Meet our Counselors

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Sarah Shamsie

Counselor

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Courtney Jones

Counselor

RSD Counselor Mission Statement
The Russellville School Counseling program supports students, provides services to students, and develops skills in every child, every day.

Counselor Vision

To partner with one another, as well as with educators, families, and the community, to provide a safe environment while empowering the whole child to become a successful, productive member of society.

Counselor Beliefs

We believe that when students feel safe and connected at school, they are better able to self-regulate and to solve problems.  It’s important that everyone (administrators, teachers, counselors, families, students) understand and support the counselor’s role in a comprehensive school counseling program. Data collection and reflection support and allow counselors to improve upon counselors’ advocacy for students. Students’ current and future success (in academics, socially/emotionally, in careers, as citizens) is the focus of the school counselor. We believe that students’ diverse talents should be cultivated, and that their varying needs (academic, linguistic, social/emotional) should be met in the school setting. To make lasting, sustainable change, counselors need to work with students’ families, as well as with the students themselves.  School counselors need timely/current professional development in strategies/techniques that are aimed at meeting the needs of our students, many of whom present with behavioral/emotional challenges, and whose families are impacted by a variety of complex issues. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED COUNSELOR QUESTIONS

Q:  How do I change my child’s schedule?

Students have seven days after the start of each semester to change schedules. They will need a schedule change form that can be picked up in the counselor's office.

Q: How can I improve my child’s GPA/Grades?
-Make sure your child attends school every day, all day.
-Keep communication open with teachers.
-Try to avoid making appointments during school hours.
-Keep up with your child’s attendance and grades with HAC (home access center).
-Take advantage of the before and after-school tutoring programs RJHS offers.

Q: How can I access copies of my child’s birth certificate, social security card, report card, etc…?
Come to the school counselor's office with your driver's license. Documents can only be released to parents or legal guardians of students.

Q: What do I need in order to register my child for school? 
The school counselors act as the registrar for the school. We must have your child's birth certificate and social security card. There is also state-required paperwork that you will be given in the counselor's office upon registration.

Q: How do I make sure my child gets into the college he or she has chosen?
Go the college's website and look at the requirements for entry. Let the RJHS counselors know what we can do to help your child plan and get into the classes necessary for college entrance.