The Colgan Counselor

Week Eight: School Counseling In the Pandemic (6/10 - 6/12)

The Final Edition of the 2019-20 School Year

Week Eight

Week Eight

Colgan Students and Families,


It feels as though it has been much longer than three months since we last saw each of you in our school building. And, though the school year is coming to a close, we want you to know how proud we are of all of you.


From our senior class, whom we were so thankful to see and celebrate Saturday, to our underclassmen, you all are truly amazing.


You persevered in the midst of a situation the likes of which students in America haven't been faced with in a century. You found ways to carry on both in your academic lives and beyond, which is no small task when so much has changed. Many of you helped as much as you could, whether that means continuing to use your voice in movements such as Black Lives Matter, creating and donating Personal Protective Equipment to frontline healthcare workers and those most at-risk for COVID-19, or even by practicing basic social distancing.


And now, we prepare to move into summer once more. Remember that the materials in these newsletters is still accessible (to access each week's newsletter, simply type newsletterweek_.colgancounselor.com, changing the blank to the week number). We cannot wait to see you again next school year. Until then... Go Sharks!


- The Colgan Counselors

Week Eight
In This Week's Edition:

In This Week's Edition:

  1. A Year in Photo Review

  2. The Colgan Counselor Podcast
    - Listen and Learn: Being an Ally in the Black Lives Matter Movement

  3. Socially Distanced, Emotionally Well - Social Emotional Resources for Students and Families
    - Self-Prioritization Calendar
    - Mindfulness and Yoga: Boat Pose
    - Monday Message: "Who Are You When...? Questions to Consider"
In This Week's Edition:

A Year in Photo Review

The Colgan Counselor - Weekly Podcast

This week, we present a podcast focused on for students and family members who might be looking to be allies for their black friends, family members, or others, but who aren't entirely sure what being an ally looks like.


  • Listen and Learn: Being an Ally in the Black Lives Matter Movement
    Description: In the final episode of the 2019-2020 school year, Mr. Harvey is joined by Colgan Counselors Mrs. Levette Hull, Mr. Jean Agosto, and Ms. Alyson Richardson for a discussion on what it means to be an ally in the Black Lives Matter movement.


The Colgan Counselor podcast can be accessed by clicking on the Anchor links embedded in the newsletter, or on these platforms:



Socially Distanced, Emotionally Well: Social-Emotional Resources

Finding Ways to Cope: An Explanation of Our Resources

Finding Ways to Cope: An Explanation of Our Resources

Amongst this week's social emotional resources, you'll find:


  • The new week's self-prioritization calendar
  • One of Ms. Richardson's mindfulness and yoga videos with directions to help follow along
  • One of Mr. Harvey's Monday Messages with an accompanying activity sheet


Remember Sharks - we care about you, we love all of you, and we are here for you.

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Note: 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

Finding Ways to Cope: An Explanation of Our Resources

Self-Prioritization Calendar for 6/10 - 6/12

"Be good to yourselves, always."


There's lots to take care of in a pandemic, whether you're a student or parent or even a staff member. But one thing we often forget is to prioritize of ourselves in ways that are meaningful to us.


This weekly calendar is a template to help you remember to do just that. We will update it with new activities, most that can be completed in 5-10 minutes, each week, but you can also feel free to create your own calendar. The secret is to choose healthy activities that build and nurture YOU.


Because, simply put: You're worth it.

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Mindfulness and Yoga with Ms. Alyson Richardson

This week's video is Boat Pose (Navasana). Follow along with the tips below the video, and have fun!

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Life is full of variables that are outside of our control - these times make that as evident as ever. Sometimes, when we lose that sense of control, we can begin to feel stressed, nervous, and even anxious.


But there's still plenty that falls within our control. Our mind is powerful, and mindfulness practices offer us a tool to help bring us back to a centered state - not focused on the future nor the past, but rather on the moment at hand. On the little things - the pace of our breathing, for example, or the way the ground feels beneath our feet. Yoga can be a helpful way to get back to the present moment.


One of our own counselors, Ms. Richardson, happens to be a well-versed in mindfulness practices, and is also a certified yoga instructor. She incorporates many tenets of mindfulness into her yoga practice, and she has been sharing some of these tools on her Twitter (@MsRichCHS). Each week, we'll post some of that content here, along with brief activities/directions so that you can follow along and begin to get back to the present.

Boat Pose (Navasana)
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The #MondayMessage with Mr. Wilson Harvey

Just as he has throughout the school year, Mr. Harvey will continue to tweet Monday Message videos every Monday that tackle a wide variety of social-emotional topics.


Each week, we will post a Monday Message here, often with written activities accompanying to help students apply the message to their own lives. These messages are rooted in counseling theory, and they address a wide range of topics such as dealing with anger, dealing with difficult people, managing stress, building trust, and much more. If there is a topic you would like to hear more about, please reach out to Mr. Harvey at harveywr@pwcs.edu.


This week Monday Message:


"Who Are You When...? Questions to Consider"

- With an informational poster and activities to help you consider who YOU want to be

Who Are You When...? Questions to Consider
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The Colgan Counselors

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Find Your Student's Counselor by Last Name

Mr. Harvey - A - Bo and Ta - Th

Mr. Agosto - Br - De and Ti - Tu

Mrs. Latimer - Di - Gr and Y - Z

Mrs. Hull - Gu - Kh and Wi - Wy

Mrs. Boyd - Ki - Me and U - V

Ms. Richardson - Mi - P and Wa - Wh

Ms. White - Q - Sp and St - Sy

Dr. Byrd - St - Z (Seniors)