Counseling Corner
The AADUSD Counseling Department Newsletter
**Changes And Resources Regarding COVID-19**
CDC -Talking with children about Coronavirus Disease 2019
Website Resources For Stress Relief
Virtual College Fair
Naviance Career Survey Access
Due to School Campus Closures the Counseling Dept will not be able to hold classroom career survey sessions this Spring. We have included information on how to access your student account to complete the career surveys from home at your convenience. Please contact your counselor if your any difficulty logging in.
Activities for Elementary Students
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Mission Statement
Meet The Counselors
Mrs. Salsedo
Hi! My name is Nicole Salsedo, and this is my sixth year as a counselor at Vasquez High School. I have been a counselor in the Acton Agua-Dulce School District for six years and have also served as a counselor at both Meadowlark Elementary and High Desert School. I earned a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology with a Minor in Education from Occidental College and a Master’s Degree in Educational Counseling from La Verne University. I currently live in the Santa Clarita Valley with my husband and two cats Thea and Oliver. My favorite activities include playing travel slowpitch softball, bowling, and coaching softball at Vasquez High School.
Please feel free to contact me: nsalsedo@aadusd.k12.ca.us and follow our Instagram @vhscounselingdept
I look forward to working together for an exciting and successful school year!
Email: nsalsedo@aadusd.k12.ca.us
Mrs. Lairson
Hi! My name is Correna Lairson, and this is my second year as the counselor at High Desert. I have been a counselor in the Acton Agua-Dulce School District for three years and began at Meadowlark Elementary. I earned a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from San Francisco State University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Counseling from La Verne University. I began my career in education as a general education and special education teacher in the Palmdale School District. I currently live in the Santa Clarita Valley with my husband, two children, and dog, Penny. My favorite activities are playing tennis, hanging out with friends and family, traveling, and coaching softball at Vasquez High School.
Please feel free to contact me: clairson@aadusd.k12.ca.us and follow our Instagram @hdscounselingdept
I look forward to working together for an exciting and successful school year!
Email: clairson@aadusd.k12.ca.us
Miss Carrizal
Hello! My name is Jessy Carrizal, I am the new school counselor for Meadowlark Elementary and Vasquez High. I began my higher education in the medical field because I wanted to be a doctor, but after obtaining my Associate’s and Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, I decided that my heart and passion is in the education field, so I obtained my Master’s Degree in Educational Counseling from the University of La Verne and will begin working on my PhD in Education next fall. I am originally from Santa Clarita and recently moved to Lancaster with my 2 huskies. I am musically trained in playing the flute and piccolo as well as begun to take harp lessons. I am also trained in mixed martial arts since I was 10 years old and continue to train/coach today. I am bilingual and available for any spanish speaking families who may have counseling related questions for any site. The quickest form of contact is email: JCarrizal@aadusd.k12.ca.us, since I am traveling between two sites, if you need to contact me you can email me and I can give you a call. I hope to meet and collaborate with you for the success of our students!
Email: JCarrizal@aadusd.k12.ca.us
School Counseling Services
Here are some of the ways your school counselor can assist your student:
Classroom Guidance Lessons:
Classroom lessons address important preventative and developmental topics, including conflict resolution, bullying, coping skills, academic skills, career, and personal safety, among others.
Individual Counseling:
Individual counseling is offered on a short term basis for a variety of student concerns that may be affecting them academically. Students may see a school counselor for a variety of reasons including: stress, study skills, family changes, bullying, and more.
Small Groups:
Small groups provide additional learning experiences, giving children the opportunity to build relationships and practice new skills.
Highlights From the First Semester
Operation School Bell
In October, our counseling department attended the Target evening, to greet our families and enjoyed watching them while they shopped for their new items.
Vasquez High School
PSAT/NMSQT & SAT
Vasquez students were able to participate in the PSAT/NMSQT and for the first time offered on Vasquez campus the SAT on October 16th. If your student missed out on participating in the PSAT this year, we still have a handful of student guides that include one free practice test. Khan Academy who partners directly with the Collegeboard also provides free individualized SAT prep for students. https://www.khanacademy.org/satUC & CSU College Application Workshops
The Counseling Department held application workshops for both the University of California system and the California State University system. If your student was unable to attend both workshop powerpoints are included.
College Admission Representative Lunch Visits
College Admission Representatives from both Grand Canyon University and Azusa Pacific University have provided lunch information sessions to students this fall.High Desert School
Grade Level Parent Information Nights
High Desert parents were invited to parent information nights to discuss psycho-social development and key topics of how to support students in their success.The presentations are also available on our school’s website page.
Please feel free to access the presentations here:
Classroom Lessons
High Desert students received classroom lessons addressing the topic of bullying. These presentations provided information, strategies of how to handle different situations of bullying, and ways to reach out for support.Meadowlark Elementary
Group Counseling Lessons
Group counseling has begun! We have begun with learning and talking about coping skills. Each session is with 3-5 students for about 30-35 minutes once a week, we go over the rules at the beginning of every session and then we move on to the powerpoint. We have began with coping skills; some healthy ways for students to handle their emotions. There are always some fun activities, deep conversations, funny and engaging videos. Each week the topics change but all stay within the same theme; social and emotional growth. Students are referred by their teachers, administration, or parents. I have attached the introduction powerpoint presentation on coping skills so you can refer to it when working with your student.