMS School Counselors also visited 8th grade classrooms in October to inform students of their options.

Thomas Jefferson HS for Science and Technology

The application for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Fairfax Countyopens 10/23/2024 at 4:00 pm. The last day to begin a new application is Nov. 13th at 4:00 pm, and the application deadline is Nov. 15th at 4:00 pm.

If your student is interested in applying for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, please explore their website to understand the application and selection process:

https://www.fcps.edu/about-fcps/registration/thomas-jefferson-high-school-science-and-technology-tjhsst-admissions

If you have any questions, please reach out to your student's school counselor.

Last Names R-Z: Lisa Ware, WareL@pwcs.edues

Last Names A-Q: Susan Brooks, BrooksSB@pwcs.edu

On Nov. 7th, 8th grade students will get to visit the High School Specialty Program Fair during their music or exploratory arts class from 9:30- 11:00 am. Parents may attend as well, but you must sign in at the main office and get a visitor's pass. Please check out the following flyer to find out which programs will be present. This is always a great opportunity for students to talk to school representatives directly and ask questions about their programs.

Each year, the Counseling Department at Bull Run Middle School takes a group of students on a shopping trip to Walmart to buy holiday gifts. They return to school for a lovely holiday luncheon organized by the staff. For many students, this may be their first time having such an experience.

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

Did you know Bull Run Middle School is now a Purple Star school? The Virginia Purple Star Designation is awarded to military-friendly schools that have demonstrated a major commitment to students and families connected to our nation's military. The Virginia Department of Education's Military Student Support Process Action Team (MSSPAT) formed by the Virginia Department of Education reviews all school applications for the award. For more information about PWCS Purple Star Schools, please see the following website: Purple Star Designated Schools in PWCS - Prince William County Public Schools

Be on the lookout for the Veteran's Day picture slide show put together by our Parent Liaison, Megan DePaoli. This will be shown in Advisory classes on Friday, Nov. 8th.

Email: sheltonab@pwcs.edu
Website: https://bullrunms.pwcs.edu/about_us/counseling/index
Location: 6308 Catharpin Road, Gainesville, VA, USA
Phone: (703) 753- 9969

Connect with us @BullRunWellness