Welcome to the Counseling Office
 
Husky Haven
7-Nov.

Seventh grade students gave positive messages all week supporting Red Ribbon Week through the morning announcements, along with the school counselors and special performances by Ms. Piscopo’s class.  We had a “Sock it to Drugs Day” where kids wore crazy socks and we sponsored a “Red Rally Day” where everyone was encouraged to wear red to support a commitment to drug prevention and education.  We ended the week with the tradition we started two years ago of faculty joining together at the bus loop on Friday with 40 red balloons to symbolize Stomping Out Drugs.  Throughout the week many Stretch and Challenge and Advisory classes participated in the Comic Strip Contest where they created their own original ideas on how to live a drug free lifestyle.  The winner for 5th grade was Diana Kim.  The winners for 6th grade was Daniel Nette and Nick George. The 7th grade winner was Ms. Johnson’s advisory.  The George Mason “Be the Change” Club worked with the 7th graders on making good choices.

Counseling groups are underway!  We just finished New Students groups with success and currently are running the Leap Frog group for 5th grade.  We are getting ready to start the Study and Organizational Skills groups after the Thanksgiving break.  These groups will take place on Wednesdays during Stretch and Challenge time for each grade level during 2nd quarter. 

Sixth grade Stanford 10 results are going home with report cards this quarter.  There also is a pamphlet included to help you understand your child’s test results.  Please review this material if you have a 6th grade student this year.

Congratulations to our new Peer Mediation team!  We are so excited to kick off our peer mediation training in November.  If you are not familiar with peer mediation, it is a confidential process for resolving conflicts. Participants have the opportunity to talk through their conflicts with the help of trained MEHMS students.  We currently have thirteen 7th grade Peer Mediators and look forward to welcoming aboard 5th and 6th grade additions in the spring.

The counseling program at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School provides direct and indirect services to students, in accordance with the regulations of the Virginia Board of Education and Falls Church City School Board policy. The program’s goal is to provide developmental, preventative, student-centered support for academic, social, and emotional growth. Every student’s success in these areas is our primary concern.

The Counseling Office is staffed from 7:30 AM to 3:15 PM. Students may visit during school hours (7:30 - 2:45). We can be reached by phone at 703-720-5706 during the office hours listed above. You can send us a fax anytime at 703-720-5787. School registration can be conducted online by following these directions. New students can learn a bit more about the school by reading our New Student FAQs.

 
Who Are We?
 
 
Janae Rittenhouse
Counseling Director
Matt Sowers
Professional School Counselor
  
 
Jessica Taylor
Counseling Secretary
Elise Kenney
Professional School Counselor
 
 
40 Developmental Assests
Here is a great list of 40 "building blocks" of healthy development that may help young people grow up healthy, caring, and responsible. Take a look, print it out and post it somewhere handy. Available in English and Spanish.

 

  
 
 
2009 SOL Test Dates

March 2nd & 3rd 5th grade Writing

May 12th 5th Math, 7th Math

May 13th **(Short Wed) 6th Math, Make Ups for 5th and 7th Math

May 14th 5th Reading, 7th Reading

May 15th Make Ups

May 18th 6th Reading, 5th Science

May 19th 7th Social Studies, Make Ups for 5th and 6th subtests

May 20th 5th Social Studies, 6th Social Studies

May 21 & May 22 Make Ups

 

 

  
 
 
How Can a School Counselor Help?
 
Counselors are a great asset to any school and provide a variety of insight and expertise. We can help students sort out problems, discuss feelings and needs, explore options, and reach decisions. We can also help parents with concerns about student classroom performance, family changes (such as, moving, death, divorce, or separating), home stress, interpretation of standardized test results, parenting skills, classroom behavior, a sudden change in a child’s behavior, peer relations, and responsibility.
 
How Do I See My Counselor?
 

Students may drop in to see their counselor or schedule a time to see their counselor; they will need to ask their teachers for a “Guidance Pass”.  Please remember that sometimes the counselors are in meetings, seeing other students and staff, or running a group.  So be patient and Mrs. Rittenhouse or Mr. Sowers will see you as soon as they can.

Parents may call Ms. Taylor during office hours and she will be happy to set up a time to meet with the appropriate counselor.  Setting an appointment time ensures that our counselors are in the office for your visit and have enough time to address your questions and concerns.
 
 
School Registration
 

Registration for 2007-2008 School Year:
The online portion for registration is now available for the 2007-2008 school year.  Appointments for registration will begin August 6th 2007.  The Counseling Department will begin scheduling these appointments June 18, 2007.  (Counseling office hours during the summer are 8:30am – 3:00pm)
 
For rising 8th grade information, click here.
 
For the smoothest registration please note the following:
  • Due to the need for possible testing and generating the student’s schedule, your student will begin classes the next school day after registration. (Not applicable for August registrations)
  • We do not accept walk-in registrations, see step 1. 
  • Steps one and two MUST be completed in order to register your student(s), if they are not, a new appointment will need to be scheduled. 
  • Please verify that your address falls in the City limits, there is Falls Church, City Proper and Falls Church, Fairfax County.

Step One:
Registrations are completed by appointment only and must be made the day before you would like your student to begin classes (due do scheduling of classes and possible pre-tests for placement).  This may be done by calling the Guidance Department at 703-720-5706.   For your appointment, please bring the following paperwork with you when you come to register:

  1. Original Birth Certificate (copies are not acceptable)**
  2. Immunization records and proof of a physical examination** (refer to this form for more information)
  3. Proof of residence – 2 forms must be presented
    • A lease or settlement papers**, and one from the following group:
      • Paycheck/pay stub with address
      • Utility bill (phone bill is not acceptable)
      • FC Voter registration card
      • Vehicle registration
      • Recent tax bill for falls church
  4. Any transcripts or report cards from the previous school (a full set will be requested from the last school attended.

** Denotes paperwork that is REQUIRED in order to register a student and attend school at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School, with out designated items present at scheduled appointment, registration can not begin.

Step Two: (must be completed before appointment time):
Click on this link to access INFOSNAP. This will take you to our online registration site to fill out all introductory information.  To guide your way, please open the word document named “Registration Directions”. Please make sure to print out the “Residency Verification Form” to turn in at your registration appointment.
Step Three:
Listed below are additional forms required for registration. 

• Request for Records
• Special Services Form
 

 
Grade Level Handbooks
Each grade level team and our encore team have created a helpful handbook that covers much of what happens during the school year in that particular grade. This is a MUST read for any parent or prospective parent. Download a handbook by clicking on the appropriate link below.
Handbooks coming soon!

Grade 5 || Grade 6 || Grade 7 || Encore

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for New Students
 

Q: What grades are at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School?
A: 5th, 6th, and 7th

Q: What time does school start and end?
A: Class begins at 7:30am, our doors open at 7:20am for students to provide enough time to go to the lockers before school begins.  Students are dismissed at 2:30pm.

Q: Are there after school activities at the school?
A: We have several clubs to take part in, such as Grand Parent Club, Middle School Extravaganza, Yearbook, Science Club, Intramurals, Chorus, and Husky Humanitarians Club.  

Q:  When are after school activities held and is there a late bus?
A:  Activities are held on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday and a late bus is provided at 4pm. (**Note this means that there is only late buses on those three days)

Q: Is there a lunch account?
A: Yes, you can place money on an account with our cafeteria supervisor, Tito or online here.  When you get to the cash register, simple punch in your student ID on the key pad and your lunch will be deducted, along with any extras you purchase.

Q:  What if my locker gets jammed or I forget my combination?
A: Please see your homebase teacher for the combo if forgotten. If the locker is jammed your homebase teacher will direct you to someone with a locker key. The main office, the guidance office, and team leaders all have locker keys.

Q:  Can my child walk to school?
A:  No, with our school oriented to a major road, we do not allow our student to walk to school for their safety.  Therefore our bus system covers the city so that all students are able to ride the bus, students may also be dropped off and picked up at the front of the school by parents.

Q:  How do I know when to go to my bus?
A:  At the end of the school day, dismissal is announced with a bell at 2:30. Ms. McCarty and Mr. Baxter hold the buses at the bus loop until all students have gotten on their correct bus. 

Q: I'm moving. How do I withdraw my student?
A: You will need to fill out a formal withdraw form. These forms can be also be found in the Counseling Department and will need to be signed by the following: library, clinic, and all current teachers. This formal withdrawal process is important to complete because without a formal withdrawal, the student will be unable to enroll in another school

These can be emailed to me at taylorj@fccps.org with an electronic signature or brought in by your student to the guidance department.