Counselor Connection
UBMS - January 2021
Welcome to Unity Braxton Counseling Department!!
If this is an emergency, please visit the Counseling Department immediately (or during the next school day). Parents should email their students' counselors to set up an appointment.
Useful Phone Numbers:
Suicide Hotline: 1.800.784.2433
PWC Police Department Non-emergency Number: 703.792.6500
ACTS Helpline: 703.368.4141
Crisis Text Hotline: 703.940.0888
Dear Families,
Sincerely,
Unity Braxton Counseling Team
Happy New Year! Welcome to 2021!!
Nurse's Note: It's a Wonderful Time to Get Well!
This time of year, people all over the world make long lists New Year’s resolutions; they have BIG PLANS to make major changes as soon as the clock strikes midnight on January 1st. The reality is that often (usually!) the changes don’t last since the goals are not realistic. This is especially true of wellness goals; we can set ourselves up for disappointment.
Crushing your wellness goals in the New Year is possible when the goals are reasonable. Running three miles a day, every day is probably not realistic if you have never run more than a mile at a time before. On the other hand, since you have practiced running a mile in PE class before, a reasonable goal may be running a mile and a half a couple of times per week and building up your endurance over time.
Here are some common wellness goals and small, realistic steps you can make to achieve them.
Goal: Eat Healthy
Small Steps: Add one fruit or vegetable every day for a month. The next month you can try to add two fruits or vegetables to your daily meal routine each day. Try new varieties of fruits and vegetables. You may discover a new favorite food.
Goal: Exercise
Small Steps: Try doing sets of 10 jumping jacks, sit-ups, and push-ups in-between Zoom classes or while you are watching television. See if your family wants to take a walk after school or dinner. Exercising with others can make it more fun. Listening to music while you exercise can also be a way to inspire more movement.
Goal: Spend Time with Family
Small Steps: Plan a family dinner. You can make something simple; even sandwiches can feel special if you are sharing them with the people you care about. You could plan a family game night. Playing board games and video games together can help you make fun memories.
Remember, wellness does not happen overnight! Setting realistic goals and taking small steps to reach those goals is a great way to get healthier in 2021.
Have a happy and healthy New Year!
You can reach your school nurse: enszce@pwcs.edu
Unity Braxton Middle School: (703) 361-3185
Upcoming Classroom Guidance
Technology Choices & Consequences
Pause Before You Post
Transition to High School
During the month of January, School Counselors will be speaking with the students about transitioning to high school. There will have lab days in January to help students with the high school application process.
Ms. Breski will be working with the high schools in January to start the scheduling process for ninth grade. Students will begin scheduling for high school around the third week of February. Please be on the look out for more details in the coming weeks.
Academic and Career Plans for 7th Graders
The High School Special Opportunities Application
The deadline to submit applications is February 1, 2021.
Deadline for The Center for Fine and Performing Arts at Colgan High School is Monday, December 7, 2020.
Please check back for dates about High School Information Nights.
Mr. Simenauer, Ms. Fox and Ms. Breski visited the 8th Grade Science classes on October 27th and October 28th to share information with students about high school programs and upcoming information nights. We are holding open office hours on November 5, 2020 from 10:00 am-12:00 pm for students to log in and ask specific questions and get help with the application process. Please click the button below to join the open office hours.
Post-Survey
83% of 8th grade students participated in the High School Specialty Program Presentations.
54% of 8th grade students who participated and completed the survey, indicated that they would like additional information about some of the programs offered by PWCS.
Information for 8th Graders: Thomas Jefferson High School
Report Cards
Report Cards & Grades
The second marking period ends on January 22, 2021. Report cards will be mailed home on February 1, 2021.
Parents can download the ParentVUE app or visit the website at: https://va-pwcps-psv.edupoint.com/PXP2_Login_Parent.aspx?regenerateSessionId=True/
Holiday Assistance
Thank you to Youth for Tomorrow for providing Unity Braxton MS families with gift cards for the holidays.
Thank you to Unity Braxton MS Staff for providing 65 UBMS families with gift cards & food for the holidays through the Howard Leshin Fund.
Howard Leshin Fund:
It is a tradition here at a Unity Braxton to think of the families and students we see every day and brighten their holiday season. In years past we have been able to provide approximately 20 families a gift card from staff generosity. Our holiday fund was established in memory of a dedicated and caring Unity Braxton MS teacher, Howard Leshin, who gave so much to his students. This year, with our collection, we are able to provide many families some holiday support.
THANK YOU PARK VALLEY CHURCH, YOUTH FOR TOMORROW AND OUR AMAZING UNITY BRAXTON MS STAFF!!!!!
Success in Virtual Learning ---Small Group Counseling
If you have an interest in your child participating in this group in the future, please email Ms. Breski at breskidm@pwcs.edu.
Schedule Change Request Forms
Please visit the UBMS Counseling Website for additional information regarding scheduling changes.
Enrollment, New Students & Transfers
Click on the links below for registration forms and other information. Please make sure you have all required documents when you come to your face-to-face appointment.
Unity Braxton Middle School
Email: breskidm@pwcs.edu
Website: https://stonewallms.pwcs.edu/home
Location: Historic District, 10100 Lomond Drive, Manassas, VA, USA
Phone: (703)361-3185
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StonewallMiddle/