School Counselors

As an elementary school counselor, their primary objective is to assist students in reaching their potential to become effective learners. Their goal is to complement the learning environment in the classroom by using a child-centered, preventative, and developmental approach.

Counseling will be conducted with students individually and in small groups, when requested by parents and teachers and determined appropriate. This service is short-term, voluntary, and confidential. Parent notification is given to any extended individual or group counseling. There will also be monthly classroom guidance lessons focusing on student success.

Please do not hesitate to contact our amazing school counselor.

School Psychology Services

School psychologists are mental health specialists with knowledge of child development, the psychology of learning, behavior management and intervention, monitoring the progress of students, and program evaluation. School psychologists apply this knowledge using a problem-solving approach to help bring about positive changes in the learning environment, attitude, and motivation. Services offered by the school psychologist may be provided directly to the student or indirectly by working with teachers, parents, and other care givers; however, all services provided by the school psychologist are intended to enhance the academic and social emotional success of students. Minimum requirements to be a school psychologist include a 60-hour master's degree program and a one-year full-time internship; many FCPS school psychologists hold doctoral degrees.

Learn about Michelle Scales

Experience: Before becoming a School Psychologist, she spent four years working as a Mental Health Specialist in a residential treatment center for children with severe emotional and behavioral challenges.  She has been a School Psychologist for 19 years, 3 ½ of which have been with FCPS.  She has also worked as a School Psychologist in IL, MI, OH, and CO. 

About Mrs. Scales: She has a son in 5^th grade and a daughter in 2^nd grade, who keep her very busy most days.  She loves to go for walks and generally doing things outside when she can.  She also loves to bake and do crafty things when she has the time.  She loves to ski and travel when she has the chance.

What she likes the most about working with our students: The students at SHES are so incredibly endearing and brave.  Even in their most challenging moments, she sees that they all want to do what is right, to feel successful and be accepted. She is regularly impressed by their resilience and determination, not to mention the humor and brightness they bring to each day.  It’s hard to pass a day without at least one student making her laugh. 

Social Work and Support Services

School social workers focus on family and community factors that influence learning. They provide intensive services for students facing issues that pose risks to their academic success such as parent divorce and separation, poverty, truancy, chronic illness, mental health problems, conduct problems, child abuse, etc.

All FCPS social workers hold a Master of Social Work (MSW) or Master of Social Science (MSS) degree; many have earned a Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) degree. All school social workers are licensed by the Virginia Department of Education. The majority of the staff is clinically licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Social Work (LCSW) or in other jurisdictions and trained to provide mental health services in any setting.

Learn about Ms. Kathy Lipp-Farr

Experience: She has been a social worker for 36 years – 12 years in FCPS, 15 years as a child-family therapist, 4 years as a medical social worker and 5 years as a refugee settlement social worker.

About Mrs. Lipp-Farr: She is married and has two wonderful young adult children. Her son will graduate from the University of Rhode Island this spring, and her daughter is doing social justice work. Her passion is traveling and learning about other cultures. The experience of traveling in Latin America was working in a refugee camp on the Cambodian border really changed her outlook on life.  She loves to write, and cares deeply about environmental issues.

What she likes the most about working with our students: Her favorite contribution at Sleepy Hollow has been serving our families who live in the Willston community, understanding the many stresses that impact their lives. She is grateful for working with our amazing team at Sleepy Hollow!