About our Department
The Broad Run School Counseling Department is a team of 14 dedicated individuals working collaboratively to meet the needs of 1,589 students, including teachers and parents. We have an open-door policy, but at times we are needed in meetings or have scheduled appointments with other students and parents. Broad Run counselors support the school in more ways than one. Aside from frequently attending many school events to support their students, other places you may see one of our counselors is coaching wrestling, basketball and baseball! Others sponsor many of our clubs, including We're All Human, LGBTQ+, Muslim Student Association and book club. We are a dedicated team committed to supporting the students in any way that we can.
Some Roles of Broad Run Counselors:
- Working with staff to address obstacles that interfere with students' learning and success.
- Focusing on skill development through a variety of ways, such as small group or individual counseling sessions, classroom guidance, and consultation and coordination with parents, administrators, and teachers.
- Helping students who are experiencing challenges. We do this by focusing on conflict resolution, transitions, study skills, test-taking skills, crisis intervention, bullying prevention, suicide prevention, as well as with the special needs of students.
- Preparing students with post-graduation planning with college visits, career days, internships, scholarships and jobs matching.
- Collaborating with all departments to assure that we are addressing the academic needs and requirements of our students.
BRHS School Counseling Hours
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:15 pm
Jennie Kroll, Director of School Counseling (PAW - SID - Seniors)
Mollie Stratton, School Counselor (A-BUC)
(Lauren Pasek is substituting for Mollie Stratton)
Chad Obzud, School Counselor (BUD-GL)
Susan Ellis, School Counselor (GO-LEO)
Adity Choudhury, School Counselor (LEP - PAV)
Scott Valyear, School Counselor (PAW-SID - grades 9-11)
Taylor Kewer, School Counselor (SIE-Z)
Dr. Arianna Scott, School Psychologist
Dr. Alloway-Higgins, School Social Worker
Greg Adams, Student Assistant Specialist
Kevin Kozikowski, Testing Coordinator
Leona Days, Career Center Specialist
Laura Pendleton, School Counseling Registrar
Michele Porter, School Counseling Administrative Assistant
Amanda Brougham, Counseling Intern
COURSE SELECTION HAS ENDED...
Counselor's Coffee
Please join us on April 12th at 9:00 am for the Broad Run Counselor’s Coffee. Our counselors will be available to answer any questions you have as well as address scheduling questions. A link to the coffee will be sent out a few minutes before the coffee. We look forward to seeing you!
Upcoming Testing Opportunities
SAT TESTING
May 8: Broad Run and John Champe High School
June 5: Broad Run and Park View High School
AP TEST SCHEDULE @ BRHS
Friday, May 21
AP Latin
AP Spanish
AP Chinese Language
AP German
AP French
AP Music Theory
Monday, May 24
AP Calculus
BC Calculus
Physics C: Mechanics
Tuesday, May 25
AP Chemistry
AP Statistics
SCHOLARSHIPS!
LCPS – Sterling Soccer Club Scholarship - This scholarship is open to graduating seniors who have participated in Sterling Soccer Club as a player, coach or referee. Applicant has plans to further their education at a college or university. An copy of your transcript is to be provided. Applicants must use the donor’s application form. A number of recipients will be chosen by the Selection committee based upon seasons and extent of participation; academic performance and scholarship activities and high school athletic participation. The scholarship information is to be sent to Sterling Soccer Club by the deadline date of April 23, 2021.
FAFSA Assistance Available
Starting March 15th, students can get FAFSA assistance @ www.virginiacan.org/fafsa
Federal Student Aid (FSA) will be hosting a two-day virtual Financial Aid Boot Camp Webinar on April 20 and 21. Click on the link to sign up. Feb-Partner-Enhancements-2021 (studentaid.gov)
Scholarship Information
Getting your FAFSA completed!
Need help understanding how to fill out your FAFSA? Everything you need to know is right here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-UgJXVeV6ILR_g86nDqglKrZ2RowOv6w-kQGcFUIpCM/edit
Financial Aid information is available on our BRHS website: https://sites.google.com/lcps.org/broadrunschoolcounseling/college-career/financial-aid
Transcripts
A final transcript will be sent ONLY to the school you will be attending. Stay tuned for your SENIOR SURVEY which will appear in your Naviance email around May 1. Your senior survey must be completed before we send out the final transcript.
Alternatives to a 4-Year College: What to Know
Freshmen!
Here are some tips to help you through your first year in high school:
Getting good grades is cool
Starting high school is an adjustment and many students find themselves struggling in their first few semesters. The workload can be overwhelming and classes are much more challenging. It’s important that you’re studying hard and completing all of your homework assignments on time.
If you find yourself having trouble adjusting in the beginning, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Seek out tutoring assistance, ask your teachers for help, and spend a little more time focusing on problem areas. You’re going to school to learn, so why not do the best you can? It’s much easier to maintain a good GPA than to try and climb up when it may be too late.
Join all the clubs
Okay maybe not all of them, but a lot. Try to join all the clubs that spark your interest and fit into your schedule. Of course, leave room for studying and socializing, but you should be taking advantage of the extracurricular opportunities your high school provides. If you’re interested in engineering, you should be the first to sign up for the engineering club!
Extracurricular activities are not only looked at positively by admissions officers but are also a great way to make new friends. According to the Princeton Review, admissions officers will look at your extracurricular involvement as a testament to your leadership skills and maturity. Explore different clubs, even ones you aren’t sure you’ll enjoy. There is no harm in going to a few meetings then deciding something isn’t right for you. But the worst thing you can do is not try.
Get to know your school’s faculty
It can seem intimidating to speak with your teachers and other faculty members. Knowing the staff at your high school can come in handy when you’re faced with new challenges and need advice. Getting the staff to know you can be an excellent way to build connections when it’s time to ask for letters of recommendation, according to U.S. News. Many teachers will also serve as club sponsors for extracurricular activities that you may be interested in. You already have a shared interest, why not find more?
Sophomores!
Now is the time to start your scholarship search and ask your teachers and counselors for letters of recommendations! You may also want to:
- Apply for a summer job or internship. Summer employment and internships in fields you're interested in will look appealing on a college application or resume. The money you earn can also be used to help pay application and testing fees in the fall.
- Set up appointments at your top college choices. You'll often have to plan ahead when visiting colleges. Call the admissions office to set up a personal interview, tour, and a meeting with a professor or coach if you're interested.
Juniors!
It’s that time of year to start thinking about taking the SAT and/or ACT this upcoming Spring/Summer. Visit Collegeboard.org to see available test locations and dates. Reach out to your counselor with any questions!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GvadM3jfhRn1SxD6rjC3NEdu8fI3wql6/view
History of the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C.
As an annual celebration, the Cherry Blossom Festival began from humble beginnings. Small ceremonies took place to commemorate the gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to the city of Washington, DC. The first ceremony, which took place on March 27, 1912, was simply the planting of the first two trees from Japan by then First Lady Helen Herron Taft and Viscountess Chinda, the wife of the Japanese ambassador. Each year since, the United States and Japan have exchanged gifts, including flowering dogwood trees from the US to the people of Japan in 1915.
Mental Health & Wellness Resources
- BRHS School Counseling Website
- BRHS Weekly Newsletter
Should you have a non-emergency mental health question or concern, you can email the school-based mental health professionals at Broad Run High School: BroadRunMentalHealth@lcpsorg.onmicrosoft.com.
Website: https://sites.google.com/lcps.org/broadrunschoolcounseling/home
Location: 21670 Ashburn Road, Ashburn, VA, USA
Phone: 571-252-2314
Twitter: @BroadRunHS
