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COUNSELING STAFF Ryan Finnigan, MA, LLPC - Counselor Abigail Kovel-Lay, MA, LLPC - Counselor John Fitzko, MA – Counselor Lisa Tuttle– Counseling Administrative Assistant / Registrar ACADEMIC SUPPORT Colleen Morrison - Powers Academic Student Support (PASS), Study Skills Teacher Jim Neumann - Academic Interventionist Cynthia Decker - Academic Interventionist Jane Sargent - Academic Interventionist SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL COORDINATOR Jennifer Nesbitt, BSW, Education Specialist- Social/Emotional Learning Coordinator Powers Catholic students are assigned to counselor by student last name and remain with the same counselor for all four years of their high school experience. If a student is more comfortable with a different counselor, notify Mrs. Lisa Tuttle, Counseling Administrative Assistant, with a request to change.
The Guidance and Counseling Department strives to serve the needs of each student regardless of his/her ability or background, nurturing the student’s self-worth, encouraging the student to reach his/her potential and educating the student about issues relevant to achieving those ends. Students meet with counselors in individual and group sessions. Conversations between counselors and students are confidential. GUIDANCE SERVICES If you need someone to talk to, see your counselor. Talking to someone trustworthy usually helps. A counselor is a licensed and trained professional whose job is to help. And it’s confidential. Course selection freshman through senior year is one of our primary services. We want students to be successful and prepared for their postsecondary endeavors. Appropriate placement is the first step toward that goal. We start by meeting with each student on an individual basis, ensuring that they are registered for the appropriate classes and that graduation requirements are met. Please see the Graduation Requirements & Course List, which your students were given at registration for the current school year. They will be provided with an updated list annually, prior to their registration period. Counselors are always available to meet individually with students and/or parents, as the overall wellness of our students is our priority. STUDENT SUPPORT PROGRAM Students who have academic special needs may be identified for the Powers Academic Student Support (PASS) program. Students in the PASS program work to develop strategies to improve organization, time management, self-advocacy skills and effective study strategies, as well as obtain the accommodations they need to be successful. If you have any questions regarding this program, please speak to your student's Guidance Counselor. CAREER EXPLORATION Career exploration is available through the students' online SCOIR account. Juniors are introduced to online career exploration tools in group guidance sessions. Sophomores discuss career possibilities individually with their counselors at their individual registration appointments. COLLEGE PLACEMENT Because almost 100% of our graduates go to college, students and parents can attend group sessions on admission requirements, scholarships, and financial aid. Juniors and seniors are able to meet with college admission reps when they visit Powers Catholic in September and October (an updated list of college reps is available daily in the Student Bulletin, listed on the PCHS website). Students are introduced to college information during freshman year by creating and exploring their online SCOIR account. Group guidance sessions continue through sophomore and junior years, focusing on continued online and on-campus searches. Juniors and their parents are invited to attend the "College 101" fall evening presentation that occurs annually prior to "Meet the Teacher" night at Powers Catholic. Additionally, seniors are given support on the college application process as soon as senior year begins, both in a group and individual setting. GROUP GUIDANCE We want to make the transition to Powers Catholic High School as smooth as possible., beginning with Freshman Orientation (or Transfer Orientation). Counselors meet with freshmen and sophomores in groups to provide guidance on the topics of academic preparedness, time management, and healthy friendships. The focus during junior and senior year is on college and careers. RESOURCES We are more than happy to meet with our students and families to review any information where assistance may be needed. Please call the counselor that you wish to meet with in order to to schedule an appointment. Students are welcome to stop into the Guidance Office and schedule an appointment with their counselor, and will be seen ASAP if requested. Please refer to the following for Guidance and College Counseling information resources:
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EMPLOYMENT
Your student will need a work permit in order to be employed at a fast food restaurant, grocery store, or retail establishment. Students may email Mrs. Tuttle at ltuttle@powerscatholic.org for further assistance. COLLEGE VISITS We encourage our students to visit multiple campuses by the time they apply to college at the beginning of senior year. Seniors can stop by the counseling office to pick up a form that will excuse their absence for a college visit. Please take some time to visit college/universities that your student is interested in, as a family. It will help both parents and younger siblings begin thinking about what they would like from the college experience. The more research a student does prior to applying and making a final decision during senior year, the more likely they will be to complete their degree from the first college they attend, therefore saving money in the long run. Visiting a campus when classes are in session is recommended, in order to get a better vision of student life. TESTING Having close to 100% of our students attend college after graduation places an emphasis on college selection. The pre-ACT is administered to all freshmen and to all sophomores each spring to provide them with practice for the ACT and to use as a counseling tool for academic strengths and weaknesses. Juniors and their parents are invited each year to attend a program on college selection, admissions and testing. College bound juniors have the opportunity to take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) in October and continue investigating colleges. All students take the ACT on a selected school day in the spring of their junior year. ACT/SAT TEST PREPARATION Powers Catholic offers a free, online ACT Prep course that is available to all sophomores and juniors. In addition to this, ACT prep classes are offered by Powers teachers each fall. Self-motivated students can benefit from one of the many test prep books or online programs available. Go to www.actstudent.org or www.collegeboard.org for free practice test questions. Reading is one of the best, and least expensive, methods to improve test scores. Students with a diagnosed disability that affects learning who wish to qualify for accommodations on the ACT/SAT, are asked to please contact their student's assigned counselor. Any student interested in taking the ACT can register online at www.actstudent.org. Powers Catholic is a National Testing Center for the October and June test dates. NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE Rising seniors who plan to play a sport for an NCAA Division I or II university must submit a Clearinghouse form for academic eligibility. Their website is www.eligibilitycenter.org. Contact Information Phone: 810.591.4741 Guidance Office FAX: 810.591.0265 Office Hours Monday – Friday, 7:45 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Earlier or later appointments are also available on request. High School Code 231-490 ACT Test Center Code 193110 |
