Mission Statement

In keeping with the mission of St. Joseph High School and the charism of St. John Baptist de La Salle, the School Counseling Department seeks to provide support for the ongoing development of the school community. Recognizing each student as a unique person, vital to the fabric of the community, counseling staff offer information, support, and resources to assist in forming self-sufficient, conscientious individuals, prepared for post-secondary opportunities.

 Programs and Services

The School Counseling Department at St. Joseph High School provides a comprehensive and developmental counseling program which facilitates student development in three areas: educational, vocational, and personal/social. This process is ongoing throughout the student’s high school years and is accomplished through individual appointments, assessments, classroom activities, referrals or consultations with parents or guardians, teachers or other specialists.

Programs and services of the School Counseling Department include:

1. Academic Counseling— A school counselor provide students with academic support and assistance throughout the year, focusing on the overall four-year plan with the aid of quarterly progress indicators and tutoring support when needed.

2. Personal Counseling—Personal counseling is provided to students as needed. Given the limitations of a school counseling program, students with serious personal concerns are provided with outside referral resources.

3. College/Career Counseling—College & Career counseling is facilitated through computer guided programs as well as classroom presentations and individual meetings. College counseling begins freshman year with developmental programs designed to prepare students in identifying interests and abilities and selection of an appropriate college. The college admission, application and scholarship/financial aid process is facilitated by counselors through parent, individual and student group sessions. The department provides a College Planning Night for parents and students early each fall.

Your student's counselor will meet with students throughout the year. However, students are always welcome to make an appointment with their counselor whenever necessary. In order to set up an appointment, a student may email or stop by the counseling department. Parents are welcome to call or email the counselor to schedule an appointment, leave a message or ask a question.

For more information, please contact .

 

Entering my fourteenth year at St. Joseph High School, I am reminded of the French phrase, “plus ca chance, plus c’est la meme chose” – the more things change, the more they stay the same.  From a worldview, humans continue to evolve and develop in new and unimaginable ways.   While the Counseling profession has grown and evolved, the basic elements of our role remains anchored.    We guide young adults to know themselves more fully and honestly through healthy adult decision making and planning in order to prepare for life beyond high school.  The experience brings me great joy with never ending surprises. 

The counseling team at St. Joseph High School work as generalists navigating all aspects of the counseling profession for each grade level.  What is unique about this school is that we get to meet and know each student.

I enjoy traveling/hiking (especially the Pacific Northwest), experimenting in the kitchen and outside gardening, and most importantly, raising our two Irish wolfhound, Caihmhe (Keeva) and Renegade with my partner Scott.

Education & Licensure:

School Counseling Program – Concordia University Chicago

M.A., Theology – Chicago’s Theological Seminary

B.A., Business Administration – St. Xavier University

Professional Educator License, School Counselor Endorsement

Trained in Mindfulness Meditation

     The Academic Center provides services for students who need extra support in the classroom.  Students are given extra time to complete assignments and assessments and are provided with a quiet environment where they can ask questions and clarify what has been presented in the mainstream classroom.  The center also focuses on developing study skills so that students understand their areas of strengths and weaknesses.  We work throughout the year to develop skills in order to build the confidence needed to effectively interact in an academic environment.  The Academic Center reinforces the importance of organization, communication, and motivation and the role that these play in success both in and out of the classroom. 

     Mrs. Palluzzi, the Academic Center Coordinator, and Ms. Palumbo, Counseling Director and Counselor, work closely with Proviso District 209 to ensure learning plans are updated yearly and re-evaluated every three years.