The GMS Counseling Connection
1st Quarter Review
Welcome Hornet Nation!
The Gunston counseling team is excited to present our first edition of "The GMS Counseling Connection"---a new quarterly newsletter that highlights all the latest news and events happening in the GMS Counseling community. We hope you enjoy this 1st Quarter Review! Read on to learn more about how your GMS counselors have spent the beginning of this very busy school year.........
Our First Few Weeks...
BULLY PREVENTION
All students have seen a copy of, and signed, the GMS Anti-Bullying Pledge. A copy of this pledge can be found HERE. We want all of our students to revisit this pledge throughout the year so they understand the importance of keeping Gunston BULLY-FREE and SAFE!
What We Are Up To Now....
Ramping Up!
RAMP stands for Recognized ASCA Model Program. Earning this recognition means that our counseling program is committed to delivering initiatives that are comprehensive and data-driven. It gives us the opportunity to truly evaluate our counseling program for areas of success and areas for improvement based on student success and achievement. It also gives us the confidence and assurance that our program is aligned with the nationally accepted and recognized model through ASCA.
If you would like to learn more about the RAMP meaning and process, feel free to visit the ASCA website at https://www.schoolcounselor.org/school-counselors/recognized-asca-model-program-(ramp) for more information.
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
The emotional & social well-being of our students is so important during these middle school years (and beyond). The Counseling Department will be making adolescent mental health awareness our focus for the month of December. Stay tuned for more information on the different topics we will be addressing along with some helpful resources and coping strategies to help make our students healthier and happier tweens!
IMPORTANT DATES
Mark Your Calendars!
*Rising 6th Grade Spanish Immersion Visit (Key ES): Dec 5th
*Rising 6th Grade Spanish Immersion Visit (Claremont ES): Dec 6th
*Rising 6th Grade Orientation Session (In Spanish): Jan 17th @ 7pm
*Rising 6th Grade Orientation Session (In English): Jan 18th @ 7pm
About Us
Marlene Cordero--8th grade Counselor
Barry Leopold--7th Grade Counselor
Sharon Kolody--6th Grade Counselor
Sam King--Program Coordination/6th Gr Montessori
Ana Rodriguez--HILT counselor Gr 6-8
Cynthia Sturdivant--Registrar
Website: https://gunston.apsva.us/counseling/
Location: Gunston Middle School
Phone: (703) 228-6909
Twitter: @GMS_Counselors