Guidance Counsellors at Bow Valley
Guidance Counsellors at Bow Valley High School complement and support student success in school by offering consultative and collaborative services to students, parents and outside support services. The services outlined below are a sample of what will be offered through both individual and group processes.
Guidance Counsellors
- Mr. Reece - for alphabet A-L - to book an appointment click here
- Mrs. West - for alphabet M-Z - to book an appointment click here
To book an appointment with either counsellor please see Guidance office.
Child Development Advisor
Working closely with the Guidance Counselors, the Child Development Advisor (CDA) is a collaborative school resource who focuses on the development and implementation of programs that support students within the school in the following developmental domains: academic, social/emotional and physical. The CDA offers an organized and balanced approach to supporting student development. Through Implementing planned activities, 1:1 session, and small group meets, enhancing social interactions and academic performance can be met. The CDA consults with staff, students, parents, and when necessary, liaise with outside agencies.
Areas of Support
- Emotional Management & Self-Regulation
- Conflict Resolution
- School Transition & Attendance
- Coping with family changes, loss & grief management
- Relationship Building & Mentoring
- Self-Esteem & Self-Care
- Resiliency/Character Building
- Social Skill Awareness
- Academic & Mental Health Support Plans
Referral Process
Students can be referred to the CDA through the following:
- Self-Referral
- Parent
- Teacher
- Administrator / CDA
To book an appointment with Ms. Carrol please click here.
Programming for students with last names
- A-L are overseen by Mr. Reece
- M-Z are overseen by Mrs. West
Key Understandings:
- Students in grades 9 and 10 are required to have full schedules.
- Grade 10 students must take 40 credits within the regular timetable.
- Students in grade 11 are required to take 40-credits that can include courses offered outside of the timetable including x-block courses.
- Students in grade 12 are required to take 30-credits that can include courses offered outside of the timetable including x-block courses.
Course Change Timeline:
June 23-27, 2023
- Course change requests sent by email will not be answered – all requests must come through the course change request form.
- Guidance Counsellors will only be accepting course change requests for students missing core academic classes for graduation requirements.
- Students are required to provide an academic rationale for their requested course change.
- Students must be logged into their RVS google account and complete the course change request form posted on the school website from June 22 - 26:
- If the change is possible the schedule will be updated accordingly.
- If the change is not possible the student will be emailed.
- Course changes are made for academic purposes and not all changes are possible.
- Course changes are not granted based on teacher or peer requests.
- Option preference requests may be submitted in September. Option changes are dependent on class enrollment and availability.
Sept 1 – 5, 2023
- September 1-5: Guidance will be scheduling students that are new to the school and do not have timetables.
- September 1: For existing students, a Course Change Request Form will be sent out for students to request changes to their timetable for the year. Any requests for the 23-24 school year must be made on this form. We will not be taking requests for changes later in the year.
- Students must be logged into their rvschools google account to complete the form.
- Students are required to provide an academic rationale for their requested course change.
- Course changes are made for academic purposes and not all changes are possible.
- Course changes are not granted based on teacher or peer requests.
- Sept 5th the form for Course Requests will be closed.
- Course change requests sent by email will not be answered – all requests must come through the course change request form.
Sept 6 – 11, 2023
- Guidance will process course change requests made through the form.
- If the change is possible the schedule will be updated accordingly.
- If the change is not possible the student will be emailed and may be asked to meet with a Guidance counsellor on the following days:
- Sept 6 – Grade 12 course request changes
- Sept 7 – Grade 11 course request changes
- Sept 8 – Grade 10 course request changes
- Sept 11 – Grade 9 course request changes
I encourage parents/guardians to be actively involved in your child's school life. I believe when parents and teachers work together, children can be successful in their learning.
- Please visit powerschool bi-weekly so that you are up to date with your child’s assignments, class schedule/timelines, attendance, and marks.
- Please visit your child's Moodle course platform and/or notebook so that you are up to date with your child’s learning. You will have to use their login information to access this information.
If you have any questions or concerns please email me or call me at 403-932-9005
Link to page here.
Why do students access guidance support?
There are many reasons for students to access guidance support in school. Each and every student has unquie needs, and as a guidance team we strive to meet the needs of each individual student in order to achieve success inside and outside of school. Below is a list of common reasons for students to access guidance services:
Community Financial Support Information:
Academic
- High school planning and programming
- Timetabling for student success
- On-going individual academic support
- Post-secondary programs' information
- Student advocacy
- Conversion of out of country and out of province transcripts
- Career exploration
- Scholarship support/guidance
- Track and provide support for at risk students
- Develop and monitor graduation list for grade 12 students
Personal
- Short term solution focused counselling and urgent crisis counselling are offered. Students requiring ongoing counselling are requested to call Access Mental Health to ensure a continuity of care (403)943-1500
- Relationship counselling (peer, teacher, parent, and family)
- Social/Emotional
- Mediation Resolution
- Referrals when needed to outside agencies
- Consultation with parents
- Grief Counselling
- Depression Issues
- Anxiety Issues
- Career
- Career Exploration
If you are feeling stressed or anxious and want help, please call:
Distress Centre: 403-266-HELP (4357) (24-hour crisis line)
Community Links will continue to support residents within North Rocky View Region including Airdrie, Beiseker, Irricana, Crossfield and surrounding North Rocky View County. The following are adjustments being made to existing programming in light of the COVID-19: Please call either 403 945 3900 or 1-866-945-3905 to find out about our: Intake Services—we are here to help via phone
FCSS main line for families experiencing crisis or needing supports: 403-851-2250
Cochrane Helps
Kids Help Phone-1-800-668-6868
Alberta Health Services Resources:
Canadian Mental Health Association
How to cope with the media- triggering headlines
Health
- Alberta Health Services
- Cochrane Addiction & Mental Health: 1-877-652-4700
- Therapy focused on concerns such as abuse, violence, grief, stress, aging, relationships, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts and mental illness.
- Offers walk-in, as well as long-term sessions.
60 Grande Boulevard
Intake line: 1-877-652-4700
- Distress Centre (24 hours): 403-266-HELP (4357)
- Mental Health Helpline
- Provides confidential, anonymous services associated with crisis intervention, information and referrals.
Ph: 1-877-303-2642 (24-hour helpline)
- Provides confidential, anonymous services associated with crisis intervention, information and referrals.
- ConnecTeen
- 24-Hour information and support for teens via phone, text, chat or email.
Ph: 1-403-264-TEEN (8336) – 24 hour crisis line
Text: 587-333-2724
- 24-Hour information and support for teens via phone, text, chat or email.
Financial
- Alberta Income Supports (Tue/Thu): 403-932-1033
- Service Canada (EI)
Food
- Food hamper requests: 403-851-2250
- Meals for Your Freezer: 403-851-2250
- St. Andrews Church lunch to go on Tuesdays (12-1pm): 403-932-2585
- Pet food assistance: 403-932-2072
Transportation
- COLT: 403-851-5995
Tutor List
If you would like a copy of our tutor list please send an email to kbalcarras@rockyview.ab.ca to request one. It's up to each individual to coordinate pricing and times with the tutor.
Expressive Arts Coping
As a complimentary way to access guidance services and to cope during this time: please take some time in your day to use the arts to process the experience we find ourselves in. You may use different forms of art to express your gratitude for things that are going well or the way that you are coping during this difficult time.
Some sample ways to use the arts: iPhone photo essays, take images of the way you are dealing with this, take images of things that you are grateful for and images of some beauty in your day. Use your creativity to edit your photo to match your mood and message. For example, change the saturation, colors, use filters to express your feelings
Do a painting or a drawing at least once a day, even a sketch of your surroundings. Use any media available to you.
Record a song that you played on an instrument or vocals.
Make a short movie.
Art helps us process experiences in a healthy grounded way as a form of mindfulness, like meditation. The focus is on how you work through your art so don’t focus on the final product.
As counsellors, we would love to see your art! We can even have a follow up counselling session on Zoom to discuss what’s on your mind and to discuss your future plans. Please reach out!