Dear DSS Digest Readers,
As the vibrant colors of autumn paint Loudoun County, we welcome you to the November edition of our DSS Digest from the Department of Student Services. This month, we are reminded of the beauty in change and the importance of coming together as a community to support one another.
🌟 November Notes:
Gratitude in Action: This November, let's take a moment to express gratitude for the incredible journey we've embarked on together. Whether it's the inspiring students, dedicated faculty, or the supportive staff, our community thrives on the spirit of appreciation.
Navigating Challenges: As we delve into the heart of the semester, we understand that challenges may arise. Be assured that the Department of Student Services is here for you. Our doors are always open to lend a listening ear or provide guidance for any concerns you may have.
Upcoming Events: Exciting events are on the horizon! From professional learning to enhance our academic skills in serving students to fun-filled community-building activities, November promises a plethora of opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Spotlight on Student Success: Join us in celebrating the achievements of our outstanding students. Whether it's academic milestones, creative accomplishments, or community engagement, we take pride in showcasing the diverse talents within our student population across LCPS.
📌 Important Reminders:
Academic Support: On September 8, 2023, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia announced the ALL in VA Plan for students in grades 3rd-8th in Virginia’s Public Schools. The plan focuses on Attendance - Literacy - Learning. Students have been identified statewide based on SOL performance from the 2022-2023 school year. In LCPS, we have identified 19,673 students that will receive high-dosage tutoring services beginning this academic year. This initiative will require the support of stakeholders across LCPS and the greater Loudoun County community. Please review the following links for more information and please share this information with your home communities to encourage tutoring assistance for our students in LCPS:
ALL in VA resources from the Virginia Department of Education
ALL in Tutoring resources from the Virginia Department of Education
More information will be shared as LCPS continues to move forward in the planning process for students.
Wellness Check: Remember, your well-being is paramount. Take a moment to prioritize self-care and connect with the resources offered by our division wellness programs.
Feedback Matters: The DSS values your feedback! Your insights play a crucial role in shaping the student experience. Keep an eye out for surveys and forums where you can share your thoughts and contribute to the ongoing improvements within our department.
As we embrace the brisk days of November, let's foster a sense of unity, resilience, and gratitude within our community. Together, we can make this month one of growth, connection, and achievement.
Wishing you a November filled with warmth and success!
Best regards,
Tedra
Welcome Alix!
We are thrilled to announce a new addition to the School Counseling Services Team. Alixandra (Alix) Tate joins Loudoun County Public Schools as a School Counseling Specialist with eight years of experience as a school counselor. She has been an elementary school counselor, high school counselor, and most recently, served as a Director of School Counseling for the past four years in Fauquier County. Alix earned a Master’s of Education in School Counseling from West Chester University and a Master’s of Education in Administration & Supervision from University of Virginia. She is student-centered and passionate about mental health and ensuring all students have a positive experience with school. Alix loves reading and traveling and is very excited for the opportunity to support the CAMPUS program and contribute to the continued success of comprehensive school counseling programs in LCPS!
Switch Creation by Seniors at Lightridge High School
Some learners interact with items by pressing or otherwise activating a switch. With guidance from the Specialized Instructional Facilitator - Assistive Technology, seniors who participate in the Robotics Club at Lightridge High School worked to create switches to be used to engage in a variety of activities. Once created, some of the switches were provided to adapted physical education teachers to be used in their lessons. This initiative not only amplified the hands-on learning experience of the seniors but also directly impacted the educational environment for students with physical disabilities. The project provided an authentic opportunity for students to apply their learning to promote inclusive education in a way that addresses a real-world challenge. If you’re interested in learning more about how something similar can be done at a school you support, contact your SIF-AT.
American Psychological Association site visit to LCPS
On Thursday, October 19th and Friday, October 20th, site visitors from the American Psychological Association (APA) spent two days in the administration building evaluating our doctoral internship in health service psychology program. The APA visitors interviewed principals, internship supervisors, department leaders, current doctoral interns, and alumni and provided positive feedback regarding our internship program. The LCPS doctoral internship is one of only eleven school-based doctoral internships in that nation that has earned accreditation by the APA. Originally accredited for the first time in 2014, this site visit was a part of standard practices for reaccreditation. A final decision about LCPS’s future accreditation status is anticipated in April 2024.
SchooLinks Parent Night
The Office of School Counseling hosted a SchooLinks Parent Webinar, held on October 12, 2023, was a remarkable success. This informative event began with an overview of the SchooLinks platform, informing students and parents about its various features. The second part of the presentation zeroed in on the College Application Manager, providing tailored guidance for 12th-grade parents and students preparing for their educational journey. With an impressive turnout of over roughly 500 attendees, this well-attended webinar underscored the office's dedication to empowering and supporting students and their families as they explore their college and career pathways. The feedback received by attendees was positive with one parent writing “while I have only been using SchooLinks for a brief period of time, it is far and away better than the Naviance platform we had before.” If you are interested in SchooLinks or would like to review the recording of the presentation, please visit https://www.lcps.org/SchoolCounseling .
SchooLinks User Engagement
The SchooLinks platform at LCPS is making significant strides in user engagement, exemplifying its remarkable success. Recent data indicates that a substantial 43.87% of students have logged in and successfully completed the student onboarding process. The most frequently accomplished tasks encompass the establishment or revision of career goals, major goals, post-secondary objectives, and profile/resume updates.
Furthermore, SchooLinks seamlessly integrates into the college application process, with 62% of students linking their Common App accounts to the platform. Moreover, it has overseen an impressive 33,013 tracked college applications and 16,891 completed applications, solidifying its central role in supporting students toward their post-secondary aspirations. This exceptional user engagement extends to guardians, with an active participation rate of 28% among 12th-grade guardians, fostering a supportive learning environment for all stakeholders.
“Dream Big” Program
School Counseling Services Celebrates HBCU Event at Tuscarora High School
We are excited to share highlights from the annual HBCU event held at Tuscarora High School on October 17, 2023. This year's event featured Angela Mitchell, President & CEO of Arm Consulting LLC, as the keynote speaker. Angela, a proud Howard University alumna, brought her inspiring journey to the forefront, providing a unique perspective on the benefits of historically Black colleges and universities.
The HBCU fair brought together more than 40 universities, offering a wealth of information and resources for students and their families. Attendees had the opportunity to explore NCAA student-athlete opportunities, access college test preparation resources, discover community scholarships, and even engage in on-site admissions. The event was not only informative but also spirited, with the STEP team from George Mason University delivering a captivating performance that resonated with students and families alike. It was a day filled with energy, enthusiasm, and valuable information for all who attended.
We would like to thank the HBCU fair Consortium for their hard work in planning this amazing event! While School Counseling Services is proud to support the HBCU fair, every detail is planned by the amazing Tuscarora team!
Virginia Department of Education (VDOE ) Special Education Monitoring
Loudoun County Public Schools has been selected for review of its provision of special education as part of VDOE’s cyclical review process. The VDOE’s Office of Program Improvement coordinates monitoring activities include a probe into the school division’s current practices related to the achievement of its students with disabilities. The review will examine the school division’s policies, procedures, and practices regarding special education compliance as well as student outcomes via record review and/or other methods.
The monitoring activities should not impact day to day instruction but it is possible that the review could include school site visits, student file reviews, and/or interviews with staff.
A written report will be provided to the school division following the review. Ultimately, the information gained will be used to improve results for the students we serve.
LCPS Mobile Health Clinic
The Mobile Health Clinic provides free physicals for students entering LCPS. The Mobile Health Clinic is not able to provide sports physicals.
The LCPS Mobile Health Clinic can help ensure your child has the healthcare support they need to enroll in school! The Mobile Health Clinic, which is supported by a partnership with INOVA and George Washington University School of Nursing, provides uninsured students enrolling in LCPS for the first time with access to required school physicals and wellness checks. Clinic staff can also provide referrals to community partners offering comprehensive medical care.
Career & Transition Services
Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
The mission of a Multi-Tiered System of Supports, or MTSS, is to create an integrated system of academic, behavioral, and social emotional supports for all students. Through empowering and collaborative connections between families, schools, and community resources, students will experience engaging, affirming, equitable, and supportive learning that encourages academic and social growth through the consistent delivery of explicit and systematic instruction. Please scroll midway down page for all newsletters.
Student Assistance Services
The Office of Student Assistance Services oversees Attendance Support and Intervention, Substance Use Prevention and Intervention, and Restorative Practices. Our mission is to promote student wellness and safety by fostering the personal strengths and resiliency within each student as we encourage them to make meaningful contributions to the school community and the world.
Career & Transition Services
Career and Transition helps students plan for independence in post-high school life. There is a transition teacher and job coach at each high school, who work with the Special Education teachers in each of their high schools and middle schools on transition planning for all students with an IEP, ages 14 to 22. Transition teachers can provide instruction in Career and Transition classes, such as Career Pathways and Personal Finance. There are also two post-Applied Studies Diploma programs for students with an IEP, ages 18-22, who have a need for additional training and education before exiting LCPS and who are interested in and meet the criteria for participation in the programs.
LCPS School Counseling Services
School counselors are licensed educators with a minimum of a Master's degree in School Counseling and are uniquely qualified to address the academic, career, and personal/social needs of all students. By designing, implementing, and evaluating a comprehensive school counseling program, school counselors serve to promote and enhance student success.
Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
MTSS is an integrated system of academic, behavioral, and social-emotional instructional practices to support needs of all students and increase equitable learning experiences. This “whole child” prevention approach addresses the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs through the related approaches of Response to Intervention (RTI), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and school mental health.
Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)
The Loudoun County Public Schools Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) works with
the School Board, Administrators, Parents and Teachers who are responsible for students
receiving special education services. SEAC advises the School Board on the needs of special
education students and examines issues of relevance to the special education community.
Mental Health & Community Resources for Staff
- Self-Care Resources for LCPS Staff
- Your Life Connected Webinar Series
- Beating Burnout: Rediscover Your Why
- Developing Calming Strategies
- Wake Up Well: Start Your Day Successfully
- REST EASY: Getting a Good Night’s Sleep
- Beating Loneliness
- Mindful Mondays
- My Life Expert(Employee Assistance Program/ LYTLEEAP Partners)
December 4-8, 2023
Inclusive Schools Week™ is an annual event sponsored by the Inclusive Schools Network (ISN) and Stetson & Associates, Inc., which is held each year during the first full week in December.
Since its inception in 2001, Inclusive Schools Week has celebrated the progress that schools have made in providing a supportive and quality education to an increasingly diverse student population, including students who are marginalized due to disability, gender, socio-economic status, cultural heritage, language preference, and other factors.
The Week also provides an important opportunity for educators, students, and parents to discuss what else needs to be done in order to ensure that their schools continue to improve their ability to successfully educate all children.
Inclusive Schools Week allows us all to take a moment to applaud the progress we’ve made toward building more inclusive school communities while pledging to continue our work toward becoming a more inclusive society.
Source: https://inclusiveschools.org/inclusive-schools-week/
THEME: Draw Me In!
Resources:
- 2023 Inclusive Schools Week Activities
- General Inclusive Schools Week Activities
- School Celebration Ideas: Promoting Awareness
Please use the resources above to begin planning your schools awareness activities. Additional information will be shared prior to December 4th.
