The Wellness Counselor meets with students to check in and offer support confidentially around a large variety of issues including: stress, anxiety, mindfulness, depression, death or illness of a loved one, family issues, relationship issues, struggles with friends, identity questions, racism, sexism, homophobia, financial stress, incarceration of a loved one, community violence, and everything in between. The Wellness Counselor can also help you communicate with teachers around personal issues that may be impacting your ability to engage at school. The Wellness counselor is not able to meet with students weekly or provide ongoing therapy due to capacity, however, they can provide periodic check-ins/ support and can refer you out for regular therapy. 

Confidentiality means what you say is kept between you and the person you are talking to. As counselors we sometimes check in with one another to figure out how to best support shared students. However, we will not share information outside of that unless you give us permission, except in the below exceptions.

• You intend and have a plan to seriously harm yourself.

• You intend to seriously harm someone and/or their property. 

• An adult (someone over the age of 18 at the time of the event) has ever abused you or another minor in any way (physical, sexual, psychological, neglect).

• Any incident when sexual activity was not consensual: coercion, abuse, assault, or rape. 

• You are under the age of 16 and sexually active with someone 21 or older. 

• You are over the age of 14 and are sexually active with someone under the age of 14.

• Tell me you brought a weapon to school or are selling drugs on campus.

• Are under the influence of drugs or alcohol to the point that you are unsafe to yourself or others.

• Community service is volunteer time intended to enhance both OHS students’ lives and the greater community. It gives students an opportunity to meet Oceana’s School Wide Outcome 5, “Respectful and Responsible Citizens." And it gives students a chance to gain job skills and self-esteem, while improving problem solving and critical thinking skills (School Wide Outcome 3). Community service also allows students an opportunity to understand the issues in their communities and to feel connected to others. Current research finds that volunteer work promotes well-being and happiness. Lastly, community service is an excellent addition for college and job applications and scholarships are available for students who earn silver cord honors.

• In a typical school year, each student must complete 25 hours for each year of attendance at Oceana. Hours are prorated at the rate of 12.5 per semester for transfer students. All incoming students (9th and transfer) may bring in 25 hours from previous experience with proper documentation.

• ALL service must be done outside of the regular school day.

• It is important to make sure the log sheet is properly signed and all necessary information provided. Letters from agencies must be on the agency’s letterhead and contain the same information as the log sheets.

• Students should make a personal copy of all community service log sheets or letters before turning them in. Give the extra copy to your Advisor to file. You can download blank log sheets below (see the bottom of this page), from the CS Google Classroom, or from the OHS website. They are also available outside of Office 12.

• Hours are updated several times a year and can be turned into Advisors or the Community Service Coordinator. Check with your Advisor to see your current hours. 

• Students who earn 2.5 times their required number of hours (250 hours for students here all four years), earn a silver cord as an honor at graduation.

• The Deadline for documentation for any hours completed each school year (including the prior summer) is due on the second to last Friday of the school year. Any hours not turned in by this date will not be counted.

• All community service must be completed at a non-profit agency or organization. Such organizations include schools, hospitals, libraries, city agencies, public TV and radio stations, soup kitchens and food banks, boys & girls clubs, park and recreation departments, and many other places. CHECK BEFORE YOU START!

• Community service may NOT be done for any for-profit businesses, for individuals, or for direct family members, even if you are not getting paid. Be careful with child care and elder care agencies – many are for-profit businesses.

• Service done at religious organizations (churches, temples, mosques, etc…) is only allowed when the work is non-religious. Additionally, the work must be intended to benefit the greater community and not to promote the religion. Any religious instruction, participation in worship services or child care during services does not qualify.

• Community service credit for political work will only be given if the work is non-partisan (voter registration, working the polls, etc.)

• Students will receive 12 hours of community service per full day of Outdoor Ed if it takes place during a school break. If it is during Interim week, students will receive 6 hours for each full day of work and 4 hours for partial days. 

• Students may receive a maximum of 62.5 for each individual Oceana sponsored on-campus event – including managing a sports team. Community service credit is not available for organizing or participating in assemblies, rallies, or dances, or for working for an individual teacher.

• If you have ANY questions or concerns about an agency or organization, check with the Community Service Coordinator BEFORE you start working so that you can be sure your time will be counted!

• Many current community service opportunities are listed on the Community Service Google Classroom, the bulletin and fliers at school. This information can also be found on our website: http://ohs.juhsd.net/

• Ask your Advisor, friends, and the Community Service Coordinator for ideas.

• Go to these websites for ideas and opportunities:

  • San Francisco Bay Area Volunteer Information Center: http://www.volunteerinfo.org/

  • The Volunteer Center: http://www.thevolunteercenter.net/

  • Its Your District (San Francisco): http://itsyourdistrict.org/opportunities