MSMS School Counseling News
Week of May 25 - May 29
Hello Wonderful Marsteller Bulldogs!!!
Did you have a good week? I think that we all needed the 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1 to stay calm and deal with the events of the world this week. There are some resources listed in the Parent section that may help you and your family as we go through these historic times. Please remember that we are here to talk with you .... just email your school counselor and we will be happy to communicate with you via phone or email (with parent permission/inclusion)
Thanks to all who returned materials to school. We look forward to seeing you next week when you pick up your things from the lockers and classrooms - - yes, some of the bags are VERY full! How does that much fit in such a small locker??????
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
Expunging grades for High School Level Courses: Please go to https://tinyurl.com/EXPUNGEHSGRADE for more information if you wish to have the grade for a High School Level Course that has been taken in Middle School (World Languages, Algebra, Geometry) removed from your official transcript. This will also remove the credit earned. Please send this completed form to Mrs. Wark if you are completing this before June 27 or the high school afterwards.
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! What I Like About You!!! 10 Minutes to Celebrate a Friendship
As we approach the end of the school year and look towards the beginning of next, it's time to reflect on what has been and think about what you want it to be. We all have those people who have had a positive impact on us, whether they are other kids or adults. With all of the negativity around us right now, let's take a minute to focus on what is positive. Complete the 10 Minutes to Celebrate a Friend (or two) and send it to them so they know what an impact they have made on you!
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
As if the Pandemic was not enough, we are now dealing with major social issues and changes that while hopefully will have a positive outcome, it is adding another major stressor to our families' lives. Here are some resources that may be helpful to you .....and please remember that the school counseling team is here to talk.
Talking to kids about Race and Racism : There’s no “one way” to dive into this topic. There’s no such thing as “quick tips” or foolproof advice when it comes to discussing the complexities of race. But, there are better ways to go about it and each parent will have to decide for themselves what makes the most sense for them and their family. Above all, it’s a conversation all parents need to have, no matter your background or experience. So, if you’re curious how to get this conversation started, here’s what the experts have to say.
A Kid's Book About Racism: YouYube video with a narrator reading the book
RESOURCES FOR TALKING ABOUT RACE, RACISM AND RACIALIZED VIOLENCE WITH KIDS This document was compiled by Center for Racial Justice in Education. It is not meant to be exhaustive and will be continually updated as they are made aware of more resources.
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