SCHOOL COUNSELING | Issue 2 1

School Counseling

December 2015

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 School Counseling

SCHOOL COUNSELING | Issue 2 2

Important Dates

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Tutoring

Parent Resource Center

December 11 – Governor’s School Applications were due

December 21 to January 1 – Winter Break

January 26 – Paying for College/Financial Aid Night

January 28 – Last day of the 2nd quarter

May 2 to May 13 – AP Testing (more information will be provided)

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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. 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 2015/2016 date options are below.

Westfield HS: December 2nd or Feb. 20th or April 30th

Address: 4700 Stonecroft Boulevard; Chantilly, VA 20151

Briar Woods HS: January 20th or March 16th

Address: 22525 Belmont Ridge Rd; Ashburn, VA 20148

*** The December 2nd class is the LAST prep class for the current version of the SAT. Registration is open now for the December 2nd class,

and some of the Spring 2016 dates will be open for registration on December 3rd! ***

You can register for any prep seminar on our website.

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

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PEER

PEER is sponsoring several drives to help those who need help during the holiday season. Please send in canned food, toys, or encourage your student to take a gift tag from the Gift of Hope display to purchase something for another Loudoun County teen.

This month, PEER has started the New Kids initiative. Whenever a new student enrolls at Riverside, a PEER buddy meets them for lunch, introduces them to some friends, and checks in on them periodically throughout the first few weeks. Every six weeks, PEER will host a New Kid Luncheon to follow up with those students, introduce them to each other, and welcome them officially to the school. If you are interested in supplying food for those lunches, please contact Evan.Rodgers@LCPS.org

On December 18, PEER will welcome the Snowman himself, Wayde Byard, to Riverside. Make sure your student brings $3 for a selfie with Wayde.

In January, as part of Project Purple, PEER will work with Belmont Ridge Middle School to create a Bridge to the Ridge to spread information about the dangers of drugs and addiction. (Sort of a grown up DARE). More info to come!

In February, Riverside PEER is proud to present Chris Herren from the Herren Project’s Project Purple. He will be speaking in the evening to students and parents about addiction.

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SCHOOL COUNSELING | Issue 2 5

From the Career Center

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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

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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 you may 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

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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Course Registration for 2016-17 School Year During the months of February and March our course registration process for all students for the upcoming school year will take place. There will be various programs

planned to assist and educate parents and students with making appropriate course selections for next year. Stay tuned!

Kaplan Prep Classes Sponsored by the Fine Arts Boosters

Students can now register for Kaplan Prep Classes in preparation for the March SAT. Students who register before December 17th will receive a $150 discount (for a cost of $599). Classes will be held at Riverside from January 24th to March 2nd.

Register online using code "THANKS150". Registrations received by Kaplan on December 18th to January 10th from RVHS students ONLY can receive a $100 early bird discount using the code "KAS50"

Students from all area high schools may attend the RVHS classes at a cost of $749.

Riverside HS will also be hosting another Kaplan test prep in the spring.

Register now for the in-person classes at: Kaplanatschool.com/Riverside, or call 1-800- KAP-TEST (527-8378). They can also answer any questions you may have!

“Early College” Program Can Help Students in Struggling Schools by NACAC

The Boston Globe (12/8, Levenson) reports “early college” programs that allow high school students to take classes at local colleges for dual credit can help students slowly adjust to the college environment. Most students who participate in such programs “are high achievers from wealthy districts”, but some participants break that stereotype.

Lorena Gonzalez, the daughter of Mexican immigrants who never finished high schools who lives in one of the poorest counties in Texas, had earned her associate’s degree by the time she finished high school. Gonzalez describes her experience as a “stepping-stone” to her future career as a doctor.

PSAT Results Student score reports will not be returned or accessible until January. Please stay tuned for more detailed information after the winter break.

SCHOOL COUNSELING | Issue 2 9

How Best to Utilize the Services of the School Counselor by The College Board

Meet with the school counselor to discuss your child’s strengths, weaknesses, interests and goals.

Make an appointment with the school counselor to create a program of study, grades 9-12, that matches your child’s academic strengths, interests and future plans.

Contact the school counselor to set up a parent/teacher conference.

Call the school counselor with any concerns about recent changes in behavior, attitude and/or academic performance.

Ask the school counselor for resources within and outside the school to assist with social/emotional issues.

Seek information from the school counselor about standardized test results.

Attend evening programs sponsored by the counseling office.

Read any information sent from the counseling office to your home; there will be valuable information for you and your student.

Use the expertise of the school counselor, along with resources in the career center, to assist your child in postsecondary planning.

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

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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.

School Counseling Winter Break Office Hours

December 21: 9am to 2pm

December 22: 9am to 2pm

December 23 – January 1: the office will be closed

The School Counseling Office wishes our RAM FAM

a safe and wonderful holiday season!

SCHOOL COUNSELING | Issue 2 11

SCHOOL COUNSELING | Issue 2 12

College Planning Calendar by The College Board

JUNIORS - FALL

Start with you: Think about your abilities, social/cultural preferences and personal qualities. List things you may want to study and do in college.

Learn about colleges. Look at their websites, research them through Family Connection: http://connection.naviance.com/riversidehi. Talk to friends, family, teachers and recent grads of your school that are now in college. Browse college guide books. List College features that interest you.

Meet with your School Counselor or Career Center Specialist. Will there be a college night? When will college representatives visit your school? (put the dates in your calendar)

Review your PSAT/NMSQT scores and see how you can improve.

Make a file to manage your college search, testing and application materials.

If appropriate (for example, if you’re interested in drama, music, art, sports, etc.), start to gather material for a portfolio.

With your family, start to learn about financial aid. Read the Department of Education’s Funding Your Education (about federal aid programs). Use Getting Financial Aid published by the College Board and the financial aid calculator at www.collegeboard.org to estimate how much aid you might receive

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