About Me

Anater, David School Counselor resize

Welcome to SJHS School Counseling!

STUDENT SERVICES

As a nationally certified school counselor with a Master’s Degree in School Counseling from Duquesne University, I adhere to the standards and best practices set forth by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). As such, it is my responsibility to uphold the four pillars of School Counseling: leadership, advocacy, collaboration, and systemic change all of which are designed with the ultimate goal of maximizing student success.

With Saint Joseph High School being a college preparatory high school, it is the ultimate goal for every student to be qualified for entrance into a college or university upon graduation from high school. Understanding that each student is different and has different goals and aspirations, the school counseling department aims to assist our students in whatever path they choose for life after high school.

My school year begins with the formation of the Master Schedule, which allows students the opportunity to select challenging coursework that will keep them engaged and prepared for more advanced coursework in the future. Each Spring, students are provided with course selection forms, where they select their preference of course rigor and choose electives based on their interests. These courses require both the endorsement of current classroom teachers and also a parent in order to keep everyone in agreement with course selection.

Understanding that our students may sometimes face difficult situations when navigating the trials and tribulations of high school, it is important for students to feel supported when they are at school. Students are welcome to visit the school counseling office to discuss any academic or social/emotional issues that they may be experiencing, where we will work together to come up with creative solutions to these problems and work towards accomplishing their goals.

If you as a parent would ever like to set up a meeting to discuss anything related to your child, please send me an email at danater@saintjosephhs.com or call my direct line at 724-224-4715.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Students that graduate from Saint Joseph High School are required to accrue at least 100 hours of community service from their freshman year to the end of their senior year. A signed service hours form adds up to at least 100 hours of community service is a requirement for graduation.

Forms to track student volunteer hours are available in the school counseling office. Having the students properly document their hours with the provided forms helps ensure accuracy and consistency with counting volunteer hours.

Volunteer opportunities are regularly shared with students through Google Classroom or email blasts. Some of the more popular volunteer opportunities that students have done over the past few years include attending the Catholic Heart Work Camp over the Summer, volunteering at your local parish or the Allegheny Valley Association of Churches, and assisting Guardian Angels Parish Fish Fry.

If you are a parent or community member who would like the school counselor to share a volunteering opportunity with SJHS students, please email the school counselor at danater@saintjosephhs.com with pertinent information and a person to contact.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Each year, SJHS graduates are fortunate to receive a large number of scholarships through a variety of institutions, whether that be directly through the colleges and universities that they apply to, or through a variety of community partners that sponsor scholarships that our students apply for directly.

There are numerous scholarship websites and apps that list scholarships on a National level, such as Scholly, FastWeb, GoingMerry or Raise Me. There are a lot of scholarships available on a National level that any student may choose to apply for. On these larger, national websites, a student can filter scholarships so that they are more applicable to their scenario and goals.

On a local level, there are additional scholarship opportunities that our students are more likely to be awarded than those scholarships that have students from across the country applying for. The Alle-Kiski Health Foundation has a small number of scholarships listed here that SJHS students have been awarded in the past.

COLLEGE BOARD AND COMMON APP

Saint Joseph High School recommends students take advantage of the resources available through the Collegeboard and the Common App for all things related to college and career planning. Both of these platforms feature a wide variety of College and Career Planning tools, where students can explore pathways for life after high school and search for colleges and careers that are relevant to their strengths and interests.

Students are able to view PSAT scores, take practice tests, and register for the SAT through the Collegeboard software. Students are recommended to make Common App profiles at the end of their Junior years, as this software allows students to apply to multiple schools at once, simplifying the college application process.
It is worth mentioning that beginning in the Spring of 2024, all Collegeboard Assessments will be fully transitioned to the digital format.

MENTAL HEALTH AND FAILY RESOURCES

Please see below for a list of Family, Community, and Mental Health Resources that we recommend for our students and families at Saint Joseph High School. These agencies offer helpful resources in a variety of ways for any personal difficulties, social/emotional struggles, or familial issues that your students may encounter. Please contact the school counselor if you have any questions or concerns.

24 HOUR HOTLINES

The Mercy Health Behavioral Health
Are you or a loved one in crisis? Do you need someone to talk to? Mercy Health provides clinical staff who are trained to conduct emergency mental health assessments to determine the most appropriate level of care. The Mercy Health behavioral health crisis line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. (833) 347-5544.
National Hopeline Network (Crisis or Suicidal Thoughts)
1-800-784-2433
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Office of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) 1-877-356-5355
Center for Victims of Violent Crime
Crisis Hotline: (412) 392-8582
Crisis Text Line: Text “PA” to 741-741
General Phone: (412) 482-3240
The Department of Human Services (DHS) Support & Referral Helpline 1-855-284-2494; for TTY, dial 724-631-5600

SUICIDE 24 HOUR HOTLINES AND INFORMATION

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. 1-800-273-8255.

Resolve Crisis Clinic
UPMC resolve is a 24-hour, 365-day crisis service that’s free to all Allegheny County residents. Everyone experiences moments of crisis in life. You might be struggling with depression or substance abuse. Or maybe you’re overwhelmed by problems at work, feeling lonely, or having a conflict with a loved one. Whether your problem is large or small, talking with someone can help. Most of all, don’t wait for a problem to get out of control. Just call resolve Crisis Services for help at 1-888-796-8226.

Westmoreland Community Action Crisis Hotline
The Crisis Hotline is available 24/7 to provide assistance for individuals in crisis or for individuals seeking assistance for another person in crisis. Any individuals with concerns for self or others may utilize the Hotline as a starting point for crisis support. Direct referrals for the Mobile Crisis Unit (face-to-face crisis intervention) are made through the Crisis Hotline. The only requirement is the person in a behavioral health crisis must be located in Westmoreland County. 1-800-836-6010.

STAR Center
STAR-Center's mission is to provide state-of-the-art youth suicide prevention through the specialized and evidence based assessment and treatment of children and adolescents suffering from depression and or anxiety. (412) 246-5619

FAMILY SUPPORT RESOURCES

Pennsylvania 211: If you need to connect with resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, PA 211 is a great place to start. From help with a utilities bill, to housing assistance, after-school programs for kids, and more, you can dial 211 or text your zip code to 898-211 to talk with a resource specialist for free.

Wesley Family Services - Tarentum 4th Ave
Wesley Family Services is a non-profit organization that is committed to providing high quality behavioral healthcare services and support programs to children, adults, and families over the course of their lifespan so that they are empowered to reach their full potential. With more than 40 programs in behavioral healthcare and support programs, our staff works closely with those we serve and tailors our approach to meet the unique needs of every individual. As an organization, Wesley Family Services provides behavioral healthcare services and support programs to individuals in their homes, communities, and schools, whatever best meets the needs of those we serve. (412) 342-2270

MENTAL HEALTH

The Caring Place
The Highmark Caring Place, a center for grieving children, adolescents and their families, is a safe place where grieving children and families can come together and be with others who understand what they’re going through. (888) 224-4673

An essential community resource, the Caring Place offers services at no charge to grieving families from throughout the community.

Turtle Creek Valley
TCV Children and Family Services provides a full continuum of behavioral health care for children, adolescents and their families. Services include Prevention and Treatment Services in the office and in participating schools. (412) 351-0222
Allegheny County Resources for Schools: Educational resources for school districts. (Action Research/Data-Sharing; School-based Liaisons; School Attendance/Truancy; Education-related Questions)

Allegheny County Resources for Families: Educational resources for families. (Child Care and Early Learning; Homelessness and School Stability; FosterCare and School Stability; Special Education; Truancy/School Attendance; Education-related Questions)

Allegheny County Services for Children, Youth and Young Adults: Choose from a wide variety of options to have your child's mental health evaluated and/or treated. Where you start is often a matter of personal preference, insurance coverage, existing relationships you may have with a family doctor or other professional, or the severity of your child's symptoms. Lack of private insurance coverage will not be a barrier to having your child receive treatment for a severe emotional disturbance.

COPING SKILLS

Student Assistance Program (SAP) Coping with Stress-CDC: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major effect on our lives. Many of us are facing challenges that can be stressful, overwhelming, and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Public health actions, such as social distancing, are necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19, but they can make us feel isolated and lonely and can increase stress and anxiety. Learning to cope with stress in a healthy way will make you, the people you care about, and those around you become more resilient. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Helping Teenagers with Stress:
Teenagers, like adults, may experience stress every day and can benefit from learning stress management skills. Most teens experience more stress when they perceive a situation as dangerous, difficult, or painful and they do not have the resources to cope. Find out more about some sources of stress for teens and how to help them deal with it on the website.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Coping with Hard Times Fact Sheet This resource helps high school students and young adults understand how economic difficulties may affect them and provides suggestions on how they can cope during these uncertain times.

TRUANCY

PDE Attendance In Pennsylvania, students who miss more than 10 percent of school days across the academic year are chronically absent. The pandemic has and will continue to pose challenges to students' regular attendance. While a great deal is known about effective strategies for addressing barriers to attendance and reducing chronic absenteeism, fluid transitions between full in-person, hybrid, and full-remote instructional delivery models will require strategic adaptation of evidence-based strategies. Attendance Works Across the country, more than 8 million students are missing so many days of school that they are academically at risk. Chronic absence — missing 10 percent or more of school days due to absence for any reason—excused, unexcused absences and suspensions, can translate into students having difficulty learning to read by the third-grade, achieving in middle school, and graduating from high school.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES NEAR NATRONA HEIGHTS

Evergreen Counseling Services, Inc. 415 Fourth Avenue Suite 7 Tarentum, PA, 15084 Allegheny County 724-845-9880 Brunetti, Stephen, LCSW

Penn Psycare, Inc. 2663 Leechburg Road Lower Burrell, PA, 15068 Westmoreland County 724-339-1500

Counseling for PROGRESS LLC 2772 Leechburg Road Suite 6 Lower Burrell, PA, 15068

Shirley, Heidi, LCSW 2207 Freeport Road Suite C Natrona Heights, PA 15065 Allegheny County 724-224-3031

Edwards Clinical Therapy Services, LLC 2322 Freeport Road Natrona Heights, PA 15065 Allegheny County 724-224-2500

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

Saint Joseph High School is glad to announce the initiation of their own chapter of the National Honor Society beginning in the Spring of 2024. Information will be distributed to students and families as our process to start our own NHS chapter begins throughout the Spring of 2024.

PHEAA

The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, or PHEAA, is an organization that assists students and their families with understanding the costs involved with post high school education and works to provide families with information related to minimizing college costs and how to navigate the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Process. Amy Sawdey is our PHEAA representative who works with families from Western Pennsylvania, and she will be able to help answer any questions regarding the FAFSA, student aid, and paying for college. She can be reached at amy.sawdey@pheaa.org. Each year, PHEAA conducts a Financial Aid night for Senior Parents - The slides from the 2023-2024 school year presentation are attached here.