Overview
Students Support efforts are coordinated through our Guidance Department. It aims to provide students with support, advice and guidance in their social, emotional, educational and vocational areas. The department contributes to develop individuals with values and standards who are able to make wise, healthy decisions and manage their personal life.
Whenever necessary the Guidance Department organizes support groups and groups of diversification. The counselor performs interventions at times of crisis which may include the entire class or just small groups depending on the need.
Guidance is not a discipline element in school, but rather prevention.
The department works with parents to remove barriers that are preventing the student from developing, it is focused on maintaining effective communication with families and teachers.
Milkbreak Program
Milkbreak is the designated name for the school’s child study committee.
Students with special needs are expected to master the general curriculum to the maximum extent appropriate with the use of interventions in school, as well as outside supplementary instruction, and other support such as psychological and medical assistance. These students are generally referred to as Milkbreak students. As soon as students are referred, parents are informed that the child has been referred to the Student Support Team (Milkbreak) for recommendations or conditions. Milkbreak takes place three times a year.
Teachers, Counselor, Coordinators and the School Principal carefully monitor each student’s progress. The school will make every effort to assist a student’s learning and in the case of special difficulties or circumstances, additional help may be necessary to ensure a child’s success.
The provision of an equitable learning environment for all students is one of the school’s Guiding Principles.
College Prep
The High School Guidance Counselor assists students with all matters related to college and career planning including: providing college preparation information and advice, guiding students with selection of possible majors, conducting vocational testing, writing letters of recommendation and helping with college applications, guiding students with course selections that may prepare them for future college studies, contacting universities and hosting college visits, networking with other Guidance Counselors among other responsibilities.
Our Guidance Counselors
Ms. Wendy Rudeke
Ms. Rudeke, our middle school and high school counselor, is a psychologist with a masters in education and trained school counselor. She has over 22 years of experience in schools, 20 have been serving the Ashton community.
To have been a part of the counseling department from its first steps focused on elementary, to what is now a group of dedicated professionals is more than anyone could have wished for. Dedicated and committed to serve, she strives to ensure students gain strategies that will allow each one reach their individual goals. She has a passion for working with middle school and high school students and reaching out to meet their needs.
She is compassionate and empathetic and has learned by walking besides her students, she receives more than she could ever give.
Ms. Sarah Rodríguez
Ms. Rodríguez is our Elementary Counselor who loves working to meet every student’s social, emotional and academic needs to ensure long term success for all.
For the last 20 years she has been involved in early education, she has taught in various grade levels from preschool to elementary, and has been our counselor for the last 7 years.
For as long as she remembers being surrounded by children has been her dream. She feels grateful everyday for the opportunity of shaping hearts and teaching values, which at Ashton is what makes us special! She feels the responsibility to promote a culture of Kindness and respect around our students. She strongly believes in building healthy relationships with them in order to be able to connect and become what they were looking for in a counselor.
Ms. Rodríguez is passionate for learning and becoming resourceful to parents, teachers and students. She enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with her family.
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