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School Counseling (Guidance)

Phone: 860-668-3813  |  Fax: 860-668-3793
Mr. Patrick Brintle
9-12 Coordinator of School Counseling
Ms. Gina Garfield
Counselor

Philosophy

Counseling services at Suffield High School are based on the understanding that each student is a unique and developing individual who will learn and grow from his/her high school experience. Respectful of individual differences, counselors seek to assist and support students in making their own decisions for the present and the future. In addition to serving as a resource for educational and career information, the counselor seeks to promote an atmosphere of trust and confidence between counselor and student. The counseling office exists to help students maximize their potential, take appropriately challenging courses to complete all graduation requirements, and prepare students for post secondary opportunities.

Confidentiality Statement

Information shared by a student with his/her counselor is private and confidential. The counseling office staff has an excellent reputation for maintaining confidentiality. Of course, in a situation where a student is in "clear and imminent danger," or in cases of child abuse or neglect, counselors are mandated to share that information.

College Application

College Planning

College Planning

The SHS counseling office would like to remind you that we are here to offer our assistance to you and your student at any time. The office is open daily from 7:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., and counselors are available by appointment during school hours throughout the year. To schedule an appointment, just call our office at (860) 668-3813 and we'll do our very best to accommodate you.

On our website, you can find College/Career Readiness Planning Calendars for all four grade levels, that we encourage you to post on your refrigerator and refer to periodically to help keep your student on track in planning for the future. Many important dates and events are highlighted on these calendars in hopes that they'll help to keep students from missing out on an opportunity.

College Planning Calendars

Other College Planning Documents

Websites

LGBTQ-Friendly Colleges and Student Resources: http://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/lgbtq-college-student-guide/

College Scholarships & Financial Aid

Naviance

Naviance

The SHS School Counseling Department is pleased to provide Family Connection – a comprehensive website that parents and students can use to make plans about colleges and careers. Family Connection is linked with Naviance, a service that we use to track and analyze data about college and career plans.

Family Connection allows students to:

  • Get involved in the planning and advising process – Build a resume, complete online surveys, manage timelines and deadlines for making decisions about colleges and careers
  • Research colleges – Compare GPA, standardized test scores and other statistics to actual historical data from our school for students who have applied and been admitted in the past
  • Research careers – Research hundreds of careers and career clusters and take career assessments
  • Create plans for the future – Create goals and to-do lists and complete tasks assigned by the school counselor to better prepare your student for future college and career goals.

Family Connection also lets us share information with you and your student about upcoming meetings, events, local scholarship opportunities and other resources for college and career information.

To visit Suffield High School’s Family Connection site, use an Internet browser to connect to:

http://connection.naviance.com/suffieldhs

We hope that you will find this resource helpful. If you have questions about Family Connection, please contact us.

SHS School Counseling Department
860-668-3813

NCAA Information

Standardized Testing

SAT/PSAT

To sign up for the SAT and registration deadlines visit - www.collegeboard.com

ACT

To sign up for the ACT visit - www.actstudent.org

AP Exams

NGSS

Resources for Trauma

Bullying Information

"The Suffield Board of Education is committed to creating and maintaining an educational environment that is physically, emotionally and intellectually safe and thus free from bullying, harassment and discrimination. The Board expressly prohibits any form of bullying behavior on school grounds; at a school-sponsored or school-related activity, function or program, whether on or off school grounds; at a school bus stop; on a school bus or other vehicle owned, leased or used by a local or regional board of education; or through the use of an electronic device or an electronic mobile device owned, leased or used by the Suffield Public Schools, in accordance with the Suffield Safe School Climate Plan which is supported by state law." (Board of Education Policy 5131.911)

The Suffield Public Schools also prohibits any form of bullying behavior outside of the school setting if such bullying (i) creates a hostile environment at school for the student against whom such bullying was directed, (ii) infringes on the rights of the student against whom such bullying was directed at school, or (iii) substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school. Discrimination and/or retaliation against an individual who reports or assists in the investigation of an act of bullying is likewise prohibited. Students who engage in bullying behavior shall be subject to school discipline, up to and including expulsion, in accordance with the Board' s policies on student discipline, suspension and expulsion, and consistent with state and federal law. The district’s commitment to addressing bullying behavior, however, involves a multifaceted approach, which includes education and the promotion of a positive school climate in which bullying will not be tolerated by students or school staff.

Policies and Procedures

Bullying Prevention and Intervention Policy and Bullying Reporting Form (Suffield Board of Education Policy 5131.911)

Safe School Climate Plan

Helpful Links

CT State Department of Education/Bullying and Harassment