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Welcome to Counseling!
Counselors are assigned to alphabetical caseloads, based on students' last names. This allows us to work with the same students during all four years of high school and to provide more appropriate information on an individual basis. Counselors are available to help with scheduling issues, academic assistance, career planning, college planning, records management, and personal issues. We are located near Commons II.
"The professional school counselor is a certified/licensed educator trained in school counseling with unique qualifications and skills to address al students' academic, personal/social and career development needs. Professional school counselors implement a comprehensive school counseling program that promotes and enhances student achievement." (ASCA, The Role of the Professional School Counselor.) Click here for a more thorough description of the school counseling program.
Counselor Students' last names Email addresses
Ms. Jill Simoniz A-Cl Simonizjm@staffordschools.net Ms. Katrina Zurasky Co-Haq zuraskykn@staffordschools.net Mrs. Bethany Falk Har-Me falkbw@staffordschools.net Ms. Kristen Tuxbury Mi-Sa Ms. Jessica Wood Sc-Z , Counseling Director Woodje@staffordschools.net Mrs. Sandra Gardella-Cherry Available Mondays and Tuesdays gardellasa@staffordschools.net Ms. Heather Ludwick Registrar Ludwickhk@staffordschools.net Mrs. Wendy Knight Data Processor Knightwl@staffordschools.net Mrs. Karen Gose' Administrative Assistant goseka@staffordschools.net Counseling Center FAX: 540-658-6074
BPHS CEEB Code: 472142
Follow us on twitter @BPHSCounseling
Announcements
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Divine Connections is hosting a Free Prom Attire Give Away March 25 5-8:00 pm at Fredericksburg Expo for students needing help with prom attire and accessories. If interested please email to thecinderellaexperience@yahoo.com your names and sizes they have items for you. They have plethora of clothing and accessories for the students. Questions call Trudi Whittaker to register at 540 642-0162.
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Dual Enrollment for SY 19/20
Registration for Dual Enrollment classes for rising Seniors for the next school year are in full swing. If your child has signed up for Dual Enrollment English or Dual Enrollment Teachers for Tomorrow, please ensure that they register with Germanna. Students were emailed directions on how to register and will be given a paper copy by March 19. Registration with Germanna needs to be completed by March 24 in order to qualify to take the VPT exam at Brooke Point. Click here for step by step directions on registering.
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2019 Girls Go CyberStart Program
This program aims to support and inspire high school girls across Virginia to explore careers in cybersecurity and computer science. Click here for more details about this incredible opportunity!
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ASVAB
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is being given at the nest on Tuesday, April 2 from 7:50-10:50 am. A study session will be offered on Tuesday, March 12 after school. SIGN UP BEGINS IN COUNSELING ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14 and will last until the first 50 spots are filled. Click here for more details.
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U.S SERVICE ACADEMY DAYS
If you are interested in learning more about the United States Service Academies or ROTC programs at Tech and VMI, Plan to attend Academy Day on April 27, 2019 in Charlottesville, VA. Click here for more information.
Congressman Rob Wittman is also hosting a Service Academy Day on May 11, 2019. Click here for more information.
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2019/2020 Program of Studies!
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Summer 2019! Get involved!
Virginia State Parks 2019 Youth Conservation Corps program is now accepting applications for the crewmember positions. Click here for more information.
University of Vriginia: Click here for more information about UVA's Summer Programs! Click here for information on UVA's Cornerstone Summer Institute.
Would you like to experience life in another country this summer? If so, you should apply for the Lions Club International Youth Camps & Exchange Program. Applicaitons are due February 1, 2019. Click here for more information.
Click here for information about The University of Chicago's summer programs.
Click here for information about summer sessions at Duke University.
Click here to access summer programs at Boston University.
The College of William & Mary's Law School is offering courses this summer for high school students. Click here for more details.
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ATTENTION ALLL YOUNG MEN...
Do you want to keep your driver's license and be eligible for college loans, job training, government jobs and citizenship if your're an immigrant? Then make sure your register with Selective Services within a month of your 18th birthday!
Federal law says that you must register. If you don't, you miss out on all of these opportunities and more. Don't let that happen to you! It's quick and easy to register. Click here to register.
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Welcome Letter to our Seniors and their Families!
Click here to access the letter in English. Click here to access the letter in Spanish. Click here to access the 18-19 Handbook on Post Secondary Planning.
Welcome Letter to our Juniors and their Families!
Click here to access the letter in English. The Spanish translation will be coming soon! Click here to access the 18-19 Handbook on Post Secondary lanning.
Welcome Letter to our Sophomores and their Families!
Click here to access the letter in English. The Spanish translation will be coming soon!
Welcome Letter to our Freshmen and their Families!
Click here to access the letter in English. The Spanish translation will be coming soon!
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ON-LINE COURSE PROVIDERS ACCEPTED BY THE VIRGINIA
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Click here to access a list of online providers. If you are planning to take a course over the summer, please check with your counselor first before you sign up to ensure that you are eligible for credit towards graduation.
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OPPORTUNITIES IN AEROSPACE
The Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC)
VSGC provides a variety of STEM opportunities for high school students. All programs are FREE. Click here for more information.
Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars
Click here for information about amazing opportunities for your student in Aerospace through NASA.
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NCAA & STUDENT ATHLETES
Student/Athlete Information: Students who are planing to play competitive sports in a Division I or II college need to register with the NCAA clearinghouse. The NCAA needs to see a copy of your transcript after your Junior year is completed. You will need to fill out a transcript request form. Click here to access the transcript request form. Click here to go to the NCAA website. www.ncaa.org
The nationally acclaimed program, "Guiding the College-Bound Athlete" was presented to a packed crowd llast year. Click here to access the website http://www.dynamitesports.com
The NAIA Eligibility Center is another option for athletes with more than 300 colleges participating. For more information, click here http://www.playnaia.org
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Mental Health Resources
Suicide Hotline: If you are feeling alone and suicidal there is help. See your school counselor for help or call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Suicide is preventable.
Click here for a list of mental health providers in our area.
Click here for information about Phoenix House, rising above adiction.
Click here for more information about the Rappahannock Area Community Service Board Child and Adolescent Services. RASCB also offers emergency services that provide crisis intervention services 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. The number in Stafford County to call is 540-373-6876
Click here for more information from the National Counseling Group.
Click here for more information about Poplar Springs Hospital. Poplar Springs also has a program specifically for the treatment of active duty military and veterans.
Snowden at Fredericksburg provides an adolescent partial hospitalization program. For more information, call 540-741-7157.
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POST-SECONDARY PLANNING
This fall, counselors held individual conferences with their Seniors to discuss post-secondary plans. Each student acquired access to a handbook that outlines options including workforce, trade school,military, community college and four year universities. Click here for a copy of the Jr./Sr. Handbook that was updated on September 18, 2018.
Click here to access a profiler of the public and private universities in Virginia.
Another great resource on post-secondary planning is the NextStepU Magazine. This excellent college planning magazine is now available online. http://www.nextstepu.com
Click here to acces the VA DOL Occupational Outlook Handbook
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COLLEGE HAPPENINGS!
News from UVA
The University of Virginia School of Architecture is hosting information sessions and tours on the following dates: 1/25/19; 2/15/19; 3/22/19; 4/28/19. Go to their website for more inforamtion.
News from Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech is committed to diversity among their student body. To achieve this goal, they are offering several programs focussed on building student populations from different backgrounds. Below is a list of these programs.
Native@VT Powwow - Saturday, April 19
Black College Institute - Summer enrichment program
Hispanic College Institute - Summer enrichment program
Click here to go to Virginia Tech's website.
Colleges Coming to the Nest!
Many colleges come to the nest to meet with students. Click here to see a list that was updated on 10/31/18. Sign up in counseling.
Germanna Community College
EXPRESS ENROLLMENT EVENT on JANUARY 5 from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm. All current and prospective students are welcome. GCC staff members will be on hand to help with enrollment, financial aid, and disability services -- everything needed to start or continue classes in the spring.
Germanna Community College is changing how they are enrolling students. Click here for more information about the enrollment process. Germanna is also working to limit the need for placement tests if you have the crediatials to be exempt. Click here to see a flyer about testing policies.
Germanna Community is holding several sessions at their Fredericksburg area campus. Topics include: Exploring Associate Degrees and Certificate programs; Discovering how the Guaranteed Admissions Agreements work and taking a campus tour -- among other topics. Link here for upcoming dates and details.
Financial Aid Resources: Click here for a comprehensive guide on financial aid lendedu.com/top-posts/
Click here to access an excellent article about how to research scholarships.
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PSAT
Score reports were released on December 11, 2018. Sutdents must create a CollegeBoard account to access their score reports. See below for details about how to link your score to KHAN Academy for free, personalized SAT prep!
SAT & ACT
Personal Best Tutoring is Partnering with Brooke Point for a 4 Day SAT prep seminar FREE to all Juniors and Seniors. The course runs from April 29-May 2 from 2:45 until 4:45. Registration closes at 3:00 pm on March 1. Click here to register.
SAT: Free study booklets for the SAT and the ACT are available in the counseling office. Click here to register and to see upcoming dates.
ACT: Click here to register and see upcoming dates.
There are excellent study sites available on the internet. They include: http://www.freerice.com; http://www.sat.collegeboard.org/practice; http://www.prepfactory.com, http://www.princetonreview.com,https://www.chegg.com/test-prep/free-resources/sat,https://www.chegg.com/test-prep/free-resources/act freeteach4teachers.com and http://www.varsitytutors.com.
KHAN Academy is an excellent resource! Click here for step by step instructions to link your collegeboard account to KHAN Academy. Click here for continued instructions.
ASVAB
A great tool to study for the ASVAB and the SAT is March2success.com.Click here for more details. The next ASVAB administration is on Tuesday, April 2, 2019. Click here to access the flyer.
