MSMS School Counseling News
Week of May 25 - May 29
Hello Wonderful Marsteller Bulldogs!!!
Did you have a good week? Did you remember to W.I.N. (think about What's Important Now) ?It's hard to stay focused in the present and not worry about the future! Are you following the launch of the astronauts into space this week? If so, Check out this week's challenge to 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and count down to calming down!
Thanks to all who returned materials to school this week. Keep on the lookout for details and dates to pick up the materials in your locker,
This week's lesson is "Pause Before You Post" Good choices on this platform are more important than ever as school and most everything else has gone virtual at this time!!!! Are you making good choices online? Go to the Marsteller School Counseling Webpage -> Students to access it!
Remember we are still posting information that you need to know for this year and next year. There is a section for updates for each grade level (SCHEDULING!!) as well as activities to help you. We will be presenting lessons online on Thursdays from 8:30 - 10:00 am and will have office hours on Fridays from 1:30 - 3:00 via email. We will also be checking our emails periodically through the week. Don't hesitate to reach out to us with any questions you may be having at this time.
MOVING THIS SUMMER?? Please contact Mrs. Derstine at derstibm@pwcs.edu as soon as possible so that we can get records ready.
Contact us:
Mrs. Lesley Wark - Director of School Counseling - warkla@pwcs.edu
Mrs. Erica Herrera - School Social Worker - herrerel@pwcs.edu
Mrs. Tiffany Rounds - School Psychologist - roundsth@pwcs.edu
6th grade counselors 2019-2020 (next year moving up to 7th grade with you)
Mrs. Sara Correll (Last name A-K) correlse@pwcs.edu
Mrs. Rebecca Powers (Last Name L-Z) powersr@pwcs.edu
7th grade counselors 2019-2020 (next year moving up to 8th grade with you)
Mrs. Stephanie Sturges (Last Name A-K) sturges@pwcs.edu
Mr. John Lang (Last Name L-Z) langjr@pwcs.edu
8th grade counselors 2019-2020 (next year moving down to 6th grade)
Mrs. Sara Correll (Last Name A-C) correlse@pwcs.edu
Mrs. Stephanie Sturges (Last Name D-K) sturges@pwcs.edu
Mrs. Rebecca Powers (Last Name L-Pa) powersr@pwcs.edu
Mr. John Lang (Last Name Pe-Z) langjr@pwcs.edu
We will add more information to this section as information becomes available.....
VPW Summer Session Announcement
Virtual Prince William will conduct its 2020 Summer session. Below is the information regarding our 2020 Summer session.
- Registration for the summer session will open up at 9 a.m. on Friday, May 15 and will close at 9 a.m. on Monday, June 15. More information can be found at: https://virtualhs.pwcs.edu/
PWC Summer School for grades K-8
Registration is now going on and emails with information were sent out. Summer School will be virtual this year. For more information and to register, go to http://www.pwcs.edu/departments/student_management___alternative_programs/summer_school/middle_school_summer_school_information
8th grade News
1. If you did not turn in your signed copy of your course request form, don't worry. That's why they took a copy with them! If you want to change anything on your request, email your counselor at the high school.
2. If you did not get to complete a schedule, the high schools are in the process now of contacting students that they need information from.
3. As we get general information from schools, we will post the information here and on our web page. So far we have heard from:
Brentsville: If you are going to Brentsville next year and missed the meeting last week, you can view a recording of it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82wt7P-fUK0
Patriot: Info to come!
7th grade News
1. Did you turn in your Course Request form for 8th grade? If not, go to https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=bZqwF-SVHk2F4xzg1N5_wY8ByzOOTFNJtUV7CW8gqRVUM09PU0VEOVlVUkFQSVM5V0hWOEZCTElCQy4u and complete one NOW!!!! If you don't, we will assign it to you!
to access yours! Go to the School Counseling Web page - For Students - for instructions from Mrs. Sturges to do this!
6th grade News
Challenge Time! 5-4-3-2-1 ..... Relax!
The “5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique” is a simple, yet powerful technique that brings quick relief and forces you to be mindful of the current environment around you. This technique will take you through the 5 senses to help remind you of the present and return to a place of calmness and clarity. To start, take several deep belly breaths and concentrate on your breathing.
5 - LOOK: Look around for 5 things that you can see and say them out loud. This does not have to be large objects. Try to be as specific as you can.
4 - TOUCH: Identify 4 things that you can touch. Be as detailed as you can. What’s the texture like? Is it wet or dry?
3 - LISTEN: Listen for 3 sounds. This can be external sounds, like cars driving by or birds chirping. Or, this can be internal sounds, like your stomach rumbling! Say them out loud.
2 - SMELL: Say two things you can smell. If you’re allowed to, it’s okay to move to another spot and sniff something. If you can’t smell anything at the moment or you can’t move, then name your 2 favorite smells.
1 - TASTE: Say one thing you can taste. What was the last thing you ate or drank? Was it sweet, sour, bitter? If you can’t taste anything, then say your favorite thing to taste.
Take another deep belly breath to end.
This technique is most effective when repeated several times. I recommend a minimum of 3, but sometimes it may take 5 or more times. It really depends on the person and/or situation.
Computers for Home Use
Do you need free Wifi? VA WiFi Hotspot Map
WiFi Hotspot Map
Becky Bowers-Lanier, Lobbyist for the VIrginia Counselors Association, has provided us with a fantastic resource: a map of free WiFi hotspots in Virginia.
Web address: https://virginiatech.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=825546b05bba47048470e1cfa7364de3
With the help of local officials, schools, and libraries across Virginia, the Commonwealth Connect team and Virginia Tech have developed an interactive map of free, publicly available wifi hotspots that Virginians can access from a vehicle. Please share this map with your respective networks and constituents who many need access to the internet. Updates will be done weekly as we receive new locations. If you see any free public wifi hotspots missing or listed incorrectly, please email - commonwealthconnect@virginia.governor.gov.
Lunch, Anyone?????
https://www.pwcs.edu/news/what_s_new/to-go_meals_available_free_during_closure
See below in this newsletter for a list of food banks available in Prince William County.
Parent Corner - Helping YOU
If your children are dealing with the loss of a loved one due to COVID, there is a FREE camp available to them to help them through this ...
https://comfortzonecamp.org/event/covid-loss-virtual-camp/?instance_id=96
Are you getting tired and run down from having to be strong for everyone and wear many hats during this pandemic? Are your own worries starting to become overwhelming? This website from Mental Health America (MHA) and Shine gives parents tips on how to deal with their own anxiety, feelings of isolation, and financial fears, as well as tips for talking to kids.
https://www.virusanxiety.com/take-care
This page from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention not only gives parents ways to support themselves and their families, but also gives parents some stress indicators to watch for in children and teens.
FOOD BANKS in the area - please call to verify times.
Espanol:
Thought for the Week........
PWCS cares deeply about students’ emotional well-being during their time away from school. If a student is in need of emotional support during this time, please feel free to send an e-mail to studentsupportservices@pwcs.edu. A school mental health or health professional will answer and offer virtual support to students to the best of their ability. This e-mail is not to be used for emergency situations as it will not be monitored 24 hours a day. If a student is ever in an emergency situation he/she is encouraged to call 911 or utilize one of the resources listed below:
Emergency Resources:
ACTS Helpline 703.368.4141
1.800.SUICIDE (24-hour hotline) 1.800.784.2433
Crisis Text Hotline (24-hour hotline) 741741
PWC Child Protective Services Hotline 703.792.4200
PWC Community Services Board 703.792.7800