In addition, the students will become familiar with the process needed to identify and exercise their post-secondary options. Ultimately, the Counselors will guide students and their families through the procedures and skills needed for the college process.

The Counseling Department also hosts a number of informational meetings for parents, emphasizing the college process including bi-annual college fairs and financial aid information sessions.

Listed below are some specific topics and issues that are presented by the School and College Counselors in each of the four years and a pdf Social and Emotional Resources.

• Time management and organizational skills
• Techniques to improve study skills
• Social and emotional adjustment to High School
• Mid-term and final exam preparation skills
• How to use the Naviance program

• Updating the Naviance program
• Exploring career interests
• PSAT EXAM: Using results to determine areas of strength and concern.
• Encourage involvement in extracurricular activities
• Maintain strong academic progress
• SAT Subject Tests overviews

• Researching college programs associated with career interests
• Determining the requirements needed to attend the school that matchestheir career interests
• Importance of PSAT, SAT, SAT IIs, ACT
• Resume writing for college admissions and employment
• Interest inventory as it relates to career discovery
• Personality assessment for career and academic selection
• The college search
• College visits
• The student athlete – NCAA
• A look at college applications

• Continue Counseling Services from prior years
• Continue one-on-one college meetings begun in Junior Year
• Host College Planning Information Sessions
• Host Financial AId sessions
• Assist seniors and their families through each stage of the collegeapplication process

Social and Emotional Resources

The counseling and student services department assists Stepinac in providing a holistic approach to the well-being and education of the entire student. In a collaborative model including students, teachers, coaches, counselors and parents, the counseling department works to provide a framework for students’ success.

Dedicated Freshman counselor(s) hold classes and one on one counseling to assist freshmen in transition, academic and study skills, time management, personal issues, handling social media and peer pressure. They discover who they are, how they fit into the world, as well as work with resilience and mindfulness.

Academic advisement, college and career exploration and classes that include assisting students in identifying learning styles continue into sophomore, junior and senior years. The college search and application process is comprehensive: counselors work with students and their families through every step of the process to ensure that the students, upon leaving Stepinac, have the best options for their post high school education.

The counseling department, which includes a social worker, provides counseling for students whose personal, emotional or life situations negatively impact their academic success.

Academic resource services assists in identifying students with learning differences and works with local school districts to organize evaluations and committee meetings. The learning specialist also works in the school building and with standardized test companies to gain accommodations and modifications as per the individual student plans. He also works exclusively with these students using executive function workshops, as well as other strategies for academic success.

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Office of Academic Support
The Office of Academic Support ensures all students are part of the Stepinac family. We are committed to empowering students to reach their full academic potential in an equitable and inclusive environment.

Mrs. Lisa Cappiello
Counselor for Students with IEP’s/504’s
914-946-4800 ext. 359
lcappiello@stepinac.org

Mrs. Bernadette Fogarty
Learning Specialist
914-946-4800 ext. 524
bfogarty@stepinac.org

Mrs. Sylvia Simmons
Testing Accommodations Coordinator
914-946-4800 ext. 522
ssimmons@stepinac.org

Overview

• Serve as an academic support contact through senior year
• Partners with counselors, communications with teachers, families
• We support students emotionally, socially, and academically
• Provide transition services to colleges/universities
• Apply for accommodationsfor standardized testing SAT/ACT

District Advocate

• Work closely with all school districts to provide a seamless transition of services
• Arrange evaluations and services in the school
• Serve as an advocate to local school districts on behalf of students

Types of Programs

IEP - District Level:

• District learning plan
• We will handle all annual reviews and re-evaluations together

504 Plan - Building Level:

• Specific to Stepinac High School
• Services based on recommendations of evaluators
• Formalized plan for transition to college

Approved Accommodations & Modifications

Testing Accommodations:

• Extended time
• Separate location
• Computer use during exams

Classroom Modifications:

• Preferential seating
• Copy of class notes
• Refocus/Redirection
• Check for understanding
• Others as documented

Executive Functioning Skills Group

Help students with skills that are essential to learning

• Time management
• Planning
• Organization
• Self-regulation
• Working memory

Academic Learning Center (ALC)

• Primary focus is to provide students with learning strategies, study techniques, and organizational skills that address their IEP goals and objectives.
• ALC will be used to review, reinforce and reteach content area subjects.
• Services include remediation and reinforcement of academic subjects, organization and work completion
• The goal of the ALC is to provide students with the tools necessary to become independent, successful, self-directed learners.

Our graduates have been accepted to the following post-secondary institutions: