Our Lady of Lourdes

HIGH SCHOOL, Poughkeepsie, NY

School Counseling

Student Life»School Counseling

MISSION

The mission of the Our Lady of Lourdes High School counselors is to positively impact and support all students on all grade levels by providing them with academic, college/career, and personal/social counseling in a faith-based setting.  By collaborating with students, teachers, administrators, coaches, and families, counselors strive to optimize student performance by addressing each student’s individual needs.  Taking into consideration the cultural diversity of our students, our goal is to assist the young men and women in our charge in becoming responsible citizens and lifelong learners who are prepared to find success in a globally competitive 21st century.

Counseling Corner ~

Parents  

All Counselors are available to speak with and/or meet with parents (via appointments only) during the school day.  Our goal is to work with your student and encourage them to succeed academically, socially and personally while at Lourdes.

Our counseling assignments allows students to meet with the same counselor for the majority of their Lourdes career.  This is designed to provide for greater continuity of academic, personal and career counseling services as well as enhanced supportive relationships between student and counselor.

Mr. Ken Powers, our College Adviser, has developed a series of virtual evening programs for parents designed to provide information and understanding of important college-related topics.  A calendar of presentation topics will be provided at a later date.  

To request a virtual appointment with your students School Counselor, please visit each of the School Counselor’s Appointment page on Google Calendar. The links to these pages are below. 

 

Director of School Counseling - Mrs. Caroline Beyer 

Students are assigned to the following counselors:

Mrs. Kelly Patterson -  Ext. 1119, pattersonk@ollchs.org         

Grade 9         A-Z   

Grade 10       N-Z 

 

Mr. Derrick Damiano  - Ext. 1140, damianod@ollchs.org

Grade 10     A-M

Grade 11     A-Z

 

 
Miss Riley Denaker  Ext. 1002, denakerr@ollchs.org

Grade 12 & College Counselor 

 

 

Listed Below are some specific topics and issues that are presented by the School Counselors to the respective grade levels in each of the four years here at Our Lady of Lourdes. 

                                                              Seniors

College Visits -Seniors are permitted three out of school visits to colleges in the Fall.  A parental note informing the school about a visit must be brought in to Mr. Powers at least one day prior to the visit.  Verification from the college must be brought to Mrs. Beyer the day following the visit.

This procedure must be followed in order to consider the visit a legal absence from school.

College Meetings - Seniors will continue to meet with their College Counselor one-on-one in order  to move forward with the application process. 

SATs & ACTs - Seniors are encouraged to take/retake the SAT and/or ACT in October, November or December.  Registration for both tests is to be done online.

College Search/Application - Seniors should be in the midst of their college search and application process.  We remind seniors that letters of recommendation from 1-2 academic teachers are required by most colleges.  When asking teachers for letters, it would be helpful if you provided them with a short resume containing your in-school and out-of-school activities.  Please make your request at least 2-3 weeks prior to your application deadline.

College Mini Fairs – As in past years, we hosted weekly college mini-fairs.  Representatives from six to eight colleges attended each one. 

Financial Aid Meeting - We will be hosting our annual meeting to explain the FAFSA form.  This form must be filled out to receive financial aid from colleges.  Members of the Marist College Financial Aid Office will present this information and answer any questions you may have.  The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the school auditorium. Date TBA.

                                                             Juniors

College Mini-Fairs - Although Juniors are not permitted out-of-school visits to colleges until the spring, they were invited to attend the College Mini-Fairs held each week in the fall.  

PSAT testing - PSAT testing for all Juniors was administered in October. Test results will become available early in December. Once the results are published, students will meet with their School Counselors to determine areas of strength and concern. 

College Meetings - Juniors will start to meet with their College Counselor one-on-one Spring,  in order to develop an action plan for the college application process. 

SAT/ACT - Juniors should plan to start taking the SAT and/or ACT in the spring of their Junior Year. Registration and Test site locations for these exams are found on the respective websites.

Junior Parents’ Meeting - In the spring there will be a meeting for Junior parents which will explain the college search and application process.  The date will be announced in a later newsletter.

Extra Curricular Activities - Involvement in sports, clubs, and activities is strongly encouraged throughout a students tenure here at Lourdes. These clubs and activities provide opportunities for increased comradery among students all while taking part in something they may be interested in.  A list of extra curricular activities can be found under the Student Life tab on the website. 

                                                             Sophomores

PSAT testing -SAT testing for all Sophomores was administered in October. Test results will become available early in December. Once the results are published, students will meet with their School Counselors to determine areas of strength and concern.

Extra Curricular Activities - involvement in sports, clubs, and activities is strongly encouraged throughout a students tenure here at Lourdes. These clubs and activities provide opportunities for increased comradery among students all while taking part in something they may be interested in.  A list of extra curricular activities can be found under the Student Life tab on the website. 

                                                              Freshmen  

Students will work with Mrs. Patterson, the Freshman School & Transition Counselor to strengthen the following aspects of their freshman year: 

- Social and Emotional Adjustment to High School

- Techniques for Study Skills

- Time managements and organizational skills

- Mid-Term and Final Exam preparation Skill