Student Services
Counseling
“For I know the plans I
have for you,” declares
the LORD, “plans to
prosper you and not to
harm you, plans to give
you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
Meet the Team
• Emily Sommer ext. 2403
– Domestic A-L
• Heather Churney ext. 2409
– Domestic M-Z
• Emily Krystowiak ext. 2405
– Counselor Specialist (Intervention)
• Sherrie Lah ext. 2406
– International Students
• LeighAnn Mertens ext. 2300
– Student Services Coordinator
Emily’s Role
• Attendance Intervention
– Note new policy
• Proactive with all Contact Students
• Special attention to identified “at-risk” students
• Hours
– Monday Afternoon
– All Day Tuesday/Thursday
• Programs
– Groups, SST, Referral System
LeighAnn’s Role
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School Blasts/Communication
Transcripts
Collect IVC/CUI/AP Money
Available to help manage questions and student
visits in the counseling office
• Princeton Review Contact
• Help with ECP and Dual Credit Programs
• Coordinate lunch college visits
Department Focus
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Academic
College/Career
Personal/Social
Spiritual
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and
not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
Academic
• Registration
– a-g eligibility
– NCAA eligibility
• Interventions
– Study Halls
– Tutors
– 6 week check ups
“With God’s power working in us, God can do much more than anything we
can ask for imagine” – Ephesians 3:20
College/Career
• Freshmen
– Fall – Freshmen Conferences one-on-one with your
counselor (student only)
– Fall – School-Wide Career Day
– October – Take the Explore test
– January – Explore Score Reporting Night
– February – Freshmen College Planning Night (makeup available)
College/Career
• Sophomores
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October – Take PSAT
Fall – School-Wide Career Day
January – PSAT Score Reporting Night
Winter/Spring – College Tours
March – Sophomore College Planning Night (make-up
available)
March – Take the PRA
March – Career Visitation Day (off campus)
April – National College Fair
Summer – Begin taking Princeton Review Classes
College/Career
• Juniors
– October – Take PSAT
– October – Junior College Planning Night (make-up
available)
– Fall – School-Wide Career Day
– Winter – Junior Conferences one-on-one with your
counselor (student and parent)
– January – PSAT Scoring Night
– Winter/Spring – College Tours
– April – National College Fairs
– May – Practice application/essay workshops
– Ongoing – Princeton Review refresher courses
College/Career
• Seniors
– September – Senior College Planning Night (make-up
available)
– Fall – Senior Conferences one-on-one with counselor
to help with applications, essays, letters of rec, etc.
– Fall – School-Wide Career Day
– January – College Financial Aid Night
– March – Community College Application Workshops
– Spring – Report acceptances and Financial Aid
Pepperdine – February 2012
UCLA – May 2012
Recommendation Letters
• Do use specific adjectives when
writing about a student.
• Do gather information from the student.
• Don’t make your letter longer than one page.
• Don’t use generic letters for recommendations.
• Don’t agree to write a letter with one day's
notice. Require two weeks minimum notice.
• Don’t report grades; these are on the student's
transcript.
Recommendation Letters
Deborah's high scores in biology have consistently placed her
in the top 5 percent of the class. In addition, her science-fair project
in marine biology demonstrated a high level of conceptual understanding
of a number of complex varieties of plant and animal life. All of this fits
well with Deborah's plan to earn an undergraduate degree, then a master's
and Ph.D., so that she can teach college-level biology while performing
research on sea urchins.
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The above sample is an effective recommendation. It points out:
Superior academic achievement.
Extracurricular activity involvement.
Outstanding personal qualities.
Participation in and dedication to a particular field.
The teacher's confidence in Deborah's abilities.
Personal/Social
• Our students often deal with difficult
situations
– We are not immune in a Christian school
– Deal with all situations from a Christian perspective
• Drop everything situations
– Can you think of an example?
“Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify
me.” –Psalm 50:15
Forms
• Referral Form
– We will send the link for you to fill out if you feel
there is a non-urgent matter that should be dealt
with
• Call Slips
– Each counselor has their own color
– Please give to students
Other
• Registration
• AP Testing
• Transcripts
– NCAA Eligibility
• College Visits/Fairs
• ECP/Dual Credit Classes
Bottom Line
• We have been called to this ministry
• Let us all use our talents and training to both
glorify God and impact our students in a positive
way
“Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set
an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in
purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12
Tips for Teachers
• Use us as a resource
• Please keep us in the loop regarding instances of
bullying, threats, etc.
• Don’t feel like you have to deal with situations
you are not prepared to deal with
We are excited to partner
with you in this ministry!
“Keep your eyes focuses on what is right, and look straight ahead to what is good”
– Proverbs 4:25