Battlefield High School Parent Newsletter
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Battlefield High School Parent Newsletter 2nd Quarter 2016 “Success is a Choice” MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL Table of Contents Dear Battlefield High School Families, Principal’s Message 1 - 2 Counseling 3 - 7 It is hard to believe our first quarter is in the books. I want to thank students, staff, and the community for a warm Cafeteria 8 - 9 welcome as we all come together on behalf of students. As Reminders 9 you all know, we have already faced challenges as a community this school year, but I believe that when caring Athletics 10 - 11 adults come together for the benefit of kids, good things happen. Speaking of which, you will find at the end of this Library 12 newsletter a summary of our most recent Principal's Performing Arts 13 - 15 Advisory Council (PAC) meeting. In addition to the staff and parents on this council, we are fortunate to have World Languages 16 student leaders involved in helping shape Battlefield High School's future. I will continue updating the community on IT Program 16 the progress of our council, and you will soon receive PAC 17 contact information for those who sit on the PAC so that we can be sure to represent the needs of our community and Recognition 18 current reality in our meetings. Rights/Services 19 Principal’s Message (cont’d next pg) 1 Principal’s Message (cont’d) As you read through this newsletter, please let me know if there is SCHOOL anything you would like more information on. As an ADMINISTRATION administrative team and staff, we are here to serve the community and look forward to continuing to work with you. Ryan Ferrera, Principal Billy Childress, Assistant Principal Dylan Grazier, Teacher on Special Assignment Christopher Hintosh, Sincerely, Assistant Principal Judith Lester, Assistant Principal Christopher McMillan, Assistant Principal Ryan Ferrera Principal Julie Byrne, Director of School Counseling Jason Koch, Director of Student Activities Joseph Huddle, Specialty Programs Coordinator John Zook, School Security Officer 2 COUNSELING News from the Counseling Center Signs of Suicide During the week of November 28th counselors will be working with HPE I teachers to deliver the Signs of Suicide (SOS) Prevention Program to all 9th grade students. Students enrolled in HPE I will receive this lesson in their health classes. Ninth grade students who are not enrolled in HPE I at Battlefield will receive this lesson in an assembly. The SOS curriculum includes lessons on recognizing depression and signs of suicide. It has proven successful at increasing help-seeking behaviors by students concerned about themselves or a friend and is the only school-based suicide prevention program to show a reduction in suicide attempts in a randomized, controlled study (American Journal of Public Health, March 2004). Additional information regarding this program can be found in this newsletter. College Transition Program Attention seniors! Are you curious about what life will be like next year when you go off to college? The College Transition Program is the perfect opportunity to find out what awaits you in just a few short months. On Monday, December 19th at 8:30am, the Counseling Center will be hosting the College Transition Program in the auditorium. Battlefield alumni from the Class of 2016 will be here to speak with current seniors. Topics being covered will include what to expect in a college classroom, time management & organizational skills, living with roommates, how to get involved in clubs/organizations, and scholarships/paying for college. Seniors who wish to attend this event must sign up in the college visit section of Family Connection no later than Tuesday, December 13th. Please contact Mr. Merkel in the Counseling Center if you have any questions about this event. ASVAB Results The ASVAB administrators will return to Battlefield on Thursday, December 15th for distribution and interpretation of test scores and explanation of the Career Exploration Program. Students who took the ASVAB in October will receive a pass that morning to attend the results interpretation session. Please contact Mr. Sisson in the Counseling Center if you have any questions. PSAT Results PSAT results will be accessible online in mid-December for students who provided an e-mail address on their PSAT answer sheet. Students who did not provide an e-mail address on their PSAT answer sheet will not have access to their scores until the paper score reports are delivered to Battlefield in January or February. Once paper score reports arrive, students will receive their PSAT test booklet, score report, an explanation of the score report, tips for improving their scores, and access to the CollegeBoard's "BigFuture”, a resource designed to help students explore careers, find colleges, and pay for college. Junior Visits Counselors will be meeting with juniors in January through US/VA History classes. These presentations will include important information regarding planning for senior year, graduation requirements, college and career planning, and financial aid. We will be emphasizing the importance of having a post-secondary plan and will begin familiarizing juniors with the college application process. Counseling (cont’d next pg.) 3 Counseling (cont’d) FAFSA The 2017-2018 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Students, parents, and borrowers are required to use a FSA ID to confirm your identity when accessing financial aid information and electronically signing your federal student aid documents. Visit fsaid.ed.gov to create an FSA ID. Electronic filing is the fastest, easiest, and most accurate way to apply for financial aid. The earliest filing date for the 2017-2018 FAFSA is October 1, 2016. Selective Service Did you know? According to law, a man must register with Selective Service within 30 days of his 18th birthday. Those who fail to register can be denied many important opportunities including student loans, government jobs, and a driver’s license in most states. Register with Selective Service at www.sss.gov. Governor’s Early College Scholars Program The Governor’s Early College Scholars Program is intended to encourage eligible high school students to complete requirements for a high school diploma and concurrently earn at least 15 hours of transferable credits toward a college degree. This program can potentially result in a more productive senior year and reduce the amount of college tuition for families. Students earning a college degree in seven semesters instead of eight can save an average of $5,000 in college expenses. The Governor’s Early College Scholars Program agreement may be signed at any time, from ninth to twelfth grade. Participants agree to: (1) earn an Advanced Studies diploma with a Governor’s Seal and (2) earn at least 15 transferable college credits while enrolled in high school. Interested students can download the Early College Scholars Agreement at the “Documents & Downloads” menu of the Counseling Center webpage or pick one up in the Counseling Center. Completed forms should be returned to the Counseling Center. The professional school counselors at Battlefield provide academic, personal/social, and career counseling to all students and offer support and assistance to parents/guardians and staff. Please check our website and future newsletters for information regarding classroom guidance lessons, counseling services, and resources. Please contact your student’s counselor if you have any questions or concerns. Counseling (cont’d next pg.) 4 Dear Parent or Guardian of 9th Grade Students: Everyone knows that teenagers can be unpredictable, and their moods can frequently go up and down. This can be difficult for teens, their parents, and educators. It is easy to misread depression as normal adolescent turmoil; however, depression appears to be occurring at a much earlier age, and the past decade has seen teen suicide rates double. Prince William County Public Schools Health curriculum includes lessons on recognizing depression and signs of suicide. Battlefield High School also presents the Signs of Suicide (SOS) Prevention Program as part of this curriculum. Our goals in participating in this program are: To help our students understand that depression is treatable, and help them recognize its symptoms, To explain that suicide is preventable, and may occur as a result of untreated depression, To impress upon teens that they can help themselves or a friend by taking the simple step of talking to a responsible adult about their concerns. Ninth grade students will participate in the SOS screening program during the week of November 28th. Students enrolled in HPE I will receive this lesson in their health classes. Ninth grade students who are not enrolled in HPE I at Battlefield will receive this lesson in an assembly. The screening does not provide a diagnosis of depression, but gives the students indication of whether or not they may be depressed. They will then have the option to speak with counseling staff here at Battlefield if they indicate a desire to do so. Enclosed is a Parent Version of the same depression screening form and I ask that you take a moment to complete it for your child. This screening form does not have to be returned to school. I have included the questionnaire to make you aware of the types of questions that your child will be answering and to help you assess your teen’s risk for depression. If you are concerned about your child’s score, I encourage you to speak with your son or daughter and follow up with your doctor, clergy, or mental health professional for an assessment. I have included some local community resources for mental health care, if you need them: 1. Community Service Board – (703) 792-7800 2. HELPLINE – (703) 368-4141 3. Prince William Hospital Emergency – (703) 369-8337 If you have any questions or concerns about this program or the enclosed screening form, or wish to review the program, please do not hesitate to contact me.