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WELCOME STUDENTS and PARENTS!
Mrs. Mecca, School Counselor for Grades: 7, 8, and 9
New for 2020-21 school year: "Naviance Student"
What is Naviance Student?
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 years activities:
October 2020 to June 2021:
7th grade: Career Key and Career Key Reflection [Health/Phys Ed 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: "Do What You Are" Assessment [English class]
Resume Activity [Exploring Computer Sci class]
Wilkes-Barre CTC program info/presentation and Survey [History class]
Wilkes-Barre CTC link: http://www.wbactc.org/index.html
Wilkes-Barre CTC Application link: WBACTCApplication
*For 8th Grade Students only (YOG:2025): 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, 2021
They can be dropped off or emailed to Mrs. Mecca.
Announcement: Testing Window for PSSA's, Spring 2021:
ELA- April 19, 2021 to April 23, 2021
Math and Science- April 26, 2021 to April 30, 2021
COVID-19 Resources for students and parents:
Resources to help you talk to children about Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, by 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 a School Counselor is very complex, as I work with students, their 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 student's 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 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
