School Counseling

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SCHOOL COUNSELING MISSION STATEMENT:
The mission of the school counseling program at Bennett Elementary is to build a comprehensive and developmentally appropriate, culturally aware counseling program. It will address the academic, personal/social, and career needs of our students through classroom lessons, small group counseling, and school wide programs. We will continually respond to each student's individual needs. Together with students, staff, parents, and community members, we will empower all students in a safe and respectful environment to become the productive citizens and lifelong learners of tomorrow.


SCHOOL COUNSELING BELIEF STATEMENT:

The professional school counselors of Bennett Elementary School believe:


-All students can achieve with access to resources
-All students' dignity and culture is respected and valued

-All students will have access to a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate, and culturally aware school counseling program run by masters level, state certified, professional school counselors
-The school counselors will proactively act as advocates for all students, including collaborating with stakeholders for needed systemic change
-The school counselors will lead a collaborative effort to design, implement, assess, and continuously improve the comprehensive, data driven school counseling program
-The school counselors will collaborate with families, stakeholders, and community resources to assist student development
-The school counselors will abide by the American School Counseling Association's professional school counseling ethics
-The school counselors will engage in professional development including regular supervision and activities to enhance cultural competency in order to address the changing community.


SCHOOL COUNSELING VISION STATEMENT:
The School Counseling Department at Bennett Elementary serves to provide a comprehensive and developmentally appropriate counseling program. The school counselors enhance and support the academic, personal/social, and career development needs of our students. Our work is done through classroom lessons, small group counseling, and school wide programs. We also strive to meet each individual student's needs. In addition to maximizing student achievement, we strive to incorporate leadership, advocacy, and collaboration within our Bennett community.

Bennett's school counseling program is aligned with the PWCS school counseling curriculum as well as with the ASCA National Model. The school counseling curriculum at Bennett is supported by special programs such as parent education workshops, character counts, and first friends. These special programs further encourage and empower students and families in an ever-changing 21st century.

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YOUR SCHOOL COUNSELORS:



Ms. Brown joined the Bennett Team in 2019. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Business from Old Dominion University in 2005 (by way of Hampton University) and her graduate degree in School Counseling from American Public University. Previously she worked at Mary Williams Elementary school for 8 years. Even though she misses her friends at Mary Williams she is excited to be here with all of you. She absolutely loves helping students achieve their goals and plans to do all she can to ensure they are on the path to success through a comprehensive counseling program. When she is not at school she enjoys spending time with friends and family. A couple of her hobbies include traveling to anywhere with a beach and ocean! She also loves to work out at the gym and stay in shape. Ms. Brown can be reached at [email protected] and primarily works with Kindergarten, 2nd grade and 4th grade.

Ms. Henry is a graduate of Prince William County Public Schools. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Old Dominion University in 2017, and then went on to earn her Master of Education degree in Professional School Counseling from Liberty University in 2021. She LOVES to travel with her best friends and make unforgettable memories that she can share with colleagues and students. Ms. Henry also loves trying new foods, music, and attending concerts. She is so excited to further her career as a school counselor, but is most excited about becoming a Bennett Bear! She primarily works with grades 1st grade, 3rd grade and 5th grade and be reached at [email protected]

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We have lots of fun things in store for our students. In addition to seeing us in classroom guidance, students can visit us individually, or might be a part of a lunch group. Please don't hesitate to contact either one of us if you have any questions or concerns. We look forward to working with you and your child this school year!

SMALL GROUPS:

Small groups will be starting in October. In the past, groups offered through the School Counseling Department have proven successful in helping students with their academic endeavors and personal challenges. Each group meeting will last approximately 30 minutes for six to eight weeks. Groups are always scheduled with the students' classroom teacher in order to minimize interruption of instruction time.

Suggestions for students to be included in small groups will be taken from teachers, school personnel, administration, and parents. The counselors will then organize the small groups to be run throughout the year. If you have questions or concerns, or would like for your child to participate in one of these groups, please contact the school counseling department at Bennett Elementary.

Ms. Destiny Brown- 1st, 3rd , 5th grades - [email protected]

Ms. Erin Henry- KG, 2nd, 4th grades - [email protected]

Ms. Caise Castle- Supports all grade levels, in the building M,T,W - [email protected]



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MIDDLE SCHOOL INFORMATION:

Have you thought about where your 5th grader will attend middle school next year? All of our students are zoned for Parkside Middle School, but there are specialty program opportunities for your child in the PWCS school system. As a Bennett student, your child can apply to the World Language Program at Parkside, Unity Braxton Middle, Marsteller Middle, and/or Pennington. Below you can find the dates for each middle school's information night. There will also be information nights forthcoming. Stay tuned!

 

Program

Location

Date

School Contact

World Language

Parkside Middle School

TBD

Erica Maibeth

[email protected]

International Baccalaureate

Unity Braxton Middle School

TBD

Jeanine Fox

[email protected]

Math & Science

Marsteller Middle School

TBD

Teresa Keener

[email protected]

Traditional School

Pennington School

TBD

Michelle Atkins

[email protected]

 

If you have any questions or concerns about the middle school information nights, or applying to middle school specialty programs, please contact Erin Henry at [email protected]. Additional information can also be found on the Prince William County webpage. Go to www.pwcs.edu/SpecialtyPrograms to find the specialty program applications or additional information.

 

OTHER RESOURCES



Helping kids self advocate, stay healthy and safe, and learn more about themselves:
Anti-bullying Site
http://www.childwelfare.gov
Internet safety

Preventing Child abuse and Neglect
Parenting Site

Search for careers and visit Career Town
Career Information and Exploration

Test Taking tips will help improve your test taking skills and study skills
Test taking tips.com