May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Please join with us in celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month in May. We especially encourage participation in Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day on Wednesday, May 9, 2012. School personnel are aware of the importance of good physical and mental health for effective learning.

School nurses, school psychologists, school counselors and school social workers are in an ideal position to assist parents, school leadership and staff in understanding the protective and risk factors related to good mental health. Creating the safest and friendliest school environment possible, promoting child resilience, ensuring a well-ordered and functioning school crisis team, and highlighting the importance of good health and physical education practices are all ways that our schools are acting proactively toward promoting mental health. We encourage you to read the Spring Edition of the School Psychology Newsletter for topics that may be of interest to you.

Our mental health staff includes: Liz Moran, School Social Worker; Beverly Parker-Lewis, School Psychologist and Diane Woolheater, School Psychologist.  Please contact them if you have concerns or questions.

“Saying Farewell—Transitioning from High School to College” 
A Program for College-Bound Seniors and Their Parents                             
Date:  May 31, 2012
Time:  7 pm
Place:  Lecture Hall at HHS
Seniors and parents should plan to attend this program together!

" This program was excellent, way better than I thought it could be. It didn't go too long. It provoked thought. It was lighthearted yet allowed for the fears and questions we are all facing. Most importantly, it provided a forum for parents and kids to realize that this is a nearly universal source of anxiety, and that we will all get through it! An added bonus was that it opened a small window for discussion in the car on the way home.   Vital, in this time when kids are pulling away. Thanks so much for putting this program on.”  Jane Auker, parent 2010

Each fall, about 2.2 million American teenagers leave home for the first time to enroll in college.  As common and as exciting as this milestone can be for families, most will tell you that preparing a child to leave for college can be a wrenching experience.  The Student Services Department invites seniors and their parents to attend an interactive and enjoyable program that not only will help you explore the excitement and fears associated with making the transition from high school to college, but will also provide you with insight as to how to make the transition easier and more positive. 

2012 Hornet Yearbook Orders
Don’t forget to purchase a yearbook!  The deadline to purchase a book online and to pay by credit card is May 5th.  On May 1 the price will increase and you will no longer be able to pre-purchase a yearbook or pay by credit card.  To order a book now, please visit www.yearbookordercenter.com and use order number 8967.

To order from home and to pay by credit card or eCheck: Call toll-free 1.866.287.3096 or go to www.yearbookordercenter.com and use order number 8967. Or print out an order form here and mail a check directly to the yearbook publisher, Herff Jones.

To check to see if you have already ordered a book (as of April 24th) please click here

Attention Parents, Students, Alumni and Community Members
HHS Athletics is lauching a Twitter Account. Keep up-to-date on scheduled sporting events, scores and much,much more. Become a follower today @herndonsports.

Traffic Safety Program
The State of Virginia is requiring all 10th grade students and their parent/guardian to attend a 90 minute traffic safety program as part of the classroom driver education instruction. This requirement must be met before a student can receive a Driver Education Certificate of completion (DEC-1 card). This is a law in the State of Virginia and is currently in effect. The program will be offered at Herndon High School on October 12, December 14, March 7, May 9, and June 11. Please click here for detail information.

Preregistration Required:
Please note students not currently enrolled in Fairfax County Public School’s grade 10 health and physical education, including FCPS students in grade 11, homeschooled students, private school students, and students from other school divisions who plan to attend a Partners for SafeTeen Driving presentation at an FCPS high school with a parent/guardian must preregister for the class. Families must be registered a minimum of 10 business days prior to the presentation. The registration form and payment should be mailed to: Carrie Reynolds, Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax Ridge – 3160, 3877 Fairfax Ridge Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030. Registration forms and payment will not be accepted at local schools.

Volunteers Needed
Looking for a few parent volunteers to work in the Indoor Concessions stand, selling snacks after school.  Open shifts are for every other Tuesday or Wednesday from 1:45 ­ 3:15 PM through the school year.  Interested?  Contact Lani Shelton at lsshelton@aol.com.