Items Covered in Newsletter:

Important Upcoming Dates

A Will to Survive

College Corner o University of North Georgia o UVA Engineering Open House o ASVAB o NOVA Spring Visit o College Information Night o 2017 U.S.A. College Tours

Boys/Girls State for Juniors

2017-2018 Course Selection

Loudoun Youth Leadership Program

Athletic Sports Physicals

Mental Health and Wellness Parent Seminars

In Step – Help me understand school avoidance

PTSA Information

Featured Article

Remind 101

Important Upcoming Dates

March (entire month) – academic advising for 2017-2018 continues

March 1 – A Will to Survive assembly

March 7 – College Night at JCHS, 7:00pm

March 11 – SAT at JCHS

March 21 – Apprenticeship Night at Heritage High School, 7pm

March 13-15 – NOVA Pathways Testing A Will to Survive: What is “A Will To Survive?”

A Rock Musical that shares the inner thoughts, fears, hopes, and lives of teenagers.

Inspired by Will Robinson who took his life in January 2016, this show takes a universal look at the pressures common to teenagers, especially during the high school years.

The cast hopes that through the show, audience members might see a part of themselves represented on stage and realize that they are not alone, that questions & fears, sadness & doubts are normal, and that there are people and places to turn to for help when life feels too overwhelming to handle.

JCHS Counseling News – March 2017 Twitter and Instagram @JCHSCounseling

Show Topics: Addiction Body Image Dating Hope Loss Parents Pressure…from everything Figuring out who you’re supposed to be Healing Self-esteem Technology Which path to take This show came out of hundreds of hours of discussions with teenagers: some who had lost a friend to suicide, some who had friends talking about it or about hurting themselves in other ways; some who are currently suffering inside themselves. This show cannot cover everything that people deal with, but it does touch on some of the major topics. While there is no single solution that will work for everyone, there are a couple of themes and alternative options that we hope students take from the show:

You truly are not alone, even if it feels that way – there’s a thread that binds us to each other.

Even when you have NO idea how to see a brighter future, someone else can help you and hold you up in that moment. Just get through this moment to the next.

Even if you can’t see it or feel it yourself right now, there is always someone who loves you and who you make a difference for in this world. Stick around for them and for the possibility that things can change, for the possibility that you are learning, changing and growing all the time and you don’t know how the rest of your story goes. Stick around to create a different future for yourself.

There are paths all the time - your choices make a difference. Take a path that empowers and fulfills you. You have a chance and a choice to make things better and different if you don’t like how they are.

When you feel stuck inside yourself and your own darkness, REACH OUT to a therapist, teacher, parent or friend.

Consider REACHING OUT to HELP SOMEONE ELSE! Let your life have more meaning by helping someone else who needs you – volunteer, tutor someone, take care of someone, anything that gets you out of your head and your self. This show came out of hundreds of hours of discussions with teenagers: some who had lost a friend to suicide, some who had friends talking about it or about hurting themselves in other ways; some who are currently suffering inside themselves. This show cannot cover everything that people deal with, but it does touch on some of the major topics. While there is no single solution that will work for everyone, there are a couple of themes and alternative options that we hope students take from the show:

College Corner:

Spring college visits: Coastal Carolina University – March 28, 2017 (9:30AM)

University of East Angila (UK) – April 20, 2017 (11:00AM)

Please inform your seniors that we are still accepting applications for the Corps of Cadets. Additionally, we are currently offering a Free Application Event!

Apply online through the GA Futures website before March 10th, and use the code Nighthawks and we will waive the $30 application fee! Don't let your seniors miss out on this opportunity.

Link to application process: https://ung.edu/military-college-admissions/application-process/index.php

We will evaluate your student’s application for admission as soon as it becomes complete, and render a decision within a couple of weeks.

Just so you know, a complete application consists of:

On line application for admission Official high school transcript through junior year Official SAT or ACT test scores (if not listed on transcript) Proof of being lawfully present in the U.S.

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact us via email at cadetrecruiting@ung.edu or call us at 706-867-2918.

UVA Engineering Open House:

Your students are cordially invited to the 2017

Engineering Open House at the University of Virginia’s

School of Engineering and Applied Science on March 18,

2017.

This experience will demonstrate to middle and high

school students how an engineering education can lead to

an outstanding, meaningful career. Engineers create

knowledge, technologies and leadership for an advanced

society. During UVA Engineering’s Open House,

participants will learn about the admission process, meet

our students and faculty and see the exciting

opportunities awaiting them at UVA Engineering.

If you are interested in joining us on March 18th, please

click here to register.

Interested in Taking the ASVAB? March 10, 2017

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test is administered twice a year for students interested in

both military careers as well as other career exploration purposes. Students can take the ASVAB to assess

their academic and skill-based levels that match with potential career field placements both within the

military and non-military/civilian jobs. Students in grades 10-12 are welcome to sign-up and take either of the

ASVAB exams. For those students interested in a military career, test results can be used for military entrance

purposes, however only an exam score taken in a student's junior or senior year will be eligible. Students are

asked to be at the school by 7:00AM for sign-in.

2017 U.S.A. College Tours

Boston: February 15 – 19 Cost: $835 ** / Originating city: Boston, MA Boston University; Boston College; Harvard University; Tufts University; Northeastern University or Emerson College; MIT California: June 18 – 24 Cost: $1,985 ** / Originating city: Los Angeles, CA Chapman University or California State - Fullerton; Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Harvey Mudd College, Pitzer College, Scripps College; University of Southern California or California Institute of Technology; California State- Northridge or California Lutheran University; UCLA or Mount Saint Mary's College; Pepperdine University or Loyola Marymount University; Santa Clara University or Menlo College; Stanford or Notre Dame De Namur University; University of San Francisco or San Francisco State University; University of California at Berkeley or St. Mary’s College of California Northeast: June 24 – July 1 Cost: $2,185 ** / Originating city: Boston, MA Boston University, Northeastern University, Babson College, or Harvard University; Tufts University, MIT, Boston College, or Bentley College; Brown University, RISD, or Bryant University; Yale University or Quinnipiac University; Fordham University, Columbia University, Pace University, or Barnard College; New York University, Drew University, or Parsons School of Design; Haverford College, Bryn Mawr College, Temple University or Villanova University; UPENN, Drexel University, or Swarthmore; Johns Hopkins University, Goucher College, Maryland Institute College of Art, or Loyola University Maryland; Georgetown or George Washington University; American University, University of Maryland – College Park, or Washington, DC Tour Southeast: June 24 – 30 Cost: $1,735 ** / Originating city: Washington, DC George Washington University or Georgetown University; University of Richmond or Randolph-Macon College; Duke University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill OR Elon University and Guilford College; Wake Forest University, Salem College, or North Carolina School of the Arts; Davidson College or University of North Carolina at Charlotte; University of Georgia; Emory University or Oglethorpe University; Vanderbilt University or Belmont University Northeast: July 15 – 21 Cost: $1,885 ** / Originating city: Boston, MA Harvard University, Northeastern University, or Boston University; MIT, Boston College, or Tufts University; Brown University, RISD, or Providence College; Yale University or Fairfield University; Columbia University, Fordham University, Barnard College, or Pace University; New York University, Parsons School of Design, or Drew University; UPENN, Temple, Drexel University, or Swarthmore College; Haverford College, Bryn Mawr College, or Villanova University; University of Maryland – College Park or American University; Georgetown University or George Washington University

Cost includes: ground transportation, lodging (double occupancy), meals, student led campus tours, meetings with admission representatives, materials for evaluating schools, and activities. Participants choose school to visit when given option. Schools may be substituted upon request. **Transportation to / from home city is not included.

TOURS ARE LED AND SUPERVISED BY COLLEGE VISITS STAFF AND HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS

Contact COLLEGE VISITS for information on availability, other 2017 trips, tour descriptions, comments from students and parents who have participated on previous tours, or registration materials

215 East Bay Street, Suite 401, Charleston, SC 29401 (843) 853-8149 • (800) 944-2798 • FAX (843) 577-2813

E-mail: info@college-visits.com • http://www.college-visits.com

Boys/Girls State:

Boys and Girls State are summer leadership and citizenship programs sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary for high school juniors. Boys and Girls are nominated by their high school during their junior year. Boys and Girls State programs both began in 1937 and are held in each of the U.S. states, usually on a college campus within the state.

Girls State: 18-24 June at Longwood University, http://vagirlsstate.org/

Boys State: 18-24 June at Radford University, http://vaboysstate.org/

The program participants are divided into subgroups referred to as cities. The citizens of each of these cities elect mock municipal officials and representatives to the mock state legislature. Many programs also have a county level as well. The participants also elect state officials, such as governor, lieutenant governor, and other state-level officials mirroring their actual state. The legislature meets to organize, elect leaders, and to pass bills, in a way that is similar to how their actual State Legislature operates. Some programs tend to have a more traditional education focus, providing speakers and training throughout the week and then concluding with mock political functions. Other programs take a more hands-on approach by running the mock government activities all week.

Boys/Girls State is typically staffed by Legion members, past participants, and/or community leaders who volunteer their time and effort. Administrative costs are defrayed by the state Legion organizations and local businesses

If you are interested, applications are DUE TO MRS. CAMPBELL on MARCH 6th. JCHS will select 2-3 students to send forward to the American Legion for an interview.

Applications can be found online at https://www.lcps.org/Page/187421

2017-2018 Course Selection:

DAYS WHAT

February 6 – March 17 JCHS Individual Academic Counseling during Advisory

January 29 – March 17 PHOENIX online course registration—Course registration portal will remain open in

StudentVUE until March 17

June 16 LAST DAY FOR ALL SCHEDULE CHANGES!!!

Loudoun Youth: Loudoun Youth Leadership Program is now accepting applications for our week-long leadership sessions. This is a hands-on, experiential program where students will learn from community and business leaders to meet their full potential. Through team-building exercises, engaging workshops and visits with exceptional leaders, students will be empowered to become leaders in their community. The application and additional information can be found at: http://www.loudounyouth.org/programs-2/leadership-loudoun-youth/.

Help Me Understand School Avoidance Nico was a solid "A" student until 10th grade when he started getting sick frequently. Just

before Christmas a bad stomach bug kept him out of school for a week, he fell behind on assignments and his grades started to suffer. He was afraid of getting sick to his stomach in class and started to resist going to school. Then he refused going altogether.

If you're a parent who's experienced school refusal, you know it's not your child's simple unwillingness to go to school. It's not the garden variety resistance we all get from our kids

about getting ready and out the door on time. Flat out refusal to attend school is often an indication that something more serious is going

on. When we looked more deeply into Nico's situation we discovered that his avoidance of school was more complicated than we thought and that he was experiencing a lot of

anxiety. What can you do about school refusal?

Read more on our website.

My Child is Refusing to Go to School Saturday, March 18th at 12:30pm

Refusal to attend school is often an indication that something more serious is going on. Parents are

understandably concerned and want to do the right thing by their child but are also frustrated and

stymied by their child's behavior. They don't know whether to push or let go.

The presenters, Danielle Nicholson, LCSW and Tracey Guard, LPC-R will highlight practical

interventions and strategies for parents to manage this complicated problem.

For more information visit our website.

PTSA:

JCHS PTSA Health & Fitness Expo 2017- March 18 The PTSA is hosting a Health & Fitness Expo March 18 from 11:00am-2:30pm at John Champe High

School. This event will be open to the public. The Health & Fitness expo will feature vendors with various products, health related workshops, and fitness classes for adults, teens and children. There will be swag bags

and door prizes as well. To learn more, visit the PTSA website! This will be an event you don’t want to miss!

NOW ACCEPTING Sponsorship and Vendor registration for the PTSA Health & Fitness Expo 2017? Do you offer fitness classes for adults, teens or children? Do you sell fitness, health products or service that promotes healthy living for adults, teens and children? Do you offer any educational workshops promoting

healthy eating, hygiene, mental health, or resources for families? JCHS PTSA is looking for companies or individuals interested in supporting JCHS PTSA Health and Fitness Expo! Sponsor and Vendor forms are

available on the PTSA website. Questions about the event or volunteering, please send an email to johnchampeptsa@gmail.com and write "Health & Fitness" in the subject of the email.

PTSA Nomination Committee 3 Volunteers Needed (Important)

The PTSA is looking for three PTSA members to serve on the Nomination Committee to prepare for the 2017-2018 board election. The positions require coordination of election submittals via email and physical presence at March General Membership PTSA Meeting to introduce the nominees for the open board positions. Current teachers, parents and student members are welcome to serve in these positions. Students can earn volunteer

hours for their service to the PTSA. Please send an email to johnchampeptsa@gmail.com and write "PTSA Nomination Committee" in the subject of the email.

All Night Graduation Party(ANGP) News

Last chance to purchase All Night Grad Senior Party tickets for $35! Ticket prices will increase to $45 February 11th! Pay for tickets online by logging into your Membership Toolkit account or by check or cash ATTN:

ANGP. Pick up ANGP forms in the senior section of the cafeteria every Friday or in the school main office. ANGP forms can also be emailed by request as well. Student interested in selling please visit the ANGP

committee in the cafeteria on Fridays for additional information. Please email Brie directly at brieaj@gmail.com for more information!

Featured Article: Study Skills to End the Year Strong

http://ectutoring.com/study-skills-end-year-strong

Ann Dolin is the founder and president of Educational Connections Tutoring. She and her tutors travel to

students’ homes to help them improve their confidence and grades through 1-to-1 tutoring and

organization/time management coaching. www.ectutoring.com

Home - Educational Connections

www.ectutoring.com

Educational Connections provides superior in-home tutoring, test prep,

coaching/remediation based on Ann Dolin's system. Highly

recommended in McLean, Fairfax ...

Remind - 101: Want to stay up to date with the Counseling Department on a regular basis? Don’t forget to sign up for Remind 101!

Class of 2016 text @2016JCHS to 571-642-1106 Class of 2017 text @2017JCHS to 571-642-1106 Class of 2018 text @2018JCHS to 571-642-1106 Class of 2019 text @2019JCHS to 571-642-1106