SHS Counselor's Office
724-274-8100
Counselor: Ms. Rebecca Dyer,
Counselor: Ms. Andrea Sadowski,
Administrative Assistant: Ms. Alexis Redman,
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The Allegheny Valley School District provides counselors at the elementary and secondary levels to provide support to students in academic, social, and emotional areas. The goals of the Secondary Guidance Program are:
- To help students understand themselves and others and their role in the school, family, neighborhood, etc. Students are taught to express themselves with words and actions that show concern for and appreciation of others.
- To prevent problems from developing through preventive counseling programs that stress early detection of learning and social adjustment problems.
- To help identify students with special needs and develop personalized programs based on the student’s abilities, strengths, weaknesses, emotional, and intellectual needs.
- To follow safety and crisis management procedures during crisis intervention.
- To provide career education activities that help students become aware of their own skills and that teach them about the world of work.
- To coordinate or facilitate efforts of others (social workers, psychologists, community agency staff, etc.) with those of parents, teachers, and administrators.
- To assist students with making post-high school plans.
The Counselors
The counselors at Springdale Jr-Sr High School guide students to help them develop academically, personally, and socially. The counselors work closely with parents, teachers, school administrators, and other professionals to provide students with the best possible resources and services.
Grades 10-12: Ms. Rebecca Dyer, rdyer@avsd.k12.pa.us
Grades 7-9: Ms. Andrea Sadowski, asadowski@avsd.k12.pa.us
Responsibilities
The Secondary School Counselor is an integral part of the Springdale Jr-Sr High School’s total education program. It remains committed to individualizing the educational experience of all students. This perspective involves recognizing the uniqueness of all students, helping them to develop a realistic concept of themselves, and assisting them to become aware of educational and occupational opportunities. To this end, secondary counselors will:
- Serve as a consultant for teachers, parents, and administrators
- Assist with involvement of parents
- Collaborate with the elementary staff for the transition of students from grade 6 to grade 7
- Assist students during their daily school activities
- Work with students to transition out of high school
Responsive Services
- Individual Counseling – The counselor works one-on-one with students who have personal or school-related difficulties to help make school a successful experience. Students learn skills to develop appropriate behavior patterns for dealing with classroom activities and relationships.
- Small-Group Counseling – Students are placed into groups based on needs, which are assessed through a survey completed by classroom teachers. The groups teach students skills; they are not support groups or therapy sessions.
- Crisis Intervention – The counselor actively participates in the Incidence Response Teams in the buildings to identify and address the immediate needs of a crisis situation. In response, the counselor meets the needs of students or staff through individual or small group counseling.
- Consulting Services – The counselor assists teachers in implementing behavior and classroom management techniques for students. Relevant materials and resources are provided to teachers. In addition, the counselor participates in Instructional Support Teams (IST) and Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings and assists in developing programs for students with special needs.
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♦ Resources:
2025-2026 Program of Studies, grades 7-8
2025-2026 Program of Studies, grades 9-12
Forbes Road Career and Technology Center
Schedule Change Form