School Counseling...Anmar Hale, Career Center Specialist Kristan Ash, Parent Liaison Theresa...

SCHOOL COUNSELING | Issue 3 1

School Counseling

January 2016

The Riverside School Counseling department is a team of 11 dedicated individuals working collaboratively to meet the needs of 850 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 Hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

RVHS School Counseling Website http://www.loudoun.k12.va.us/domain/17735

Rob Yarborough, Dir. of School Counseling

Pauline Williamson, Registrar

Marsha Gobrecht, School Counseling Asst.

Evan Rodgers, School Counselor (A-Gon)

Scott Valyear, School Counselor (Goo-O)

Amy Burgess, School Counselor (P-Z)

Anmar Hale, Career Center Specialist

Kristan Ash, Parent Liaison

Theresa Lichtman, School Psychologist

Lisa Harris, School Social Worker

Kim Hager, Student Asst. Specialist

About Our School Counseling Department

http://www.loudoun.k12.va.us/domain/17735mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


Important Dates

January 26 – Paying for College/Financial Aid Night at 7pm (see page 2)

January 28 – 2nd Quarter Ends

February 3 – Monroe Technology Center Open House at 6:30pm (see page 7)

February 8 – Course Selection Process for 2016 -2017 begins (see page 5)

February 9 – Curriculum Fair/Open House for all grades at 7pm & Rising 9th Grade Parent Program at 6:30pm (see page 6)

May 2 to May 13 – AP Testing (see page 8)


PSAT Scores The 2015 PSAT scores are finally available electronically through the College Board. Some of you may have received an email for College Board explaining how to access your scores. If you have not received an email from College Board or you did and are having trouble accessing scores please review the attached document that explains how to access your scores.

We also will be receiving a hard copy of each students Score Report from the College Board by the end of January. As soon as we receive the hard copy we will distribute to all students.

If you have questions please feel free to contact the School Counseling Office at 703-554-8907.


Course Registration for 2016-17 School Year During February and March our course selection process for all students for the 2016-2017 school year will take place. Below is detailed information about our course selection activities:


AP Testing

All students who are taking at least one AP course should have received by mail information about registering/paying for their AP exams given in May. AP Exams will be given from May 2 – May 13.

To pay for AP Exam fees we encourage everyone to use our on-line payment system for electronic payments which is located on the Loudoun County Public Schools’ website. Checks or cash payments will also be accepted at our school. If you wish to pay by cash or check, the enclosed “RVHS AP Payment Form” must accompany your payment.

If paying by check, please make checks payable to Riverside High School and return them to the School Counseling Office. The payment form is not necessary if you submit your payment online.

Students and/or their parents/guardians pay the costs for the AP examinations. Each exam is $83.00, and this cost must be paid by February 5, 2016.

If you have questions about AP exams, please contact your student’s school counselor or the School Counseling Office.

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PEER

REBOUND: The Chris Herren Story Riverside HS - Auditorium Monday, February 15, 2016 at 6pm In this very personal presentation, Chris will share in a brutally honest format with just a microphone. The event will start with a 5 minute DVD introducing Chris Herren and showing highlights of his basketball career and his dream to play in the NBA which began to unravel by making a few bad decisions. From growing up in Fall River, MA to playing Division 1 basketball and in the NBA, he will take the audience on his journey from addiction to sobriety.

Additionally, he will relate his story to the audience addressing themes of gateway drugs, prescription drug abuse, drinking and driving as well as self-harm.

To conclude the event Chris will field questions from the audience. After the speech, Chris will greet anyone who may need to speak with him further regarding themselves or a loved one.


From the Career Center


A College & Career planning resource for students and parents Family Connection is an online resource that students and parents can use as a tool in planning for the future and as a complement to the series of college visits and workshops offered at Riverside. Careers Career Interest Profiler: discover the type of work activities and careers that match student's interests. Roadtrip Nation: an interview archive containing over 3,000 videos of struggle, triumph and self-discovery. Young people on "roadtrips" with interview leaders who have built their lives around their interests. Colleges My Colleges: students can track information about colleges they are thinking about and colleges they are applying to based upon activities and tools in the "College Research" section. College Research: students can search and a produce a list of colleges from a database of over 4,000 colleges and universities using criteria such as size, location, cost, majors and athletic programs. College Visits: students can login and register for upcoming visits with admissions reps/counselors to get a better understanding of application processes and campus life. Visits are held in the Career Center and upcoming visits are always located on the homepage under the school calendar. Scholarships and Money: a list of national and local scholarships is provided along with a link to scholarship applications. Students can use the "scholarship match" tool to view those offerings with requirements that may be a suitable match to them. About Me Interesting Things About Me: students can develop and store their personal portfolio, resume, game plan and other documents related to post graduation planning My Assessments: "StrengthsExplorer" will help uncover students' talents and reveal their potential strengths. Official Things: test scores, profile and account information are stored here for easy access and viewing. My Planner Goals, To-Do Lists, Tasks: students can review grade specific tasks, create personal goals and keep track of what they are working on throughout high school.

LOGIN TO FAMILY CONNECTION http://connection.naviance.com/riversidehi

Students and Parents that don't know their login information, please contact your student's School Counselor or Mrs. Hale in the School Counseling Office

http://connection.naviance.com/riversidehimailto:[email protected]


SAT/ACT Testing Dates

Juniors are advised to plan their college admissions testing carefully, keeping in mind the requirements for each college they are applying to. Most college testing information may be found in Family Connection or in the Career Center. If you need help deciding which test to take talk with your School Counselor or Mrs. Hale.

SAT Calendar

Test Date January 23

Loudoun Valley

March 5

Briar Woods

May 7

Broad Run

June 4

John Champe; Park View

Regular Registration December 28 February 5 April 8 May 5

Late Registration (paper) January 8 February 19 April 22 May 20

Late Registration (online and phone) January 12 February 23 April 26 May 25

ACT Calendar

Test Date February 6

Dominion

April 9

John Champe and Broad Run June 11

Regular Registration January 8 March 4 May 6

Late Registration (Late Fee Required) January 9-15 March 5-18 May 7 -20

ASVAB Testing

SPRING ASVAB TEST OFFERED: March 5, 2016 at Loudoun Valley High School March 4, 2016 at John Champe High School

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)

is a multiple choice test, administered by the United

States Military Entrance Processing Command, used to

determine qualification for enlistment in the United States

armed forces. It is often offered free of charge to

American high school students when they are in the 10th,

11th and 12th grade, though anyone eligible for

enlistment may take it.

Although the test is administered by the military, it is not (and never has been) a requirement that a test-taker with a qualifying score enlist in the armed forces.

The (ASVAB) will be given at Loudoun Valley High School on Saturday, March 5th from 8:45 a.m. until 12 noon and at John Champe High School on Friday, March 4th from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. This test is a good tool for students to use to see where their strengths and weakness lay as they look at careers for their future.


To register to take the ASVAB at Loudoun Valley High School on March 5th, use the following link:

https://docs.google.com/a/lcps.org/spreadsheet/viewform?hl=en_US&formkey=dEl0OXV6Q2ZlbU5JX1VlUEVfS1E1SWc6MQ

To register to take the ASVAB at John Champe High School on March 4th, use the following link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1pbFae0dh7qUfSLx4iSFO6gAGftOK1-ntbR4up43gci4/viewform?c=0&w=1

The ASVAB Career Exploration Program can help young adults identify and explore potentially satisfying occupations and develop effective strategies to realize career goals.

The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is one of the most widely used, multiple-aptitude tests in the world, developed and maintained by the Department of Defense. More than half of all high schools nationwide administer the ASVAB test to students in grades 10, 11 and 12 (sophomores cannot use their scores for enlistment eligibility).

The ASVAB consists of the following eight individual tests: -General Science -Arithmetic Reasoning -Word Knowledge -Paragraph Comprehension -Mathematics Knowledge -Electronics Information -Auto and Shop Information -Mechanical Comprehension Students are provided with scores on each of these individual tests and three Career Exploration Score composites: Verbal Skills, Math Skills and Science and Technical Skills. The battery takes approximately three hours to complete, and test results are returned to schools in a few weeks.

The Military uses students’ ASVAB scores to identify the occupations that best suit their abilities. Junior, senior and postsecondary school students can use their ASVAB scores for enlistment for up to two years after taking the test.

Please visit the ASVAB website for more information and sample questions.

“Extracurricular Tips” by The College Board

Selective colleges want to know what you do both inside and outside the classroom. Yes, your academics come first, but what you do with your free time reveals a lot, such as:

- Whether you are mature enough to stick to something over the long haul - What your nonacademic interests are – what makes you tick - How you’ve contributed to something beyond yourself - Whether you can manage your time and priorities So here are some tips for choosing extracurriculars.

Consider your interests and abilities first

It’s easier to commit to something that fits the real you. If you like to write but don’t enjoy running, it makes more sense to join the school newspaper than the track team. And while it’s natural to want to be where your friends are, don’t join something for that reason alone-it truly should be a shared interest.

Go for depth, not breadth

Colleges are more impressed by a real commitment to one activity over time, rather than a superficial involvement in multiple activities. So don’t join a bunch of activities just to bulk up your application.

Keep your balance

Remember: Colleges are not interested in seeing you “do it all.” Don’t overextend and risk burnout or bad grades. Colleges don’t have a checklist of requirements when it comes to extracurriculars.

You don’t have to be a star

Don’t worry about being president of the club, or captain of the team. The key is whether you’ve contributed something significant-center stage or behind the scenes.

Working or volunteering counts too

A job – paid or unpaid, year-round or summer – shows that you can handle responsibilities and have “real-world” experience. If jobs are hard to find, ask your counselor

https://docs.google.com/a/lcps.org/spreadsheet/viewform?hl=en_US&formkey=dEl0OXV6Q2ZlbU5JX1VlUEVfS1E1SWc6MQhttps://docs.google.com/a/lcps.org/spreadsheet/viewform?hl=en_US&formkey=dEl0OXV6Q2ZlbU5JX1VlUEVfS1E1SWc6MQhttps://docs.google.com/a/lcps.org/spreadsheet/viewform?hl=en_US&formkey=dEl0OXV6Q2ZlbU5JX1VlUEVfS1E1SWc6MQhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/1pbFae0dh7qUfSLx4iSFO6gAGftOK1-ntbR4up43gci4/viewform?c=0&w=1https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1pbFae0dh7qUfSLx4iSFO6gAGftOK1-ntbR4up43gci4/viewform?c=0&w=1http://www.todaysmilitary.com/before-serving-in-the-military/asvab-test?campaign_id=SEM2012:on:google:ASVAB_MEPS-the_asvab_test:Broad


how to arrange for an internship or a job-shadowing opportunity. The local chamber of commerce or organizations like Rotary or Kiwanis might also be able to help you. Volunteer work, such as tutoring elementary

school kids or spending time at a local hospital, is another great way to gain the skills and experience colleges like to see.

Scholarship Opportunities

Governor McAuliffe and Virginia Council on Women Announce the 5th Annual STEM Essay Contest - The Council will award five $5,000 scholarships to female junior or senior high school students who will be pursuing a STEM career at an institution of higher education. One scholarship will be awarded in each of five geographic regions across the state. Additional scholarships may be awarded at the discretion of the Council.

To be eligible, one must be a female who resides in Virginia, be enrolled as a junior or senior in high school and hold at least a 2.5 GPA. Applications and guidelines are available online at: http://www.commonwealth.virginia.gov/council-on-women/.

Entries must be submitted by February 8, 2016. Essays will be judged by a panel of Council members and women

who hold a degree in or work in STEM fields. Winners will be notified by March 28, 2016.

The scholarship awards will be presented at a reception at the Executive Mansion on April 20, 2016. See more at: http://governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/newsarticle?articleId=13713#sthash.efMG61HB.dpuf.

This Is My Brave, Inc. is sponsoring an essay contest for rising high school juniors and seniors who reside and attend a public, private or home school in Loudoun County. Applicants are required to submit an essay of 800 to 1,000 words in length answering: “As a society, what are the most important things we can do to reduce the stigma of mental illness?” Essays must be sent via email to [email protected] by midnight on Thursday, March 31, 2016. Applicants full name, grade level, name of school, phone number and home address must be included on the top right of the essay.

Internship Opportunities The U.S. Agency for International Development offers both paid and unpaid internships for qualified students during the academic year. USAID’s offices are in Washington, D.C., supporting programs in fields such as economic growth, agriculture, education, health, environment, democracy and governance, conflict prevention, and humanitarian assistance.

If you’re interested in an internship this summer with USAID visit the following website, https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/careers/student-internships

Barbara Comstock for Congress is currently accepting interns and fellows for the 2016 election season. Interns and fellows will work directly with senior staff while acquiring the knowledge and skills needed to build a successful political organization. Interns and fellows will learn to become adept communicators and organizers, helping to lead our 2016 grassroots efforts, starting with the first step of working to qualify Barbara for this year's ballot.

Click on the following link to apply, https://comstock.house.gov/services/internships

http://www.commonwealth.virginia.gov/council-on-women/http://www.commonwealth.virginia.gov/council-on-women/http://governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/newsarticle?articleId=13713#sthash.efMG61HB.dpufhttp://governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/newsarticle?articleId=13713#sthash.efMG61HB.dpufmailto:[email protected]://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/careers/student-internshipshttps://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/careers/student-internshipshttps://comstock.house.gov/services/internships


Volunteer Opportunities

Young People: Do you enjoy spending time with kids, reading, playing sports or music? Loudoun County Department of Family Services: 703-777-5718 Good Shepherd Alliance: 703-724-1555 INOVA Loudoun Hospital Center-Volunteer Program: 703-858-6000 Loudoun County Library Administration 703-777-0368 Loudoun County Parks, Recreation, and Community Services: 703-777-0343 Special Olympics-Loudoun Center: 703-777-0438 YMCA, Big Friends Program: 703-777-9622 Homelessness/Shelters/Hunger Programs: Do you enjoy meeting new people, building, cooking, sewing, playing games or painting? Good Shepherd Alliance: 703-724-1555 Habitat for Humanity: 703-737-6772 Loudoun Interfaith Relief: 703-777-5911 Community: do you enjoy animals, walking, talking with neighbors, landscaping or sports? Christmas in April: 703-771-7186 Habitat for Humanity: 703-737-6772 Human Society of Loudoun County: 703-777-2912 INOVA Loudoun Hospital Center-Volunteer Program: 703-858-6000 Loudoun County Animal Shelter: 703-777-0406 Arts and Culture: Do you enjoy theater, history, music, reading or fine arts? Franklin Park Performing and Visual Arts Center: 540-338-7973 Heritage Farm Museum: 571-258-3800 INOVA Loudoun Hospital Center: 703-858-6000 Seniors: Do you love learning about history and talking with older adults? Area Agency on Aging: 703-777-0257 Christmas in April: 703-771-7186 Department of Family Services: 703-777-0353 Habitat for Humanity: 703-737-6772 Heritage Hall Nursing Home: 703-777-8700 Loudoun Volunteer Caregivers: 703-779-7617 Sunrise Assisted Living: 703-777-1971 Physically or Mentally Challenged Individuals: Do you enjoy health, medicine or helping people? Brain Injury Services: 703-451-8051 Blue Ridge Speech and Hearing: 703-777-5050 Loudoun Association of Retarded Citizens (LARC): 703-777-1939 Loudoun Literacy Council: 703-777-2205 Special Olympics: 703-777-0438 *Some of the volunteer opportunities may be seasonal or may have changed. Be aware that participation in some volunteer activities may involve parent involvement or permission. Be sure to ask any agency you call about their requirements to participate as a volunteer.


College Planning Calendar by The College Board

JUNIORS - WINTER

Make a family appointment with your counselor to discuss ways to improve your college preparation and selection processes.

Sign up to take college admission tests (e.g., the SAT) this spring. Register online or through your school. Fee waivers are available for students with financial need. To prepare, download practice materials from admission test websites.

Begin a search for scholarships. National sources include the College Board Scholarship Handbook and

electronic sources, http://www.lcps.org/page/1914. Don’t overlook local and state aid sources (ask a counselor or check your public library).

Ask a counselor or teacher about taking the SAT Subject Tests in the spring. You should take them while course material is still fresh in your mind. You can download “Taking the SAT Subject Tests, “ which offers test-prep advice, from www.collegeboard.org

Think about which teachers you will ask to write letters of recommendation.

SOPHOMORES

Meet with your School Counselor to ensure you are enrolled in college-preparatory courses.

Review PSAT/NMSQT scores and work on any disclosed academic weaknesses while there is still ample time to improve them.

Are you interested in attending a U.S. Military Academy? If so, you can request a pre-candidate questionnaire and complete it. Your School Counselor can help with this.

Attend college and career fairs.

Participate in school activities and volunteer. Extracurricular activities help students develop time-management skills and enrich the school experience.

Tour college campuses. If possible, take advantage of vacation or other family travel opportunities to visit colleges and see what they’re like. Even if there is no interest in attending the college you are visiting, it will help you learn what to look for in a college.

FRESHMEN

Create a four-year high school plan. Make sure you know what high school courses are required by colleges, and that your freshmen courses are on the right track. Map out when courses should be taken. Familiarize yourself with the various levels of courses offered by your school.

Start thinking about careers. Develop a tentative career coal. Of course it will change – often – but it’s the thought process that counts. Identify your interests – likes and dislikes – not just in academics but in all areas. This will help focus on goals. Discuss career options with others, such as the school counselor, teachers, recent college graduates who are working, professionals in the community, etc.

Think about extracurricular activities. Actively take part in a sport, school club, music or drama group, or community volunteer activity. If you want to play

sports in college, research the National College Athletic Association eligibility requirements. The NCAA requires completion of certain core courses; you can find specifics at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

Meet with your School Counselor. Your School Counselor knows how to help your child get the most out of high school. Make sure you have an opportunity during the school year to discuss post-high school plans with the School Counselor and map out courses to take during the rest of your high school career.

Save for college. It’s still not too late to start a college savings plan, if you haven’t already. Investigate state financial aid programs and 529 plans.

Obtain a social security number if you don’t already have one. This is often required for applications, testing, scholarships and other opportunities.

http://www.lcps.org/page/1914http://www.collegeboard.org/http://www.ncaaclearinghouse.net/


Tutoring

A list of LCPS employees who provide tutoring to our students is listed on the Parent Resource Center website. This list is a service LCPS offers, but all arrangements are made between parent(s) and tutor. National Honor Society Tutoring Riverside students may request a tutor on the NHS website for a particular subject area. Riverside Tutoring List RVHS maintains a list of tutors and tutorial services who provide instructional services for a fee. While we do ask the tutors to identify specific courses they are willing to tutor, we often do not know the tutors and cannot testify to their educational or personal backgrounds. We do not screen the tutors in any way. We leave it to the parents of interested students to interview the tutor to determine the financial terms involved and appropriateness of the match between tutor and students.

The Learning Lab The RVHS Learning Lab is open. The RVHS Faculty and NHS have combined their talents to open the RVHS Learning Lab. The Learning Lab is located in room 1215 and is open each period of the day for students to visit and receive help in one or more of their classes. Students may request a pass from their study hall teacher to go to the 1. Learning Lab, 2. Library, 3. Computer Lab.

Homework Helpers Every Thursday from 8am to 9am there is tutoring available for all subjects in the Library. Please contact Mrs. McBride, our Librarian, to sign up. For more information or questions regarding tutoring, please contact the School Counseling Office at (703) 554-8907

SPONSORED BY THE RIVERSIDE PTSO

Looking to improve your SAT score? The popular SAT program is here in Northern Virginia!!

Turbo Tutoring is a quality, affordable SAT prep seminar and we are proud to be partners with several area high schools in Virginia. For just $175, we cover all of the

sections on the SAT in a single 2 ½ hour interactive session. We discuss strategies for eliminating incorrect answer choices and ways to move through the test faster and

more efficiently. We also provide confidence-building techniques that can be applied to other exams (such as the ACT) as well. Packets for each section and take home

questions are provided for students. In addition, we offer scholarship opportunities

for our attendees! Go to our website to read what students, parents, educators, and local media have said about Turbo Tutoring.

Register for our next SAT prep seminar! The Spring 2016 date options are below.

Briar Woods HS: January 20th or March 16th

Address: 22525 Belmont Ridge Rd; Ashburn, VA 20148

Westfield HS: Feb. 20th or April 30th

Address: 4700 Stonecroft Boulevard; Chantilly, VA 20151

You can register for any prep seminar on our website.

Check out our website for additional information at: www.turbo-tutoring.com

http://www.lcps.org/cms/lib4/VA01000195/Centricity/Domain/97/CURRENT%20TUTOR%20LIST%20.pdfhttp://www.loudoun.k12.va.us/Page/154218http://www.loudoun.k12.va.us/Page/154218mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.turbo-tutoring.com/

School Counseling...Anmar Hale, Career Center Specialist Kristan Ash, Parent Liaison Theresa...

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