THRIVING in a Virtual World
Tips from you PRHS School Counseling Team
Get ORGANIZED
- Know how to use Blackboard and/or Google Classroom
- Keep track of assignments: What works best for you?
- Planner - hardcopy or virtual calendar
- To-Do on google classroom
- Make a weekly assignment list with post-its
- Plan your time wisely: Ask yourself...
- How long will this assignment take?
- How much goes into this big project?
- What else am I committed to right now? Work? Clubs? Sports? Groups/Committees? Time with friends and family?
- Create a weekly schedule: Ask yourself
- What do I have going on this week?
- What days are A/B, activity schedule, etc?
- Set reminders on your phone or Alexa/Google Home: Do you set...
- Reminders to sign in to classes?
- Reminders to move on to next assignment?
- Check your progress using Sapphire: Ask yourself...
- How am I doing in class?
- What do I have coming up?
- Did I miss anything?
- How am I doing in class?
- Use the Time Management Worksheet found in the PRHS Program of Studies, pg. 9.
Set up your WORK SPACE
- Post your schedule/activity day calendar - set timer/alarms
- Limit distractions like the TV, phone, pets, siblings
- Be consistent where you work like a desk or designated table in the home.
- Have tools handy to be successful - laptops, books, pens/pencils, highlighters, post-its, etc.
- Use your Learning Styles Results in Naviance to help you! Remember, there are suggestions for lighting, sound, seating, motivation, etc.
- Are you more of a VISUAL, AUDITORY or KINESTHETIC learner?!
- Visual: Use Closed Captions on Google Meet
- Auditory: Use earbuds/headphones
- Kinesthetic: Keep Silly Putty handy or find a place to stand while working
Having TROUBLE?
- Stay calm: Breathe in and out. Remember that this is temporary and you will find a solution.
- Identify the problem: What’s the problem and what do you need? Try to be as clear and specific as possible
- Try to fix it yourself first!: Re-start your computer, log off and back on, close your extra tabs, clear your browser history/cookies, check your modem
- Use the helpdesk at the top of PRrams.org: IT is ready to help you. Just remember to be patient- they are supporting 4,600 people!
During CLASS
- Be ON TIME (you will be counted absent if you aren't online when your teacher checks)
- MUTE your mic! (the feedback can be crazy- mute when you're not talking)
- Show your smiling FACE (or at least a part of your face to keep actively engaged)
- ASK QUESTIONS (use the chat/message option if preferred)
- Take NOTES (you don't have to write every word- use "short-hand" to get the main message)
- Participate the WHOLE time (Teachers know when you aren't really there)
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Stay CONNECTED
- Reach out: Call or video chat your friends. It helps improve your mental wellbeing!
- Don’t isolate yourself: Go downstairs, leave your bedroom, find a family member and have a conversation!
- Know your trusted adult: Who do you trust? A parent? family member? neighbor? teacher? counselor? Stay connected with that person via email, phone call, video chat
- Your counseling team is here to help you! Our calendars and emails are listed below...

Your Counseling TEAM
Last names starting with A-D: Mrs. Zerlina Gardner-Ushery (in for Mrs. Holliday)
Last names starting with E-K: Mrs. Jennifer Bowers
Last names starting with L-R: Mrs. Toni Filipowski
Last names starting with S-Z: Mrs. Leslie Straub
Students who receive Transition Services through an IEP: Mrs. Jocelyn Secen
Social Worker for all students: Mrs. Carolyn Welshonce
College and Career Counseling for students A-Z: Mrs. Jean Whalen
Administrative Assistant for A-K: Mrs. Susan Torchia
Email: storchia@pinerichland.org
- Administrative Assistant for L-Z: Mrs. Dorothy Erlain
- Email: derlain@pinerichland.org
WHO CAN HELP?
No one THRIVES alone. Who is a part of your VILLAGE?
Check the PRHS Program of Studies, pg. 5, to see who the best person is to help you!
- Your Teachers
- Your School Counseling Team (your counselor & college/career counselor)
- Your Social Worker
- Your Grade Level Principal & Head Principal (Mrs. Bowman)
- Your Librarian (Mr. Pollock)
- Your Family (your parents, siblings, cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncles)
- Your Friends and Classmates
- Peer Tutors (see Miss Lang for an NHS Tutor)
Check the PRHS Program of Studies, pg. 5, to see who the best person is to help you!
If you or a friend are in crisis, please get help. Call Re:solve @ 1.888.796.8226 or text HELP to the Crisis Hotline @ 741741.
