Fall 2024 Newsletter
Prioritizing Safety and Well-Being: Professional Development at PHILLIPS
In September, our staff participated in various professional development sessions to better serve and protect our students. Training included Mental Health First Aid and ALICE (Active Assailant Training), designed to equip our team with the tools needed to respond effectively to emergencies. Mental Health First Aid focused on recognizing and responding to signs of mental health crises, while the ALICE training prepared our staff to manage potential safety threats.
At PHILLIPS, we prioritize creating a safe, supportive environment for every student. By investing in the continuous development of our staff, we ensure that we can provide the highest level of care and security for the students and families we serve! We are committed to staying proactive and prepared, and these trainings are just one of the many ways we support the well-being of our community.
Annandale’s Book Fair: Support Our Students and Teachers!
It’s that time of year again— Book Fair time at PHILLIPS School ~ Annandale! Our Book Fair is more than just a chance for students to pick up new books… It's an opportunity for them to discover the joys of reading and develop their literacy skills, both of which are crucial for academic and personal success. The excitement around the fair encourages a love for reading and ensures that our students can access quality and engaging materials that can spark their imagination.
But we need your help to make this year’s Book Fair even better! This year, in addition to providing books for our students, we are encouraging our community to support our teachers by donating to their classroom wish lists. Teachers at PHILLIPS have curated special wish lists filled with books and educational resources that will directly benefit our students and improve the learning experience. Whether it's stocking classroom libraries or providing materials for enriching activities, your support will directly impact our students' learning environments. Visit our donation page here to contribute to our classroom wish lists and help build a brighter future for our students through the power of reading!
Welcoming Zachary Haney as Our New Executive Director of Programs
We are excited to announce the appointment of Zachary Haney as the new Executive Director of Programs at PHILLIPS. With nearly two decades of experience in educational leadership, Zachary brings extensive expertise in special education, program development, and school transformation. ADD: This is a new position at PHILLIPS and directly supports the day-to-day operations of our four campuses.
Zachary's leadership has always been marked by a commitment to improving educational outcomes for students with unique needs. From his role at the Center for Autism and Related Disorders to his work as Principal of Smithfield High School, where he introduced innovative strategies such as project-based learning and vocational training programs, Zachary has consistently driven meaningful change.
With advanced degrees in Educational Leadership and ongoing doctoral studies, Zachary remains at the forefront of education research, particularly in areas such as staff retention and instructional innovation. As he steps into his new role at PHILLIPS, we are confident that his vision and dedication will further strengthen our programs, ensuring our students continue to thrive.
We are thrilled to introduce Zachary Haney as the new Executive Director of Programs at PHILLIPS! With years of experience in educational leadership and a passion for empowering students, Zachary brings a wealth of knowledge and a fresh perspective to our team. His commitment to providing high-quality educational and behavioral support for students facing unique challenges aligns perfectly with the mission of PHILLIPS. Please join us in welcoming Zachary to the PHILLIPS community!
As he steps into this new role, Zachary will focus on strengthening our programs and further enhancing the personalized support we offer students and families. We are excited about the future under his leadership and look forward to seeing the continued positive impact on our students' lives. Please join us in welcoming Zachary to the PHILLIPS community!
Stay Connected: Check Your School Messenger
Communication is key to ensuring that our students and families are always informed and engaged with what’s happening at PHILLIPS. School Messenger is our primary tool for sending out important notifications, whether it’s about upcoming events, school closures, or urgent alerts. As we continue to grow and implement new programs, ensuring you’re connected and receiving all the latest updates from your child’s school is more important than ever.
If you aren’t receiving notifications through School Messenger, or if you’re unsure whether you’re set up to receive them, now is the perfect time to check! Log into your account or reach out to your campus office for assistance. Ensuring your contact details are up-to-date will help you stay informed about critical announcements, such as weather-related closures, event reminders, and emergency updates.
Staying connected through School Messenger also means you won’t miss out on the fun stuff! From exciting student achievements to upcoming events like school fairs and performances, we want our families to feel involved and part of the PHILLIPS community. If you need help setting up or troubleshooting School Messenger, don’t hesitate to contact your campus team.
October is Safety Month at PHILLIPS
Safety is more than just a priority at PHILLIPS Programs—it's a continuous commitment! During October's Safety Month, we focused on enhancing the security and well-being of our students, staff, and families. Throughout the month, we implemented several safety initiatives across all campuses, including fire drills, responses to emergencies, and updated safety protocols to ensure everyone is well-prepared for emergencies.
Our goal remains to create an environment where students feel safe and supported, allowing them to thrive academically and personally. We appreciate our families' active involvement in discussing safety measures at home and staying informed through School Messenger updates. Thank you for being a part of our mission to maintain a safe and thriving community for everyone at PHILLIPS!
The Power of Art Therapy: Meet Ellen Coplon, MPS, ATR-BC
We believe in the transformative power of individual expression. For many students, traditional verbal communication can be challenging. That’s where Ellen Coplon, our Art Therapist at PHILLIPS School ~ Fairfax, steps in. Ellen has dedicated her career to helping students communicate and process their emotions in a safe and creative space through art therapy.
We recently asked Ellen to share her insights and experiences about the role of art therapy at PHILLIPS and how it impacts our students. Below, we’re excited to share her thoughts in response to our questions:
Can you talk about the power of art therapy in your life and your work?
Art has always been a constant in my life from a young age that I wanted to find a way to have art as part of my career as well. The power of Art Therapy is the combination of verbal and visual approaches to access inner thoughts and feelings. My work allows me to help students who struggle with verbal expression create the skills to do so.
What are the benefits of art therapy for PHILLIPS students?
Art Therapy benefits PHILLIPS students as it helps them share and relay information about their needs or wants without using words. It also allows a sense of mastery when able to complete and communicate their artwork.
How do you individualize art therapy sessions for each of PHILLIPS students?
I individualize Art Therapy sessions based on their needs. One of the core values of PHILLIPS is Individualization. I try to form and shape sessions for the students I see based on their needs, and utilize sessions to specifically focus on what they are experiencing internally.
How can you learn about PHILLIPS students by reviewing their artistic creations?
A large part of Art Therapy is processing the image or creation. The processing allows the student to connect the artwork to what they are experiencing, either at home, school, or even internally. My job as an Art Therapist is to help students process the artwork and help build the relationship between the art and the person.
As you know, PHILLPS students all have unique perspectives. How would you support a student who is not interested in art therapy?
To do Art Therapy, someone does not need to like art. By focusing and implementing individualization into my work, I can holistically view the student. This allows me to help build connections with the student, and create trust to attempt basic art creations or directives.
What are some of the most significant ways art therapy helps PHILLIPS students deal with emotions?
Art Therapy allows PHILLIPS students to process emotions without verbalizing what can be uncomfortable. A majority of my work is helping students increase emotional regulation by improving their emotional language. It is important to learn how each student is able to verbalize their emotions, and those who struggle with the words can show it within the art.
In your experience, what can art express that words alone cannot?
Art can express the raw emotion the person feels. In my experience, people of all ages have difficulty expressing or sharing the deep feelings they experience, but with art, the emotions and internal experiences can be put into the image safely and without pressure.
October is Farm to School Month
October marks Farm to School Month, a time to celebrate the connection between schools, local farms, and healthy eating! We’re proud to highlight our commitment to this initiative, bolstered by last year’s Patrick Leahy Farm to School grant. This funding has enabled us to enhance our programs, providing students with hands-on experiences in gardening and nutrition.
At our Laurel campus, students continue to immerse themselves in hydroponic farming through the Growing Futures program, increasing their knowledge of nutrition, climate change, and the emerging industries that combat global challenges like food scarcity. These experiences not only teach where food comes from but also equip our students with valuable skills to make healthy choices and be part of the solution to one of the world’s most pressing challenges. Stay tuned for exciting activities and updates as we continue to grow together!
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
October is also National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a time to recognize the contributions of individuals with disabilities in the workforce. PHILLIPS is committed to preparing our students for future employment and the world of work through our Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, including culinary arts, hydroponic farming, building trades, and STEAM, as well as exposing them to the wider career cluster options available to them through our Career Partners program.
PHILLIPS has always provided pathways for students to gain valuable career and vocational experiences, but in 2014 we expanded these efforts by launching Career Partners. By reimagining the employment landscape for learners with behavioral health needs, our Career Partners program offers students targeted job experiences and provides future career awareness, hands-on life skill development, and opportunities for certifications.
For instance, Career Partners offers students authentic worksite experiences at community-based employers such as DSW, Alexandria City Public Libraries, Ft. Belvoir Commissary, and Embassy Suites. In these real-world settings, students develop essential professional skills like confidence, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities. Research shows that such workforce exposure not only improves job readiness but also fosters long-term career success.
Through the PHILLIPS ~ Laurel Growing Futures program, students immerse themselves in hydroponic farming at our Laurel campus. This program enhances their knowledge of nutrition, climate change, and sustainable agriculture. It equips them to contribute to emerging industries that combat climate change and solve our world's greatest challenge, addressing global food security challenges. This and our other Career Partners programs equip students with the necessary skills and credentials to pursue meaningful employment opportunities post-PHILLIPS.
We are proud of our students' progress and look forward to their continued success in breaking down barriers and achieving their career goals!
Thank You Crescent Cities Charities
We are immensely grateful to Crescent Cities Charities for their generous grants to PHILLIPS Programs and SpringForward Ventures. Their unwavering support empowers us to continue our mission of providing transformative educational experiences for our students and the workforce development initiatives of SpringForward. A special thank you to Steve Novak and Richard Lawson for believing in our vision and for making a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve. With their help, we are building a brighter future!
Celebrating School Breakfast Week
Earlier this month, we celebrated School Breakfast Week, highlighting the essential role a healthy breakfast plays in our students' success! With the support of SpringForward Feeds, our team prepares a healthy and delicious scratch-cooked breakfast every day, ensuring that our students start their mornings off right. For many of our students, breakfast at school is their first meal of the day, and statistics show that millions of children across the country go without breakfast.
At PHILLIPS, we know that a well-balanced breakfast not only fuels the body but also sharpens the mind, setting students up for a productive and focused school day. We are committed to ensuring that all of our students have access to the nutritious meals they need to thrive, knowing that proper nutrition is key to their academic and personal growth.
PHILLIPS Programs Spring Gala
Mark your calendars for the PHILLIPS Programs Spring Gala on April 5, 2025! Join us in making a lasting impact on the lives of our students across Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. This exciting event will provide an opportunity to support educational initiatives that empower students to succeed academically and personally. More details will be shared soon, but for now, save the date and prepare to be part of a meaningful celebration of student success and community support!