1. with the counselors Student Health and Wellness
Navigating Irvington
with the counselors
Student Health and Wellness

2. Counselors A-Do: Ms. Velazco Dr-Kr: Ms. Bennett Ku-Ng: Ms. Mintey
Nh-So: Ms. Velasquez
Sp-Z: Ms. Serrano
** College & Career Specialist: Ms. Abogado**

3. Best ways for STUDENTS to contact a counselor:
Counselors have student drop-in times listed on their door.
Face to face contact with counselors is encouraged as it is a great way for students to get to know their counselor.

4. PARENTS:
Due to large caseloads, walk-in appointments for parents cannot be accommodated.
Come to a counselor hosted Parent Information Session this year.
Encourage your student to:
See their counselor during STUDENT drop-in times (personal responsibility is one of our school wide outcomes)
their counselor if student cannot make STUDENT drop-in times
*If you have a concern that cannot be addressed by your student, please your student’s counselor. Please allow two school days for a response (during busy periods, you may receive an automated response).

5. Goal: To help students become healthy, joyful, mentally tough, academically competitive and well-rounded.
To accomplish this, we look at 5 aspects:
Family
Self
Extra-curricular
Academics
Social

6. Family
What PARENTS can do to promote health and wellness for the student:
Be supportive of your child’s abilities
Be a cheerleader
Help your child with independence and personal responsibility (careful of micro-managing)
Spend quality time together
Research college options, career choices, school activities, etc. WITH your student.
Resource: The city of Fremont’s website (Fremont.org) has information regarding upcoming events, classes, and service opportunities.

7. Self What PARENTS can do:
Make sure your child eating healthy enough and sleeping enough (at least 8 hours!)
Ask yourself:
Is your child happy and enjoying high school?
Is your child able to ask for help when needed?
Is your child challenging themselves to the best of their abilities?
Help promote personal responsibility and independence (Ex: encourage your child to talk to their teacher/counselor/etc. instead of ing them)
Be a cheerleader for your child
Resource: Counselors can assist in connecting students to appropriate outside resources if needed.

8. Extra-curricular Activities
What PARENTS can do:
Help your child pursue a hobby
Reduces stress
Help your child choose their extracurricular activities based on what they love
Students excel the most in activities they enjoy and find rewarding. It is better to excel in one or two areas than to have a superficial list of many activities.
Quality versus quantity
Resource: Irvington.org has information on clubs, athletics, and community service activities

9. Academics What PARENTS can do:
Help your child choose appropriate classes based on their ability level.
No two students are the same
Students feel good about themselves when they are doing well in their classes
Be realistic about what your child can handle with the other activities that they participate in.
Balance/ Time management
It is better to excel in one or two areas than to have a superficial list of many activities
Help your child consider all post-secondary options
College fit
Recent studies have shown no advantages in earning after graduating from less elite colleges.
Resource: Our college and career center offers college presentations, peer tutoring after school, and more!
How maintaining health and wellness in academics relates to the biggest stressor reported by students (getting into college): GPA is an important indicator to college admission officers that the students understands themselves and their ability levels. Students should be taking challenging courses that they can do well in. That will look different for each student. Example: If English 9 is a challenging course for the student, that is the appropriate class. The student does not need to be taking English 10 honors next year to get into college.
Helpful Online Article: How to Survive the College Admissions Madness by Frank Bruni (

10. Social What PARENTS can do:
Encourage your child to choose friends that will be supportive and positive.
Promote organized sports and community service
Keeps students off electronic devices
Establish tech free zones and times at home
Help your child identify a social activity where they will thrive.
IHS has over 70 clubs, band, sports, performing arts, boom squad, school dances, rallies, LINK crew, yearbook, school newspaper, student government, service learning.
Resource: Irvington.org has information on clubs, sports, upcoming events, etc.

11. What’s the theme? Family Self Student Social Academics
The 5 aspects are connected and intertwine
Family
Extra-Curricular
Self
Student
Academics
Social

12. School Interventions Academic: After school tutoring Advisory tutorial
Student-initiated meetings
With teachers, counselors, administrators
Weekly progress reports
Student planner
Naviance
Student Study Team
School Loop
Shmoop

13. School Interventions Cont.
Health and Wellness:
School nurse
School guidance counselors
School Resource Officer
School psychologist
Coordination Of Services Team (COST)
Can support students/families with outside resources (housing, mental health, insurance, etc.)
Available through referral from guidance counselor
On-site mental health counselors

14. Thank you!
Please encourage your student to see their counselor with any questions/concerns.
Please visit irvington.org/counselors for answers to many FAQs.