RVH School Counseling
January 2020
About Our Department:
The Riverside School Counseling department is a team of 16 dedicated individuals working collaboratively to meet the needs of 1,880 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 Hours
Hours: 8:00 am to 4:15 pm
Website: http://www.loudoun.k12.va.us/domain/17735
Follow us on twitter @RVHCounseling
Luke Mason, Director of School Counseling
Susan Westgate, Registrar
Marsha Gobrecht, School Counseling Assistant
Donna Smith, School Counseling Assistant
Robin Robinson, Career Center Assistant
Astrid Willemsma, (long term sub) School Counselor (A-Burc)
Kevin Burke, School Counselor (Burd - E)
Cassandra Asekhauno, School Counselor (F-Jer)
Kimberley Harris, School Counselor (Jes-Marn)
Susan Pangman, School Counselor (Maro-Pf)
Anna Rizzo, School Counselor (Pg-Sm)
Tracy Wood, School Counselor (Sn-Z)
Noelia Garcia-Gettmann, School Psychologist
Mrs. Frances Jester, Social Worker
Kim Hager, Student Assistance Specialist
Susan Sabloff, Parent Liaison
Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership Delegates
Riverside Alumni Visits
Seniors! This week on Wednesday Jan 8th and Thursday Jan 9th at 12:45 we have invited Riverside Alumni from the Class of 2019 to join us in the Career Center. They’ll be talking about their first year in college, lessons learned and tips for success! Visit with alumni from VCU, CNU, VT, JMU and Penn State! Bring your questions and sign up on Naviance to attend.
Juniors and Seniors!
On Wednesday at 1:45pm, Corey Forst, RVH Class of 2017 will be visiting us from the University of Wyoming.
On Thursday at 1:45 pm, Nicholas Cho will be visiting us from Virginia Tech. He is participating in their Corps of Cadets program and can answer questions on the program, the application process and his experience. Sign up for both of these visits on Naviance.
PARENTS: Interested in being an exhibitor at the LCPS Career & Apprenticeship Fair?
Wednesday, April 1, 2020 from 6pm – 8pm
@ Academies of Loudoun
We are currently seeking exhibitors for the 2nd annual LCPS Career & Apprenticeship Fair by providing information on career paths and/or apprenticeship opportunities to LCPS students in grades 8 – 12.
What is the role of an exhibitor?
- Be able to speak to students about your particular career and the path taken to achieve it, as well as other careers in your specific industry.
- Speak to students about mentorship or internship opportunities, if applicable.
- Accept employment applications if you are hiring students for the summer or even during the school year.
Last year, there were just over 60 exhibitors representing the 16 career clusters, with approximately 400 families in attendance. This year, there will be 100 booths available, and we anticipate several more families will attend. Booths are $50 and sponsorship opportunities are available. Each booth will be provided an 8ft table within a 10ft space. Exhibitors are encouraged to bring signage, both freestanding and table-top, handouts, giveaways, etc.
Sponsorship details can be found on the application.
Clusters in need of more representation: Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources; Arts, A/V Technology & Communications; Finance; Manufacturing; Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
The application for exhibitors can be found here: https://forms.gle/meYhSGShgBijSwcX8 The application is a Google form; if you are unable to access the link or would like more information, please contact
Theresa Kurzeja at 571-252-1226 or Theresa.Kurzeja@lcps.org.
The Career & Apprenticeship Fair enables students to make clearer choices when deciding their future.
We hope you will be part of that!
CLASS OF 2020
We hope all is going well for you Seniors! The RVHS School Counseling staff is eager to work with you during your senior year and prepare you for life after high school. We want to inform you about some dates, tasks, and resources that will help you get the ball rolling on your post high school planning process. To view the presentations from the September 26 Senior Parent Planning/Financial Aid Night click here.
Important Dates
Gap Year Fair - February 6, 2020 Riverside HS
LCPS Apprenticeship & Workforce Night - April 1, 2020 The Academies of Loudoun
Tasks to complete now:
Student & Parent Surveys:
If you need a counselor recommendation for your college applications, please reach out to your counselor for information on how to access and complete. Once you have completed, please return to your counselor 2 to 3 weeks prior to your first application deadline date.
Transcript Request Forms:
If you need a transcript sent for your college applications, please submit the form at least two weeks in advance of your deadline! Remember counselors need time to complete your recommendation and process your materials!
NACAC Resources for College-Bound Students
- New! Ask the Admission Office — a series of six checklists that will help students determine what to ask colleges or universities before they apply.
- Updated! Guide to the College Admission Process
- Get in the Game: Tips for Student-Athletes and Their Families
- Financial Aid...in 7 Easy Steps
- Guide for Families in the College Admission Process
- For-Profit Colleges: What to Know Before You Enroll
- Going Through the College Admission Process: Preparing, Researching, Applying, and Deciding
- Step by Step: College Awareness and Planning for Families, Counselors and Communities
Applying to Historically Black Colleges & Universities
Senior Capstone Projects
For our current seniors we would like to extend an invitation to join our Senior Capstone Experience. The LCPS Capstone Experience mission is to provide students an opportunity to acquire and demonstrate foundational skills in critical thinking, collaboration, communication and citizenship through a short-term experience with businesses that are relevant to their passions.
This means in May, accepted seniors would be excused from class to instead spend the time experiencing their passions. It is a time to work towards your career aspirations through an job shadowing, mentorship, service learning choice, or community service during your final weeks as a high school senior.
It is similar to completing an internship or project in your final year of college. If you are interested in joining the program, we invite you to start getting a placement over winter break and attend the information session in January. If you have questions or concerns, you are welcome to visit our website or reach out to our Capstone Coordinator - Michelle Plunkett - through email-Michelle Plunkett: Michelle.Plunkett@lcps.org or stopping by room 1404.
Naviance Presentation for Parents
The “Introduction to Naviance Student – How Parents Can Assist Their Students with College and Career Readiness” presentation took place on October 21st. The session was recorded and will be posted at www.lcps.org/parentresourceservices. Once you are on the webpage, click on workshops and events, and then archived videos.
Military Representatives
Interested in taking the Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)? ASVAB scores are used to determine if you qualify to enlist in the military and to assign you to an appropriate job within the military. The ASVAB will next be offered at Woodgrove HS on Tuesday, January 28th at 9:30 am. Click here to register.
Visiting the Academies of Loudoun
Is your student interested in programs at the Academies of Loudoun? The Academies of Loudoun are beginning to prepare for their winter admissions cycle, which includes admissions for the Advanced Academy of Engineering & Technology (AET) (11th grade entry) and the Monroe Advanced Technical Academy (MATA)programs (10th, 11th, and 12th grade entry).
Winter Admission Cycle Timeline for the Academies of Loudoun
December 10, 2019 – admissions window opens for Academies of Loudoun Winter 2020 admissions cycle (for Advanced AET and MATA programs).
February 19, 2020 - Winter admissions window closes at 12pm "noon". $35 application fee must be paid before application is processed (fee is automatically reduced or waived for free/reduced lunch status).
February 22, 2020* - Advanced AET Admissions Assessment (writing prompt and interest statement)
February 22, 2020* - MATA Practical Nursing Admissions Assessment (Test of Essential Academic Skills - TEAS)
March 3, 2020 - Nursing Interviews for nursing applicants who were administered the TEAS assessment
March 2020 – Admission offers will be posted in admissions portal
March/May 2020 - Students must accept or decline all admissions offers
*In the event of an emergency on a testing date, please contact the Admissions Office (AcademiesAdmissions@lcps.org)
Academies of Loudoun Information Sessions
Parent Information Sessions - 2020 Winter Admissions Cycle
Tuesday, January 7, 2020 Woodgrove HS 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 16, 2020 Park View HS 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, January 25, 2020 Broad Run HS 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Thursday, February 6, 2020 Potomac Falls HS 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 13, 2020 Briar Woods HS 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Sources of Strength
UPCOMING EVENTS
SUMMER ENRICHMENT 2020
We are excited to share that Northeastern’s Accelerate: Pre-College Programs application is open for summer 2020. The Accelerate programs feature our exceptional faculty delivering courses that combine innovative content, experiential learning, and a world-class environment—giving talented high school students a true Northeastern experience.
While you are discussing options for next year with your students, we encourage you to share the following links for them to review over the holiday break:
If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at precollegeprograms@northeastern.edu or call 617.373.2200.
Summer Enrichment at Christopher Newport University
Christopher Newport University's Summer Humanities Institute is a two-week residential program where students who take or plan to enroll in college-level coursework while in high school (AP, IB or DE) can learn in and outside the classroom from dynamic college faculty in the disciplines of philosophy, history, literature and cultural studies.
The 2020 Summer Humanities Institute theme “Suffrage, Inclusion and Representation” commemorates the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, which guarantees and protects the right of women to vote. Through seminar-styled courses, students will explore and creatively interpret themes of humanistic democratic engagement as represented in historical and contemporary Western thought and artistic expression. Students will also examine various cultural understandings of how democratic ideals are embodied in the humanities, while also considering their own potential engagement as a student and community member.
The multidisciplinary immersion course supports the advanced courses students are taking in high school. Participants live in our residence halls, eat in the dining halls, learn in college classrooms and earn three college credits.
Check out the program website for additional information, and encourage interested students to apply!
Summer Programs at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Rose-Hulman IT is a small private school in Terre Haute, Indiana with about 2,000 students. It has been number one in the nation for best undergraduate engineering college for the past two decades. The school strives to develop well-rounded engineers and have two excellent two-week summer programs for current sophomores and juniors with a passion for STEM! Opportunities include a reach into robotics, or explore cool things like brew biodiesel or make a machine from scratch. Click here for rose-hulman.edu/LearnCatapult (rising seniors) or LearnSelect (rising juniors) for videos and more information!
The Janelia-LCPS Summer Internship Program will offer high school students attending Loudoun County Public Schools the opportunity to spend eight weeks at Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Janelia Research Campus, performing research using state-of-the-art technology and methods to answer questions in biology and computational science under the guidance of group leaders, scientists and engineers. Selected students will have the opportunity to attend seminars by Janelia researchers, as well as to participate in journal clubs and other events.
In 2020, the program will run from June 12th to August 7th. Please note that this is a full-time paid internship to which you will be dedicating 40 hours per week, and therefore it is expected that you will not undertake other organized activities that conflict with the program and will plan vacations around the internship dates. Students selected will be responsible for their own housing, food, and travel to and from Janelia.
We accept applications for students attending an LCPS high school who are in good academic standing and will be 16 years old by June 12, 2020.
New to the process this year will be the use of an online application portal (https://webinter.lcps.org/janelia/). The portal will open on Monday, December 16 and will remain open until Wednesday, January 15 at 5:00 PM when the application window closes. Student application materials must be submitted electronically through the Janelia-LCPS Internship Application Portal, as well as the teacher letter of recommendation. Teachers will receive an email notification with directions from the portal once they have been selected by a student as their recommending teacher.
We are looking for students with strong biology and computational background who have demonstrated a high level of academic standard and have experience in scientific research. Projects cover a wide variety of topics including machine learning algorithms, data annotation, reconstruction of neural networks, animal behavior analysis and optogenetics. High school students interested in computer programming, engineering, mathematics, physics, and neuroscience are encouraged to apply. Programming experience in Python, MATLAB, and/or C++ is strongly encouraged.
For more information on this year's application process, you can visit here. To register/apply go to this site .
Testing Dates 2019-2020
SAT Preparation Offered
PSAT/NMSQT Score Report Information
Attention 9th, 10th, and 11th Grade Parents & Students,
The Preliminary SAT®/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is a co-sponsored program by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). Students in grades 9-11 took the PSAT on Wednesday, October 16, 2019.
Students are able to view their PSAT score report online as of December 9, 2019. To access PSAT scores students can sign in using their College Board account if they are already registered. If they do not have an account, they can simply create one.
To assist students further, we will be handing out students paper score reports and their test booklets through their english class after the holiday break.
For 10th & 11th graders that took the PSAT/NMSQT, please visit this College Board site for more information: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10/scores?ep_mid=11199955&ep_rid=248802157
For students in 9th grade that took the PSAT 9, please click on this link for more information: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-8-9/scores
If you have additional questions, please feel free to call the School Counseling Office at (703) 554-8907.
Part-time Job Opportunities
Cold Stone Creamery @ Leesburg team members gain life experience that goes far beyond just serving a great product in a friendly environment. Cold Stone is a great opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds, and no experience is necessary. You probably have commitments to your family, friends, school or sports teams. We will try to arrange your work schedule around them.
Cold Stone Creamery at Leesburg is now hiring daytime/evening team members and team leaders. Apply now at coldstonecreamery.com or send an email to Mr. Prabhu at Leesburg.Coldstone@gmail.com
Chik Fil A Lansdowne is Hiring!
Sheetz has been a family owned business since 1952 and is based out of Altoona, PA. They are rapidly expanding in the Northern Virginia market and looking for new employees. Contact Jackie Foderaro at jfoderar@sheetz.com for more information/to inquire.
Wicket Door Pub will be opening soon at 44921 George Washington Blvd in Ashburn and Ms. Hanlon is currently hiring for all positions including Hosts and Food Runners. You can visit their website at wicketdoorpub.com and email them if interested at employment@wicketdoorpub.com.
American Pool application can be found at https://guardforlife.com/lifeguard-jobs-in-virginia/
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
Apple Federal Credit Union
Loudoun County Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
For additional information about anything listed in our newsletter, please visit our website or contact our office at (703) 554 -8907.
Thank you,
RVH Counseling