RVH School Counseling Newsletter
October 2017
OUR DEPARTMENT:
The Riverside School Counseling department is a team of 12 dedicated individuals working collaboratively to meet the needs of 1590 students, including teachers and parents. We have an open-door policy, but at times we are needed at meetings or have scheduled appointments with other students and parents. To serve you more efficiently, we ask that you please call or email us to schedule an appointment.
We support Riverside High School by:
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 when students experience challenges. We focus on conflict resolution, transitions, study skills, test-taking skills, crisis intervention, bullying prevention, suicide prevention, and special needs of students.
preparing students with post-grad planning. College visits, career days, internships, scholarships, and job matching are just a few resources available to help our students succeed in life after high school.
RVHS School Counseling Office Info
Hours: 8:00 am to 4:15 pm
Website: http://www.loudoun.k12.va.us/domain/17735
Get connected with us on remind, text @7a0b5 to 81010
Follow us on twitter @RVHCounseling
Rob Yarborough, Director of School Counseling
Amy Larrick, Registrar
Marsha Gobrecht, School Counseling Assistant
Evan Rodgers, School Counselor (A-Cl)
Kevin Burke, School Counselor (Cm - Hoo)
Scott Valyear, School Counselor (Hop-Mcc)
Anna Rizzo, School Counselor (Mcd-Rose)
Amy Burgess, School Counselor (Rosf-Z)
Anmar Hale, Career Center Specialist
Kristan Ash, Parent Liaison
Noelia Garcia-Gettmann, School Psychologist
Lisa Harris, School Social Worker
Kim Hager, Student Assistant Specialist
THE PSAT IS OCTOBER 11TH:
Next Wednesday, October 11th all 9th, 10th and 11th grade students will be taking the PSAT at Riverside from 9:15am-1:05pm through their Advisory classes. Please make sure students come to school well-nourished and with a good night's sleep. There is no charge to students to take the test. 12th grade students in attendance will be offered an alternate location during the testing time.
Students that are enrolled in classes at AOS, AET and Monroe will stay at Riverside for the entire day. An alternate location will be available for these students during the test if not taking and after for all program students.
All students should make sure they bring at least two #2 pencils and their own calculator for the test. Extra calculators to borrow will not be available. If you have questions please feel free to contact the School Counseling Office at (703) 554-8907 or visit our PSAT page at https://www.lcps.org/Page/198239.
Governor's School
Governor's School for Visual and Performing Arts - Summer 2018
The Summer Residential Governor's School for Visual and Performing Arts is an intensive summer program for high school students. The program offers participants the opportunity to live, study and develop bonds with other students with similar interests and abilities from across the commonwealth. Both co-curricular and extra-curricular activities are designed to encourage students' interests and abilities.
The visual and performing arts programs include:
- Dance
- Instrumental Music
- Visual Art
- Vocal Music
- Theater
- Interested students should submit an Intent to Audition form to Ms. Rizzo (School Counselor) by October 16, 2017.
- You will then be assigned a time for the local LCPS audition on November 6, 2017 at Riverside High School.
- Students who meet the LCPS Audition Requirements will be required to submit an application to Ms. Rizzo by December 8, 2017, and their applications will be sent to the state.
Visual and Performing Arts applications can be found here (once you follow the link, scroll to the bottom of the page).
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Foreign Language Governor's School - Summer 2018
Applications are facilitated through the RVHS World Languages Department. Please see your teacher for more information.
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Governor's School Academic Programs and Mentorships - Summer 2018
The Summer Residential Governor's School Academic Programs and Mentorships are month-long residential programs for 10th and 11th grade students in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The goal of each Governor's School is to provide opportunities for intellectual as well as social and emotional growth for those who attend.
There are four Academic Programs:
1. Agriculture
2. Humanities
3. Mathematics, Science and Technology
4. Life Sciences and Medicine.
The programs are housed on various campuses throughout the Commonwealth and are free to the students.
There are three Mentorship Programs:
1. Engineering at NASA/NIA
2. Marine Science at the Virginia Institute for Marine Science
3. Life Sciences and Medicine
Applications are due to Ms. Rizzo by December 8, 2017. You must submit hard copies in person; electronic copies cannot be accepted. You will notice that Governor's School requests two teacher recommendations. They are also due to Ms. Rizzo by December 8, 2017. Please give your teacher ample time when requesting a letter of recommendation.
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Detailed information and applications can be found on the Governor's School webpage. Please make sure that you use the 2018 Summer Application as soon as the VDOE website is updated (estimated the first week in October). Make sure you use the appropriate applications - "Academic" or "Mentorship" - depending on the program you want to apply to. Note that the first page of the application must be typed rather than written in by hand (hence the need to download an electronic copy of the application).
The application asks you for the "School Division" and the "School Division DOE Code". The school division is Loudoun County Public Schools and the DOE code is 053-0900.
Below is the information you will need to help you fill out the first page of the application.
School Information: Riverside High School, 19019 Upper Belmont Place, Leesburg, VA 20176
Phone: 703.554.8907
Fax: 703.858.7411
Division Name: Loudoun County Public Schools
School Division DOE Code: 053-0900
HS Contact: Anna Rizzo
HS Contact Email: Anna Rizzo
Good luck! Please contact Ms. Rizzo if you have any questions
job for a day
Job-for-a-Day Program
The Loudoun School-Business Partnership will be sponsoring the Job-for-a-Day Program for high school juniors and seniors on Wednesday, November 15, 2017. There is a second date only for those students placed at Inova Loudoun Hospital: Wednesday, November 20, 2017. Students who participate in the program will spend one day with a business in the community that is involved in a career in which the student is interested.
The goals of this program are:
- Allow students to explore fields in which they have an interest or aptitude.
- Offer students exposure to career clusters about which they have not previously known.
- Strengthen students’ awareness of business, industry, and business enterprises within the community.
- Heighten students’ decision-making processes related to life skills and career choices.
- Provide students with hands-on experiences with people, places, and things not always available in the classroom or school environment.
- Help students learn about job/career opportunities within the local area.
If you are interested in participating in this program, please complete the online application and agreement no later than October 30, 2017. There are a fixed number of placements available in each career choice, so apply early to secure a placement. You also must submit a copy of your resume. These forms are the all-important “first impression” that the placement committee and business partnership sponsor have of you. You will want to make a good first impression.
You are responsible for your own transportation. If this presents a major problem or if you have any questions, please contact Ms. Hale in the Career Center.
Apply for Job-For-A-Day: https://webinter.lcps.org/JobForADay/. Students have 15 minutes to complete their registration in order to apply to the job they have selected. Be sure to have your resume completed and ready to upload at the time of registration.
The following form must be filled out and turned into Ms. Hale in the Career Center within 48 hours of completing your online registration.
Job-For-A-Day Parent/Guardian & Student Agreement Form
Important Dates:
October 20th - Job For a Day portal opens to view available positions
October 23rd - portal opens to choose jobs
October 30th - portal closes
November 3rd - Placement Notification emails are sent out
November 9th at 7pm - Mandatory INOVA student/parent orientation for those working at INOVA
November 15th - Job For A Day
November 20th - INOVA Job For a Day
CLASS OF 2018!
Senior Students & Parents,
On September 26th & September 27th, the School Counseling Department hosted presentations on "Post-Secondary Planning" and "Paying for College". School Counselors spoke about the college application process, various post-secondary options and transcript deadlines. The Director of Financial Aid, Jack Zeeger, and the High School Outreach Coordinator, Cathy Hall, from Northern Virginia Community college covered different types of funding available to assist parents/students in paying for a post-secondary education.
If you missed the "Post-Secondary Planning" presentation, please visit our website to view the presentation at: https://www.lcps.org/Page/181786.
If you missed the "Paying for College" presentation, please visit our website to view the presentation and many more helpful links and resources: http://www.lcps.org/Page/170519 .
We are also hosting a FAFSA Workshop on October 18th at 6:30pm in the Career Center. Jack Zeeger and Cathy Hall will be there to help students and their parents fill out the FAFSA. Please bring all documents needed.
Another great opportunity to access funds for college are scholarships. There are millions of dollars in private scholarships available each year. Companies, unions, foundations, community organizations, churches, and others sponsor scholarships ranging from a few hundred dollars to a free ride for all fours years of college.
Searching for scholarships takes time and energy, but remember – it’s free money!
How to apply for Scholarships:
- Ms. Hale in the Career Center is the main contact for scholarships
Bookmark our Scholarship page! Check this page often for new scholarships and to search for external scholarships: http://www.lcps.org/Page/170546
Read the scholarship requirements and only select scholarships for which you qualify
Fill out the information requested on the scholarship application neatly and completely and make sure to proofread it!
Submit the completed scholarship application with any other documents that is required prior to the due date.
Make sure to pay attention to the scholarship deadline. If it is not an online application find out where you are supposed to submit the scholarship application. (Some are returned to Ms. Hale and some are mailed directly from you).
Scholarship applications require a copy of your transcript. Please see Mrs. Hale in the Career Center to request your transcript. Requests must be made 10 school days before the scholarship due date!
FACT: every year there is $32,000,000,000 available for students to win to pay for college!
School Counselors are currently working hard to meet with all of their seniors to discuss their plans after graduation and to help them through the college application process. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email your School Counselor or contact our School Counseling office.
college visits
- 10/12 at 11am - Fairmont State University
- 10/12 at 12pm - Catawba College
- 10/13 at 1pm - Kent State University
- 10/16 at 9:15am - Yale University
- 10/16 at 11:30am - Virginia Tech
- 10/16 at 1pm - Longwood University
- 10/17 during all lunches - United States Marine Corps visit
- 10/17 at 11am - Elon University
- 10/17 at 1pm- Drexel University
- 10/18 at 10:30am - Georgia Institute of Technology
- 10/19 at 12pm - The College of Saint Rose
- 10/20 at 12pm - University of Deleware
- 10/24 at 1pm - Mary Baldwin University
- 10/26 at 1pm - Marymount University
- 10/26 at 3pm - Radford University
nova - pathway to the baccalaureate
A special program at NOVA designed for students who:
- Are interested in obtaining a bachelor’s (4 year/college) degree
- May need assistance with the process and Are interested in starting at NOVA and transferring to George Mason or another 4 year college/university
- Will graduate no later than August 2018
- Have a strong desire for academic success
- No minimum GPA is required to apply
Pathway Benefits in High School:
- Individual meetings with Pathway counselor in the career center (meet about college transition issues, major/career planning, etc.)
- Workshops on the application process
- Preparation for placement tests & take placement test at riverside
- Assistance with financial planning – including help with applying for financial aid, scholarships and NOVA payment plan
- Priority course registration
Pathway benefits at nova:
- Academic, career, transfer, financial aid counseling
- One-stop shop
- Can request same counselor at NOVA until transfer
- Guaranteed admission agreements
- Special Pathway agreement with George Mason Univ.
- Special Pathway sections of College Success Skills course
- Regular academic and social activities
- Mid-Semester Progress Report
Important points:
- Applying for and participating in the Pathway program does not bind you to NOVA – you can still apply/go to a 4 year school
- Pathway students can transfer to ANY 4 year school, does not have to be GMU
- All NOVA students can take advantage of the GAA’s, but Pathway students can start the process early and are provided additional support
- NOVA application and the Pathway application are different
What do I do now?
- Notify Ms. Hale that you are thinking about the Pathway Program
- Obtain and fill out a Pathway application,
- Return the application to Ms. Hale by the deadline, November 9th!
- Acceptance decisions will be mailed out at the end of December/early January
SAT/ACT TEST DATES & TEST PREP:
credit through testing exam
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Virginia Mayflower Society - Mildred Ramos Scholarship Fund - $1,620
Criteria: Applicants must be a high school senior, college undergraduate student, or a university graduate student under the age of 26 enrolled in an accredited educational institution. Applicant must satisfy at least one of the following requirements: Be a resident of Virginia; Be related to a resident of Virginia; Be a member or related to a member of the Virginia Mayflower Society
Applicant must have a grade point average of at least B or the equivalent.
Applicants must be sponsored by a member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the Commonwealth of Virginia or by one of the applicant’s current teachers. The applicant does not need to be a member of the Society or related to a member*
Family members (children, nieces, nephews, and in-laws of members) of the Virginia Mayflower Society’s Board of Assistants or of its Scholarship Committee are not eligible for scholarship awards.
Applicants must provide a brief resume including a list of their academic achievements and community service
Applicants must present a copy of their official academic transcript for present year and the preceding two years.
Applicants must submit an essay of no more than 1500 words in the MLA, APA or Chicago Manual of Style format on the subject:
“The Pilgrims first landed near what is now Provincetown at the eastern end of Cape Cod, as they traveled west along the inner shore of the Cape they, like Champlain in 1606, had encounters with hostile Indians. However, after settling at Plymouth the Pilgrims received help from the Pokanokets Indians and became allies of their chief, Massasoit. What were the causes of the good relations between the Pilgrims and the Indians near Plymouth?”
Applicants must cite a minimum of 5 print/web sources, but do not cite Wikipedia. Do use spell check or grammar check.
Essays must be submitted in hard and/or electronic copy.
Your sponsor must send the committee a brief letter containing the name, address, telephone number and other contact information of the proposed applicant as well as that of the sponsor.
Prospective applicants who have questions or who would like additional information may contact:
Mr. James H. Maloney
Scholarship Committee Chairman
The Virginia Mayflower Society
1763 Bluff Mountain Road
Madison, VA 22727-3379 or
Selection: All applicants will be judged on their academic record, resume, and, predominantly, on their essay.
Deadline: Applications must be received by our Scholarship chairman by March 19, 2018
Sigma Mu Mu Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. - Essay Contest
Criteria: Essay Contest is open to all college-bound, Loudoun County, Virginia high school seniors.
The essay must be original and neither previously published nor secured by copyright
Essay must be between 700 and 750 words in length
Essay must be typewritten, double-spaced and entitled: “What Actions Can You Take to Promote Social Justice and Embrace Diversity of All
People?"
Instructions show set-up of first page of essay The typewritten, double-spaced essay may be submitted via postal service (USPS) or email in .doc (preferred) or .pdf format on or before October 20 2017.
DEADLINE The manuscript must be postmarked or time-stamped on the email no later than midnight, October 20, 2017.
Email the essay to: sigmamumuques@gmail.com
Women in STEM Study.com Scholarship – 1 @ $500
Criteria: Selection will be based on academic history and extracurricular activities
Financial need will not be considered
Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident
Applicant must be enrolled (or accepted) female student in an accredited college or university who is planning on continuing the next year
Applicant must be a graduating high school senior who meets the above mentioned criteria
Applicant must have a minimum of 30 semester or 45-quarter hours still to be completed
Applicant must consent to provide a digital photograph of self and quote for display on Study.com if notified as the award winner by the selection committee
Application can be found at: http://study.com/pages/Women_in_STEM_Scholarship.html
DEADLINE: April 1, 2018
MONROE - OPEN HOUSE & RVHS MONROE SHADOW DAY
Shadowing brings the classroom to life! During Shadowing Day, 9th - 11th graders will have the opportunity to visit two programs and attend an informational session on the benefits of Monroe and the application process. This is a half-day event and transportation is provided to and from your home school.
Riverside's Monroe Shadow Day is on December 6th. To sign up, please fill out the form here: https://www.lcps.org/Page/183450
Virginia Aerospace science & technology scholars (vasts)
For High School juniors and seniors, Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS) is an interactive online learning course with a space mission design and human space flight theme, culminating in a one-week residential Summer Academy at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton for those students who qualify. Offered at no cost to the student, VASTS consists of seven modules and a final project to be completed from November 2017 through May 2018 under the guidance of licensed master educators. Based on success in the online coursework, students may be selected to attend a Summer Academy where they interact with NASA scientists, engineers and technologists to design a human mission to Mars. Students who successfully participate in VASTS can apply to earn 2 college credits for the online course and 2 additional credits for the Summer Academy.
Please direct students or other faculty to the website for program information and application, http://vsgc.odu.edu/VASTS/
The deadline for student applications is November 12th, 2017.
For more information on this program, please contact:
Ian Cawthray
VASTS Education Program Coordinator
ian.m.cawthray@nasa.gov
Or visit: http://vsgc.odu.edu/VASTS
For High School juniors and seniors, Virginia Earth System Science Scholars (VESSS) is an interactive, on-line Earth System Science Course featuring NASA scientific research and data. The course is offered for dual enrollment college credit (statewide through TNCC) for high school juniors and seniors in the Spring semester 2018.
By combining detailed Earth System Science content with real world data analysis, students will be exposed to a rigorous course that will work across science disciplines to cultivate 21st Century Learning Skills. The program will focus on preparing students for the rigors of college and careers while allowing them to develop strong science-based skills such as critical thinking and inquiry-based problem solving. VESSS will have two components. The first component is an online sixteen-week course running from December through April. The second component is a residential NASA Summer Academy at NASA Langley Research Center for students who perform well in the course. Students who successfully participate in VESSS can apply to earn 3 college credits for the online course and 1 additional credit for the Summer Academy.
Please direct students or other faculty to the website for program information and application, http://vsgc.odu.edu/VESSS/ .
The deadline for student applications is November 12th, 2017.
For more information on this program, please contact:
Joyce Corriere
VESSS Education Program Coordinator
Joyce.H.Corriere@nasa.gov
Or visit: http://vsgc.odu.edu/VESSS/
For high school sophomores, the Virginia Space Coast Scholars (VSCS) is a program focusing on the earth and airborne science, engineering, and technology integral to current missions at NASA Wallops Flight Facility and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport. This dynamic (and FREE) program, designed by the Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC), inspires students who possess technical and/or scientific interests and are motivated to learn about the many different opportunities that NASA offers.
The VSCS program features two key elements: 1) an on-line science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning experience featuring five modules; and 2) a seven-day residential Summer Academy at NASA Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, VA where selected scholars will learn first-hand from NASA professionals about cutting edge technologies and missions.
Program Information:
- FREE Program for 10th Grade Students
- Online modules covering NASA aircraft, balloon, and sounding rocket missions launched or managed at Wallops Flight Facility
- Online course runs from December 2017 through April 2018
- Highly successful students will be selected for a week long Summer Academy at NASA Wallops Flight Facility (Chincoteague, VA)
- The deadline for student applications is November 12th, 2017
- http://vscs.spacegrant.org/ for application and more information
For more information, please contact Kirsten Manning, Education Program Coordinator, at kmanning@odu.edu.
SOCIETY OF WOMEN ENGINEERING @ UVA:
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS:
JOBS, INTERNSHIPS & vOLUNTEERING:
An HR Rep from CHICK-FIL-A will be in the Career Center on October 20th during all lunches if you're interested in a job - see Ms. Hale for more info.
Commonwealth of Virginia - 2018 MS-ISAC "Kids Safe Online" Poster Contest Attention Educators and Parents:
The contest is sponsored by the Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA) in conjunction with the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC). This is a national contest which encourages our youth to use the Internet safely and securely. Please forward this information to the individuals in your school district that would be interested in this contest.
Educating our children about the rules of Internet safety will encourage them to make better decisions when posting pictures, videos and personal information online.
The top five winning posters from Virginia for each grade group (K-5, 6-8 and 9-12) will be submitted to the national Multi-State Cyber Security Awareness poster contest. MS ISAC will select a total of 13 winners to have their artwork displayed in the 2019 National Stay Safe Online Calendar which will be distributed throughout the country and used in campaigns to raise awareness among children of all ages about internet and computer safety. The top four submissions will also be made into posters promoting cybersecurity practices. The winning Virginia posters will be featured on our website.
Attached are the official rules, entry form and information regarding the poster topics and technical specifications. The materials are also available on our website at http://vita.virginia.gov/security/default.aspx?id=11232
IMPACT Field Trip with Belmont MS & Newton Lee students at the National Zoo
The Leaders of IMPACT - Mr. Valyear, Ms. Rizzo, Ms. Briles & Ms. Dwyer-Allen
enjoying the Zoo!
For additional information about anything listed in our newsletter, please visit our website or contact our office at (703) 554 -8907
Thank you,
RVH School Counseling