GUIDANCE & COUNSELING
The Guidance and Counseling Department seeks to focus on the growth of each student in four specific areas: personal development (spiritual, emotional, physical, and aesthetic); academic progress; college selection; and career choice. The department further seeks to improve the quality of parent/guardian-student relationships by helping close the "generation gap" through an approach which emphasizes both the right of parents to be themselves and the right of the child to be herself.
The counselors work directly with the students in individual conferences or small group sessions. These meetings attempt to foster good self-image, spiritual and emotional growth, and self-motivation and to help students determine personal, academic, and career goals. The program assists students in learning self-assessment and decision-making skills. To ensure that the needs of all students are met, all members of the professional staff assist the department in establishing the one-to-one relationship with students. In order to help students deal with the tensions that might arise as a result of interpersonal conflct Mount Alvernia has established a "Bullying Policy" so that we might help our students resolve conflict.
The guidance director oversees the standardized testing program and directs many special events such as Junior Information Night, Financial Aid Workshops, and New Student Orientation Nights.
The guidance counselors are available to schedule parent-teacher conferences. The department also sponsors guest speakers and programs with the Wellness Council that promote healthy choices.
Mrs. Maureen O'Rourke, Director and Grades 10,11 and 12
Sr. Irene Laurence, mfic , Grades 7, 8 and 9
