Riverside HS School Counseling
February 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
Course Selection for the 2020-2021 School Year
Dear Parents and Students,
The course selection process for the 2020-21 school year will start on January 27. Please review all of the events listed below that we have planned to assist in making the best possible course selections for next year. For more details about the process click here.
We strongly encourage all parents and students to attend our School Wide Curriculum Fair/Open House on January 29 at 7 pm. This is a great opportunity to talk directly with our Riverside faculty about all courses being offered next year.
We will also be hosting the Rising 9th Grade Parent Orientation January 29 at 6:30pm in the auditorium to discuss transition. The Riverside faculty and staff look forward to assisting our RAM Families with this important course registration process.
Sincerely,
Luke Mason
Director of School Counseling
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
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!
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.
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
Boys and Girls State Summer Program 2020
The Ashburn Leonard W Kidd American Legion Post 2001 will again sponsor both girls and boys to attend Boys State and Girls State activities this year. The program is quite prestigious but more importantly, allows students to learn and live in an environment that stresses Civic Mindedness/American Citizenship. Attendees learn about our democratic government and actually run their city and state governments. Boys State will be held at Radford University and Girls State will be held at Longwood University.
These week long events will be held June 21-27, 2020.
More information about the Boys State program can be found at http://www.vaboysstate.org/
and Girls State information is at VA Girls State.
Students in grade 11 will be eligible.
Specific information will be posted when available.
See Mrs. Robinson in the Career Center if you are interested.
Interviews will be held at date/time to be determined @ Stone Bridge HS.
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.
Spring Break College Visit Planning
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 on Tuesday March 3 at 8:30 p.m. at Loudoun Valley HS and at 9 am at Heritage HS. Note that March 3 is a student holiday. 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
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
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
Summer at Smith 2020
Columbia University
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!
Testing Dates 2019-2020
SAT Preparation Offered
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.
High Sierra Pools is Hiring
Students are paid between $9-14/hr, are certified with the American Red Cross, and have a $50 per recruit referral program (For every person they recruit who gets hired, they get paid $50. They themselves must be hired to get compensated for referring someone). The only requirement is to be 15 years old the day they start working and know how to swim.
American Pool application can be found at https://guardforlife.com/lifeguard-jobs-in-virginia/
Scholarship Information
Lockheed Martin launches vocational scholarship, renews STEM scholarship
Lockheed Martin is launching a vocational scholarship for high school seniors and college students pursuing vocational and trade degrees. The program will award up to $6,600 each to 150 recipients this year. The scholarship will fund degrees at accredited vocational-technical schools to prepare students for careers in technology and advanced manufacturing that do not require a bachelor's or advanced degree.
"As a global leader in innovation, we recognize the urgent need to address our nation's skills gap by encouraging, attracting, and developing the next generation of workers in science, technology, engineering, and math," said Lockheed Martin Chairman, President, and CEO Marillyn Hewson.
"Lockheed Martin's new vocational scholarships will develop the skills of workers who want to work in advanced manufacturing, but do not choose to go to a four-year college. This program shows that our company is fully committed to preparing workers at every level for the competitive challenges of the modern global economy," Hewson added.
For the second year in a row, Lockheed Martin will also offer its four-year STEM Scholarship program. This program is open to high school seniors and undergraduate students who plan to pursue a major in engineering or computer science, demonstrate financial need and come from underrepresented or underserved communities. In 2020, the program will award an additional 200 scholarships worth $10,000 in renewable funds per student.
Both programs are being funded by proceeds from corporate tax reform and are part of a larger investment of $460 million by Lockheed Martin in education and innovation throughout a period of five years. The scholarships are one piece of Lockheed Martin's 2018 pledge to create 8,000 new workforce development jobs and invest $50 million in educational enrichment programs.
The goal of these educational investments is to encourage students to consider a rewarding career in the technology and advanced manufacturing industry.
The application is open from Jan. 15, 2020, until March 12, 2020, and is being administered by Scholarship America, an organization with more than 60 years of experience designing and managing scholarship programs.
Visit the Vocational Scholarship page at https://www.lockheedmartin.com/vocational and the STEM Scholarship page at https://www.lockheedmartin.com/scholarship to learn more about eligibility requirements and to apply.
Apple Federal Credit Union
The Jewel College Scholarship offered by the Joyce-Gillespie-Harrington Education and Charitable Foundation is open to high school graduating seniors from Northern Virginia and in the Greater Metropolitan DC area. Applicant must complete and submit the application form which can be found on the LCPS website or at www.jghfdn.org. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA and should demonstrate a need for financial assistance for college. Applicant must write a two-page, double-spaced essay describing “Who am I, and what this scholarship will mean to me”. Two letters of recommendation are required along with a transcript. A detailed description of community service and volunteer activities are required. This scholarship may be sent to the donor by online application form, email to EDUCATION@JGHFDN.ORG, or by mail. Deadline: March 16, 2020.
VESA (Virginia ESL Supervisors Association) Scholarship - The applicant must have been enrolled in an ESL program for at least one year in grades 6-12 in a Virginia public school and in the 12th grade at the time of application. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and a financial need. Applicants must include a copy of all high school transcripts and two letters of recommendation from teachers, school counselors and/or principal at the school where student is enrolled. Typed responses to 3 questions on the application are to be included. The completed application package is to be returned by mail to Ms. Kimberly Peterson, Winchester Virginia (completed address is on the application form) by the deadline date of April 17, 2020.
Washington Metropolitan Chapter Community Associations Institute is offering one or more scholarship of $1,000 to a graduating high school senior within the WMCCAI service areas living within a community (neighborhood, homeowners association, condominium association, or cooperative association). The applicant must complete an application and submit a 500-700 word essay or 90 second media presentation on “Identify an opportunity for your community to improve or implement a green initiative and provide a detailed program for your community.” Applicant must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher and send a high school transcript. A letter of recommendation from a school counselor, teacher or community association leader in the community where you reside is also required. All scholarship material is to be turned in no later than April 15, 2020 with mail entries sent to WMCCAI, 7600 Leesburg Pike, Suite 100 West, Falls Church, VA 22043, Attn: Scholarship Program; email application and essay/presentation to outreach@caidc.org; or email application and link to media presentation to outreach@caidc.org.
WISER (Washington Independent Services for Educational Resources) Scholarship - 2 @ $1,500 for college bound high school senior living and attending school in the DC/MD/VA metro area. Applicant must have a documented learning challenge. Applicant must demonstrate leadership through community service. A complete application package must include a letter of documentation of learning challenge(s), completed application form including short answer responses and a letter of recommendation form school counselor, teacher, or community service project supervisor. Deadline for this scholarship is before 10:00 p.m. on March 27, 2020.