WELCOME STUDENTS and PARENTS!             

          Mrs. Mecca, School Counselor for Grades: 7, 8, and 9 

Riverside School District is now utilizing Naviance as our new Career Preparation Program.

What is Naviance? 

Naviance is a district-wide career and college readiness tool that assists students in researching strengths and interests for postsecondary goals. Naviance Student assists with: Self-Discovery, Career Exploration, Academic High School Planning, and College Preparation. 

Naviance Student will be introduced within the classroom, and 7th, 8th, & 9th grade students will be assigned activities to complete during class time. All assigned activities are required to be completed by the student.

This year's activities:

October 2021 to June 2022:

7th grade: Career Key and Career Key Reflection [Health/Phys Ed class]

                  What Employers Want/Character Traits [History class]

                   Learning about Budgets/Personal Budget [Math class]

8th grade: Career Cluster Finder and Career Cluster Reflection [ELA class]

                     Game Plan Survey [Health/Phys Ed class]

                     RoadTrip Nation Video, Entrepreneurs and Reflection [History class]         

9th grade: AchieveWorks Personality Assessment [English class]

                     Resume Activity [Exploring Computer Sci class]

                     Wilkes-Barre CTC program info/presentation and Survey [Guidance Presentation]

                     Wilkes-Barre CTC link: http://www.wbactc.org/index.html

                     Wilkes-Barre CTC Application link: WBACTCApplication 

SCHEDULING FOR 2022-23 SCHOOL YEAR

[Current 9th gr students]  Scheduling info (YOG 2025) click here⇒ Incoming 10th gr Schedule Form

[Current 8th gr students] Scheduling info (YOG 2026) click here⇒  Incoming 9th grade Schedule Form

COURSE INFORMATION click here⇒ RHS Course Catalog

                                                             HONORS INFO:

                           Honors Criteria, going into 10th gr

                      Honors Criteria, going into 9th gr

*For 8th Grade Students only (YOG:2026): University of Scranton, University of Success link: https://www.scranton.edu/academics/pcps/leahy/success/success1.shtml

Fully completed applications will be accepted in Guidance until March 29, 2022.

See Mrs. Mecca with any questions. 

PSSA's: Testing for PSSA's, Spring 2022:

                        ELA- April 26, 27, & 28; Math- May 3 & 4; Science (8th gr only)- May 5 & 6

COVID-19 Resources for students and parents: 

Resources to help you talk to children about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention:

English: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html

 Spanish: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety-sp.html

At parent's discretion: A brief video that you may want to share with your children, a basic perspective for them to understand the Coronavirus. Coronavirus Explained! for Kids, by Dr. Michelle Dickinson, aka "Nanogirl": https://youtu.be/OPsY-jLqaXM       

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School Counselors...What is their role in the school?

My role of School Counselor is very complex, as I work with students, parents/guardians, teachers and faculty, outside agencies, and other facilities, businesses, etc.

Some things that I do in Guidance:

*Work individually with students, listen to their concerns, and assist with problem solving and making good decisions.

*Have contact with parents/guardians regarding school, personal, or family issues; grades/academic progress, etc.

*Classroom visits for career exploration, scheduling, providing special information, etc.

*Coordinate standardized testing such as PSSA's, Keystone Exams, Algebra Prognosis Test.

*New student orientation.

*Special projects and field trips, such as: 9th gr visit to Wilkes-Barre CTC

*Member of Riverside's SAP Team. Our SAP (Student Assistance Program) is an in-house process which assists students who may be having school, home, or social difficulties to receive help for their issues/problems such as: drug or alcohol use, anger issues, severe problems with peers and/or adults, feelings of depression, anxiety, etc. A SAP referral can be made on Riverside's Counseling page, in-person, or via handwritten note which can be placed in the box located in the school nurses' office. 

Contact Information:

Mrs. Laurie A. Mecca, M.S. 

School Counselor, Grades 7-9

Riverside Jr. Sr. High School

(570) 562-2121, ext. 1122

email: lmecca@riversidesd.com