Personal and Academic Counseling
Ultimately, the Personal and Academics counselor is a resource for both student and family during their years at De La Salle. It is not uncommon for us to receive phone calls or emails asking for directions to change a class or contact a teacher. We will do our best to direct you where best to find the answer (or person) to your question.
Each student is assigned a personal and academic counselor alphabetically according to his last name. Since we have an open-door policy, the 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. The counselor serves their students from the time they enter until the time they graduate from De La Salle.
Some students may be assisted by members of the Learning Center through Spartan Success, Bishop Cummins Scholars, and/or Learning Center tutoring. All personal concerns will be through the student’s personal counselor.
Counselors can assist students and parents with clarifying problems, defining alternative choices in situations, and providing information that may affect the situation.
- All counseling is confidential.
- To request an appointment with a counselor:
- “Appointment Request Forms” are available in the hallway outside the counselors’ offices. Appointments are usually made for the same or next day.
- Students may email or send a Schoology message to the counselor for an appointment.
- If schedule permits, there may be the option to drop in to see the counselor without an appointment.
- Counselors act as supportive advocates for the students and parents. They do not make decisions for either students or parents nor are they responsible for changing class schedules or making decisions on disciplinary matters.
- Students may see a counselor at any time. Counselors are usually available throughout the school day. (If your counselor is out of office, you are invited to visit another.)
- Parent(s)/Guardian(s) and family meetings may also be conducted if helpful.
- Personal situations in which substance abuse support or extensive therapy may be indicated are referred to outside resources.
Our personal and academic counselors usually meet with their students at least twice a year, sometimes more, depending on the needs of the students. Sessions can be initiated by the student, parent/guardian or counselor.
Available student counseling services would include, but would not be limited to:
- Academic difficulties: study tips, organization support, please first contact the specific teacher for concerns with the course curriculum and grading
- Academic Accommodations, contact Mr. Sean Bristol (bristols@dlshs.org)
- Concussion Return to Learn protocol and support. Please review sections 8.9 and 8.9.1 in the Student-Parent Handbook for the full De La Salle concussion policy.
- Course planning (see Course Registration)
- Personal Development: self-esteem, motivation, communication skills, self-understanding, emotional concerns, anxiety, stress
- Depression and other mental health issues
- Bullying issues
- Relationships: family and peer
- Grief and bereavement
- Addictive behavior
- Any that is a concern and would be better shared with your counselor
Please consider your personal and academic counselor as someone you can trust and go to for support, no matter the situation. We are not here to judge, merely to support and work with you to find a balance in life, whether in academics or personal areas.