- Sterling Elementary School
- Parent Information Letters
Schoolinks Parent Letters
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2023-2024
To K-4th Grade Parents and Guardians:
As part of a comprehensive school counseling program, Loudoun County Public Schools, School Counselors deliver developmentally appropriate curriculum and instruction to support student success. The three main areas of focus are academic, social-emotional, and college and career readiness. Beginning in February, we will focus on college and career readiness for roughly three lessons. This is an exciting time for students as they get to explore the world of work. In each grade level, students will have unique opportunities to explore developmentally appropriate activities and lessons designed to engage students in career exposure and exploration. The lessons will be completed through the SchooLinks platform which families have access to view on LCPS Go. If you would like to learn more about the SchooLinks platform, please visit https://www.lcps.org/schoolinks.
According to the VDOE Standards of Learning for School Counseling Programs in Virginia Public Schools, Students in grade K-5 will:
● understand the concepts of job and career,
● understand that behaviors such as punctuality, courtesy, proper dress and proper language are essential to current and future success,
● understand the relationship of individual effort, hard work and persistence to achievement,
● understand the importance of teamwork in working towards a common goal, ● demonstrate the decision making process,
● demonstrate goal setting,
● recognize the benefits of both individual initiative and teamwork,
● recognize that the changing workplace requires lifelong learning,
● identify hobbies and interests, and
● identify career choices through exploration.
Beginning in the elementary school years, students will also begin the development of an Academic and Career Plan Portfolio (ACPP). Students will explore the different occupations associated with career clusters and explore information about interests, values such as dependability and responsibility, and skills supporting decisions about their future interests and goals. Each year, students will create a developmentally appropriate artifact for this portfolio. We know that students' interests and skills will likely change over time, however, the goal is to help elementary school students begin to think about the future. The ACPP documentation will be stored on SchooLinks.
To learn more about the VDOE Academic and Career Plans, please visit Virginia Department of Education
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your student’s school counselor.
Best regards,
Christina Redlin and Alissa Westrick
School Counselors
2023-2024
To 5th Grade Parents and Guardians:
Your student is creating an Academic and Career Plan Portfolio (ACPP). This is an exciting milestone in his/her primary school journey in Loudoun County Public Schools. This portfolio will be created with the support of their elementary school counselor. Students will be asked to consider their interests and abilities as they relate to the world of work. Your student will have the opportunity to explore information and resources about various careers. Your student will update the Academic and Career Plan Portfolio throughout their elementary experience. This document is accessible by your student through SchooLinks. We know that abilities and interests will likely change over time. However, the goal is to help elementary school students begin to think about the future.
Elementary School Counselors will facilitate student completion in the sections of the ACPP titled: Introduction to Careers, Career Interest Inventory, SMART Goals, Supplemental Career Interest Inventory, Career Cluster Activity, and Resume. These sections will be completed during classroom counseling lessons. We encourage you to review your child’s ACPP in SchooLinks. Parents/guardians will have access to the platform through ParentVUE to review the ACPP.
We ask that you talk with your student and review their Academic and Career Plan Portfolio. We ask that you sign and indicate your acknowledgement of the Academic and Career Plan Portfolio through SchooLinks.
In our effort to assist you with supporting your student’s career exploration, here are some resources that are recommended:
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SchooLinks https://www.lcps.org/schoolinks
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Virginia Department of Education https://www.doe.virginia.gov/parents-students/for-students/graduation/graduation-requirement-resources/academic-career-plan
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Virginia Wizard https://www.vawizard.org/wizard/home
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your student’s school counselor.
Best regards,
Alissa Westrick
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