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The SFHS Student Services Team provides our Mariners with guidance and support with their academic, career and personal concerns.
We provide our school community with the expertise of two full-time guidance counselors, a school psychologist, social worker and a specialized secretary.
Students should feel welcome coming to us any time there is a need. If at all possible we encourage students to see their counselor during a nonacademic time in their school day (before school, lunch, study hall or after school) but recognize that certain situations require immediate attention. Students are also encouragd to visit the Student Services (Guidance) office frequently so they can become familiar with its many resources.
Parents and Family members play an integral role in the success of the whole student. We highly encourage parents and family members to be very involved in their childs education. Active and frequent communication with teachers and other staff members at SFHS are part of the recipe for student success. If at any time you have questions, concerns or otherwise, we encourage you to contact your child's counselor. If you every have any questions regarding who to contact or what resources may be available for us, please contact our team's secretary
Functions of the Guidance Department
The Guidance Department provides many services. Even though some functions are interrelated, they can be categorized in three general areas:
1. Academic
One major function of the Guidance Department deals with subject selections. Each year students must decide what courses to take in the following school year. Students must be aware of graduation requirements, prerequisites and what courses will prepare them for their postsecondary plans. Students and parents should carefully plan the subject selection each year, making revisions to accommodate student interests, abilities and goals. The counselor assists in this process.
2. Careers
Deciding on what courses to take depends, in part, on the careers students choose. The choice is most often a difficult and challenging one. Making a career choice involves many issues, which includes evaluating areas such as:
Interests (what I like to do)
Abilities (what I can do well)
Priorities (what is important to me)
Job Realities (current demands and outlooks)
This evaluation process can be completed by:
Exploring expanded life roles
Identifying skills
Relating interests to employment
Investigating occupations
Setting life goals
The high school counselor is available to students and parents to help with this process. Through individual conferences, group work, testing, career programs, work experience, college preparation, Youth Options and Youth Apprenticeship programs, students are introduced to a variety of ideas and information.
In addition, the guidance office can provide a wealth of information on several Internet sites. Up-to-date, complete career information on occupations, colleges or vocational-technical schools, military options, scholarships, financial aid and career resources can be assessed. This information can help students make better decisions about their futures.
Life/Career planning is a never-ending process; one that is not completed at graduation. It is the goal of the school counselors that students will continue to assess skills, gather information and investigate opportunities to make wise decisions and thereby increase their work options.
3. Personal
The school counselor has been trained to deal with a wide variety of personal concerns. Counselors working alone, with other specialized staff within the system or with outside agencies can assist in issues such as:
Teacher, parent, peer relationships
Alcohol and other drug abuse
Academic successes/difficulties
Career exploration
Personal growth
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