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South Forsyth High School

Connect to Achieve; Lead to Inspire

SFHS Counseling ConnectionParents Guide to the 2017-2018 Year


Edward FernandezDepartment ChairCaseload: CI-G (TBD)College Attended & Majors: Florida International University, English

Education; Florida State University, SociologySt. Thomas University, Guidance & CounselingPersonality Type: ESFJ “The Consul” Favorite Meal: Pizza and ice creamBest Adventure: Europe 2002Favorite Quote: “Gentlemen, we can rebuild

him, we have the technology.” -The Six Million Dollar Man (opening narration)


Lindsay Burnell

CounselorCaseload: A-CHCollege/Universities Attended & Majors: Georgia Southern University

BS in Psychology, minor in Child & Family Development

M.Ed School CounselingPersonality Type: INFJ “The Advocate”Favorite Meal: This is the hardest question I have

ever answered - I love food. If I had to choose it would be Breakfast for dinner!

Best Adventure: Traveling to England to visit my extended family! (and even though it has not happened yet but it is soon - traveling to Kenya, Africa to work with Hope Beyond Transition Center)

Favorite Quote: “Do everything with so much love in your heart that you wouldn’t want to do it any other way"


Stacye FickleCounselorCaseload: LI-PARCollege/Universities Attended & Majors: Georgia Southern University, BS PsychologyUniversity of West Georgia, Masters of Education:

Student Counseling & Personnel ServicesUniversity of Georgia, Educational LeadershipPersonality Type: ESFJ “The Consul”Favorite Meal: Really good shrimp & gritsBest Adventure: Being a Mom Favorite Quote: For God so loved the world, that he gave

his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16


Shari FrankelCounselor, Varsity Tennis CoachCaseload: SM-ZCollege Attended & Majors: CUNY Queens College, Bachelor of Fine ArtsLiberty University, Master of EducationPersonality Type: ESFJ, The ConsulFavorite Meal: ANY meal with family &/or close friends!Best Adventure: Right after graduating undergrad, I took a job

working for a company where I had to travel each week to a different place around the globe. From the ages of 19-23, I explored the world on someone else’s dime, stayed in first class hotels, and ate at amazing restaurants, all while making a great paycheck! I had a company paid vehicle to use while I was at home as well. At times I traveled by car to places around the US. I was fortunate to meet amazing people and visit some dynamic places and remote small towns. To this day I keep in touch with most of them, so this adventure is ongoing! Life is good and I truly enjoy sharing this with our young people here at South!

Favorite Quote: “Have fun”…my dad (instead of saying take care, or see you, or bye…he would always say to people, “have fun”)


Corinna SpurlockCounselor, Swim & Dive Coach, Math Liaison Caseload: H-LECollege Attended & Major: UGA, BS Child & Family DevelopmentMercer University, MS School CounselingPersonality Type: ESFJ “The Consul” Favorite Meal: Mac & Cheese, Lobster, Pot Stickers,

Hungarian Paprika Chicken & DumplingsBest Adventure: Whirlwind Spring Break road trip

with my husband to Texas, New Orleans, and Florida

Favorite Quote: My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style. ~Maya Angelou


Michele VargasCounselorCaseload:PAS-SLCollege Attended & Major: University of Florida/NSU, Business Administration

with a minor in Management, BSNova Southeastern University, School Guidance &

Counseling, MS Piedmont College, Curriculum & Instruction, Ed. S Personality Type: ESFP “The Entertainer”Favorite Meal: Eggplant ParmesanBest Adventure: Having my 2 wonderful childrenFavorite Quote: I can’t adult today!


Janet SpauldingGraduation CoachCaseload: IST, SST, 504, and HHB StudentsCollege Attended & Major: St Bonaventure University, BS EducationUniversity of Texas San Antonio, Master of ArtsOur Lady of the Lake University; Master of ScienceKennesaw State University; Leadership CertificatePersonality Type: ESFJ “The Consul”Favorite Meal: Chicken MarsalaBest Adventure: White water rafting with my familyFavorite Quote: Life is not measured by the breaths we

take but by the moments that take our breath away. ~Hilary Cooper


Karin Ewing

School Social WorkerCollege Attended & Major: University of West Georgia, SociologyClark Atlanta University, Masters in Social

WorkPersonality Type: ESFJ “The ConsulFavorite Meal: Salmon, Veggies and Sweet

PotatoesBest Adventure: Trip to London and ParisFavorite Quote: Unless someone like you

cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not. Dr. Seuss


Student Schedule


Habitudes“This year we are focusing on social and emotional learning with our students and using a leadership self-development format. We will be referencing Tim Elmore’s Habitudes: The Art of Self-Leadership to address timeless topics like determination, character, time management, balance, commitment and more. There will be electronic newsletters sent home keeping parents apprised of the themes so that you can ask your student about the topics and conversations generated. In response to school survey results by parents, students and faculty, we feel it is imperative that we increase student connectedness to school.” (L. Wilson)

Why Habitudes / Social Emotional Learning?

• Build trusting relationships so kids feel more connected to an adult/mentor at school


Instructional Focus

Instructional focus is a built-in 90 minute study hall period that is offered 1x/week.

- Academic extension/tutoring- Mindfulness- CPR/First Aid Training- Assemblies- SAT/ACT Prep Sessions


Grading Scale

On-Level &Honors

Advanced Placement (AP),International

Baccalaureate (IB), Dual Enrollment (DE)

A (90 – 100) = 4.0B (80 – 89) = 3.0C (70 – 79) = 2.0

A (90 – 100) = 5.0B (80 – 89) = 4.0C (70 – 79) = 3.0


9th Grade EOC Courses


Academic Support

• Teacher help sessions– See schedule on website

• IF- Academic Remediation after first 9 weeks

• Saturday Academy• Mu Alpha Theta- math tutoring• War Eagle Literacy Lab


Communication with teachersUse email – it is the most effective form of communication. Encourage your student to self-advocate before intervening.

Chain of Command


Schedule Changes

THE ONLY REASONS FOR SCHEDULE CHANGES ARE:

- I have an empty spot in my schedule.

- I have already taken and passed a course on my

schedule

- I have not met the course prerequisites.

- I need another course to graduate (for Juniors and

Seniors ONLY).

- I completed a course over the summer.

ABSOLUTELY NO TEACHER CHANGES.

Seat availability is a factor in granting schedule change requests.


Counseling Initiatives

- Suicide Prevention - Substance Abuse Prevention - Mental Health Awareness- Mindfulness- Social-Emotional Learning


Coffee with Counselors

Location: Media Center

Tuesday, Sept. 19, 9:30-10:30am / Atlanta Psychologist, Dr. Susan Berel www.atlantapsychologist.net (healthy social/emotional tools)

Tuesday, Oct. 10, 9:30-10:30am / Integrated Therapeutic Solutions, LLC with Jeremy Merritt, LPC (healthy ways to cope with stress and anxiety)

Tuesday, Nov. 7, 9:30-10:30am / Will to Live with John Trautwein(suicide prevention through the buddy system)

Tuesday, Dec. 12, 9:30-10:30am / Peachtree DBT with Amy Eisenman(emotional literacy through dialectical behavior therapy)

NOTE: Presenters and topics are subject to change.


Suicidal Ideation Talking Points

Guidance for Families:1. If your student exhibits any suicidal warning signs, don’t be afraid to ask if they have thought about suicide or if someone is hurting them. Raising the issue of suicide does not increase the risk or plant the idea. It creates the opportunity to offer help.2. Ask your child if they think any of their friends or classmates exhibit warning signs. Talk with them about how to seek help for their friend or classmate. Guide them on how to respond when they see or hear any of the warning signs.3. Listen to your children’s comments without judgment. Doing so requires that you fully concentrate, understand, respond, and then remember what is being said. Put your own agenda aside.4. Get help from a school counselor or community-based mental health agency if necessary.

If you're struggling with thoughts of suicide...

Text "START" to 741741

Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Or Contact the Georgia Crisis & Access Line

1-800-715-4225


PSAT Registration Info

Mark your calendars

PSAT WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2017

PSAT Registration Opens Monday, July 31st for 9th and 11th Grade

Go to https://user.totalregistration.net/PSAT/110922 to register online before Friday, September 15, 2017


Stay Connected!

Follow us…

Check out our website!

Our priority is our students! Don’t hesitate to reach out to your counselor.


Questions?

school...hungarian paprika chicken & dumplings best adventure: whirlwind spring break road trip with...

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