December Counseling Newsletter

Students have access to a link on each of their teachers' Canvas courses that allows them to request to see their counselor. This form should be used by students to request a meeting with their school counselor. This form is not monitored 24 hours a day and is not meant to be used in situations that require immediate attention or emergency situations. If a student feels that their concern requires immediate assistance, they should speak with their teacher and request a pass to the Counseling Center. Request to see a Counselor Form

Counselors are assigned by students' last name:

Ms. Merica - mericake@pwcs.edu - Director of School Counseling

Ms. Vanover - vanovebd@pwcs.edu - A-Cn School Counselor

Ms. Yosca - yoscakd@pwcs.edu- Co-G School Counselor

Ms. Embrey - embreylo@pwcs.edu - H-Mc School Counselor

Mr. Cata - catacj@pwcs.edu - Md-R School Counselor

Ms. Proctor-Dunn - proctokm@pwcs.edu - S-Z School Counselor

Ms. Embrey has returned and is available to meet with her caseload.

On Tuesdays in November we celebrated Grati-Tuesday! During lunches, the Counseling Department offered an activity that could help students practice gratitude. Students were given the opportunity to express their feelings of thankfulness and appreciation for the good things in life. We then displayed what they were thankful and appreciative for within the halls for all to see. We finished up November Grati-Tuesdays inviting students to write a thank you note or fill out a leaf for someone they are thankful for...a friend, family member, or teacher. We then added the leaves to a tree (painted by one of our amazing art teachers, Mr. Flannagan) where it is now displayed in the hall at the T-intersection.

Applications opened Friday, November 1. Students can explore exciting career paths, focus on what they love, and prepare for post-secondary success with our comprehensive programs. High School Specialty Programs are transfer or transport programs. You are still able to access the Recorded Specialty Program Information Session. Visit the PWCS Specialty Program Webpages for all the details and to see when upcoming information nights are for specific Specialty Programs.

If you need help with the Specialty Program Application Process, we encourage you to attend a virtual help session for assistance. You do not need to register for these help sessions. Contact aasp@pwcs.edu if you have any problems joining the Zoom Session.

Join a specialty program application help session

December Sessions:

• December 4, 2024
• December 11, 2024
• December 13, 2024
• December 18, 2024

Application Deadlines:

Center for Fine and Performing Arts - December 14, 2024

All Other Specialty Program Applications - February 1, 2025

Being a teenager is tough, but it can become easier when adults can take steps to strengthen the relationship with their teenagers. To help tweens/teens better manage their emotions, parents can: actively listen and validate their feelings, encourage open communication about emotions, identify healthy coping strategies, teach emotion labeling, provide opportunities for physical activity, set clear boundaries, and seek professional help when needed; essentially creating a safe space where teens feel comfortable expressing their emotions without judgment.

Below, you can read more information on better understanding and connecting with your middle schooler:

An Age-By-Age Guide to Helping Kids Manage Emotions

9 Tips for Dealing with Teen Emotions

Tips for Building Healthy Relationships with Your Teenagers

Bridging the Gap: Parents and Teens Talking Together

6th Grade: Ms. Embry and Ms. Merica will be presenting the Intro to Naviance Lesson before winter break. Students will participate and learn how to access and familiarize themselves with our College and Career platform, Naviance. Class discussions will focus on why it is important to prepare for the future; what promotes motivation, keeps us on track, helps us plan for the classes we want/need to take, etc. Students will have the opportunity to think about their future vision for themselves.

7th Grade: Ms. Yosca and Ms. Vanover will be presenting the lesson Pause Before You Post through Social Studies before Winter Break. Students will learn what should and should not be posted on social media and responsible online behavior, as well as potential consequences of Inappropriate on-line behavior. We will also review the different types of Cyberbullying and the consequences of cyberbullying. Pause Before You Post encourages the students to think about the safety and privacy of their posts, and the motivation behind what they do share.

Lives are being saved and children are more secure, connected, and emotionally intelligent as a result of the Sandy Hook Promise programs, campaigns, and interventions. The violence prevention programs through Sandy Hook Promise train students and educators to recognize warning signs of someone who may hurt themselves or others — and teaches them when and how to get help.

Keeping our students safe means supporting their emotional and mental well-being. Sandy Hook Promise is working to expand access to life-saving mental health services and supports for students, including suicide prevention training and school-based care.

In 2018, Sandy Hook Promise helped write and pass the bipartisan Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Act to provide critical resources for schools to implement violence prevention education. Under this federal law, school districts, municipalities, states, and tribal organizations can apply for funding to ensure budget is never a barrier to making schools safer. By collaborating with Sandy Hook Promise - We're Making Progress Against Gun Violence With The Support Of People Like You!

The Family Engagement Series provides families with resources that will assist with their student’s success. The series is led by the Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) Community Outreach, Business Partnerships and Philanthropy Department, in collaboration with other PWCS programs, and community and business partners. All meetings are Live Zoom Webinars and will be from 6:30pm - 7:30pm.

December offers 5 Family Engagement Webinars before Winter Break.

• Tuesday- December 3: Overview of Khan Academy's Free Official Digital SAT Prep Course for Students and Families An informative webinar targeting students in grades 10,11, & 12, to help students excel in their SAT preparation. For language accommodations, please complete the request form for the December 3 event by Sunday, December 1.
• Thursday - December 5: Post High School Pathways: informative webinar targeting high school students in grades 9-12, designed to guide students and families through the various options available after high school. We will explore all pathways and provide actionable steps to help navigate this important transition. For language accommodations, please complete the request form for the December 5 event by Monday, December 2.
• Tuesday - December 10: Overcoming Language Barriers - Getting Information from PWCS in Your Preferred Language. This webinar is for all PWCS students and families to equip families and community members with tools and resources to communicate effectively with PWCS, regardless of language preference. You will learn how to access information and services in your preferred language, ensuring your voice is heard and your children's needs are met. For language accommodations, please complete the request form for the December 10 event by Thursday, December 5.
• Thursday - December 12: Advanced Academic Opportunities in Prince William County Public Schools. This webinar is primarily for our middle and high school students and families interested in exploring Advanced Academic opportunities offered at the high schools in PWCS. This webinar will talk about courses, programs, assessments, and services that provide opportunities for students to demonstrate college and career readiness and earn postsecondary credit. For language accommodations, please complete the request form for the December 12 event by Monday, December 9.
• Tuesday - December 17: Gifted at a Glance - A Parent's Guide to Gifted Education and Talent Development in Prince William County Public Schools. This webinar is for all PWCS students and families to learn more about the services available to students in grades K-12 through the Gifted Education and Talent Development program. We will discuss what it means to be "gifted", how students are identified for the program, and ways parents can support their advanced learners at home. For language accommodations, please complete the request form for the December 17 event by Thursday, December 12.