WHMS Counselor Newsletter
March 2023
Upcoming Events
March 1 - March Madness Advisory Team Competition begins
March 13-17 - Mental Health Week
March 15 - Mental Health Fair
March 17 - 7th-8th Grade scheduling elective forms due
March 23 - Term 3 Ends
April 4 - Report cards posted on Family Access
April 25, 26, 27 - ELA PSSA testing
May 2, 3 - Math PSSA Testing
May 9, 10 - Science PSSA testing (8th grade only)
May- Dates TBD Algebra 1 Keystone testing (Algebra 1 students only)
Scheduling for 2023-2024
In March the counselors will begin the 8th to 9th grade scheduling process by visiting the students in their math classes. Counselors will cover with the students:
Graduation Requirements
Course Selection
Transitioning to the High School
In addition to students discussing course selections with their teachers, 8th grade students will meet with his/her counselor one on one to discuss their choices prior to entry into Skyward. Parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to discuss course selections with their children. Parents should be able to see their child's course selections in late March via Skyward family access.
Middle school 7th to 8th grade scheduling process will begin in March. As in the past, 8th graders will have choices of which electives they would like to schedule. This Friday, 7th grade students will be issued the 7 to 8 Electives Form and will need to return it it to their homeroom teacher on March 17th with their parent's or guardian's signature. Students entering 7th grade will discuss the scheduling process in their Project Passport/Guidance Class in May. Please refer to the WHMS School Counselor Website Scheduling tab for resources and updates about scheduling information.
Advisory groups will compete against each other in the March Madness Challenge. Advisory groups will receive points based on members of the advisory teams completing various activities and tasks. These include:
Accelerated Reading Points - For term 3
Math IXL - Gains from the beginning of the year.
Grades - Students gain points for their group by not having any grades below a C for the third term
Earning Positive Behavior Tickets
Door Decorating - The theme is participation in positive outside school activities
Slide Show - Members of the team create a google slide presentation on conflict resolution.
Poster - Create a poster promoting healthy habits.
The top 3 Advisory teams will earn the Principals Cup for term 3 and are rewarded with a pancake breakfast. Term 2 Principals Cup was awarded to Mr. Namie, Ms. Simon and Mrs. Ross teams for having the greatest improvement in their G.P.A. from term 1 to term 2. Congratulations to those three advisory teams.
G.P.A. Climbers
WHMS Student Assistance Program is organizing a Mental Health Awareness Week for March 13-17. On Wednesday, the students will attend a Mental Health Fair during their specialty periods. Organizations from around the area will present to the students in the auditorium and then students and presenters will have a table set up in the gym where students will have an opportunity to talk to presenters to find out more information. Presenters scheduled to attend include; Hempfield Rec, Young Marines, Stage Right, Maestro Minds, Hempfield Library, Greensburg Art Center, Virtus Barbell, Greensburg YMCA, and Allegheny Shotokan.
On Thursday, guest speakers will visit the grade level homerooms. Counselors from Excela Health will visit with 6th graders to discuss mental health topics. 7th and 8th graders will have a visit and see a presentation from Top Dog Therapy Dogs. Dress up days for the week are:
Monday- Don’t be sad- wear plaid
Tuesday-Be comfortable with yourself
Wednesday- I’m Involved- wear clothes for organization that you belong to
Thursday- Be mentally fit- wear exercise clothes
Friday- Be Seen and Wear Green- Green is nationally recognized color of Mental Health Week
Last Spring Hempfield Area School District partnered with Care Solace to help expand access to community mental health and substance abuse treatment providers for Hempfield students, staff and families. Care Solace provides a Care Companion team that can quickly and confidentially find available community providers. Families can gain access to a dedicated Care Companion to navigate the mental health care system on their behalf using their vast database to call providers to find the right fit and availability. Care Solace helps families with private insurance, medicaid or no insurance. They are available to help you 24/7/365 in any language. Families can be connected to Care Solace through a school referral or contact them directly through the Care Solace Hempfield link.
PSSA Testing Begins April 25th
PSSA testing will begin with the ELA during the last week of April (testing dates are above under “Upcoming Events”). On testing days, students test for half the day and the school runs a “mini” schedule for the second half. Activity period is canceled during test days.
Helpful Tips
The Locket App - Here is Shape the Sky review of this increasingly popular app with teens.
ChatGPT - If you have not heard about this app, you should read this. ChatGPT is Artificial Intelligence (AI) that is both fascinating and frightening. Please check out the Shape the Sky blog on this app.
What is a Fentapill - A Fentapill is a fake prescription drug pill laced with Fentanyl. The DEA reported that 6 of 10 pills seized last year were laced with Fentanyl. Fentapill Fact Sheet. Natural High is a drug prevention resource provider we use to educate students of the dangers of drug abuse. They have a strong 6 minute short film about Fentanyl that you can view with your children to generate discussion. Please watch it before showing it to your children to decide if you feel it is appropriate.
Sextortion - You may have heard this term before. If you are unfamiliar with this term, please review this Shape the Sky blog on the subject. The blog does include what to do if your child would fall victim to this.
your whms school counselors
Mr. Ray Killen killenr@hasdpa.net (724) 850-2147
Ms. Judy Varacalli varacallij@hasdpa.net (724) 850-2146
Please visit our WHMS School Counselor website
Please visit the WHMS School Calendar
Previous Newsletters:
October WHMS Counselor Newsletter