School Counseling Corner
January
Your Counseling Team
Mr. Simenauer: School Counselor to our 6th grade students.
Dr. Stephenson: School Counselor to our 7th students.
Mrs. Jefferson: School Counselor to our 8th grade students.
Ms. Faust: Director of School Counselors, happy to meet with any student who would like!
- The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) defines SEL, based on the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) definition, as "the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions."
January Classroom Guidance Lessons
Counselors will be conducting lessons with our 8th graders regarding the upcoming transition to high school as well as the specialty program application.
Specialty Program Information
Application Deadlines
- February 1, 2024 – All Other Specialty Programs (transfer, transport, and site-based programs) and Governor's School @ Innovation Park
Late applications will not be considered.
Attention 8th Grade Families! Want to learn more about the CASIIT (Center for Applied Sciences, Interactive, and Information Technology) Specialty Program at Battlefield High School? Please join us for our virtual Information Night Thursday, January 11th from 7:00-8:00 PM. You will hear from CASIIT teachers and students regarding their experience with this outstanding program and what it has to offer all students. We will see you there! Here is the web address to join: https://pwcs-zm-edu.zoom.us/j/82680755887?pwd=NnZHc09vdTc2am1wRkdRa0c4aGlLQT09
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
The definition of homelessness, as defined by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, includes children and youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. Children and youth who are experiencing one of the conditions below, may be considered as homeless:
- Sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason;
- Living in emergency or transitional shelters;
- Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, camping grounds due to lack of adequate alternative accommodations;
- Living in cars, parks, public spaces, bus or train stations, or abandoned buildings;
- Having a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designated for, or ordinarily used as, regular sleeping accommodations; and
- Migratory children or youth living in circumstances described above.
What Families Experiencing Homelessness Need To Know
- Children and youth experiencing homelessness have a right to attend school;
- You do not need a permanent address to enroll your child in school;
- Children and youth experiencing homelessness can stay in their school of origin or enroll in a public school that students living in the same attendance zone are eligible to attend whichever circumstance proves to be in their best interest;
- Schools must provide you with a written explanation if a dispute occurs; Contact your local Homeless Liaison for assistance in handling a dispute;
- Your child may have the right to transportation services to and from the school of origin if in your child's best interest;
- Your child has the right to participate in extracurricular activities and all federal, state, or local programs for which he/she is eligible; and
- Unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness have these same rights. (Contact your local Social Worker and local Homeless Liaison)