Counseling services and guidance programs are vital components of the educational process. They enable students to assess their needs, recognize their abilities, and formulate strategies to achieve their potential. Guidance services are available to all students, parents and school staff in a variety of ways, and are developmental, preventative and remedial in nature.
The school counselors are all certified professionals trained in counseling theory and clinical skills adapted to the school setting. School counselors guide students to self-awareness so that they can make sound decisions and become responsible, productive, life-long learners. First and foremost, school counselors are advocates for their students. In addition, the school counselors assume a variety of roles, which most often fall under one of three primary roles: counselor, consultant, and facilitator.
The primary role of the high school counselor is to implement a guidance program that will help all students acquire the skills in the educational, social and career areas necessary for success in our society. At this level, students become aware of the world of careers, post-secondary education and life-styles.
Specific Functions
- Coordinate four year course selection and planning
- Coordinate course changes
- Review and maintain all records, report cards, progress reports and test scores
- Monitor students’ progress throughout the four years
- Communicate with parents, students and teachers regarding academic status
- Coordinate parent/teacher conferences as necessary
- Attend special education meetings
- Conduct group guidance activities in all four years
- Initiate post high school planning – beginning in 11th grade and continuing in 12th grade
- Write college recommendations
- Read and complete all college applications
- Arrange and post college representative visits to the high school
- Distribute scholarship information
- Make financial aid material available to parents
- Distribute and interpret PSAT results
- Interpret SATI / SATII results
- Administer untimed SAT’s
- Coordinate the following: Career panel presentations, WNY Consortium of Colleges, Jesuit college visitation, Financial Aid Night,
The counseling program seeks to implement strategies and activities to support and enable students to experience academic success, maximize learning through commitment, and be prepared for opportunities after high school. This area includes acquisition of skills in decision making, problem solving and goal setting, reasoning and interpersonal communication, and the application of these to academic achievement. The school counseling program strives to engage all members of our community to achieve success in school.
Faculty
Mr. David Kash - Chair | Mrs. Kristin Smith | Ms. Tracy Cotter | Mr. Michael Thoin |
