Student Support Services
Mission
Student Support Services is an essential and integral part of the De La Salle High School community. As such, the department shares in the traditions and philosophy of the Brothers of the Christian Schools in general, and in the vision and goals of De La Salle High School in particular.
Philosophy
The mission of Student Support Services is supported by the following beliefs:
We believe that each person, as a child of God, possesses dignity and is worthy of respect and recognition, regardless of academic and physical needs, social, cultural, racial, ethnic, and socio-economic background, or sexual orientation.
We believe that each person inherently desires relationships with others in which stability and love can lead to mutual growth.
We believe that people can enrich each other's lives and personal competencies through sharing their unique perspectives and experiences with each other.
We believe that counseling is an effective means to help students to understand and clarify their intuitive sense of what is in their own best interests.
We believe that counselors are most effective in teaching people the lessons of understanding, acceptance, empathy, and love when those qualities are modeled in the behaviors of an available, dedicated, and professional staff of counselors who share a common vision of life and set of values.
Student Support Services provides students and parents the availability of professional counselors. Counseling sessions are offered to students and parents to assist with any academic, social, emotional, relationship, or family matter. Counselors can assist students and parents with clarifying problems, defining alternative choices in situations, and providing information that may affect the situation. Counselors do not make decisions for either students or parents nor are they responsible for changing class schedules or making decisions on disciplinary matters. Counselors act as supportive advocates for students and parents and are available to help with any situation presented to them.
PSAT and PACT Testing
PSAT (for Juniors) and PACT (for sophomores) will take place on Wednesday, October 10.
All students will be taking this nationally normed test on this date. There is no need to register or sign up for the test, it has been taken care of for you.
Counselors will meet with students this week to discuss the test and preparation strategies. Please have your son check Schoology the weeks leading up to the testing date for classroom locations.
A few things to note:
- Testing starts at 8:05. PLEASE DO NOT BE LATE
- If you are absent that day, please contact the attendance office as if it was a typical day
- Testing finishes between 11:30 to 12:00
If you have questions about what to bring or how to prepare for the PSAT please CLICK HERE
For questions about what to bring or how to prepare for the PACT, please CLICK HERE
If you have any questions please contact Sean Bristol, Learning Needs Coordinator, at bristols@dlshs.org.
School Counselor Assignments
Each student is assigned a counselor alphabetically according to his last name. However, each student is free to see any counselor of his choice. Should a student wish to change counselors, he should discuss the change with the counselor of his choice.
PERSONAL/ACADEMIC COUNSELORS
Mrs. Lauren Stevens (A-D)
Counselor
stevensl@dlshs.org
(925) 288-8123
Mr. Scott Drain (E-K)
Director of Student Support Services,
Bishop Cummins Program
drains@dlshs.org
(925) 288-8126
Cris Rosales (L-Q)
Counselor
rosalesc@dlshs.org
(925) 288-8220
Lindsay Melaas (R-Z)
Counselor
melaasl@dlshs.org
(925) 288-8147
COLLEGE COUNSELORS
Ms. Esther López
Co-Director College Counseling
A-K, Primarily Juniors & Seniors
lopeze@dlshs.org
(925) 288-8103
Mrs. Janet Appel
Co-Director College Counseling
L-Z, Primarily Juniors & Seniors
appelj@dlshs.org
(925) 288-8128
ADDITIONAL COUNSELING STAFF
Mr. Greg MacArthur
Bishop Cummins Program Coordinator
macarthurg@dlshs.org
(925) 288-8150
Mr. Sean Bristol
Special Needs Counselor / Spartan Success
bristols@dlshs.org
(925) 288-8104
Mr. Jon Norfolk
Student Learning Center Coordinator
norfolkj@dlshs.org
(925) 288-8111
Appointments
If parents would like to make an appointment, they can call or email their son’s counselor.
If a student wants to make an appointment, he can request one by using the forms available in the Student Support Services Center, by emailing the counselor through school email or Schoology, or by just dropping by the counselor’s office.
Counselors’ offices are located on the second floor of the Student Services Building. Counselors offer assistance with the following:
- college planning
- family relationships
- academic difficulties
- personal development
- career decisions
- peer relationships
- course planning
- relationship difficulties
- emotional troubles
- substance use and abuse
- grief
- bereavement
In addition, counselors can help arrange referrals for the following:
- chemical dependency
- family counseling
- personal counseling
- educational diagnosis & remediation
- tutoring
Students can request individual appointments with the College Counselors as needed.
