BCMS Counselors Corner
The latest news from your BCMS counselors!
BCMS PAW Pride News
3rd Marking Period January 26th-March 23rd
February Events
2/12: Current 8th Graders: High School Registration Cards Due
2/14-2/20: Kindness Week
2/13: Report Card Distribution2/15: Presidents' Day-Schools and offices closed
2/26: Early Release Day (Students dismissed at 12:00)
Civility Initiatives at BCMS!
18 students in all 3 grades completed 4 weeks of small group lessons on topics such as:
-Distorted Images
-Stereotypes
-Who we really are/Getting to know one another
-Respect
Students completed a 4 question survey at the beginning of the sessions and then again at the end. The results indicated there was an average of a 12% increase in the general knowledge of what civility is, how knowing others more closely can change distorted images and stereotypes thus changing attitudes towards one another, and how this can affect the overall school climate!
Our next Civility Session begins in January after winter break.
Let's Make Civility the Next Big Thing!
How do we promote civility within our communities?
Here are two links that provide more information on how to practice civility in all areas of life and how to practice mindfulness while using social media. #itscool2bekind
CAREER DAY 2016
CAREER DAY Thursday, April 14th
Do you love your job? Have you turned your passion into a career? If so we invite you to participate in our 2016 Career Day!
If you are a parent/guardian and member of the BCMS community and would like to present and talk with students about your career, we would greatly appreciate it! As we prepare our students to be college and career ready, exposure and awareness to an array of career paths would greatly benefit our BCMS scholars.
If you are interested in receiving more information on being a career day speaker please contact Ms, Beth Beru at Bethlehem_Beru@mcpsmd.net
ATTENTION 8TH GRADE PARENTS: NEXT STOP IS HIGH SCHOOL!
High School Registration Meeting Wednesday, February 10th (at each high school)
HS REGISTRATION CARDS DUE TO MS. BERU BY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12TH
Have You Recently Moved?
Please click here for the MCPS website that provides proofs of residency.
Counseling Office 301-989-6010
Click the link below to search through current opportunities approved by MCPS
http://www.montgomeryserves.org/volunteers/student-service-learning-ssl
Counselor's Notes: Hard copies of the SSL packets are available in the counseling office. For questions, please refer to our school's SSL coordinator Ms. Wanda Johnson
Counselor College Note: If your student documents 260 or more hours of community service they will be honored for their exceptional service with the Certificate of Meritorious Service from MSDE and MCPS and a purple tassel to wear at the time of graduation exercises. (These hours must be documented by the first Friday of April of senior year)
SSL FORM DUE DATES!
- the last Friday in September for service performed during the summer;
- the First Friday in January for service performed during the first semester(1st and 2nd marking periods);
- the First Friday in June for service performed during the second semester (3rd and 4th marking periods)
Completed SSL forms are to be dropped off in the counseling office. Additional information and booklets are also available for pick up.
Join the BCMS SSL Group!
All students are encouraged to sign up for the SSL club! This club meets on Thursday's from 3:00-4:30pm beginning October 8th. Mrs. Showman has arranged for students to complete SSL projects here at BCMS. Students can sign up for the Fall semester, Spring semester or both!
Applications are available in the counseling office for pick up before and after school and during each grade level lunch period. Completed forms should be dropped off in the counseling office.
For any questions please contact Mrs. Showman
ACADEMIC & PERSONAL/SOCIAL SUPPORT
Mental Health Support & Suicide Prevention Resources
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), for youth between the ages of 10 and 24, suicide is the third leading cause of death.
MCPS through partnership with the Montgomery County Mental Health Association provides a comprehensive list for our community to access mental health supports, data and local resources for our students and families. Please follow the link below.
American Society for the Positive Care of Children provides current data on teen suicide, risk factors and signs to look out for. Please follow the link below.
Please remain vigilant. If you are concerned for a student's safety and need immediate assistance please call the Montgomery County Crisis Center. They are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
240.777.4000
Grief Counseling
*Students meet as a group once a week during school hours.
*A trained facilitator from Hospice will facilitate each session along with a counselor serving as co-facilitator.
Once students have been identified, a signed parent permission slip is required for participation.
If you would like to refer your student to the Good Grief Club, please email Mrs. Showman Kimberly_J_Showman@mcpsmd.org or Ms. Beru Bethlehem_Beru@mcpsmd.org
**No referrals will accepted after Friday, February 12th
Academic Support
Lunch Lab:
If students would like to work with a teacher during their lunch period they should pick up a lunch lab pass from that teacher before school on the day they would like to meet.
After-School:
Students must make arrangements with their teacher to confirm they are available after school and notify a parent that they are staying.
*NEW* Paw Pride Ambassador Peer Mentoring:
For the month of February, Paw Pride Ambassadors will be available every Wednesday to offer after-school academic support. Students MUST sign up by Tuesday of each week in order to participate. Sign-Up sheets will be available in the counseling office starting Monday, February 1st.
*After-school buses are available Tuesdays-Thursdays unless otherwise noted. Please check our school website to confirm.*
Test Taking Strategies
Available in English and Spanish
For ALL BCMS Students & Parent(s)/ Guardian(s)
REMIND! Sign-Up Today and stay up to date with your Counseling Office!
GBTSS Fall 2015 Flyer- English Version
GBTSS Fall 2015 Flyer- Spanish Version
Aristotle Circle Peer Tutors
SUMMER 2016 STUDENT PROGRAMS
7th Grade: Mr. Petrasek
8th Grade: Ms. Beru
School-Wide Counselor (6th, 7th & 8th): Mrs. Showman
Counseling Secretary: Mrs. West
Counseling Office Direct Line: 301.989.6010
Briggs Chaney Middle School
Silver Spring, MD 20905
Main Office: 301.989.6000
This newsletter is brought to you by the Briggs Chaney Middle School Counseling Department