Guidance

The St. Mary’s Guidance Department is staffed with dedicated professionals.  The services offered by guidance are many and diverse.  Our primary function is to help students understand themselves in order to make better decisions about their lives. We help students identify their strengths and talents with the intention of providing appropriate and informed academic, college and career choices.  Throughout the school year students will meet with their counselor individually, and/or in groups, and as needed.  Students are encouraged to schedule appointments when the need arises.  Counselors are also receptive to students in need of personal counseling.

COUNSELOR CONTACTS
                       
Parents are encouraged to communicate their questions and concerns to their child’s guidance counselor if the need arises.  If you cannot reach a counselor directly by phone, please leave a message on the counselor’s voice mail or with Patti Marini, Administrative Assistant to the Guidance Department.  You may also reach any of the counselor’s through email by clicking on the link below.
                                               
Main Telephone Number:  781-595-7885

Guidance Director
Guidance Counselor Grades 11 & 12
Philip Coleman ext. 207
pcoleman@smhlynn.org

Guidance Counselor Grades 10, 11 & 12
Frank Sarro ext.226
mailto:fsarro@smhlynn.org

Adjustment Counselor Grades 7 – 12
Guidance Counselor Grade 9
Elizabeth Knowles ext. 208
mailto:eknowles@smhlynn.org

Administrative Assistant
Patti Marini ext. 206
mailto:pmarini@smhlynn.org

College Entrance Examination Board Code (CEEB#) 221275
 

School Adjustment Counselor

The School Adjustment Counselor provides a link between the home, school, and community.  This service assists students and families to overcome social and personal problems, which may impede the learning process.  The school adjustment counselor provides individual, group and short-term crisis counseling, consultation to teachers and parents, and other services, which help students, maximize their learning potential.  It is important to recognize that individual counseling on the junior and senior high school level should not be utilized to replace individual outside therapy.  The school adjustment counselor is trained to deal with a variety of problems that students present with and are able to make appropriate referrals when necessary. 

A variety of group counseling may be offered at any given time depending upon the needs of the student body.  Issues such as anger management, dropout prevention, substance abuse, bullying within the school environment and bereavement are not uncommon within the school atmosphere.  When arguments or disagreements occur at school, the adjustment counselor is available to mediate between the students or between student and teachers.  Conflict resolution is an effective way in which to resolve such issues.

Recommended Websites for Parents

http://www.familyeducation.com/ This site is run by The Learning Network and has advice and ideas for parents about current issues that students are faced with.

http://www.focusas.com/ This site is run by Focus Adolescent Services and contains information about issues your teen may be facing.

http://www.schoolcounselor.org/  This site contains information on the role of school counselors and includes good articles for parents.

http://www.mentalhealth.org/  This site contains information about mental health issues that may affect the teen or family members of the teen.

http://www.schoolmediation.com/  This site contains information about conflict resolution and peer mediation programs.

Help Hotline 1-800327-5050 Call the Helpline to find substance abuse programs, support groups, counseling services and community resources.