LCPS School Counseling News
December 2016
LCPS School Counseling Newsletter
Calendar
December
National Impaired Driving Prevention Month
Safe Toys and Gifts Month
12/1/16: HS Naviance User Group Meeting 8:30-10 a.m. Dominion HS
12/5/16: Elementary Facilitators Meeting 3-4:30 p.m. Room 420-421
12/6/16: MS Leads Meeting 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Room 100A
12/8/16: CAMPUS Parent Meeting 6-9 p.m. Heritage HS
12/9/16: HS Directors Meeting 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Room 102 A/B
12/14/16: LEAP Meeting 7-9 p.m. Administration Building
January
Get Organized Month
National Mentoring Month
National Blood Donor Month
National Thank You Month
1/3/17: ASCA Model Meetings 3-5 p.m. Room 102 A/B
1/12/17: Leadership Cohort Meeting 3-5 p.m. Room 100A
1/13/17: MS/HS Naviance Cluster Meeting 9-10:30 a.m. Room 100B
1/18/17: Minority Student Achievement Advisory Committee 7 p.m. Administration Board Room
Professional Development
ASCA is offering the following Webinars for the month of December:
School Counselors' Influence on STEM Careers
Dec. 1, 2016, 3 p.m. Eastern
Learn more
Register
Lessons that Sparkle: Part 2
Dec. 8, 2016, 4 p.m. Eastern
Learn more
Register
Paint By Numbers: Create a Guiding Image for Your Program With Data
Dec. 13, 2016, 3 p.m. Eastern
Learn more
Register
Working With Undocumented Secondary-Level Students
Dec. 15, 2016, 3 p.m. Eastern
Learn more
Register
ASCA is offering the following Webinars for the month of January:
Positive Solutions for Negative Behaviors
Jan. 5, 2017, 4:30 p.m. Eastern
Learn more
Register
Using Data-Driven Social Stories
Jan. 12, 2017, 1 p.m. Eastern
Learn more
Register
Interrupting Racism: Race & Equity in Your Program
Jan. 17, 2017, 1 p.m. Eastern
Learn more
Register
Strategies for Site Supervisors
Jan. 19, 2017, 3 p.m. Eastern
Learn more
Register
Best Practices for Creating LGBT-Inclusive School Climate
Jan. 24, 2017, 4 p.m. Eastern
Learn more
Register
Community and Schools Together (CAST) and National Conference Center
Project SEARCH
Learn about LCPS’s integrated transition programs for students who have earned an Applied Studies Diploma and continue to need training for competitive employment.
January 4, 2017 6 to 8 p.m. at Potomac Falls High School Library
January 11, 2017 6 to 8 p.m. at Rock Ridge High School Library
January 18, 2017 6 to 8 p.m. at Woodgrove High School Library
Session are back to back with the CAST information session being from 6 to 7:00 p.m. and The National Conference Center Project SEARCH information session being from 7 to 8:00 p.m.
Helping Students After the 2016 Election- ASCA
Here are some suggestions and resources to consider as you provide ongoing support to your students. Before you take any action, review your school and district policies to be sure you don’t violate any policies as you help your students. For example, some districts have policies prohibiting faculty from talking about politics with students. In addition, consult with your district to discover any guidance or response initiatives it has in place so your actions align with school and district programs.
- Encourage all students to treat others with respect and dignity regardless of differences in culture and beliefs. All students deserve to be treated with respect regardless of their political beliefs, socio-economic background, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and other factors.
- For students of some populations, the election results brought not just anxiety and despair, but fear for the future. During an emotional period like this, it is important to remind students that their strong emotions will pass and therefore they must refrain from drastic or risky behaviors that could have long-term consequences. If they feel they’ve suffered an emotional loss, they must give themselves time to heal.
- Don’t provide assurances you can’t ensure. If students are fearful, don’t tell them, “Everything will be okay.” For some students, the dangers they fear are very real. However, you can help them find positive ways to address their fears.
- Help students process information or images they find inflammatory in print, television and social media. Very often, simply discussing current events can help students develop a better understanding, and expressing their emotions can help students deal with them more effectively.
- Take clear actions to intervene with situations of bullying or harassment and review bullying prevention activities. Remind students of school and district policies related to offensive language, harassment and bullying.
- Check in with students who may be at risk for bullying and harassment, recognizing that all students have the right to be treated equally and fairly with dignity and respect as unique individuals, free from discrimination, harassment and bullying. Reassure them that there are adults who can help, work with them to identify those they can go to in a time of need, and encourage them to seek out an adult they trust and are comfortable talking to.
Resources:
Facing History and Ourselves
Fostering Civil Discourse: A Guide for Classroom Conversations
Huffington Post
How to Talk to Children about the Election
National Education Association
Talking to Students after the Election
Teaching Tolerance
Election 2016 Resources
PBS.org - Talking With Kids About the News
Develop strategies for discussing today's headlines with children. Learn how to calm their fears and stimulate their minds.
Elementary Counseling News
It's Cool to be Kind!
It's Cool to be Kind!
It's Cool to be Kind!
Hamilton ES
Hamilton ES
Hamilton ES
Hamilton Elementary School- Cheryl Dominque
Also, students helped me to create a video in support of a grant we wrote together. We will find out if we receive the grant in February. Fingers crossed! If we receive it, we will buy an indoor tower garden- It is state of the art and it will grow fresh produce that students can care for and study. Some of our produce will be sent to the local food pantry. They are always in need of fresh items.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvzfgWlJFqk&feature=youtu.be
Middle School Counseling News
Stone Hill Middle School Advisory Council Meeting
Parents, Students and School Board Members
Parents, Administration and School Cousnelors
High School Counseling News
Stone Bridge High School-Tim Lucas:
Tim Lucas shared an informative video with the HS Directors about the importance of academics versus sports. This is a great video to review. Thank you for sharing Tim.
http://www.npr.org/2016/11/16/502274825/forget-the-fields-hit-the-books-to-get-a-college-scholarship
Monroe Technology Center
The Monroe Technology Center Holiday Plant Sale and Future Farmers of America fruit pick-up is going on today through Friday. Poinsettias, wreaths, roping and flora are among the items available.
Following are the times for the sale:
Wednesday, November 30
10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Thursday, December 1
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Friday, December 2
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Refreshments will be provided by the culinary arts students.
No credit cards will be accepted; check or cash only.
Monroe Technology Center is located at 715 Children’s Center Road SW, Leesburg.
CAMPUS News
ELL Welcome Center News - Charisse Rosario & Marissa Yzita
Reunification Training:
Facilitator Training: Families Reunite Curriculum: Immigrant Family Reunification
Date: Friday January 27th from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm ( I haven’t post it yet on My Learning Plan; hopefully I will be able to do it this week)
PEP Cluster Event for Leesburg Schools is scheduled for January 31st from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Evergreen Mill Elementary School.
Tranistions News-Bridget Gorey & Mary Young
I am so pleased to share the attached link with you from Loudoun Now! They highlighted our most recent endeavor the National Conference Center Project SEARCH!
I am also sharing this link with Stephanie Knott, the Public Information Coordinator for LCPS. We are planning to create a video to share with our local school communities and the Loudoun Community at large.
We are so thankful and proud of the partnership and collaboration with all who have helped to make this program a huge success!
Enjoy reading! And please share it!
http://loudounnow.com/2016/11/17/internship-helps-young-adults-with-disabilities-hone-job-skills/
Parent/Guardian/Community News & Workshops
Parent Workshop Series:
Thursday, January 19, 2017: Play-based strategies to build relationships that result in improved behavior- Deanna Hight, Clinical Director, Loudoun Center for Play Therapy
Thursday, February 2, 2017: Restorative Practices- Suzanne Petersen, LCPS Supervisor School Social Workers
Community Outreach
The HopeFest committee and Hope for Mental Health Advisory Board are excited to announce upcoming workshops.
On November 30, Equine Assisted Therapies will be presented by the team from Project Horse. A local equine therapy organization who has been able to reach children, teens, and adults in alternative ways from the traditional talk therapy.
On December 7th, Neil McNerney will talk about teenage brain function to help parents better understand their adolescent. Neil is a therapist best known for helping parents with raising their children and teens, especially when there are difficulties.These are FREE workshops.
Equine Assisted Therapies for
Mental Health Challenges
Presented by
Leslie Roberts, Licensed Professional Counselor
Heather Kirby, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Darcy Woessner, Certified Equine Specialist, Project Horse
November 30, 2016
Located at Leesburg Community Church
835 Lee Avenue SW, Leesburg, VA 20175
7pm – 9pm
When traditional isn’t enough… The Project Horse Empowerment Center presents an overview of equine assisted psychotherapy, including the numerous populations, challenges and diagnoses it effectively addresses without feeling like “being in therapy”. Discover why it works so amazingly well, and learn about our various programs and services.
The Teenage Brain - Temporary Insanity??
Presented by Neil McNerney, LPC
December 7, 2016
Located at Leesburg Community Church
835 Lee Avenue SW, Leesburg, VA 20175
7pm – 8pm
Intriguing New Brain Research is verifying what every parent of a teenager already figured out: The teenage years look a lot like temporary insanity. The more we learn about what is going on in the teenage brain, the more our teens actions, crazy as they seem, begin to make sense.
Neil McNerney, a licensed professional counselor and parenting expert, will share with you an easy-to-understand model of what’s going on inside your teen’s head. Most importantly, he will give you specific ways to deal with your teen without losing your own sanity.
School Counseling Program Component Tips
Nicole Moore- Liberty Elementary School: Mindfulness Bulletin Board
I wanted to share with you that I was having trouble with how to use mindfulness daily to support students. Then I had the idea to have an interactive bulletin board with various strategies. I spent the workdays making it happen after a few weeks of Pinterest Pinspiration. I have simple yoga poses for kinesthetic folks. There are 3 templates in the folder. I have meditation scripts in "think." 2 breathing strategies (one more simple for K, 1, 2) in "breathe." The kids can take home a laminated pocket-sized visual of the breathing techniques to calm them at home or back in class. I have writing exercises about feelings in various formats. Coloring pages are included in "color," with mandalas, coloring quotes, and range from easier to more detailed variations. "Listen" has a menu of options for kids to hear. I think it turned out well. I will introduce some of the ideas on the morning show for the whole school (tier 1), but help kids in my office to use them as well (tier 2 or 3).
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