Dear Department of Student Services,
I hope this message finds you well and energized for the month ahead. As we continue our journey to provide exceptional support to every student, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for the unwavering commitment each of you demonstrates daily. Your dedication to fostering inclusive and enriching environments for all our learners is truly inspiring.
This month, we are excited to share several updates and initiatives aimed at enhancing student services across LCPS. From new professional development opportunities for staff to expanded resources for families, we remain focused on ensuring that every student has the support they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Please take some time to review the valuable information in this month’s DSS Digest, and as always, feel free to reach out with any thoughts or suggestions. Together, we are making a lasting difference in the lives of our students.
Thank you for your continued partnership and dedication to student success.
Warm regards,
Tedra L. Richardson
Assistant Superintendent, Student Services
Empowering Communication: A First-Grade Teacher’s Journey Through Coaching
Danielle Sullivan, a first-grade general education teacher at Countryside Elementary School, was one of several educators to complete a six-session Communication Partner Coaching experience, focused on increasing her abilities to teach language using augmentative/alternative communication (AAC). Through this coaching cycle, Ms. Sullivan practiced improving her skills at implementing a specific strategy used to model language using AAC to provide learners with more opportunities to experience specific vocabulary in meaningful ways. In addition, she incorporated AAC into whole group lessons, embraced AAC during literacy instruction, and advocated for a whole school professional development session for ALL Countryside staff to learn more about AAC. This experience highlights the power of intentional coaching in building inclusive learning environments where all students can communicate and thrive. Any staff member in LCPS can participate in this six-session coaching experience. To learn more about how to get started, contact the Specialized Instructional Facilitator - Assistive Technology or the Assistive Technology Specialist.
Learn more about what Ms. Sullivan had to say by experiencing the video titled A First-Grade Teacher’s Testimonial on Participating in Coaching.
Lightridge High School’s Exceptional Education and Unified Mental Health Team kicked off their first of four workshops for the 2024-2025 school year to support parents of students with disabilities. On September 10th, Lightridge hosted a parent workshop in the evening, “Unlocking Opportunities: Community Supports for Students with Disabilities.” Representatives from Loudoun County Developmental Services, Department of Aging & Rehabilitative Services, and the ALLY Advocacy Center (The Arc of Loudoun) presented to parents about resources available to their students and how to access them. Transition teacher, Telaya Dennis, and Exceptional Education Chair, Sara Brady, along with School Social Worker, Jennifer McLemore, and School Psychologist, Amy Stark, organized the event. The next workshop will be in November with a focus on supporting college-bound students with disabilities.
Shatter the Stigma 5K – Loudoun Strong
Student Mental Health Services cohosted the first ever, Shatter the Stigma 5K – Loudoun Strong at Morven Park on September 14th. The focus of the day was to raise awareness about substance use disorders, break down the barriers of stigma, and foster hope.
Loudoun County Mental Health Developmental Services, Prevention Alliance of Loudoun, Insight into Action Therapy, Sandstone Care, Serenity House, and The Chris Atwood Foundation were the community partners who helped make this memorable day happen. Over 40 student volunteers and over 100 participants were in attendance. Team Grey (in memory of Grey Mazich) had over 36 team members and they raised close to 10k for Shatterproof. Team Connor (in memory of Connor Calderwood) raised over 2k for Shatterproof and they had the largest team with over 45. Loudoun County High School won the trophy for the most participants with their runners, volunteers, and Cheer Team!
Josue Arias: A Story Of Success Despite the Challenges of Life and Circumstance
Park View High School student, Josue Arias found himself in a life he had never imagined having to survive instead of live. At age 10, he experienced the grief and loss of his mother due to cancer. Unable to cope with losing his children’s mother, his father made poor choices and was not present for him and his brothers financially, emotionally, and physically. This resulted in Josue being on the streets of Loudoun County most nights for the last several years.
In November of 2023, Josue was arrested and placed behind bars at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center. This is when he met LCPS employee Christina Schmitt, Special Education Dean of non-traditional schools who inquired whether he was interested in receiving educational services. Josue shared that he was interested in finishing school as he only had 5 more credits left to graduate. Ms. Schmitt worked quickly and collaboratively with Park View High School Special Education Dean, Jackie Schmetzer, Special Education Supervisor, Ashleigh Spiegel, and the general education teacher Senor Hemil Linares Garcia to update his IEP so instruction could begin. Josue began receiving instruction in English 12 and Biology.
On January 4, 2024, Josue was released from jail and did not return to Park View and did not have a plan. He returned to what he had known to survive, which was returning to the streets. Thirty-four days later on February 7, 2024, Josue Arias found himself back at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center, but this time with three felony charges; one which could levy 20 years over his life. Again, Ms. Schmitt showed up asking if he was interested in school. Josue said, “yes.” Coursework continued and behind the scenes, Ms. Schmitt recognized that there was a greater need for students in non traditional placements that also receive services through an Individualized Education Program(IEP). With a strong background in behavior, she knew she could not expect a different outcome if behaviors weren’t changed. Passionate for student success, Ms. Schmitt decided that a road map with personalized goals specific to student needs is what is required and needed to exist for adult learners re-entering society. This would set them up for a new life upon re-entering society. Ms. Schmitt began building relationships with local non-profit organizations such as the Chris Atwood Foundation, Serenity House, Mobile Hope, and Cornerstone Chapel, to name a few. She explained to each organization how they could support to LCPS students with a disability in getting to the finish line and graduating. Partnerships were fostered and through countless hours behind the scenes it became evident that our LCPS students would now have support that they desperately needed upon re-entry.
As a result of Ms. Schmitt's recognition of the need to establish those instrumental community partnerships to support students like Josue, he would now know what to do when the jail doors opened this time. Josue desired more for himself than what his life had been. Ms. Schmitt had involved him in the development of his road map for entry, empowering him by allowing him to take personal ownership in this transition. Josue's new path started when he was given the opportunity to leave, which had been rehearsed behind bars countless times at the end of his instructional sessions. When Josue was unexpectedly released on July 18, 2024, he decided to use the tools given to him and chose to follow the road map Ms. Schmitt developed with him.
Josue now has an address, a place to call home, which has not been his reality for the last four years. Additionally, he has an identification card, medical insurance pending, and a bank account. He attends his Narcotics Anonymous meetings and has been drug free for seven months, has a sponsor, been able to meet new people that are healthy, and volunteered at Mobile Hope giving over 162.5 hours of service. He has led a team of people on the community bus runs, translated for Mobile Hope staff and has been a station leader for the Big Back to School Bash. Josue has been able to reconnect with one of his brothers, and a niece and nephew. He continues to attend school each week and is scheduled to graduate in December. He is learning what “adulting” is like while continuing to search for employment. Josue shared, that he did not believe this would have happened if it wasn’t for Ms. Schmitt.
"She met me where I was in my life free from judgments, listened intently through a phone and glass window, believed in me and gave me hope, created structures and opportunities so I could have a second chance and even showed up with a bag of clothes with hygiene items and bedding as I had nothing. She has coached me every step allowing me to begin very slowly starting trust others, though I am still very cautious." (Josue Arias)
In closing, Josue is currently working on a reform bill as part of his government class and will be going in front of legislation in the coming months to present his bill based on his own personal experience. Josue has been selected to be the opening keynote speaker for the Virginia Department of Educators Conference this coming February along with Ms. Schmitt who will be speaking on the importance of establishing a road map to stabilization for re-entry through education and community partnerships. None of this would have happened if it wasn’t for an LCPS staff recognizing a need, amazing Loudoun County community organizations and a student who desires to get to graduate, never to return to a broken system.
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.
Behavioral Threat Assessment & Management (BTAM)
Behavioral Threat Assessment & Management (BTAM), sometimes shortened to just "Threat Assessment", is a behavioral approach to violence prevention that focuses on targeted threats before they escalate into violent behavior. Threat assessment teams use a problem-solving approach to evaluate the risk of violence posed by someone and intervene and resolve the issues that underlie threatening behavior.
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.
Diagnostic & Prevention Services
Educational Diagnostic Services
Sarah Fowler, Supervisor
Jennifer Laible, Lead Educational Diagnostician
Who are Educational Diagnosticians?
Educational diagnosticians are specialists who are knowledgeable about academic assessment and prescriptive teaching approaches. They collaborate with teachers, parents, and other professionals to help diagnose student learning problems, identify their educational needs, and develop instructional interventions to remediate skill weaknesses and evaluate student progress.
What services do Educational Diagnosticians provide?
- Educational Evaluations: Educational Diagnosticians administer educational diagnostic evaluations to comprehensively assess the academic functioning and educational needs of students suspected of having educational disabilities, write comprehensive educational reports, and hold parent conferences to explain and interpret results and findings.
Academic Consultation: Educational Diagnosticians collaborate with school administration, instructional staff, and parents to enhance the academic achievement of students, providing academic consultation support to school staff and intervention teams.
- Referral Review Team: Educational Diagnosticians serve as a member of school teams to review records and other performance evidence to assist in determining whether a student is suspected of having an educational disability and in need of an evaluation.
- Eligibility Team: Educational Diagnosticians present educational evaluation findings and assist the eligibility team in determining whether a child qualifies for special education or Section 504 services.
What are some facts about Educational Diagnosticians in LCPS?
Every school in the division has an assigned educational diagnostician. Each diagnostician typically serves three to four schools within a geographical cluster.
Educational diagnosticians are experienced special education teachers typically with master's degrees in special education or a related field emphasizing instruction, assessment, and learning theory.
Educational diagnosticians are licensed as teachers by the Virginia Department of Education. Some LCPS educational diagnosticians are also credentialed as Nationally Certified Educational Diagnosticians (NCED).
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.
Outreach Services
Sarah Boies, M.S., Supervisor
The Office of Outreach Services supports the family liaisons at each school, interpreters, and the Community School Initiative. Our office works closely with school staff, community partners, business partners and other stakeholders. Our goal is to connect students and families to the school community, and identify tools and resources that will help all students achieve educational success.
Parent Resource Services
Leanne Kidwell, Educator
Parent Resource Services (PRS) is committed to positive relationships among parents, schools and communities. PRS assists families with questions and planning as well as provides resources and training.
Special Education Parent Series (English/ Spanish)
Mental Health & Wellness Parent Series(English)
Preschool Child Find
The Preschool Child Find office determines whether preschool-age children (2 through 5 years old) have an educational disability and require special education services.
If you have concerns about your preschool-age child and think they may need special education services...
Please complete the LCPS Preschool Child Find Multi-Purpose Referral Form
OR call 571-252-2180
OR email preschoolchildfind@lcps.org to request an appointment with the Preschool Child Find office.
Section 504 Services
The purpose of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, is designed to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability in any program or activity offered by Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS). Policy 8030 requires that no student shall, on the basis of a disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity.
The LCPS procedures related to Section 504 identification, evaluation, placement, discipline, procedural safeguards, grievance procedures, and impartial hearings are outlined in the LCPS Section 504 Procedure Manual.
As a resource, parents and families may access the Parent and Educator Resource Guide to Section 504 in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools developed by the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights. This guide helps parents of students with disabilities and members of the community understand the obligations and requirements of Section 504.
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.
Student Health Services
Jeannie Kloman, BSN, RN - Supervisor
Our Vision: We support a safe, healthy and inclusive learning environment so that every student can make meaningful contributions to the world.
Our Mission: Our mission is to foster the growth, development, and educational achievement of all students by advocating and promoting health and wellness in a safe and supportive environment. We are committed to meeting the health needs of all students through the effective utilization of resources, planning and collaboration with families, school staff, community partners and health care providers.
All Rising 7th and 12th grade students are required to have immunizations before the start of the school year. The Loudoun County Health Department is providing the required immunizations at no cost to families.
Student Assistance Services
Darren Madison, LCSW - Supervisor
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.
