LCPS School Counseling News
February 2017
LCPS School Counseling Newsletter
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
February Events:
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
6-10 National School Counseling Week
13-17 Random Acts of Kindness Week
21-27 National Eating Disorders Awareness Week
22 World Thinking Day
2/7/17: MS Leads Meeting Room 102A/B 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
2/9/17: All School Counselor Meeting Room 100B 3-4:15 p.m.
2/10/17: HS Directors Meeting Room 102 A/B 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
March Events:
Gender Equity Month
Middle Level Education Month
Music in Our Schools Month
National Nutrition Month
Women's History Month
Youth Art Month
1 Self-injury Awareness Day
2 Read Across America Day
5-12 National Sleep Awareness Week
6-10 National School Breakfast Week
8 International Women’s Day
15 Kick Butts Day
21 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
22 World Water Day
23-27 National Youth Violence Prevention Week
3/6/17 Elementary Facilitators Meeting Room 420-421 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Elementary Cluster Meetings
3/7/17 MS Leads Meeting Room 102 A/B 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
3/17/17 HS Directors Meeting Room 100A 8:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.
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 can pay additional expenses. We will tell you that we have had a lot of requests and we’re running low on funds, but if Tony can make it work, he will.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Professional Development
NEW LOCATION! The Parent Seminar, Suicide Prevention, to be held on February 2nd has been moved to a new location at the Broad Run High School Auditorium. Please see details below:
The Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) Department of Pupil Services will present a Suicide Prevention Seminar from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, February 2nd, at the Broad Run High School Auditorium.
Heather Applegate, Ph.D., LCPS Supervisor of Diagnostic and Prevention Services, and Christy Esposito-Smythers, Ph.D., Youth Suicide Expert and Researcher and Associate Professor of Psychology at George Mason University will share research-based principles of suicide prevention, including providing specific guidance for parents, as well as review LCPS suicide prevention strategies and procedures.
This program will include:
Risk factors (including perfectionism) and warning signs;
Protective factors;
Strategies for identifying therapists who specialize in and have the special set of skills necessary to treat youth with suicidal ideation;
Best practices in a collaborative approach to managing students with suicidal ideation; and
Review of LCPS’s suicide prevention strategies and screening procedures
Register by calling 571-252-6540 or go to https://www.lcps.org//cms/module/selectsurvey/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=2939.
If, due to disability, you need assistance to enable you to participate in this workshop or if you need an interpreter, call Parent Resource Services at 571-252-6540 at least five working days prior to the seminar. The Suicide Prevention Seminar is part of the LCPS Department of Pupil Services Mental Health and Wellness Parent Seminar Series.
The Loudoun County Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday, February 1st, at the Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) Administrative Offices in Ashburn
The program for the evening will be “Transition: Focus on Community Independence Instruction” with LCPS Transition Specialist Janet Clarke.
(SEAC) works with the School Board, administrators and teachers who are responsible for students receiving special education services and parents.
All meetings are open to the public. SEAC welcomes anyone interested in special education.
The LCPS Administrative Offices are located at 21000 Education Court, Ashburn.
The Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) Department of Pupil Services will present “Dyslexia: Current Research and Practice” from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 7th, at Farmwell Station Middle School.
The workshop is intended for parents, central office leaders, school-based administrators and teachers who wish to learn more about:
Multi-sensory literacy instruction.
State-wide literacy efforts and LCPS literacy instructional practices.
The workshop will be presented by Mary Stowe, M. Ed. Stowe is a project specialist with the Virginia Department of Education Training and Technical Assistance Team at the College of William and Mary.
Register for the workshop by calling 571-252-6540 or online at https://www.lcps.org/Page/185643 . If, due to a disability, you need assistance to enable you to participate in a workshop or need an interpreter, call Parent Resource Services at 571-252-6540 at least five working days prior to the event. Farmwell Station Middle School is located at 44281 Gloucester Parkway in Ashburn.
American School Counselor Association (ASCA)
February 2017
Aevidum: A Culture of Caring for Mental Health Awareness
Feb. 6, 2017, 3:30 p.m. Eastern
Learn more
Register
Suicide Prevention for LGBTQ Youth
Feb. 15, 2017, 4 p.m. Eastern
Learn more
Register
Solution-Focused Brief Counseling
Feb 20, 2017, 3 p.m. Eastern
Learn more
Register
Alleviate Anxiety through School Counseling Interventions
Feb. 27, 2017, 4 p.m. Eastern
Learn more
Register
March 2017
Self-Esteem for Kids with Learning and Attention Issues
March 7, 2017, 3 p.m. Eastern
Learn more
Register
Inclusion and Well-Being for LGBTQ Students
March 16, 2017, 3 p.m. Eastern
Learn more
Register
Culturally Responsive Pedagogy
March 21, 2017, 4 p.m. Eastern
Learn more
Register
Virginia Counselor Association (VCA)
Friday, March 17, 2017
CVCA Spring 2017 Workshop
3/17/2017
Location: Weyers Cave, Virginia Time: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Export to Your Calendar Register
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Clinical Supervision Training - April 20-22, 2017
4/20/2017 » 4/22/2017
Location: Richmond, Virginia Time: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Export to Your Calendar Register
SAVE-THE-DATE
VASGW G R O U P – A – R A M A
Friday, March 31, 2017
8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Northern Virginia Community College, Ernst Young Cultural Center - Annandale, Virginia
or
University of Virginia - Charlottesville, Virginia
Virginia School Counselor Association (VSCA)
VSCA Spring Fling 2017
How to Impact and Engage Students
With Nationally Renowned Author and Trainers
Dr. Ed Jacobs & Dr. Chris Schimmel
Friday, March 24, 2017
8:30 am – 2:30 (lunch included)
Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa - Short Pump (near stores & restaurants)
12042 West Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23233 Ph: 804-364-2002
(A limited number of hotel rooms are in the VSCA Room block 3/23 & 3/24 - $139+tax)
Cost: VSCA Members $75; Non-members $95; Graduate Students $65;
On-site $100
REGISTER at www.vsca.org or call 800-694-5080
Elementary Counseling News
Legacy Elementary School
Legacy will be having our annual food drive (Bark For Food Race) from Feb. 6-10. All donations will assist local families in need.
Rolling Ridge Elementary
Rolling Ridge Elementary School is hosting a parent coffee. The speaker is Ms. Rachel Bailey, M.A., CPDPE, and the topic will be "How to Correct Behavior in a Way That Allows Children To Still Feel Good About Themselves." The parent coffee will be on February 6th at 9 am.
Algonkian Elementary SouperBowl Spirit Week
The Great Kindness Challenge
Souper Bowl XVI at Algonkian Elementary
Hamilton Elementary School visits Monroe Technology
Hamilton Elementary School
Hamilton Elementary School
Middle School Counseling News
Stone Hill Middle School
February 8 - Parent Coffee with special guest, Neil McNerney, "The Teenage Brain - Temporary Insanity?", 6:30pm, SHMS Auditorium
Eagle Ridge MS hosted a parent workshop.
The workshop was on Executive Function Skills & Teens.
Over 90 parents attended!
Harper Park MS PEP Night
Harper Park MS hosted a PEP parent presentation where they spoke to parents about Course selections and options, parent conferences-how to request one, what they are for, etc, and report cards, GPA and grading scale. PEP is typically for non English speaking parents, or those parents who can't typically attend our day time workshops. It was great!
Harper Park MS Rising 7th & 8th grade parent Coffee
Harper Park MS Advisory Council
Middle School Leads go on GOOSECHASE
Middle School Leads create a Prezi
Middle School Leads make GOOGLEFORMS
High School Counseling News
Dominion High School
CONGRATULATIONS to the Dominion High School Counseling Department for receiving the ASCA RAMP Award. WAY TO GO!
Dominion High School
Woodgrove High School hosts "We Are All Human" Training
Woodgrove High School
Broad Run High School PEER
Broad Run PEER:
1. The English Dept. has agreed to give a 45 minute lesson based on "That's Love/That's Not Love" that PEER created for them, which will end in all students creating a broken heart and a whole heart with their own meanings that will be put up around the school.
2. They [meaning my PEER students from now on] are posting 10 different *Asterix flyers for "That's Not Love" around the school
3. They are posting eight different memes of "Love and Not Love" around the school.
4. They created six different text messages from boyfriend-girlfriend; friends; mom-son; mom-daughter; father-son; father-daughter that they are going to make into large posters to compare "That's Love" to "That's Not Love."
5. They set up a partnership with the Library in which the Librarians will use their monthly book presentation space to pull out Young Adult Fiction that highlights healthy or unhealthy relationships and the PEERs made three different types of bookmarks that will be laminated and placed on the display table promoting healthy relationships.
6. The PEER Bulletin Board will display whole and broken hearts promoting healthy relationships.
7. We are working with the Drama Dept. to put on a presentation through a mini-assembly since their State Competition play was about healthy and unhealthy relationships.
All posters, flyers, and bookmarks have our Broad Run PEER Logo (below) as well as #That'sLove. I will send you the files and pictures next week. We will begin on 2/1. LAWS is visiting for five days throughout February to teach the PEERs more about relationships.
Tuscarora High School Course Selection Video
The Tuscarora High School Course Selection video was created by Jason Wyatt Regner, a senior at Tuscarora High School, in collaboration with Kara Kotarsky.
Ms. Kotarsky also shared the following information about her student:
“He has been accepted into Emerson, and Savannah College of Art & Design; HOWEVER, he is waiting to hear back from UCLA and UC to make a decision. He wants to study film production; specifically directing, screen writing and cinematography. His school counselor has HIGH, HIGH optimism that he will achieve this goal and more; because this past year his Odyssey of the mind team placed 7th in the world Competition out of 53 teams.”
Monroe Technology- Welding
Monroe Technology- Cosmetology
Monroe Technology- Nursing
Virtual Loudoun News
Virtual Loudoun’s Term 2 is successfully underway! If a student decides that he or she may not be successful this term, the class may be dropped without grade penalty until Friday, March 3. After that date, course grades will remain on a student's permanent transcript.
For more information about Virtual Loudoun courses, options, and term dates, check out Virtual Loudoun website (found both under “Quick Links” on the LCPS home page as well as included in “Educational Centers” from the “Select a School” search option).
CAMPUS News
Hello Eighth Grade MS Counselors,
In partnership with the CAMPUS high school Counselors and a small group of our CAMPUS students; we would like to continue our tradition of visiting the 8th grade students at your respective middle schools. With our CAMPUS information sessions, we will provide a PowerPoint presentation that details the CAMPUS program followed by a Q & A session with the students.
The 30-45 minute info. sessions will take place during your 8th grade resource blocks in either your auditorium or Library. We ask that you please coordinate with your TRT and or Librarian so that they have the following Audio/Visual items available and ready for us to use when we arrive. Thank you.
1. Auditorium/library projector with large screen
2. Microphone
3. Audio Speakers
4. Internet Connection
5. Laptop
Middle School Information sessions will take place in January 17th- March 10th. We will begin our Rising 9th Grade application review committee meetings on March 6th.
You received an email with an attached zip folder, in this folder you will see a copy of the 8th grade Middle School Info. session Sign-Up Sheet. With this sheet, I ask you to select a specific A & B day along with the times that you’d like for us to visit. Once you’ve selected those days & times, please send those requests to me ASAP. If your school’s not interested, no problem at all, just let me know. Thanks.
Also attached in the folder is the Countywide CAMPUS Parent Informational Meeting Flyer for parent distribution. The CAMPUS HS & MS Counselors staff directories are for MS & HS Counselors to connect if needed. The counselors names that are in RED are the direct contact names.
P.S., I will be sending out another email detailing the CAMPUS Program Application Timeline for 2017-18.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Thank you and I look forward to working with all of you middle school counselors in the new year.
Sincerely,
Chris
Christopher D. Clarke, M.Ed.
CAMPUS Program Manager
Loudoun County Public Schools
21000 Education Court
Ashburn, VA 20148
(571) 252-1017 Office
(571) 252-1245 Fax
English Langauge Learners Information
2017 VESA Conference
February 9-10, 2017
Ft. Magruder Hotel and Conference Center
Williamsburg, VA
2017 VESA Conference
VESA's annual conference provides K-Grade 12 Virginia educators and administrators of English Learners opportunities for professional development, learning new ideas, networking, and program planning.
This year's theme "Empowering English Language Learners to make meaningful contributions to the world" reflects the opportunities ELs have in Virginia and beyond. The VESA board look forward to seeing you February 9th and 10th, 2017, at Fort Magruder Hotel and Conefernce Center in Williamsburg, VA.
Health Services- Jeannie Kloman
Also, I wanted to let you know that in an effort to further strengthen our safety net for students, all of our secondary school nurses will be trained in Mental Health First Aid by November 7, 2017. Many have already received this training and the remainder will be attending the training offered by Loudoun County Mental Health over the next several months. We are also sharing with our nurses a free CNE opportunity from the University of Maryland entitled Mental Health Training Intervention for Health Providers in Schools (MH-TIPS). https://mdbehavioralhealth.com/training
We are hopeful that many will take advantage of this free training.
Parent/Guardian/Community News & Workshops
FAFSA Application Assistance Night
Freedom High School
February 9, 2017
Freedom HS Library
6:30-9:00PM
Applying for federal student aid to help with college costs? Senior students and their parents are invited to attend this workshop to receive assistance on filling out and properly completing their FAFSA application from Northern Virginia Community College Financial Aid Officers as well as Counselors from both John Champe HS and Freedom HS. We recommend for students and parents to first sign up for an FSA ID prior to attending this workshop as this portion of the process may take some time to complete. Please also bring a copy of your most current tax year statements with you, it is acceptable to bring last year’s if you have not yet filed. You are able to update your tax information once you have completed your 2017 taxes.
LCPS Mental Health & Wellness Parent Seminar Series
All presentations will be offered at the LCPS Administration Building at 21000 Education Ct. Ashburn, VA from 6:30- 8:30 pm. In the event of school closings due to inclement weather, presentations will be cancelled. For more information or to register click on the specific workhsop listed below or call 571-252-6540. If due to a disability you need assistance to enable you to participate in a workhsop or need an interpreter, please call Parent Resource Services at 571-252-6540 at least five working days prior to the event.
Feb. 2
Suicide Prevention
Heather Applegate, Ph.D., Supervisor of Diagnostic & Prevention Services, LCPS
Christy Esposito-Smythers, Ph.D., Associate Professor, George Mason University
Drs. Applegate and Esposito-Smythers will share research based principles of suicide prevention, outline LCPS policies and procedures and provide guidance for parents. The discussion will include the identification of common myths, risk factors and warning signs as well as highlight protective factors, primary prevention, early identification, referral and resources. The presentation will focus on suicide prevention as an on-going process.
Download Flyer Here Register Here Descargue el folleto aqui
Feb. 16
Promoting Healthy Teen Relationships
Jennifer Wall, Supervisor Student Assistance Services
Lisa Heinrich, Community Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator, LAWS
Join Jennifer Wall, Supervisor of Student Assistance Services and Lisa Heinrich, Community Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator at LAWS, to discuss healthy peer relationships and teen dating violence. Watch the One Love Escalation Film and participate in the workshop to gain more insight into teen relationships and be ready to support and extend conversation at home related to this important topic.
Download Flyer Here Register Here Descargue el folleto aqui
Mar. 2
Managing Bumps in the Road: Building Resilient Relationships with Your Teen
Dr. John Walker, Program Coordinator Family Connections
Join Dr. John Walker, Program Coordinator for the Family Connections program to explore challenging behavior during the teenage years. Does it seem like your teen can influence the mood in your home? Even influence the direction of arguments? Dr. Walker will discuss how teens can push parents’ buttons to get their own way. Learn how to avoid an emotional response, stay in charge and maintain a good relationship.
Download Flyer Here Register Here Descargue el folletto aqui
Mar. 16
Cyberbullying and Internet Safety
Deputy Spurlock, National Certified Crime Prevention Specialist, Loudoun County Sheriff Office
Join Deputy Spurlock, National Certified Crime Prevention Specialist, Loudoun County Sheriff Office to learn the hazards of today’s technology and how to protect your children. Get a straight forward and graphic look at the dark world behind technology including topics such as internet-based technology trends, personal security, legal issues, new technology, gaming trends, crossover technology, influence and recruitment via technology, predator behavior, and image sharing precautions. Get advice on how to talk with your children about the dangers.
Download Flyer Here Register Here
Mar. 29
Anxiety and School Refusal
Dr. Jonathan Dalton, Center for Anxiety and Behavioral Change
Parenting a child with an anxiety or related disorder can be confusing and frustrating. Dr. Dalton, Center for Anxiety and Behavioral Change, will share scientific knowledge about avoidance and fear, as well as evidence based techniques parents can use to support their children. Participants will deepen their understanding of children’s anxiety and potential next steps.
Download Flyer Here Register Here
April 6
Fostering Resilience in a Stressful World
Dr. Karin H. Spencer, Parent Resource Services
Today’s world is stressful- often rushed, hurried and on-the-go. Both child and family must juggle a host of extracurricular activities with homework, friendships, and everyday tasks. Peer pressure can start early and anxiety and stress can build related to academics and college preparation. Some children and families experience additional stressors such as illness, divorce, economic hardship, and physical, substance or alcohol abuse. We may not be able to erase daily stress or prevent adversity. However, we can nurture resilience in our children so that they are better able to respond to life’s challenges. Join this presentation to learn about the impact of stress on development as well as strategies to nurture resilience.
Download Flyer Here Register Here
May 4
The Role of Restorative Practices in Building Emotional Literacy
Suzanne Petersen, Supervisor Student Support Services
Join Suzanne Peterson, Supervisor of School Social Workers to learn how the implementation of Restorative Practices increases social and emotional learning for children and helps them successfully resolve conflict, communicate clearly, solve problems, and much more. Learn how the use of restorative language and circles teaches children empathy and self-awareness and creates a safe learning environment
Download Flyer Here Register Here
May 18
Mindful Parenting: Remaining Calm While Improving Family Dynamics
Donilee Alexander-Goldsmith, LCPS School Social Worker & Michelle Bogdan, LCSW, MLB Therapy PLLC
Join Donilee Alexander-Goldsmith, LCPS School Social Worker, and Michelle Bogdan, LCSW, to learn about Mindfulness and Mindful Parenting. Mindfulness is noticing your thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations in the present moment without judgement. Learn how to utilize Mindfulness in your role as a parent to support your children in improving focus, reducing anxiety, and being more present in each moment.
LEAP Presentaion January 11, 2017
Loudoun County Sherrif's Office
Theresa Ryan and Jennifer Alberth
Relationship Education
School Counselor for a Day
School Counselor for a Day at Broad Run High School
School Counselor for a Day at Lowe's Island Elementary
Legislative Day in Richmond
This final picture in this series is with other Northern Virginia School Counselors advocating in Richmond for Students & School Counselors. It was a wonderful legislative event.
Restorative Circle Training
School Counseling Program 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: 571.252.1227