BRHS School Counseling Newsletter
May 2021
About our Department
The Broad Run School Counseling Department is a team of 14 dedicated individuals working collaboratively to meet the needs of 1,589 students, including teachers and parents. We have an open-door policy, but at times we are needed in meetings or have scheduled appointments with other students and parents. Broad Run counselors support the school in more ways than one. Aside from frequently attending many school events to support their students, other places you may see one of our counselors is coaching wrestling, basketball and baseball! Others sponsor many of our clubs, including We're All Human, LGBTQ+, Muslim Student Association and book club. We are a dedicated team committed to supporting the students in any way that we can.
Some Roles of Broad Run Counselors:
- Working with staff to address obstacles that interfere with students' learning and success.
- Focusing on skill development through a variety of ways, such as small group or individual counseling sessions, classroom guidance, and consultation and coordination with parents, administrators, and teachers.
- Helping students who are experiencing challenges. We do this by focusing on conflict resolution, transitions, study skills, test-taking skills, crisis intervention, bullying prevention, suicide prevention, as well as with the special needs of students.
- Preparing students with post-graduation planning with college visits, career days, internships, scholarships and jobs matching.
- Collaborating with all departments to assure that we are addressing the academic needs and requirements of our students.
BRHS School Counseling Hours
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:15 pm
Jennie Kroll, Director of School Counseling (PAW - SID - Seniors)
Mollie Stratton, School Counselor (A-BUC)
(Lauren Pasek is substituting for Mollie Stratton)
Chad Obzud, School Counselor (BUD-GL)
Susan Ellis, School Counselor (GO-LEO)
Adity Choudhury, School Counselor (LEP - PAV)
Scott Valyear, School Counselor (PAW-SID - grades 9-11)
Taylor Kewer, School Counselor (SIE-Z)
Dr. Arianna Scott, School Psychologist
Dr. Alloway-Higgins, School Social Worker
Greg Adams, Student Assistant Specialist
Kevin Kozikowski, Testing Coordinator
Leona Days, Career Center Specialist
Laura Pendleton, School Counseling Registrar
Michele Porter, School Counseling Administrative Assistant
Amanda Brougham, Counseling Intern
COURSE SELECTION HAS ENDED...
May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
May 1 kicked off the first weekend of the month-long celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage.
May has been designated as AAPI-heritage month since 1992 and the month was chosen to commemorate the first Japanese immigrants who came to the United States on May 7, 1843, as well as to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, which many Chinese immigrants worked on, according to asianpacificheritage.gov.
The month specifically highlights people with heritage from any part of the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia (New Guinea, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji and the Solomon Islands), Micronesia (Marianas, Guam, Wake Island, Palau, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru and the Federated States of Micronesia) and Polynesia (New Zealand, Hawaiian Islands, Rotuma, Midway Islands, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, French Polynesia and Easter Island).
Events highlighting the culture and celebrating the month are taking place across the D.C. metro area. Find a list and links to more information below.
Please note: although organized by location, many of these events are virtual.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
DC Public Library
May 20
"Hear the story Dumpling Dreams: How Joyce Chen Brought the Dumpling from Beijing to Cambridge and make an Origami Basket."
Smithsonian Institution
Saving Chinatown and Our Legacies
Wednesday, May 5, 2021, 6:30 – 8 pm
"Join a panel of chefs, advocates, and activists who discuss the future of Chinatowns across the country."
Smithsonian Social Studies Online: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Thursday, May 6, 2021, 11 – 11:30 am
"Join the National Museum of American History for an online exploration into key social studies topics, featuring museum resources from the Smithsonian. This episode will focus on Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month."
Southeast Asia Got Something to Say
Wednesday, May 19, 2021, 6:30 – 8 am
"What makes Southeast Asian cooking and eating truly unique goes beyond the pungent flavors, colorful ingredients, and history of immigration often associated with the businesses built on these lesser-known culinary treasures. How will these cultural hubs keep their doors open during a global pandemic against doubly stacked odds, with anti-Asian racism at an all-time high? Is Southeast Asian food still on the rise? Can it maintain its pre-pandemic momentum as it approaches mainstream popularity—and, eventually, even ubiquity?"
Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum
Virtual Exhibit: Chinatown Preserving Our Place
"A Washington DC History Project presented by the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum."
National Portrait Gallery
Series of events: Young Portrait Explorers
"Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at the Portrait Gallery with a series of Young Portrait Explorers. Join our virtual workshops for children ages 3-6 and their adult companions as we learn about art, history, and more! Each week in May, Portrait Gallery educators will lead a 30-minute program on a different Asian American or Pacific Islander that incorporates close looking at portraiture, movement and art-making."
Happy National Teacher Appreciation Week!
Counselor's Coffee
Please join us on May 11 at 9:00 am for the Broad Run Counselor’s Coffee. Our counselors will be available to answer any questions you have as well as address scheduling questions. A link to the coffee will be sent out a few minutes before the coffee. We look forward to seeing you!
Upcoming Testing Opportunities
SAT TESTING
May 8: Broad Run and John Champe High School
June 5: Broad Run and Park View High School
AP TEST SCHEDULE @ BRHS
Friday, May 21
AP Latin
AP Spanish
AP Chinese Language
AP German
AP French
AP Music Theory
Monday, May 24
AP Calculus
BC Calculus
Physics C: Mechanics
Tuesday, May 25
AP Chemistry
AP Statistics
Summer Opportunities
The Radford University College of Science and Technology Summer Bridge Program
To learn more, please visit http://www.radford.edu/content/csat/home/summer-bridge.html/
Email: rucsat@radford.edu
Call: 540-831-6277
SCHOLARSHIPS!
The American Culinary Federation Education Foundation, with the support of the American Academy of Chefs (AAC), is pleased to offer a limited number of scholarships annually to students:
- Apprenticeship program - up to $1,500
- Certificate programs - up to $1,500
- Post-secondary degree programs - up to $2,500
Scholarship deadlines are Oct 30 and Dec 1 of each year. Click on the link for more information. www.acfchefs.org/ACF/Education/Scholarships/ACF/Education/Scholarships/
Scholarship Information
Getting your FAFSA completed!
Need help understanding how to fill out your FAFSA? Everything you need to know is right here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-UgJXVeV6ILR_g86nDqglKrZ2RowOv6w-kQGcFUIpCM/edit
Financial Aid information is available on our BRHS website: https://sites.google.com/lcps.org/broadrunschoolcounseling/college-career/financial-aid
Transcripts
A final transcript will be sent ONLY to the school you will be attending. Stay tuned for your SENIOR SURVEY which will appear in your Naviance email around May 1. Your senior survey must be completed before we send out the final transcript.
Alternatives to a 4-Year College: What to Know
Gap Year - What is it?
"A semester or year of experiential learning, typically taken after high school and prior to career or post-secondary education, in order to deepen one's practical, professional, and personal awareness."
https://www.gapyearassociation.org/gap-year.php
Click here for a list of gap year programs.
Freshmen!
Here are some tips to help you through your first year in high school:
- Find extracurricular activities you enjoy.
- Make friends with a bunch of different people.
- Get to know your school’s faculty.
- Stay organized.
- Pick fun electives that aren't too hard.
- Show up on time.
- Don't skip class.
Remember that freshman year counts!
Sophomores!
Now is the time to start your scholarship search and ask your teachers and counselors for letters of recommendations! You may also want to:
- Apply for a summer job or internship. Summer employment and internships in fields you're interested in will look appealing on a college application or resume. The money you earn can also be used to help pay application and testing fees in the fall.
- Set up appointments at your top college choices. You'll often have to plan ahead when visiting colleges. Call the admissions office to set up a personal interview, tour, and a meeting with a professor or coach if you're interested.
Juniors!
It’s that time of year to start thinking about taking the SAT and/or ACT this upcoming Spring/Summer. Visit Collegeboard.org to see available test locations and dates. Reach out to your counselor with any questions!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GvadM3jfhRn1SxD6rjC3NEdu8fI3wql6/view
Activities You Can Enjoy While Following Pandemic Recommendations
Outdoor and Indoor Activities
If you want to spend time with people who don’t live with you, outdoors is the safer choice! You are less likely to be exposed to COVID-19 during outdoor activities, even without the use of masks, when you:
- Stay at least 6 feet apart from people who don’t live with you
- Limit your time around others
Remember
- Bring a mask with you to put on when you encounter people who may get closer than 6 feet
- Follow local mask mandates
Safer-Outdoor Activities
- Run, walk, or bike at your neighborhood park
- Hike on local trails
- Take your dog for a walk around the neighborhood
- Participate in an outdoor yoga class
- Work in the garden
- Pick up curbside meals
- Get food delivered
- Eat outside at a restaurant where the tables are at least 6 feet apart
- Have a picnic at a park
- Play kickball in a friend’s backyard
- Roast marshmallows by a firepit
- Have an outdoor barbeque
- Go to a drive-in
- Listen to an outdoor concert from your car
- Create your own outdoor movie party
Less Safe-Indoor Activities
- Exercise at a fitness center
- Walk around the mall during off hours
- Attend a class at a yoga studio
- Swim at your local pool
- Eat inside at a restaurant
- Watch movies
- Play games
- Chat with your friends
- Watch a movie at a theater
- Watch a musical performance
- Watch a play
Large and Small Gatherings
If you plan to attend a large gathering, those held outdoors are safer than indoor gatherings. Stay home if you are sick or have been near someone who thinks they may have or have been exposed to COVID-19.
- Once you are fully vaccinated, you may be able to start doing some things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic.
- Gathering virtually or with the people you live with is the safest choice.
- Attend an outdoor concert where attendees are wearing masks and staying 6 feet apart.
- Watch an outdoor sporting event where you are seated more than 6 feet away from others.
- Attend a front yard neighborhood BBQ where each neighbor gathers in his or her yard and brings his or her own food.
- Check with the organizer or event venue for updated information about any COVID-19 safety guidelines.
Check the COVID-19 infection rates in areas where guests live to consider whether it is safe to hold or attend a gathering. If you choose to have guests at your home, make sure that everyone follows the steps to make gatherings safer.
- Have conversations with the host ahead of time to understand expectations for celebrating together.
- Bring your own food, drinks, plates, cups, utensils, and condiment packets.
- Wear a mask indoors and outdoors.
- Avoid shouting, cheering loudly, or singing. Clap, stomp your feet, or bring (or provide) hand-held noisemakers instead.
- Stay home if you are sick or have been near someone who thinks they may have or have been exposed to COVID-19.
It’s okay if you decide to stay home and remain apart from others. Do what’s best for you.
Mental Health & Wellness
Mental Health & Wellness Resources
- BRHS School Counseling Website
- BRHS Weekly Newsletter
Should you have a non-emergency mental health question or concern, you can email the school-based mental health professionals at Broad Run High School: BroadRunMentalHealth@lcpsorg.onmicrosoft.com.
Website: https://sites.google.com/lcps.org/broadrunschoolcounseling/home
Location: 21670 Ashburn Road, Ashburn, VA, USA
Phone: 571-252-2314
Twitter: @BroadRunHS