School Counseling News & Updates

Course Planner is an interactive tool, a part of the SchooLinks platform, that easily allows students to select courses and indicate their interest in academic pathways. Students will also clearly be able to see what course requirements have been met to support short and long-term planning for graduation.

Course Planner enables school counselors to digitally review student course plans and view students' progression toward meeting graduation requirements. It is important to keep in mind that Course Planner is a planning platform useful for students, parents/guardians and counselors to plot the student’s educational pathway and is not the student’s schedule.

Parents/guardians will have access to review their student’s course requests and multi-year plans to actively engage in academic advising with their student. For parents/guardians who have previously supported their students with course selection, Course Planner replaces the course selection process in StudentVue and ParentVue.

Recordings of Course Planner webinars are posted on the LCPS School Counseling webpages.

Special Permission is the process by which families request that their student attend a school other than the assigned school. The Special Permission application window for LCPS families opened on Monday, Feb. 3, and will close on Wednesday, April 30, at 11:59 p.m. Once the Special Permission period closes, requests for Special Permission will not be accepted.

Please note the schools projected to be over-enrolled are posted on the Special Permission website. (This list is subject to change.) Special Permission requests submitted to over-enrolled schools will be voided within 30 days of application. See the Special Permission webpage for more information and to apply.

Parents of high school students may submit a request to renew Special Permission to attend the current school of attendance on or before March 1. Please note the earlier deadline and closing date for applying for and/or renewing Special Permission for next school year.

For more information regarding the Special Permission process and to apply for Special Permission for next school year please visit LCPS Student Services Special Permission webpage at https://www.lcps.org/o/doss/page/special-permission

CAMPUS is a high school college access program designed to meet the specific needs of first-generation college-bound students. “First-generation”: neither household parent/guardian obtained a Bachelor’s degree from a U.S. college/university immediately upon completion of high school.

The goal of CAMPUS is to provide first-generation college bound high school students with the resources, guidance, and support they need to successfully navigate the college admissions process and enroll in post-secondary education.

Application Timeline: January 6 - March 7, 2025.

More information: https://www.lcps.org/o/doss/page/campus

If you are interested in joining AVID, please use this link to apply: https://forms.gle/78JTs9h8hB6iFmgf7

High School and Middle School students observing Ramadan can request a "to-go" meal from the lunch cashier during their regular meal period. Or, parents/guardians can request a to-go meal on behalf of their student by contacting the school cafeteria manager before the lunch service. (If parents/guardians choose this option, they must ensure they receive an acknowledgment of the request.) At the end of the school day, students who requested to-go meals can pick them up in the school cafeteria from School Nutrition Services (SNS) staff.

New for this spring, the Virginia Department of Education received USDA approval for a special waiver, enabling schools to offer meals in more flexible ways during Ramadan 2025. This waiver allows LCPS to serve meals outside regular times, in non-group settings, and without certain usual requirements, to better support children observing Ramadan. SNS will provide this option to middle and high school students observing Ramadan from February 28 to March 28, 2025, allowing them to take their meals to go instead of eating at school. LCPS is participating in this program to help ensure that all students have access to nutritious meals while respecting their religious fasting practices.

Important dates and times have been posted on the Senior Class Schoology Page and Senior Class Website. Please note, there are two Graduation Practice dates. Senior's last day June 5th and Friday, June 13th at 10:00, graduation day. THESE ARE MANDATORY!!!!

Please check your Senior Class page and Schoology page and calendar for updates.

This FREE program for current high school juniors and seniors provides students an opportunity to explore Engineering Technology, Data Center Operations, Information Technology, and Computer Science through hands-on activities and industry site visits throughout the summer. Students will be introduced to NOVA's campuses, learn more about student services and financial aid, and have opportunities to do coursework for college credit or an industry certification. Students who complete all required components of the program may be eligible for a $200 stipend. Application deadline is Sunday March 9th. Information Sessions available for those interested in learning more. Apply online at: https://form.jotform.com/novasystemic/2025-bridge-application.

This program at Virginia Tech supports first-generation students and their families from high school to an engineering degree. It offers pre-college activities and ongoing support during their undergraduate studies. Application closes on March 1, 2025.

Eligibility: Only students living in the State of Virginia who did not have either parent graduate from a four-year degree or equivalent degree in an any country are eligible to apply to the Pathways Program.

https://admit.vt.edu/register/Pathways2025

Paid Summer CS Internship Program

Black Engineering Excellence at Virginia Tech (BEE VT) is a two-week summer, residential, program at our main campus in Blacksburg, Virginia for rising junior and senior high school students. It offers an opportunity to explore the many facets of engineering while also learning about college life--from residence halls to classrooms and everything in-between. The program curriculum places special emphasis on supporting and encouraging Black/African American students to pursue careers in engineering.

BEE VT will be held Sunday, July 13 – Saturday, July 26, 2025.
Applications for 2025 are open.
Applications Close: Sunday, March 23, 2025
Notification of Decision: Friday, April 4, 2025

https://eng.vt.edu/ceed/ceed-pre-college-programs/BEEVT.html

The LCPS Mental Health and Resources website offers comprehensive mental health services, support and resources provided by our Unified Mental Health Teams (counselors, psychologists, social workers, school nurses, and student assistance specialists) who can assist and direct families to the right level of services or interventions.

Available information includes:

• How to contact your school’s Unified Mental Health Team
• Resources for parents
• Suicide prevention resources
• LCPS mental and behavioral health services
• Substance use prevention and intervention services
• Resources for families of LGBTQ+ students and families
• Community resources

To access the mental health website created by the Department of Student Services, please visit: www.lcps.org/MentalHealthServices

Opportunities in Loudoun County Government

• Advisory Boards, Commissions and Committees
• Animal Services
• Elections and Voter Registration
• Fire and Rescue
• Loudoun County Public Library
• Medical Reserve Corps
• Parks, Recreation and Community Services

Opportunities in the Community

• Keep Loudoun Beautiful
• Loudoun Hunger Relief

• American Red Cross needs volunteers to greet donors at blood drives and offer reading materials and refreshments. One-hour training sessions. Call 800-272-0094, Ext. 1, or email karlofft@usa.redcross.org.
  
  
• Ball’s Bluff Battlefield needs tour guides and help with maintenance and landscaping. Call 703-779-9372 or email jlewis@nvrpa.org. Guides are needed for tours of the historic site. The Northern Virginia Park Authority will train volunteers. email templehallfarm@nvrpa.org.
  
  
• Blossom and Bloom Thrift Shop needs volunteers Tuesdays through Saturdays. Two three-hour shifts are available: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. The shop benefits ECHO and the Arc of Loudoun. 703-777-3286.
  
  
• Blue Ridge Hospice Thrift Shop volunteers assist with receiving, sorting, tagging, and displaying donated items, as well as assisting customers. More information at https://brhospice.org/ways-to-engage/volunteer/
  
  
• Capital Caring Hospice needs volunteers to provide support to patients and families. Read aloud, run errands, provide moral support or help in the office. Training is provided. Quilters, artists, musicians, photographers, lawyers, notaries, cosmetologists and massage therapists are also needed. Call 703-957-1785 or email rweaver@capitalcaring.org.
  
  
• Homeless Animals Rescue Team needs volunteers 13 and older to hold cats at its adoption events, Sundays from noon to 3 p.m. at PetSmart, 46220 Potomac Run Plaza, Sterling. Those 15 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Call 703-444-6500 or go to hart90.org.
  
  
• Loudoun Cares is an organization that is designed to connect the citizens of Loudoun County with an unlimited amount of volunteer opportunities in the area. Through the Loudoun Cares Volunteer Center website, teens can find and sign up for volunteer opportunities that interest them, help those in need, and track their service hours to receive recognition. More information at https://volunteer.loudouncares.org/
  
  
• Loudoun County Animal Shelter Volunteer Program opens monthly for new volunteers to sign up. The sign-up link opens on the 1st of the month and stays open for 48 hours or until all spots have been taken for the month. More information at https://www.loudoun.gov/646/Volunteer
  
  
• Loudoun County Department of Parks and Recreation needs high school students to help at community centers. Go to loudoun.gov/teenvolunteers.
  
  
• Loudoun County Special Olympics Council needs volunteers. Call 703-777-0438 or email caitlin.marcotte@loudoun.gov.
  
  
• Loudoun Therapeutic Riding needs help with students and horses. Training is provided. Experienced horse handlers are also needed. Call 703-771-2689, Ext. 6630, or email volunteer@ltrf.org.
  
  
• Loudoun Volunteer Caregivers

  Loudoun Volunteer Caregivers is a nonprofit charity that assists elderly and disabled adults across the county. The Student Caregiver program is offered to students age 12-18 and enables students to volunteer in group projects and teams of 2 to 4 students with one vetted adult volunteer (usually a parent or teacher). Student Caregiver teams are then set-up with an individual care receiver who is seeking supportive services from LVC. Services may include: shopping, walking, playing games, light housekeeping, reading, or yard work. More information at https://lvcaregivers.org/volunteers/.

  
  
• Women Giving Back welcomes volunteers of all skill levels to contribute their time and talents, supporting local women as they gain the strength, stability, and confidence they need to rebuild their lives. There are many ways to volunteer. More information at https://womengivingback.org/volunteer/.

This step by step guide to follow on how to find the right location in SchooLinks for entering information. Only a Student logins will allow access to enter hours; parent logins do not allow for entries.

• March 12 - 8th Grade Expo (9:30AM-12:10PM)
• March 31 - Holiday (Eid al Fitr)
  
  
• April 3 - End of 3rd Quarter
• April 3-6 - Addams Family Play
• April 4-April 7 - Student Holidays (Teacher Workday/Professional Learning Day)
• April 9 - College Planning Night
• April 10 - EL Family Night
• April 14-18 - Holidays (Spring Break)
• April 26 - Prom
  
  
• May 1 - College Decision Day
• May 5-16 - AP exams
• May 19 - 23 - SOLs
• May 26 - Holiday (Memorial Day)
  
  
• June 4 - Senior Award Ceremony
• June 4 - Last Day for Seniors
• June 13 - Class of 2025 Graduation (7:00PM @ Tuscarora)
• June 13 - Last Day of School

Mrs. Jennifer Reed, Director of School Counseling

Ms. Tracy Mandina, School Counselor A-Chap and AVID 4

Mrs. Angela Barley, School Counselor Char-Gol and AVID 3

Mr. Isaac Galloway, School Counselor Gom-Loo and AVID 2

Mr. John Han, School Counselor, Lop-Op and CAMPUS

Ms. Megan Beardsley, School Counselor Or-Sc

Mrs. Alison Cannon, School Counselor Se-Z and AVID 1

Ms. Omega Smith, School Social Worker

Ms. Sa'Mone Moore, School Psychologist

Mrs. Jazlynn Moody, Student Assistance Specialist

Mr. Michael Newkirk, Career Center Specialist

Mrs. Michelle Vocke, School Registrar

Mrs. Maral Amado, School Counseling Admin. Assistant

Phone: 571-252-1907

Instagram: @tuscaroracounseling

X (formerly Twitter): @husky_counselor

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