LCPS School Counseling News
April 2018
April Showers, Bring May Flowers!
Happy Spring! As we embark on the final quarter of the 2017-2018 school year, embrace the accomplishments of yourself and your teams! The difference you have made in the lives of your students, families, staff and community is greatly appreciated!
THANK YOU for ALL YOU do!
Facebook & Twitter
Don’t forget to share your news, events, and more with the Office of School Counseling. Send anything you’d like posted to our Facebook page and Twitter to counselingnews@lcps.org.
Calendar
APRIL Events (2017-2018 ASCA Awareness Calendar)
Alcohol Awareness Month
Child Abuse Prevention Month
Community Service Month
Counseling Awareness Month
D.E.A.R. Drop Everything and Read Month
Keep America Beautiful Month
Mathematics Awareness Month
Month of the Military Child
National Autism Awareness Month
National STD Awareness Month
National Youth Sports Safety Month
School Library Month
Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
2 World Autism Awareness Day
3 Sexual Assault Awareness Day of Action
4-8 National Youth Violence Prevention Week
5 National Alcohol Screening Day
7 World Health Day
8-14 National Library Week
16-20 Public School Volunteer Week
16-20 Week of the Young Child
20-22 Global Youth Service Days
22-28 National Sleep Awareness Week
22 Earth Day
25 Administrative Professionals Day
26 Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
27 Day of Silence
30 Children’s Day/Book Day
30-May 6 Screen Free Week (TV Turnoff Week)
SCHOOL COUNSELING SERVICES MEETINGS/PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
APRIL
4/9/18: CAMPUS Ambassadors Meeting; Room 102A/B
4/19/18: MS/HS Naviance Meeting- 8:30-10:00 am; Room 102A/B
4/20/18: HS Directors Meeting- 8:30 am-12:30 pm; Room 100C
4/24/18: Career center Assistant Meeting- 1:00-2:30 pm; location TBD
4/25/18: ASCA Model Meeting- 8:30-10:30 am; Room 102A/B
4/25/18: ASCA Model Meeting- 3:00-5:00 pm; Room 102A/B
MAY Events (2017-2018 ASCA Awareness Calendar)
Asian–Pacific American Heritage Month
Better Hearing and Speech Month
Clean Air Month
Mental Health Month
Military Appreciation Month
National Bike Month
National Foster Care Month
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month
1-7 Choose Privacy Week
7-11 National PTA Teacher Appreciation Week
19 Armed Forces Day
25 National Missing Children’s Day
31 World No Tobacco Day
SCHOOL COUNSELING SERVICES MEETINGS/PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
MAY
5/1/18: MS Leads Meeting; 8:30 am-12 pm; Room 102A/B
5/25/18: HS Directors Meeting; 8:30 am-12:30 pm; Room 100A
5/29/18: CAMPUS Celebration; Board Room at Administration Building
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 Meetings for the 2018-2019 School Year:
August 14, 2018: 8:30 am- 4 pm; Room 420 at LCPS Administration Building
December 6, 2018: 8:30-10:30 am; Room 420
April 4, 2019: 8:30-10:30 am; 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. 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 Webinar Series
Confident Me! A Free Body Confidence Curriculum
Apr. 12, 2018, 5 p.m. Eastern
What Every School Counselor Should Know About Underage Drinking
Apr. 18, 2018, 1 p.m. Eastern
Career Readiness for Middle School
Apr. 23, 2018, 1 p.m. Eastern
New! Promote SEL and Literacy Development With Literature
May 11, 2018, 2:30 p.m. Eastern
New! Caseload Connections
May 22, 2018, 11 a.m. Eastern
American Counseling Association (ACA) (You can receive up to 5 PD points)
The American Counseling Association proudly offers this FREE online professional development course on LGBTQ-affirmative counseling competencies. This introductory course (lessons 1-5) is produced in collaboration with the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC) and made possible through a grant by PepsiCo Foundation.
Professional counselors working with LGBTQ students and clients will enhance critical skills and insights, with a specific focus on youth and young adults who navigate college and career readiness issues. ACA and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation offer these online learning series free of charge.
Counselors will earn one (1) NBCC continuing education (CE) credit for each module successfully completed. Participants must finish each activity and successfully complete the CE Quiz at the end of each lesson to receive a CE Certificate. Lessons and related activities in this course must be completed sequentially. Graduate Programs in Counseling and related fields are encouraged to use these free resources as supplemental course content, as appropriate.
ACA has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 1000. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. ACA is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Participants who successfully complete all five lessons and required activities will be eligible to receive a Certificate of Completion(Counseling Competencies: Improving College and Career Readiness for LGBTQ Youth).
Virginia Counselor Association (VCA)
Online Training: VCA has set up a partnership with Mental Health Academy so that you can take courses any time and any where you have Internet access. You can save time and travel expense and have a wide choice of course work right at your computer.
Access Mental Health Academy at https://www.mentalhealthacademy.net/index.php
PCACAC
Save the date for our 53rd Conference:
April 15-17, 2018
Dover Downs Hotel & Casino
Dover, DE
ELL Scheduling Practices Training for Middle School Counselors
Title: Middle School Scheduling Practices for EL Students
Date: May 3rd
Time: 4:00 – 6:00
Where: Administration Building, Learning Commons, 5th floor
Group-A-Rama
On April 13, 2018, the Virginia Association for Specialists in Group Work (VASGW) will be hosting the Group-A-Rama Conference in Annandale. We are excited to bring you an informative and fun-filled conference. Our Keynote Address will be by Dr. Morton Sherman, Retired Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Morton Sherman will address the rising tide of mental health issues across our school system and our country. His daughter, Rachel Strasburg, will join him and share a personal story about her struggles in high school, a seemingly good life and yet she attempted suicide plus choose from 16 sessions, we will have some fantastic door and raffle prizes: gift cards, Counseling Association Memberships, and counseling books/resources!
Here is the registration link:
Phoenix Trainings
Below you will find a list of upcoming Phoenix SIS Training 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.
- 4/13/18 (PM) (Friday 1pm-3:30pm) – Phoenix SIS General Navigation for New Users (Staff Training Center, Ashburn, VA – Lab 9)
Excel Pivot Tables for School Administrators - Overview, Creation and Functionality
This course is designed to provide school and central office administrators an understanding of Excel Pivot Tables, how they work, and how they can be used to help make decisions based on data. Participants should have a basic understanding of Excel before signing up. The first 60 minutes of the course will focus on the various elements of a Pivot Table and how it works. The last 30 minutes will provide staff the opportunity to practice creating Pivot Tables with their own data with the assistance of the instructor and facilitators. By the end of the training staff will understand how to create and manipulate Pivot Tables.
- 4/11/18 (PM) (Wednesday 1:30pm-3:00pm) – (Staff Training Center, Ashburn, VA – Lab 9)
Phoenix SIS Scheduling Open Lab/Work Session (for secondary administrators)
Drop-in work sessions available to get schools started on the SY18/19 scheduling process. Get help creating your SY18/19 Baseline Option Set (MSB or Scheduler) and begin initial scheduling tasks. You may stay all day(s) or partial day(s). Just remember that this is a quiet place to work where you will not be interrupted and you can get all of your questions and detailed issues resolved with Phoenix Support Staff on-site to provide you with tips and suggestions.
- Monday, April 23rd 9am-4:00pm (Staff Training Center, Lab 7)
- Tuesday, April 24th 9am-3:00pm (Staff Training Center, Lab 7)
- Wednesday, April 25th 9am-4:00pm (Staff Training Center, Lab 7)
Naviance Training
Naviance Student is the all new, mobile friendly Naviance student experience. Naviance Student will replace Family Connection in the 2018-19 school year and we encourage all clients to upgrade to Naviance Student this spring.
Join Naviance experts for one of three live webinars to hear exciting new features in Naviance Student and learn how to upgrade this spring!
RAMP Camp
RAMP Camp is back! Session 1: June 15th & 18th and Session 2: July 25-26th. This is a two day training that reviews the 12 components of a comprehensive school counseling program. Sign up on MLP for one of the sessions. You will learn details about the how to develop a comprehensive school counseling program and jump start your planning for the 2018-2019 school year! You can also earn re-certification points!
Objectives/Goals of Summer Training: Upon completion of this hands-on workshop, participants should be able to (based on ASCA National Model Workshop, “RAMP: Putting It All Together”):
- Explain the 12 components of the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) application
- Examine their school counseling program to assess if it's RAMP-ready.
- Communicate the benefits to the school counseling program – and the school or district – of achieving RAMP status.
- Understand the scoring rubric, and know what the RAMP reviewers look for in an application.
- Utilize online resources ASCA has available for completing the RAMP application.
- Evaluate a sample completed application, and know how to apply it to your application.
Stopbullying.gov Training Course
Bullying Prevention Training Course
Discover your role in bullying prevention! This training provides guidance on how to take a public health approach to bullying prevention through the use of long-term, community-wide prevention strategies. Take the course, earn continuing education and make a difference today!
Accreditation Statement
- Click video to play or download the power-point and review.
- After video, take the post-course and evaluation and assessment to receive continuing education. Please set aside at least 15 minutes for post-course activities.
- If you do not want to receive continuing education, please complete an online feedback form.
*This training must be completed by ALL LCPS School Counselors by May 1 , 2018. Please email Anaid a copy of your certificate of completion to receive re-certification points.
Dating Matters
*This is required training for Middle and High School Counselors. This training must be completed by May 1, 2018. Please email Anaid a copy of your certificate to receive re-certification points. Be sure to keep a copy for your records.
Here is the link for the course: https://vetoviolence.cdc.gov/apps/datingmatters/
NCAA Training for High School Counselors
*This is required for High School Counselors. This training must be completed by May 1, 2018. Please email Anaid a copy of your certificate to receive re-certification points. Be sure to keep a copy for your records.
Here is the link for the course: https://nfhslearn.com/courses/61131/ncaa-eligibility
VSCA Fall Conference
Middle School News
We started a knitting club at Simpson this year and it has been successful with usually up to 10 consistent students, and 4 staff attending every Wednesday. We have 2 staff members and parent with knitting experience and students of all levels participating in knitting projects. My thought when I started the club was that I may connect with students that I normally do not interact much with, teaching them a new skill, a positive coping strategy and a donation opportunity for our students and school. If counselors had a one to the world project this would be mine, the kids knitted blue and gold scarves as their starter projects that our faculty proudly wear as the perform their bus duty on cold days. We are also researching other donation opportunities each month for next year. For example, hats for premie babies, lap blankets for the shelter, scarves to contribute to our fall coat drive. A staff member also introduced them to crochet last meeting. The kids share so much information while knitting, relax and we get to know them on a different level. Lots of laughs as we all learn together!
Trailside Middle School
TMS continues to work with students via SOS (Sources of Strength). Pictures below are team building exercises from March. And fun was had by all.
Sources of
Strength
High School News
Briarwoods HS
Please join Briar Woods at its first ever Luminary Walk
Bring Awareness & Support to Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
Tuesday, April 10th
6:30 – 8:30PM
BWHS Track
Free Family Community Event – Concession stand will be open
- Rainbow Tie Dyed Advocacy Ribbon T-Shirts are on sale at the BWHS school store for $15 and will be sold at the event
- Luminaries can be purchased in honor or support of a loved one – minimum donation $5
All proceeds go to the Ryan Bartel Foundation.
Contact Rick Mondloch at rmondloc@lcps.org with any questions.
Each Hero in the Hallway has a different topic that us students feel we should focus on and that other students should be aware about. To lead up for Hero in the Hallway we participated in multiple events. In the fall many students participated in a walk for suicide prevention. By doing this we were showing how it only takes one person to make a difference in the world and nothing big has to happen for change to be made. The ones who participated felt very empowered by their actions. Additionally, all of the Freedom PEER students went to a PEER conference and gained valuable information on how it only takes one person to make a change. From the speaker, Tattoo Tom, we learned that one person can make a change. From this we were inspired to focus on the power of one. HITH is very popular and well liked throughout our school with many groups and students that want to participate wherever they can help. The week leading up to Hero in the Hallway one of our groups had different events in the morning to get people excited. We had different groups such as Kyle’s Kamp who passed out pamphlets to provide more information about the cause. Additionally, we sold tee-shirts and laptop stickers for a combination deal costing only $10; during the morning and during lunch. In the mornings we had music playing to bring a positive attitude to the morning. The day of Hero in the Hallway we asked the students and teachers to wear black or their Hero in the Hallway shirts. To continue our theme of the Power of One, with our extra shirts, we are giving them to people who make a difference in the community. The impact can be small or large. We ask recipients of the shirts to take a pic of them wearing the shirt impacting communities local or around the world. Using these pictures we would create a website or blog and show others impact on the community.
Loudoun Valley High School
Jefferson Scholar
Loudoun Valley School Counselors Candala Grim and Adria Frie sending Best Wishes for Chase Dawson’s upcoming UVA Jefferson Scholar Selection Weekend
in 1992 loudoun valley high school celebrated a Jefferson Scholar …..26 YEARS LATER……loudoun valley high school celebrates yet another Jefferson Scholar!
Chase DAWSON SELECTED AS JEFFERSON SCHOLAR
UPDATE 3/27/2018
Chase has been selected as a Jefferson Scholar!
Congratulations, Chase!
The Jefferson Scholars Foundation provides a full scholarship program benefiting select undergraduate and graduate students at The University of Virginia and has been named as one of the two leading scholarship programs in the country.
The goal of nurturing future leaders is at the heart of the Jefferson Scholars Foundation’s mission: to attract to the University the most promising leaders, scholars, and citizens in the world.
Chase Dawson has been selected as a finalist in the 2018 Jefferson Scholars competition. He will be attending the Jefferson Scholars Selection Weekend March 21-24 at UVA.
Congratulations on this significant honor and Good Luck, Chase!
Broad Run HS
Spartan's Explore Naviance
Spartan 10th graders exploring colleges on Naviance.
The Skinny on McKinney-Vento Newsletter
Virtual Loudoun- Cynthia Fillman
Greetings from Virtual Loudoun!
We have only 5 weeks remaining in our current Term 2 session, which will close at midnight on Friday, May 11th. The last day a student can withdraw from a virtual course with a failing grade and have no impact to GPA is Friday, April 13th. Please see the detailed information on our Program Calendar webpage for the withdrawal guidelines: https://www.lcps.org/domain/21529.
Term 3 registration will open on April 20th, and parents/students can then register for the 10 week summer term.
Friendly reminder that students are limited to 2 credits for acceleration (creating space in the schedule for other courses during the school year) during summer terms throughout middle and high school. See page 5 of the Virtual Loudoun “Operations Guide” under the header “Student Enrollment per School?”. This applies to all students currently in 9th grade and younger, and there are no exceptions. High school counselors: a tip for finding out if one of your current 9th graders may have completed two credits already, when reviewing the registrations, when you are viewing the registrations, set the “Session to display” in the upper left corner of the screen to ALL, enter your student’s ID# in the search field and you’ll see how many sessions the student has been approved for. Please help us by NOT approving students who have already completed two credits during summer terms! With close to 2,000 registrations, we are VERY grateful for your assistance with this!
Don’t forget about the Counselor Guide to Registration, which includes the step-by-step directions with screen shots for how to review and approve/not approve Term 3 registration as well as record payment within the registration system when students pay registration fees at your school.
If a student misses the registration window and comes to you requesting assistance with a late registration, email Stacie Ahrens-Mininberg Stacie.AhrensMininberg@lcps.org to see if there is space in the class before completing a late registration.
Finally, if you have any questions or unique circumstances, reach out! We are happy to help you! Thank you for all your help in supporting our virtual learners!
Parent/Guardian/Community News & Workshops
School Counseling Resources
School House Connection
School counseling staff provide important support to students experiencing homelessness. The Every Student Succeeds Act recognized this role by adding requirements that counselors advise students experiencing homelessness and improve their readiness for college. SchoolHouse Connection’s new quick guide, written by a school counselor, provides practical tips and strategies for supporting students experiencing homelessness, helping meet their basic needs, and planning for graduation.
Please click on the link below for more information.
LCPS Mental and Behavioral Health Services Resources
Student Caffe Resource
School Counseling Tip
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