School Counseling Department

National School Counseling Week 2019 focuses public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems. National School Counseling Week, sponsored by ASCA, highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. National School Counseling Week is always celebrated the first full week in February.-American School Counseling Association

All School Counselors at GVMS are proud to provide social/emotional, academic and career support to each and every child!

In honor of National School Counseling week, we are giving staff and students "The Top Ten Reasons to Visit Your School Counselor" bookmarks. They are located at various places in the school: Library, Cafeteria, Main Office, and School Counseling Office. Please encourage your students to take one for their reading enjoyment!

Student - Led Conference Day was a success. The Counseling Department registered students and parents, assisted with the parent feedback survey, answered questions and provided a variety of resources.

"Girls on the Run/ Heart and Sole is coming to Gainesville Middle School!

GOTR is a physical activity based positive youth development program for girls in 3rd-8th grade. The program teaches life skills through dynamic interactive lessons and running games. The goal of the program is to unleash confidence through accomplishment, while establishing a lifetime appreciation of health and fitness.

Starting the week on March 4th, the team will meet every Monday & Thursday from 3:00- 4:30PM. The program culminates in a celebratory 5k at the end of the season on the weekend of May 18th and 19th! The standard program fee is $175 and includes 20 lessons/practices, a t-shirt, water bottle, entry into the 5k, a 5k medal, and more.

Financial assistance is available for anyone who needs it, with the Ready to Run? Team and Participant Recruitment Tips lowest program registration cost being $22 for the season.

Registration begins on January 28th at www.gotrnova.org.

See below for flyers in both English and Spanish

Thank you to Healing Hearts Mobile Art Studio for providing us with self care toolboxes to use with our students. We have already used some of these boxes for our 7th grade Stress Busters Group. Students loved them and were able to incorporate them with skills they've been learning.

Thank you to our Social Worker, Mrs. Brown, and 7th Grade Counselor, Mrs. Shelton for coordinating.

Tutor.com for U.S. Military Families, funded by the U.S. Department of Defense and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance, is a program that provides on-demand, online tutoring and homework help at no cost to eligible service members and their dependents. With live, expert tutors available 24/7, military-connected students can receive academic help at their moment of need—anywhere they have an internet connection. https://military.tutor.com/home

Below is a copy of a parent letter and blank scheduling sheet.

Patriot High School Counseling Department will be here at Gainesville on FRIDAY, FEB. 8TH.

Please view the video message below from Principal, Dr. Nichols.

Please read and review the power-point presentation entitled, "Rising 9th Grade Academic Advising" found below.

Stonewall Jackson High School Counseling Department will be at Gainesville on THURSDAY, FEB. 7TH

6th Grade: Lesson: Technology: Choice and Consequences

Dates: Weeks of Jan. 14-28

Learning Objectives:

1. Students will learn to demonstrate responsible behavior and to the skills necessary to communicate and interact effectively when using computers, smart phones, the internet and social media.

2. Students will learn to apply critical thinking skills in the analysis of peer relationships and interactions online and in the real world.

3. Students will learn the real world implications of poor decisions made online and will understand how their personal feelings influence decisions and effect actions.

4. Students will be able to identify supportive peers who can assist them in times of difficulty and responsible adults who can assist them in times of difficulty and/or crisis.

8th Grade Lesson: Healthy Relationships

Dates: Weeks of February 4th and 11th

Learning Objectives:

1. Students will learn about healthy and unhealthy relationships.

2. Students will be able to identify traits and characteristics that help differentiate if a relationship is healthy or unhealthy

3. Students will learn about the resources they can use for assistance when they are in an unhealthy relationship or find themselves being bullied or harassed.

7th Grade Lesson: Creating an Academic Career Plan

Dates: February 2019

Learning Objectives:

1. Students will investigate graduation requirements.

2. Students will explore 16 Career Clusters.

3. Students will create an Academic Career Plan.

4. Students will explain the Academic Plan to Parent/Guardian.

In January, the Kindness Club completed the first phase of creating clay heart ornaments for the lovely residents of Tribute at Heritage Village in Gainesville.

Club members will complete the ornaments at our next meeting on February 4 and help deliver them to the facility before Valentine's Day.

If you are interested in joining the Kindness Club, we would love to have you!

Contact Ms. Kaczkowski for meeting dates/times and further information.

Registrar & School Counseling Secretary:

Mrs. Patty Lopez : lopezpa@pwcs.edu

Director of School Counseling & Co-Counselor 6-8:

Ms. Karen Mosley, M.Ed: mosleykl@pwcs.edu

6th Grade Counselor:

Mrs. Erin Tracy, MA : tracyem@pwcs.edu 7th Grade Counselor:

7th Grade Counselor:

Mrs.Amy Shelton, M.Ed, MPH, RD: sheltonab@pwcs.edu

8th Grade Counselor:

Ms. Amy Kaczkowski, MSEd, NCC: kaczkoal@pwcs.edu

School Psychologist:

Mrs. Eboni Gadson, M.A./Ed.S., NCSP: gadsonec@pwcs.edu

School Social Worker:

Mrs. Melanie Brown, LCSW: brownms1@pwcs.edu

Website: https://gainesvillems.pwcs.edu/about_us/counseling_department
Location: 8001 Limestone Drive, Gainesville, VA, USA
Phone: (703) 753-2997