The start of the school year is just around the corner, and we are very excited to return to school and be together. The health and well-being of our community remains paramount, and James River will continue to follow public health guidance from the CDC and state and local health agencies. We all have the same goal: to have safe, healthy, and happy in-person learning with community expectations for mask wearing, social distancing, hand washing, and other healthy practices.
As part of our Reopening Plan that safeguards the physical health and emotional well-being of our entire community, we have taken steps to ensure that we meet the needs of our students. We have hired two health and wellness professionals, a school nurse and a school counselor.
school nurse photo
I am pleased to announce that we have hired Meagen Mace, R.N. as our full-time school nurse. Meagen earned her R.N. through the Lynchburg General Hospital School of Nursing and has more than 10 years of nursing experience. Among her many areas of expertise are: staff training and development, policy/procedure development, food allergies/asthma, electronic health and medication records, and disease/case management. She will be available to provide students with healthcare services throughout the school day.
school counselor's photo
I am equally excited that we have hired Amber Freeman, M.Ed., as our school counselor. Amber received a BA with majors in both psychology and cognitive science from the University of Virginia, a Masters of Education in school counseling from the University of Lynchburg, and has completed postgraduate coursework in play therapy through Virginia Commonwealth University. She has worked as a school counselor and school-based mental health counselor since 2009. Amber will be available to students in person during the school week to support them as they manage the unusual and challenging demands of this unique time and situation. Amber and her family are returning to Lynchburg where she grew up.
school nurse photo
I am pleased to announce that we have hired Meagen Mace, R.N. as our full-time school nurse. Meagen earned her R.N. through the Lynchburg General Hospital School of Nursing and has more than 10 years of nursing experience. Among her many areas of expertise are: staff training and development, policy/procedure development, food allergies/asthma, electronic health and medication records, and disease/case management. She will be available to provide students with healthcare services throughout the school day.
school counselor's photo
I am equally excited that we have hired Amber Freeman, M.Ed., as our school counselor. Amber received a BA with majors in both psychology and cognitive science from the University of Virginia, a Masters of Education in school counseling from the University of Lynchburg, and has completed postgraduate coursework in play therapy through Virginia Commonwealth University. She has worked as a school counselor and school-based mental health counselor since 2009. Amber will be available to students in person during the school week to support them as they manage the unusual and challenging demands of this unique time and situation. Amber and her family are returning to Lynchburg where she grew up.
Just as we are committed to developing and maintaining services that support the health and well-being of all students, James River will continue to provide an exceptional education, provided by our dedicated and talented faculty and staff. A separate message announcing other new faculty and staff members is forthcoming.
Please enjoy the rest of your summer. We look forward to welcoming students on August 26! As always, please reach out with any questions or concerns.