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Valarie Truehill » Valarie Truehill - School Counselor

Valarie Truehill - School Counselor

Academic

Individual or small-group counseling: School counselors help students understand their strengths, interests, skills, and academic progress. They use test results and other information to help students set short-term and long-term goals.
 

Available Supports:

  • Individual academic counseling
  • Review data to identify students in need of support and interventions
  • Track and assist academically at-risk students
 

Study Tips

  • Check your grades at least twice a week on Infinite Campus
  • Check your assignments daily
  • Use your planner every day to keep track of homework, project deadlines, upcoming tests, events, sports practice, etc.
  • Set up a "study space"
    • Have all your material in front of you: lecture notes, course textbooks, study guides and any other relevant material
  • Don’t try to do all your studying the night before the test. Instead space out your studying, review class materials several times a week, focusing on one topic at a time
  • Take short breaks frequently. Your memory retains information that you study at the beginning and the end better than what you study in the middle
  • Review/re-write notes
  • Make flashcards on Quizlet
  • Create a Kahoot (interactive game-based learning program)
  • Use Khan Academy (expert created content and resources for every subject)
  • Ask a friend/parent to quiz or review with you
  • If you choose to study in a group, only study with others who are serious about the test
  • Re-do homework problems as practice
  • Organize your backpack weekly
  • Pack your backpack (check for assignments you're turning in) the night before
 

Transition To High School

Personal / Social

School counselors provide counseling sessions in individual and small-group settings to help students overcome issues impeding achievement or success, including difficulties dealing with relationships, personal concerns, or normal developmental tasks. Counseling is planned, goal-focused, and it is short-term in nature. School Counselors do not provide therapy or long-term counseling in schools to address psychological disorders.
 


Available supports:

  • Help students navigate through friendship changes
  • Encourage and support student advocacy with teachers
  • Provide individual interventions for personal challenges with family or private life (divorce, grief, health, self-esteem, etc.)
  • Crisis Interventions (anxiety, behavior management, risk assessments)
  • Group Interventions (counseling, conflict mediation, substance abuse information)
  • Act as a student support liaison and case carrier for students with Section 504 Accommodation Plans
  • Promote school-wide kindness through school-wide activities
  • Organize field trips to promote social and cultural growth
  • Collaborate with stakeholders and initiate referrals to community resources
 

There are many resources at SAGE Academy to support students and families.

  • Contact your students' Counselor
  • Mental Health Specialist supports families with consultation, short-term counseling, crisis counseling/intervention, resource linkage for families.
  • Penny Lane
  • Parents Anonymous
  • Daybreak
  • Soluna
School Counselors support the mental and emotional well-being of all students. Additional information will be shared with students through Canvas, but try the following suggestions to get started on creating your wellness.
 

Personal Wellness

  • Do something relaxing
  • Be creative
  • Talk to someone you trust
  • Start a personal hobby
  • Write a list of what you're thankful for
 

Physical Wellness

  • Get enough sleep
  • Eat nutritious food and drink water
  • Exercise or participate in sports
  • Take care of yourself as hygiene is important
 

Social Wellness

  • Join a club
  • Connect with family/friends
  • Volunteer

College & Career Exploration

It's not too early to start looking forward to your future! Check out the following college/career tools and feel free to talk to your counselors about any questions you may have. You can also find more information on the Counseling Canvas page that will be shared with you at the start of school.
 
  • California College - As California is home to over 750 higher education institutions, the largest number compared with all the states, this website provides students with an all-inclusive guide for their college and career paths. Students and parents can explore thousands of colleges, community colleges, state universities, and elite research institutions offering a wide variety of degrees and majors.
  • CollegeBoard Big Future - The College Board offers students information on college planning, college/career searches, and paying for college.
  • California Career Zone - This career exploration website has great tools to learn more about yourself, occupations you might be interested in, and planning for financial success. Try the "Make Money Choices" activity to learn about budgeting!
  • California Career Center - Another great career exploration website with tools to plan your Middle and High school years, explore career options, and find tips on how to get a job and overcome challenges that you may face.
  • Roadtrip Nation - Wondering what to do with your life? The team at Roadtrip Nation is here to help. No matter where you are on your journey, their tools and resources will guide you.
 

Further Career Exploration

Do you think you want to become an artist, engineer, sports player, politician, teacher, or have another future career in mind? Find out more about the career through first hand accounts.
 
Here are some ideas to consider:
  • Interview someone who does the job you are interested in
  • Respectfully ask friends, family, counselors/teachers if they know someone who is in the career you are interested in that you can interview
  • Set up a meeting time with this person, with the help of your parents
  • Interview them. Ask questions, such as, "What do you do in your career on a typical day?”, "What is your favorite part about your job?", "What is your least favorite part about your job?", and "How did you get into this career?"
  • Visit and "shadow" someone at their job:
    • Just like a shadow follows whatever someone does, you can ask for the opportunity to "shadow" someone at their job. By observing what their day really looks like, you can better understand the career.
  • Thank everyone for their time and help!