Guidance Department Happenings

Kimberly Cowell
Assistant Principal

The entire Guidance Department is hopping! There is much to be done, and not much time to do it. Every year fall is particularly busy as we assist seniors with college packets and support students who have had a rough start to the school year. These are our two biggest priorities at present, and this year we're being greatly impacted by almost double the number of early decision packets (over 150), which means guidance counselors are writing twice the number of recommendation letters, averaging 25 per counselor. Writing a thoughtful, well-conceived letter takes time, and so does the hour appointment with each senior on the counselor's caseload. Doing a thorough follow-up with struggling students, who need an attentive listener and the requisite parent contact, sometimes multiple contacts, is work that also takes care and time. All guidance counselors are reviewing the Warning Notice list and calling in students who are failing or have a "D" in multiple classes. Moreover, we’re still doing significant follow-up with students with mental health concerns. Finally, the e-mail traffic has been flying! All of us are receiving far more e-mails than can be answered in a day (3 times as many) - and they just keep coming.

We need your help!
We're asking parents to understand that it may take 72 hours to reply to your e-mail. Also, please do not drop in to see your child's counselor without an appointment. While it may "only take a minute," in truth, it usually doesn't and these kinds of drop-ins are occurring many times a day for EACH counselor. Please hold off on making appointments that are basically informational in nature until after Thanksgiving. The load will then be lifted (for the most part), and the meeting you have with your child's guidance counselor will then be more productive. The guidance counselor will be able to be fully attentive during the meeting with you and your student, and engage in meaningful planning and problem-solving.

If your child has a "D" or "F" in one class, please contact the teacher of that course directly. You don't need to contact the guidance counselor unless the problem persists.

Here's the exception: If your child is experiencing significant emotional and/or academic difficulties, then your student's guidance counselor does want to hear your concerns. Please be sure to contact the teachers of the courses that are problematic as well.

To provide the best service to those most in need or who may be on a deadline, we ask that parents support the Guidance Department by refraining from dropping in or making appointments at this time about matters that can wait until the fall madness is over!