Counseling and Learning Services

Consistent with the philosophy of St. Elizabeth High School, the office of Counseling and Learning Services strives to foster the total development of students within the context of Christian values.  Through personal counseling and consultation, academic advisement, and career and college placement, the counseling staff promotes the formation of our students’ developing identities toward responsible moral adulthood.

Ms. Dawn Teat, Chairperson
dteat@viking.pvt.k12.de.us

Mrs. Joanne Gibbons, Freshman Counselor & Services for Students with Differences Coordinator
jgibbons@viking.pvt.k12.de.us

Ms. Marlena Toto
mtoto@viking.pvt.k12.de.us

Learning Services

Freshman Counseling

St. Elizabeth High School is committed to assisting all Freshmen as they successfully transition into high school.  The Freshman Counselor guides the class through their first high school academic year, holding quarterly meetings with Freshman-level teachers to discuss the academic and social progress of the students, coordinating conferences between parents and teachers for students experiencing difficulty, and acting as a resource person for all Freshmen in the areas of academic, social, and emotional growth. 

The Freshman Counselor utilizes the following teaching techniques to help in this development:

  • Effective lesson plans taught by the Freshman Counselor (one day a cycle)
  • Directed discussions
  • Individual conferences, guided meditation, and relaxation exercises
  • Current media and academic tools, including an introduction to Edline and to Family Connections, a counseling web portal

 

Students with Learning Differences

St. Elizabeth High School recognizes that all individuals learn differently.  To that end, SEHS offers the service of a counselor for students with learning differences, the SSD (Services for Students with Differences) Coordinator.  The SSD Coordinator offers guidance, collates all appropriate documentation, teaches study skill strategies, and acts as an academic coach for these students throughout their high school career.  The SSD Coordinator also acts as a liaison between the teacher, the student, and the home to ensure that all appropriate accommodations that can be given by the school are available to all students who need such assistance in order to be successful.  The SSD Coordinator maintains a four-year relationship with the students and is available to assist and mentor them in their academic pursuits. 

 

Information Regarding Learning Differences

St. Elizabeth High School recognizes that some students have diagnosed learning disabilities.  In order to meet the needs of these individuals, documentation is required in the form of a summary report compiled by a certified outside evaluator.  The SSD Coordinator will inform families of the required SSD documentation updates that may come from the College Board or other standardized test agencies.  Teachers and counselors are given a summary of the evaluator’s recommendations.  As each individual’s needs are unique, he/she is responsible for the following:

Medication
All medication taken during the school day must be administered by the school nurse, who is on site from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Students should turn all medication in to the nurse and arrange a time for the medicine to be dispensed.  If the student needs to be excused from class at a particular time for this purpose, he/she is responsible for letting  teachers know at the beginning of class each day.

Documentation

  • Documentation is kept in the student’s file in the Counseling and Learning Services Office.
  • Teachers and counselors have access to the information.
  • This documentation is necessary for all applications to the College Board for all testing accommodations.
  • The information is not given out to colleges; it is destroyed upon the student’s graduation or withdrawal from the school.

 

Exams
Students have the option to request extended time on exams, however, all appropriate learning difference documentation must be completed and on file with the SSD Coordinator. Students are required to see the SSD Coordinator to sign up for extended testing according to the testing schedule format issued by the Counseling and Learning Services Office.  

Seating
Teachers are asked to seat students in the front of the classroom if a request is made by a student, and students are encouraged to make the request if it has been recommended by an evaluator.  Students with ADD and ADHD will be less distracted by sitting in the front of the room.  All teachers will be given appropriate “Confidential Student Information” documentation in September listing specific students’ accommodations.

Daily Agenda Book
The daily agenda book is a study skill tool that is very beneficial to all students as well as those who have documented learning differences.  Students will be taught how to use this book as a positive study skill tool in the freshman guidance classes.

Peer Tutor
A Peer Tutor will be recommended to all freshmen who exhibit a specific need or who have a recommendation requiring they have a Peer Tutor.