Guidance & Counseling Services Overview
Page last updated August 28, 2009 1:30 PM
Guidance Counselors
Freshmen and sophomores work with the principal at their school for scheduling and academic advising.
Juniors and Seniors work directly with their guidance counselors
as follows:
•
North IHS: Casey Tiemann
• Academy of Arts: Kelly McGhehey
• IDEAS: Kira Shrem & Joni Rynearson
Other Department Staff
Sandy Watkinson
Department and Career Center assistant
Liz Rommel
School-to-Career coordinator
Cal Coleman
Drug and alcohol counselor
Guidance Services
The Guidance & Counseling Department provides a comprehensive program of services and activities to all students during high school. Our program follows the Oregon Framework for Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling, and includes 3 guidance counselors, a career center coordinator, a school-to-career coordinator, and a part-time substance abuse counselor.
Additional support
services include comprehensive health services through our school-based health
clinic, mental health services through our school-based therapist, and English
Language Learner assistance with a Spanish-speaking specialist. We strive
to provide all students with the information and experiences they need to
grow in each of the four areas listed in our mission statement, acknowledging
that these are all lifelong processes. Some of the activities include:
• Student advocacy
• Academic advising/scheduling
• 4-year planning
• Tracking credits for graduation
• Assistance with career-related graduation requirements
• Assistance with IEP and 504 plans
• Grade-level guidance curriculum
• Advisory program coordination
• College advising and planning
• Naviance web-based guidance system
• Evening meetings for families
• College entrance and AP testing
• Financial aid and scholorship advising
• Mental health services and referrals
• Substance abuse prevention/intervention
Counseling Services
The Counseling Center is made up of staff that are interested in seeing that every student at North has a positive and healthy experience in high school and is prepared for what he or she wants to do after graduation. Academic difficulties as well as personal, social, and family issues are areas that we are concerned about and want to assist you with.
Responding to requests from parents, teachers, and students, we attempt to help define the issues, assist with solutions, and provide support and encouragement. We also make referrals to outside mental health providers and agencies for further consultation and assistance as needed. Professionals from the juvenile justice system, social service agencies, and private therapists also contact us and we work with them to help coordinate support services for our students and families
We can also assist with drug and alcohol issues. Alateen group meetings are held in the Counseling Center for students who are concerned about drug or alcohol use in themselves or someone close to them. In addition we have a weekly “Girls Chat” group that meets to discuss issues of concern to young women.
Nurses and Mental Health Specialist
The counseling staff also works closely with the North Eugene Health Clinic staff of two nurses and a mental health therapist to provide guidance and counseling services. The clinic is seen by students as another safe place to get personal assistance and support. Mark Oldham, L.C.S.W., is a mental health therapist at North who is available to our students and their families.
Curriculum Planning Overview
In addition to assisting our students to achieve a challenging and successful high school experience that leads to graduation, our mission also includes helping students prepare for life after high school.
Self-awareness, skill development, learning good decision-making skills, and knowledge of careers and the world of work are all part of the guidance curriculum provided to students at North. We utilize various means to reach students at each grade level, focusing on developmental stages as they move through high school. Classroom guidance, grade-level meetings, career center presentations, individual conferences, evening meetings for parents and students, community representatives, off campus experiences and school newsletters are all utilized to provide important information, experiences and opportunities to our students.
In addition to these system-wide programs, the Counseling and Career Center is always open to individual students who want to use our resources and staff to work individually on their research and plans.
4-Year Plan
Each student is unique, with a different story and path to pursue. We are here to assist all our students in reaching their goals. Organization, planning, and teamwork on the part of the student, the family, and the staff at school are important for success.
Freshman Calendar
• Take a peek at the advanced level courses you’d like to take and make sure you are meeting the prerequisites.
• Take time to understand the difference between high school graduation requirements and college entrance requirements.
• Pay attention during special guidance curriculum presented in Social Studies and English classes. They will be providing important information about transcripts, required classes, career center info, and 4-year plans.
• Take ACT Explore in October for skill and career information.
• Parents of students who are in credit difficulty are notified after final grades at the end of the freshman year.
Sophomore Calendar
• 10th Grade essential-skills testing happens at various times during the year. For example, if you are taking math in the 1st semester, that’s when you can expect the exams to be given.
• Take the PSAT in October.
• Participate in career guidance unit presented in English and Social Science classes.
• Update and use your 4-year plan to develop your junior year program during spring forecasting activities.
• Earn college credit now! Be sure to check out courses you can take in your junior year that also count towards OIT and LCC credit.
• Work on earning community service hours.
• Parents of students who are in credit difficulty are notified after final grades at the end of the sophomore year.
Junior Calendar
Fall Checklist
• Take the Preliminary Aptitude Scholastic Test (PSAT) in October for skill assessment and college planning.• Start reviewing college catalogs available in the guidance office. Send for information.
• College representatives come to North. College Fair at LCC is held in October. Attend the OUS visit in October.
Winter Checklist
• Attend the “After North” evening meeting for juniors and parents. We review: options for all students after high school; PSAT scores; the college selection and application process; and all aspects of financing higher education.• Set up a Junior Interview with your counselor.
Spring Checklist
• Utilize your 4-year plan to plan courses for the senior year during spring forecasting.• Be sure to check out courses you can take that also count towards OIT and LCC credit.
• Any students who plan to graduate on an Individualized Graduation Plan must turn in their completed plan by the end of
term 4.• Take the SAT or ACT. These scores are needed by colleges with fall application deadlines.
• Parents of students who are in credit difficulty are notified after final grades at the end of the junior year.
Summer Checklist
• Review your transcripts. Meet with your counselor in August if needed.• Visit college campuses and other programs on your “short list.” What you see and learn on these trips will be invaluable.
• Begin to record thoughts for college application essays.
• Do community service for Honors Diploma.
Senior Calendar
Fall Checklist
• Set up a Senior Interview with your counselor as soon as you arrive back at school.• Complete applications for College Entrance Testing (SAT 1, SAT II, ACT) in Sept. or Oct.
• Attend “After North” meeting in September.
• Attend Financial Aid Meeting in December to explore college financial assistance options.
• College representatives come to North. College Fair at LCC is held in October. Attend the OUS visit in October.
• Review instructions and begin writing rough drafts of essays.
• Request recommendations from teachers, employers and/or guidance counselors.
• File early action/early decision applications.
• Order grad announcements, cap, gown, etc.
Winter Checklist
• Order grad announcements, cap, gown, etc.• Finalize application essays and complete admission procedures.
• Fill out the FAFSA. Submit application January 1-31. Parents: Prepare IRS tax returns early to determine eligibility.
Spring Checklist
• OSAC Scholarship app. due March 1.
• Request final transcripts by May.
• Submit college acceptance information to Counseling Department by May.
• CAM completion deadline is in May.
• Pick up graduation tickets in early June.
• Forward medical forms to schools requiring a physical exam as a condition of admission.
• Pick your college, send in a deposit, and notify other colleges of your decision.
• Request course descriptions and schedules from your college of choice. Confirm housing arrangements.
• Graduate!