December 15, 2024

There are 5 days left until Winter Break and this week is Winter Spirit Week! This time of year is all about enjoying each other's company, keeping up with our favorite traditions, and looking forward to new things ahead. I encourage all to check out the spirit days and activities listed below and participate whenever possible.

While this time of year can be full of joy, we recognize that it can also be particularly challenging for many students. To ensure every student has access to the support they need, especially over break, I'd like to remind students and families that free mental health telehealth services are available to all PWCS students through Hazel Health (see more information below on how to access this no-cost mental health resource).

I also encourage all students to take advantage of this time whenever possible to catch up on missing assignments, and/or get extra help using our free online tutoring resources like Varsity Tutors and Khan Academy (more information on how to access these resources are listed below).

Finally, with the winter months upon us, inclement weather might not be too far behind. Please refer to the Prince William County Schools website for an explanation of the different codes that could be called in case of snow, ice, and other weather events.

I wish everyone a safe and Happy Holiday season and look forward to welcoming everyone back in the New Year!

• December 16: Flannel Day - wear flannel

• December 17: Blizzard Out - wear white and sparkles, Boys Basketball Home game vs Osbourn Park HS (JV @ 6:00pm; Varsity @ 7:30pm)

• December 18: Sweater Day - wear your favorite holiday sweater

• December 19: Winter Wonderland - 9th grade (elves), 10th grade (snowmen), 11th grade (reindeer), 12th grade (Santa & Mrs. Claus); Chorus Winter Concert 6:30pm

• December 20: Pajama Day, Boys Basketball Home game vs Gainesville HS (JV @ 6:00pm; Varsity @ 7:30pm)

• December 23 - Jan 3: Winter Break, NO SCHOOL

• January 6: First Day back from Winter Break

PWCS students in kindergarten through 12th grade have access to free online tutoring 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.

What subjects and services are covered?

24/7 tutoring is available in all core subjects in English and Spanish. Students can engage in fun and educational classes including a wide variety of live, drop-in classes, and hundreds of star-taught, on-demand lessons. Students can explore their passions, learn new skills, participate in college and career readiness workshops, and collaborate with other learners. Students can also enroll in interactive classes that teach skills like coding, animation, and financial literacy.

How Do I Access Varsity? Students access Varsity by logging into Clever using their PWCS email address (for example, username@pwcs-edu.org) and password (this is the same password students use to log into their PWCS issued device). Once you are logged into Clever, you can find the link for Varsity in the PWCS Resources section.

See the video below to learn more about what it is and how to access it.

PWCS is partnering with Khan Academy to provide free digital SAT practice to students in grades 10, 11, and 12. Students can access this resource via their Clever accounts. Scores from the October 9 PSAT scores were released for students to access. Students should log on to their College Board account to see their full score reports.

All juniors will be taking the SAT on April 2, 2025, during the school day at Unity Reed HS. We encourage our students to use Khan Academy and its personalized approach to SAT preparation. If you want to learn more about College Entrance Exams, check out the PWCS College and Career Readiness site.

Mental health telehealth services are available to PWCS students at no cost to families through Hazel Health, a well-established telehealth provider. This initiative provides access to mental health care, ensuring students receive the support they need without delay – regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status. Hazel Health telehealth services are provided through a tablet, computer, or smart device.

What services does Hazel Health provide for PWCS students?

• Initial Assessment: Hazel Health will conduct preliminary evaluations to identify students’ mental health needs.
• Telehealth Services: Short-term telehealth support will be available for general mental health concerns, acting as an interim solution until permanent care is arranged.

Who is eligible for Hazel Health services?

• All PWCS students in grades K-12 are eligible for Hazel Health services.

How can Hazel Health's services support my student?Hazel Health will offer immediate essential mental health services to PWCS students, at home, at no cost to your family.Hazel health therapists can help students with:

• Anxiety, depression, and stress
• Mood and behavior changes
• Grief and loss
• Social skills, bullying, and peer relationships

How can I access Hazel Health?

• First, parents or guardians (and students over age 18) must opt in their student via ParentVUE. Student information is then shared with Hazel Health within one business day (typically overnight).
• Second, parents/guardians (and students over age 18) must complete the Hazel Health consent form.
• After completion of the Hazel Health consent form, parents/guardians can schedule the first appointment through Hazel Health.
• View the instructions for accessing care through Hazel Health.

Unity Reed HS Students are eligible to purchase season passes or annual passes for discounted prices. Season passes are $20 and Annual passes are $50. These passes will get you into ALL HOME GAMES for either the season (if purchasing the season pass) or for the entire year (if purchasing the annual pass). The pass is not eligible for tournaments or post-season events. STUDENT ID WILL BE REQUIRED AT THE GATE IF PURCHASING A STUDENT PASS!

To stay informed about upcoming events specifically for the senior class, please frequently visit the Class of 2025 page and the school website. We have many more exciting events and opportunities planned, and we don’t want you to miss out!

Unity Reed HS hosts various ongoing College & Career events which is updated in real time to include:

• College Representative Visits
• Monthly money for college workshops
• Monthly college application, financial aid and scholarship workshops

I highly encourage all students to stop by the College & Career Center or email Ms. Jung djung@pwcs.edu or Mr. Lawrence lawrenmx@pwcs.edu for more information.

• Weekly LIONS’ ROAR: This will include the latest updates with pertinent information for the upcoming week and will be emailed to students and families every Sunday. This information will also be posted on our school website.

• URHS website: This will be updated more frequently so that we can share the most up to date information with you. In fact, click here to view our school website.

• School Status: This is our messaging system, and it allows staff to send text messages, emails, or make phone calls to families. When an email comes to your inbox with this system, the sender will be listed as School Status or Teacher name. A text message will include the staff member’s full name in the message but will be a random number. This system allows the recipient to respond directly to a message.

• The PRIDE Newsletter: This is a monthly newsletter where we celebrate and highlight the incredible accomplishments of our students, staff, and community at Unity Reed High School. Each month, we will showcase achievements, events, and milestones that make our school proud. Stay tuned for inspiring stories, academic successes, athletic triumphs, and much more. All this information will also be available on our school website for easy access and sharing.

I encourage you to continue to stay in touch with important updates by visiting our website. We are here to support you. Please reach out throughout the school year with any questions, concerns, or to share general feedback, and thank you for being part of our school community, as our STRENGTH is IN UNITY!

Sincerely,

Milagros Polanco
Principal, Unity Reed High School