LCPS School Counseling News
January 2019
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Calendar
JANUARY 2019 Awareness Calendar (ASCA)
Get Organized Month
National Mentoring Month
National Thank You Month
1 Emancipation Proclamation Anniversary
1 Global Family Day
21-25 No Name-Calling Week
20 World Religion Day
21 Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service
22-27 National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week
SCHOOL COUNSELING SERVICES CLT MEETINGS/PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
JANUARY
1/8/19: MS Leads CLT Meeting - 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; Admin Room 102A/B
1/11/19: HS Directors CLT Meeting - 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Admin Room 100A
1/15/19: Elementary Facilitators CLT Meeting - 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.; Admin Room 420
1/15/19: Career Center Assistants CLT Meeting - 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.; Park View HS
1/18/19: ASCA Model CLT Meeting - 8:30 -10:30 a.m. session OR 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. session; Room 102A/B
1/25/19: Curriculum Work Group Meeting - 8:00 - 10:00 a.m.; Admin Room 420
1/29/19: Internship Students CLT Meeting - 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.; Admin Room 420
1/30/19: ALL Elementary Counselor CLT Meeting - 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. session OR 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. session; Admin Room 100B
FEBRUARY 2019 Awareness Calendar (ASCA)
FEBRUARY 4-8 National School Counselor Week!
African American History Month
Career and Technical Education Month
International Boost Self-Esteem Month
National Children’s Dental Health Month
Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month
1 National Freedom Day
2 National Groundhog Job Shadow Day
4-8 National School Counseling Week
17-23 Random Acts of Kindness Week
22 World Thinking Day
26-March 4 National Eating Disorders Awareness Week
SCHOOL COUNSELING SERVICES CLT MEETINGS/PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
FEBRUARY
2/5/19: MS Leads CLT Meeting- 8:30 a.m.- 12 p.m.; Admin Room 100A
2/7/19: New Counselors CLT Meeting - 8:30-10:30 a.m.; Admin Room 102A/B
2/8/19: HS Directors CLT Meeting - 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.; Admin Room 100A
2/15/19: ASCA Model CLT Meeting - AM Session: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.;Room 100A; OR PM Session: 3-5 p.m.; Room 100A
2018-2019 New School Counselor Trainings
Reminder to share with New School Counselors...
There are trainings that new school counselors must participate and complete. Several of the trainings are located in VISION and others are located in MyLearning Plan. Please assist your new colleagues in meeting the expected requirements by LCPS. Please have them contact the School Counseling Services Offices if there are questions. Below are a list of the topics:
Phoenix
Training on Suicide Prevention Guidelines
CSSRS Training
FERPA
CPS
DTS
McKinney-Vento
New School Counselor CLT Meetings for the 2018-2019 School Year:
December 6, 2018: 8:30-10:30 a.m.; Room 420
February 7, 2019: 8:30-10:30 a.m.; Room 102 A/B
April 4, 2019: 8:30-10:30 a.m.; Room 420
2018-2019 School Counseling Practicum/Internship Students CLT Meetings
School Counseling CLT Meetings for the 20182019 School Year:
October 15, 2018: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.; Room 420 at the LCPS Administration Building
January 29, 2019: 8:30 - 10;30 a.m.; Room 420
March 19, 2019; 8:30 -10:30 a.m.; Room 420
Virginia Department of Education New Requirements for School Counselors
The Virginia Department of Education has issued new requirements for initial and re-licensure requirements for school counselors.
Below is a link to the memo with links to the new requirements. Please be sure to review all the options to meet the new requirements. There are FREE online options. We have the links on VISION to access Option 3.
Professional Development Conference Requests
If you are interested in attending a conference please contact Office of School Counseling Services first. We will need to check availability of funds before you complete the Request to Attend Conference Form which is available on the Intranet. The link is below:
Once you complete the form, return it to our office with a copy of your registration and any paperwork required for the conference. It would be helpful if you could ask your principal to pick up a portion of the cost. Generally we’ll pay registration (if budget allows) and your school may offer to pay additional expenses. Also, you will have to prepay for the registration and then submit a reimbursement form through iexpense.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Professional Development
ASCA Webinars Series
Create Relevant Experiences for Interns
Jan. 10, 2019, 3 p.m. Eastern
Peer Intervention: A Tier 1 Strategy
Jan. 17, 2019, 11 a.m. Eastern
Expand Middle School CTE & Career Advisement & Development Under Perkins V
Jan. 22, 2019, 2 p.m. Eastern
Enhance Intrinsic Motivation to Change and Achieve
Feb. 11, 2019, 2 p.m. Eastern
Strengthen School-Family Partnership with Latino Families
Feb. 18, 2019, 3 p.m. Eastern
Psycho-Educational Groups in Schools
April 16, 2019, 12 p.m. Eastern
International School Counseling
June 13, 2019, 3 p.m. Eastern
Virginia Counselors Association (VCA)
RACA Talks: LGBTQIA+
1/24/2019
Location: Richmond, Virginia Time: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
VCA Legislative Day - January 28, 2019
1/28/2019
Location: Richmond, Virginia Time: 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Clinical Supervision Training - February 21-23, 2019
2/21/2019 » 2/23/2019
Location: Richmond, Virginia
2019 VACES Graduate Student Conference
2/23/2019
Location: Hampton, Virginia Time: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
QMHP Training
3/30/2019
Location: Henrico, Virginia Time: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Virginia School Counselor Association (VSCA)
Evidence-Based Strategies and Counterintuitive Techniques to Help Students Experiencing Anxiety
With Dr. Jonathan Dalton, PsyD,
March 4, 2019
Westin Richmond
(6631 W. Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23230)
$100 member/$115 non-member/
$90 Student/Retired
ASCA Model Workshops for 2018-2019
The ASCA Model Meetings are an interactive workshop format. Each meeting will focus on a school counseling program component or components. The topics that will be covered are: Vision, Mission, Program Goals, ASCA Mindsets & Behavior, Annual Agreement, Calendars, Closing the Gap Action Plan & Results Report, Core Curriculum Action Plan & Results Report, Small Group Action Plan & Results Report, Advisory Council, and Program Reflection Evaluation. Participants will learn about a component or components and then have time to work on the document(s) required for the component. All school counselors are welcomed and encouraged to attend. No prior knowledge or experience necessary.
10/26/18 - 8:30-10:30 a.m. and 3-5 p.m.; Room 100A
11/16/18 - 8:30-10:30 a.m. and 3-5 p.m.; Room 100A
1/18/19 - 8:30-10:30 a.m. and 3-5 p.m.; Room 100A
2/15/19 - 8:30-10:30 a.m. and 3-5 p.m.; Room 100A
3/15/19 - 8:30-10:30 a.m. and 3-5 p.m.; Room 100A
4/26/19 - 8:30-10:30 a.m. and 3-5 p.m.; Room 100A
*Please sign up in MLP.
CSSRS Refresher Training (NEW!)
The following are the dates the training is available:
- January 22, 2019
- January 29, 2019
- February 21, 2019
- February 28, 2019
The training is available in MLP for you to sign up. Please be sure to notice dates, times, and location.
Darkness to Light Training for School Counselors
Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children trainees will learn how to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. Each trainee will receive an interactive workbook and the presentation is divided into two segments covering the 5 Steps to Protecting Our Children. Each segment is comprised of a video and workbook/discussion.
Darkness to Light Training – October 15, 2018 – Room 100A – 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Darkness to Light Training – November 15, 2018 – Room 100A – 8:30-10:30 a.m. (canceled due to weather)
Darkness to Light Training – December 7, 2018 – Room 100A – 1-3 p.m.
Darkness to Light Training – January 24, 2019 – Room 100A Time TBD
Darkness to Light Training - February 11, 2019 -- Room 100A; 8:30- 10:30 am (NEW!)
Darkness to Light Training – March 14, 2019 – Room 100A – 1-3 p.m.
*This is in MLP for you to sign up.
Restorative Practices Trainings for 2018-2019 School Year
Please sign up on MLP!
Restorative Language and Circle Training
Staff that attend the 2 day training will be certified to facilitate Restorative Classroom and Community Building Circles in a school setting. Attendees will thoroughly understand restorative concepts and learn effective strategies for building relationships, connecting with students, taking a proactive approach to managing conflict and teaching young people emotional literacy, empathy and responsibility. They will learn the value, process, and skills to lead restorative circles for Tier 1 & 2 interventions. Attendees will be provided with practical and effective restorative language and tools for creating a positive climate in schools which they will be able to use immediately.
January 29th and 30th
March 26th and 27th
April 24th and 25th
Restorative Conferencing Facilitator Trainings
Attendance at this two day Restorative Conference Facilitator Training will certify participants to lead Restorative Conferences as a positive discipline alternative to suspension. As a certified RP facilitator you will be able to lead conferences with students who have been involved in disciplinary related infractions. Participants will engage in exercises that will prepare them to lead Restorative Conferences with parents and students utilizing RP questions. In addition, through the conferencing process as a trained restorative facilitator you will have techniques to develop a plan with the participants to prevent recurrence of harmful behaviors.
October 30th and 31st
February 26th and 27th
Phoenix Trainings
Below you will find a list of upcoming Phoenix SIS learning opportunities. If interested, please log into My Learning Plan to sign up for a class.
Phoenix SIS General Navigation (for New Phoenix SIS Users or anyone needing a refresher!): This course is designed to introduce new users to the Phoenix Student Information System. The primary focus of this class will be to develop competence in basic navigation, user options, and system functionality. Classes will be held at LCPS Staff Training Center, Classroom 9
- 1/24/19 (AM) (Thursday 9am-11:30am)
- 02/22/19 (PM) (Friday 1pm-3:30pm)
New! Phoenix SIS – Advanced Tips & Tricks (for Experienced Phoenix SIS Users): The “Advanced” Phoenix SIS course is geared towards the more experienced Phoenix user, wanting to delve into the complexities of what this system has to offer. This workshop goes into detail about the reporting tools within Phoenix in addition to advanced features of Phoenix such as the Docking Panel, Filters and Groups. This is an opportunity for existing Phoenix users to learn some shortcuts and enhancements that have been added to Phoenix in the past few years. Classes will be held at LCPS Staff Training Center, Classroom 9
- 01/24/19 (PM) (Thursday 1pm-3:30pm)
- 02/20/19 (PM) (Wednesday 1pm-3:30pm)
Phoenix SIS - Course Request/Schedule Request Overview (for secondary counselors and administrators):
In January, the Office of Information Management will offer several pre-scheduling information/learning sessions focusing on entry and analysis of SY19/20 Student Schedule Requests. These (optional) classes are open to all school-based counselors and administrators who are responsible for collection, entry and analysis of student course requests. The primary focus will be to develop competence in navigation of the student schedule request screen, review the various course request entry techniques (manual entry, mass assign, SVUE/PVUE entry, spreadsheet upload), and demonstrate course request analysis reports. This class is specific to course requests and is not intended to prepare staff to build a master schedule or make mass schedule changes. Additional documentation and FAQs regarding course request can be found in the Rollover/Scheduling Preparation/Course Requests User Guide on the Phoenix SIS Channel in VISION. Classes will be held at LCPS Staff Training Center, Classroom 9.
- 1/7/2019 (AM) (Monday 9am-11:30am)
- 1/7/2019 (PM) (Monday 1pm-3:30pm)
- 1/14/2019 (AM) (Monday 9am-11:30am)
- 1/14/2019 (PM) (Monday 1pm-3:30pm)
Customized School-Based Training/Support:
Our office is always open to providing school-based training/support. If your school is interested in organizing a school-based training session with respect to a specific topic (for example: Course Requests, Discipline Entry/Reports, Gradebook, ParentVUE etc. ) please feel free to contact me or submit an LDSD Support Ticket.
PBIS Training Opportunities
Elementary School News
Round Hill Elementary Career Day Event
On Friday, December 14th, we hosted a career day event for K-5 grade students here at Round Hill. Twenty-four parents volunteered their time and expertise to present on their current career to our students. We had professionals, from a variety of career clusters, who provided interactive and engaging presentations that increased our students' career awareness and development. From careers requiring certifications like a hair stylist or yoga teacher to those with more extensive post-secondary education like a Navy urologist or Allergist. The exposure to these opportunities will surely plant a seed for future goals. Everyone had a blast, including the parent volunteers, teachers, and administration. We are looking forward to hosting another event next year!
Middle School News
Riverbend MS
College Week at RBM
College Students returned to have Q&A about college readiness and college life. (see photo below)
Stone Hill MS
We did a mix-it up day in the cafeteria during Inclusion Week and had students sit at tables based on the month they were born. We had conversation starters so that students could start interacting as soon as they sat down! Here are a few pictures if you want them for the newsletter.
We also had to push our "Gratitude/Thankfulness Turkeys" to December due to the snow day so here is a copy of those as well!(see pictures below)
Sources of Strength Peer leaders put together Trusted Adult Walls in each grade level. To celebrate all the hard work Peer Leaders have done already, Peer Leaders participated in a friendly relay competition before winter break. Sources of Strength Peer Leaders are currently preparing to have their first SOS Family Fun Bingo Night in January 16th to promote Healthy Activities, Positive Friends, and Family Support.(see pictures below)
Riverbend MS - College Life Panel
Trailside Middle
Trailside MIddle Marigold Project
Eagle Ridge MS- Gift of Kindness Bulletin Board
High School News
Broad Run officially rolled out Sources of Strength school-wide before Thanksgiving with a cool mosaic tile art piece that highlighted each students’ area of strength. Also, counselors jazzed up a career planning lesson for juniors with the GPA game. Also, our Career Center Asst. engaged an Advanced EL class with a presentation from a bilingual Air Force recruiter. Students were absolutely engaged and attentive. Even if they opt to go another route, it was great exposing them to another profession and showing them that there are options.
(see below)
Virtual Loudoun- Cynthia Fillman
Happy New Year from Virtual Loudoun!
We had a successful conclusion to our Term 1 session on December 14th, with final grades rolling to course history on December 21st. We are now gearing up for our 15-week Term 2 session, which will begin on Monday, January 28th. Registration for Term 2 closes on Friday, January 11th. We’re asking Counselors of students registered for Term 2 classes to please review and approve/not-approve those registrations ASAP to help us successfully schedule our virtual learners and enroll them into their classes. After Friday, January 11th, please do not make any changes to registrations without first communicating with Cynthia Fillman, Virtual Loudoun School Counselor, or Stacie Ahrens-Mininberg, Virtual Loudoun Principal.
Students who are registered and approved for Term 2 courses will receive a welcome email on Friday, January 25th, with detailed information and directions for how they can access their course and the recommended pacing guide for the Term 2 session.
Registration for Term 3 and the Fall 2019-20 Term 1 session will open on April 19th. We will be posting the term dates and deadlines for the 2019-20 school year later this month on our “Calendar” webpage: https://www.lcps.org/Page/154625.
Shout out to all the School Counselors who work so diligently to guide and support our online learners! Teamwork makes the dream work! THANK YOU everyone!
FERPA - Frequently Asked Questions- Pam Stewart, LCPS Records Manager
What is an education record?
"Education records" are records that are directly related to a student and that are maintained by an educational agency. These records include but are not limited to grades, transcripts, class lists, student course schedules, health records, and student discipline files. The information may be recorded in any way, including, but not limited to, handwriting, print, computer media, videotape, audiotape, film, microfilm, microfiche, and e-mail.
What is FERPA?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that affords parents the right to have access to their children’s education records, the right to seek to have the records amended, and the right to have some control over the disclosure of personally identifiable information from the education records. When a student turns 18 years old, or enters a postsecondary institution at any age, the rights under FERPA transfer from the parents to the student (“eligible student”).
What records are exempted from FERPA?
Exempted from the definition of education records are those records which are kept in the sole possession of the maker of the records and are not accessible or revealed to any other person except a temporary substitute for the maker of the records. Once the contents or information recorded in sole possession records is disclosed to any party other than a temporary substitute for the maker of the records, those records become education records subject to FERPA. Generally sole possession records are of the nature to serve as a “memory jogger” for the creator of the record. For example, if a school official has taken notes regarding telephone or face to face conversations, such notes could be sole possession records depending on the nature and content of the notes.
Is an email referencing a specific student considered an educational record?
Educational records of a student shall not include any electronic information, including email, whether or not directly related to a student, unless the electronic information is printed and a copy placed in the student’s educational file or the information is stored electronically under an individual student’s name on a permanent secure basis for the purpose of being maintained as an educational record. Electronic information that exists on a back-up server, a temporary archiving system, or on a computer hard-drive is not an education record and is not viewed as being maintained.
Under FERPA, may an educational agency or institution disclose education records to any of its employees without consent?
No. FERPA permits an educational agency or institution to disclose, without consent, personally identifiable information from students’ education records only to school officials within the educational agency or institution that the educational agency or institution has determined to have legitimate educational interests in the information. Generally, a school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
Are schools required to record the disclosure of personally identifiable information (PII) from students’ education records whenever they make disclosures?
Subject to certain exceptions addressed below, schools must maintain a record of each request for access to, and each disclosure of PII from, the education records of each student. The school must maintain this record with the education records of the student as long as the education records are maintained. Schools do not have to record disclosures of PII from education records that were made to: 1) the parent or eligible student; 2) a school official 3) a party with written consent from the parent or eligible student; 4) a party seeking directory information; or 5) a party seeking or receiving records in accordance with the provisions in FERPA related to disclosures pursuant to certain types of subpoenas or court orders.
When is it permissible to utilize FERPA’s health or safety emergency exception for disclosures?
In some situations, school administrators may determine that it is necessary to disclose personally identifiable information (PII) from a student’s education records to appropriate parties in order to address a health or safety emergency. FERPA’s health or safety emergency provision permits such disclosures when the disclosure is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals. This exception to FERPA’s general consent requirement is limited to the period of the emergency and generally does not allow for a blanket release of PII from a student’s education records. Rather, these disclosures must be related to an actual, impending, or imminent emergency, such as a natural disaster, a terrorist attack, a campus shooting, or the outbreak of an epidemic disease.
Does a school have to record disclosures made under FERPA’s health or safety emergency exception?
Yes. When an educational agency or institution makes a disclosure under the health or safety exception, it must record in the student’s education records the articulable and significant threat that formed the basis for the disclosure, and the parties to whom the information was disclosed.
Does FERPA permit school officials to release information that they personally observed or of which they have personal knowledge?
FERPA applies to the disclosure of education records and of personally identifiable information (PII) from education records that are maintained by the school. Therefore, FERPA does not prohibit a school official from releasing information about a student that was obtained through the school official’s personal knowledge or observation, rather than from the student’s education records. For example, if a teacher overhears a student making threatening remarks to other students, FERPA does not protect that information from disclosure. Therefore, a school official may disclose what he or she overheard to appropriate authorities, including disclosing the information to local law enforcement officials, school officials, and parents.
Can parents be provided access to an eligible student’s education records?
While the rights under FERPA transfer from the parents to the student when the student turns 18 or enrolls in a postsecondary institution at any age, FERPA provides ways in which a school can share education records on the student with his or her parents. Schools may disclose any and all information to parents, without the consent of the eligible student, if the student is a dependent for tax purposes under the IRS rules. FERPA also permits a school to disclose information from an eligible student’s education records to parents if a health or safety emergency involves their son or daughter. School officials may also share information with a parent about an eligible student that is based on that official’s personal knowledge or observation and that is not based on information contained in an education record.
Can stepparents, grandparents, and other caregivers be considered parents under FERPA?
In some cases, a stepparent may be considered a “parent” under FERPA if the stepparent is present on a day-to-day basis with the natural parent and child and the other parent is absent from that home. Conversely, a stepparent who is not present on a day-to-day basis in the home of the child does not have rights under FERPA with respect to the child’s education records. A grandparent or other caregiver who is acting in the absence of the parent(s) may also be considered a “parent” under FERPA.
May parents or eligible students be provided access to education records that contain information on more than one student?
If the education records of a student contain personally identifiable information on other students, the parent or eligible student may inspect or review or be informed of only the specific information about their own child (or self).
Can the same recorded image be the education record of more than one student under FERPA?
Yes. For example, a surveillance video that shows two students fighting on a school bus that the school uses and maintains to discipline the two students, would be “directly related to” and, therefore, the education record of both students.
Are there situations in which school officials may non-consensually disclose personally identifiable information from education records of students who have been disciplined for conduct that posed a significant risk to the safety of the school community?
Yes. Under FERPA, a school may share PII from education records with school officials within the school whom the school has determined to have legitimate educational interests in the behavior of a student who has been disciplined for conduct that posed a significant risk to the safety or well-being of that student, other students, or other members of the school community.
The school may also disclose PII from education records about a student who has been disciplined for conduct that posed a significant risk to the safety or well-being of that student, other students, or other members of the school community, to school officials at another school who have been determined to have legitimate educational interests in the behavior of the student, if deemed necessary.
For instance, if a school official knows that a student, who has been disciplined for bringing a gun or knife to school or threatened to hurt students and/or teachers, is planning to attend a school-sponsored activity at another high school, FERPA would allow that school official to notify school officials at the other high school who have been determined to have legitimate educational interests in the behavior of the student.
Parent/Guardian/Community News & Workshops
School Counseling Resources & Information
Anaid Shaver
Email: anaid.shaver@lcps.org
Website: http://www.loudoun.k12.va.us/page/1872
Location: 21000 Education Court, Ashburn, VA, United States
Phone: 571.252.1017