Departments & Services Links
Counseling Services Contact Info
1738 Helderberg Trail
Berne, NY 12023
Office Hours:
Monday through Friday:
- 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Melissa Carl, Administrative Assistant
Karen Donavan, School Psychologist (Grades K-12)
Claire Crosier, School Psychologist (Grades K-12)
Elementary School Counseling
Phone: (518) 872-2030
Fax: (518) 872-2031
Lauren Cappadona, School Counselor (Grades PreK-4)
Secondary School Counseling
Phone: (518) 872-1482
Fax: (518) 872-2083
Joseph Amorosi, School Counselor (Grades 5-8)
Karen Corso, School Counselor (Grades 9-12)
Counseling Services
Guidance counselors play an important role in students’ academic success. If a student is having difficulty with coursework or other academic problems, the guidance counselor is often the person who helps find solutions. Counselors also facilitate communication between and among students, parents, and teachers.
Middle School
At the middle school level, guidance counselors meet with students individually and in groups to assist students with course selection, self-assessment, scheduling courses, reviewing test results and connecting students to resources for summer employment, working papers and planning beyond high school.
The guidance office conducts an information night for eighth-graders and their parents in January or February each year to discuss the transition to high school. Counselors also help prepare elementary students for the transition to middle school.
High School
At the high school level, guidance counselors continue to assist students with course selection and academic resources. Counselors also assist students in searching for and applying to colleges or places of employment, seeking and applying for financial aid packages and scholarships, and arranging for college visits.
In the fall, a counselor will help seniors start the college application process, while also helping freshmen orient themselves to the high school through one-on-one meetings. Beginning in January, counselors meet individually with freshmen, sophomores and juniors to schedule classes for the following year, and assist juniors to begin the college selection process and prepare for college visits. In addition, counselors may go into classrooms to discuss graduation requirements, SATs, career options, and other topics of interest to students.
During the junior and senior years, parents are invited to meet with counselors to review student records. Open house events and college financial aid nights also give parents opportunities to interact with guidance counselors.
School Counseling
At Each Level, School Counselors Work With STUDENTS on Topics Such as:
- Academic planning and support
- Decision making, conflict resolution, problem solving
- Friendship concerns, coping skills
- Career and college planning
- Study skills and organization
- Course selection information
- Graduation requirements
- Identifying interests, strengths, and learning styles
At Each Level, School Counselors Work With FAMILIES on Topics Such as:
- Accessing community resources
- Facilitating team communication about student needs
- Parent conferences and referral resources
- College application process
- Transition supports entering school
At Each Level, School Counselors Work With STAFF MEMBERS on Topics Such as:
- Academic and behavioral interventions
- Crisis intervention and management
- School-wide programs
- Data analysis to identify student needs
- Student schedule management and coordination