Student Support
What does Portsmouth High School's Counseling Department Offer?
Through a comprehensive developmental school counseling program, counselors assist all students in their academic, personal/social, and career development goals. Counselors meet with students in classrooms, small groups, and individually. Personal, interpersonal and academic needs are considered of the utmost importance.
Emphasis is placed upon post-secondary planning. Early in the high school program, students are encouraged to investigate a variety of post-secondary opportunities consistent with their interest and aptitudes. Academic strengths and weaknesses are analyzed, and abilities and interests are discussed as the basis for career and educational decision making.
The School Counseling Department utilizes Naviance, a web-based program, in grades 9-12 to assist all students with the development of their personalized educational and career and post-secondary plans. Through Naviance, students participate in a variety of future planning activities such as personality profiler, a career interest inventory, career and college searches and the development of a resume.
Students and parents are invited to use the services offered by the School Counseling Department at any time during the school year.
Student Academic Services
The Student Academic Services (Special Education Department) at the high school offers a variety of services to students who require specialized instruction. Students have been referred, have had a formal evaluation and were found eligible for an Individualized Education Plan to support their education. An Individual Educational Plan is developed to address accommodations and/or modifications necessary for students to access their education and goals to address their academic, social/emotional and/or transition needs. Services are provided based on the student's level of performance and individual needs as determined by his/her Student Evaluation and Placements Team (SEPT).
More specific information regarding Student Academic Services may be obtained by contacting the SAS Department at Portsmouth High School - (436-7100, extension 2939).
ACADEMIC STUDY CENTERS
Students may work in small groups or one-to-one with a Student Academic Services staff member. Emphasis is placed on students developing the necessary organizational and academic skills for success in all disciplines. Study Center
is designated time to implement the goals and support the modifications and/or accommodations according to the student's Individual Educational Plan. Students in Study Center classes have the opportunity to develop effective study skills while completing course assignments. Focus is on specially designed programming that could include development of executive functioning skills, reading and writing instruction, social skills, social emotional regulation, self-advocacy skills and scheduled time with specialists. A weekly contact system with content area teachers has been established so that Study Center teachers are aware of current course requirements and student's academic and behavioral performance.
FUTURE PLANNING BLOCK
Seniors in good academic standing are eligible for a free block during their senior year. Students can select the first block or the fourth block as a free block for any quarter. It is recommended that seniors who are applying to a four year college not select more than one free block during their senior year. It is highly recommended that students don’t have more than two off blocks. Unless the student is meeting with a teacher or makes arrangements with a faculty/staff member to stay in school, students should not be in the building.
SUPPORTS FOR LEARNING/DEVELOPMENTAL
PROGRAM
Supports for Developmental Learning is designed for adolescents age 14-22 that require an individual approach to their academic and/or vocational program. Each student's program is individually designed to meet his/her needs by providing education on the continuum ranging from full inclusion to self contained. The team consists of parents, teachers,paraprofessionals, specialists, area agencies, peer tutors and the Portsmouth community.
The goals of Supports for Learning are: to create opportunities and build skills to reach each student's maximum potential in the least restrictive environment: to provide opportunities for academic experiential learning, communication, social skills, and building community; to assist in a gradual transition from the school to the community with the involvement of family and outside agencies; to create a positive culture that offers a safe environment, which enhances desire to learn; to develop inclusive relationships among peers, staff and community.
COUNSELING
Our Counselors offer a continuum of services addressing communication and socialization skills, relationship building, decision making, social and personal problem solving, conflict resolution, and personal advocacy skills. The services
are designed to enhance students' personal resilience and proficiency in an academic setting. Services are provided through group discussion, family-school collaboration, individual coaching,/contracting, and the coordination of school and community services.
RELATED SERVICES
Student Academic Services provides the following related services:
• Speech and Language
• Occupational Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Adaptive Physical Education
These related service personnel implement parts of the IEP's in
conjunction with and in support of special education programming.