Counseling Department
This is a very strange and unusual time in the history of our world, and it has created a lot of uncertainty, particularly regarding school. During this time, we would like to assure you that we are doing our very best to adapt to this crisis and serve all of our students. It will take some time and require a lot of flexibility, patience, and understanding, but we will all get through this!
Counselors are working remotely from home every day and responding to emails in a timely manner. In addition, we will be holding "drop-in" Office Hours each Friday from 11 am - 12 pm via Zoom. The link for these zoom meetings can be found in our Counseling Newsletter. Initially, we are serving to provide general support and Q&A to help through this unusual time, but we will continue to update you with resources as they become available.
If not already, you can expect to hear from your teachers with the plans moving forward (as guided by our district and leadership). This includes teachers from Monte Vista, Simi Institute, and the Career Ed Centers. If you're enrolled in Moorpark College classes, they are providing their own alerts, but please be advised that the college courses are still in full session (virtually), so please don't fall behind.
Please know that there are many available resources at your disposal throughout our community. We have listed some of those below for you, if needed, and we encourage students to seek out these supports with your parents/guardians.
Resources:
- SVUSD Coronavirus page
- SVUSD Tips for HS Parents
- Ventura County Official up-to-date Info & Resources
- Ventura County Coping with Stress Resources
- HelpNow: 24-7 Homework Help by Brainfuse (Ventura County Public Library)
- General Resources
- Summer School
- Moorpark College Dual Enrollment
- SAT & AP Exam Coronavirus Updates
- ACT Coronavirus Updates
- Crisis Hotline - (800-273-8255) or crisis text line: 741741
- In an emergency, please call 911 for immediate support
In addition, we would like you to know that breakfast and lunch for students is continuing to be distributed as follows:
SVUSD is continuing to offer breakfast as well as lunch for our community’s children. There are three pick-up locations available, including Berylwood Elementary School (2300 Heywood Street), Parkview Elementary School (1500 Alexander St), and Santa Susana High School (3570 E. Cochran Street). Meals will be provided from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Any child age 18 and under may participate and receive a meal free of charge, regardless of enrollment in the Simi Valley Unified School District. In the interest of maintaining the current requirements for social distancing, we are continuing to use the drive-through system for meal distribution to prevent large groups from forming (But no children will be turned away). In order to receive a breakfast/lunch, the child/children must be present at the time of pick-up. Unfortunately, having children present to pick up the free meals is federal law, and as of today, these requirements remain in place. Breakfast will be given at the same time as lunch, so this will be breakfast for the next morning. Please know that children will not be allowed to eat at the schools after picking up their lunches.
UPDATE: Beginning 4/27/20, food will be delivered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays only. The times and sites will remain the same. Monday and Wednesday meals will include additional food items to cover Tuesday and Thursday.
The dinner schedule at local food pantries is sent out by the district and can be emailed to you as needed.
The Santa Susana High School Counseling Department is an integral and vital component in the development of the academic and personal goals of all students. Our program provides student-centered advising designed to develop and enhance the academic, social, career, and personal strengths for all students. We work with parents, teachers and staff to advocate for high academic achievement and appropriate social development for each student so that they develop the skills necessary to become well-adjusted, productive adults of tomorrow. Additionally, we strives to work with students, parents and other staff to facilitate transitions throughout the high school years. We encourage students to be independent, to effectively communicate their needs, and make decisions that will prepare them to be productive and successful in their chosen academic and career paths.
Students at Santa Susana High School are assigned to their counselor based on the first letter of their last name for all grades 9 through 12.
Ms. Devyn Thompson, Counselor (A-F) devyn.thompson@simivalleyusd.org
Mrs. Lisa Hotz, Counselor (G-N) lisa.hotz@simivalleyusd.org
Ms. Kelsey McMahon, Counselor (O-Z) kelsey.mcmahon@simivalleyusd.org
Mrs. Jennifer Wigdor, College & Career Coordinator jennifer.wigdor@simivalleyusd.org
Mrs. Sue Petralia, Registrar susan.petralia@simivalleyusd.org
Mrs. Sandra FitzGerald, Counseling Secretary sandra.fitzgerald@simivalleyusd.org
The Counseling office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM and closed daily from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM for lunch
The Counseling Office is also CLOSED during the school year on most days when school is NOT in session.
Counselors are available to students on a walk-in basis during:
- ACE
- Lunch
- After School
If your counselor is unavailable when you drop in, students may fill out a red form in the counseling office or email their counselor to set up an appointment.
Stay connected to the SSHS Counseling Office!
Remind is a free, safe messaging app that keeps families up to date with what’s happening in the Counseling Office. Remind is free to use for teachers, students, and parents. Standard text messaging and data rates may apply, so check to see if you’re on a per-text phone plan or a limited data plan. You can always log in to your account on the web.
Join your students class below to stay informed!
