Counseling

This is a very strange and unusual time in the history of our world, and it has created a lot of uncertainty, particularly regarding school.  During this time, we would like to assure you that we are doing our very best to adapt to this crisis and serve all of our students.  It will take some time and require a lot of flexibility, patience, and understanding, but we will all get through this!  So, please feel encouraged and do your best to remain positive.

Counselors are working remotely from home every day and responding to emails between 9:00 am - 3:00 pm.  In addition, we will be providing Zoom Meetings for students each week, by grade level for general support and Q&A.  These sessions will be offered on Tuesdays at 10:00 am and Thursdays at 1:00 pm.  We will send out emails directly to students in the scheduled grade level for that session with instructions on how to connect and the topics we will cover.  Initially, we are serving to provide general support to help through this unusual time, but eventually, we will also hope to offer specific webinar-type meetings for our typical Counseling Guidance Lessons (which will cover topics like College Planning & Admissions, Understanding Your Transcript, Creating a 4-year plan, Effective Study Skills, Stress Management, etc.)   

If not already, you can expect to hear from your teachers this week with the plans moving forward (as guided by our district and leadership).  This includes teachers from Monte Vista, Simi Institute, and the Career Ed Centers.  If you're enrolled in Moorpark College classes, they are providing their own alerts, but please be advised that the college courses are still in full session (virtually), so please don't fall behind.

Please know that there are many available resources at your disposal throughout our community.  We have listed some of those below for you, if needed, and we encourage students to seek out these supports with your parents/guardians.  

Local Resources:

• SVUSD Coronavirus page:  https://www.simi.k12.ca.us/coronavirus
• SVUSD Tips for HS Parents
• Ventura County - Official up-to-date Info & Resources
• Coping with Stress - Ventura County Links and online Support Groups  
• Crisis Hotline -  (800-273-8255) or crisis text line: 741741
• In an emergency, please call 911 for immediate support.  

In addition, we would like you to know that breakfast and lunch for students is continuing to be distributed as follows:

SVUSD is continuing to offer breakfast as well as lunch for our community’s children. There are three pick-up locations available, including Berylwood Elementary School (2300 Heywood Street), Parkview Elementary School (1500 Alexander St), and Santa Susana High School (3570 E. Cochran Street). Meals will be provided from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Any child age 18 and under may participate and receive a meal free of charge, regardless of enrollment in the Simi Valley Unified School District. In the interest of maintaining the current requirements for social distancing, we are continuing to use the drive-through system for meal distribution to prevent large groups from forming (But no children will be turned away). In order to receive a breakfast/lunch, the child/children must be present at the time of pick-up. Unfortunately, having children present to pick up the free meals is federal law, and as of today, these requirements remain in place. Breakfast will be given at the same time as lunch, so this will be breakfast for the next morning. Please know that children will not be allowed to eat at the schools after picking up their lunches.  

The dinner schedule at local food pantries is sent out by the district and can be emailed to you as needed.  

Our mission:
Working in partnership with parents, students, teachers and administrators; our mission is to provide a comprehensive counseling program that attends to the needs of all students. We support students through responsive and developmental services such as personal and social counseling, academic guidance and support, career exploration, college planning, and student and family advocacy.

Our Role:

Simi Valley High School students are served by four full-time counselors. The Counseling Team is an integral and vital component in the development of the academic and personal goals of all students. We plan, implement and evaluate a counseling program that includes academic, career, personal and social development for all students. We work with parents, teachers and staff to advocate for high academic achievement and appropriate social development for each student.

Please click on this link to learn more about the role of School Counselors and watch the short video produced by the American School Counselor Association:  Who Are School Counselors? 

Counselors:
A-D: Ila Laguercia (ila.laguercia@simivalleyusd.org)
E-K & ELD: Lana Wastell (lana.wastell@simivalleyusd.org) 
L-Q: Christopher Schurer (christopher.schurer@simivalleyusd.org)
R-Z: Dr. Loren Dittmar (loren.dittmar@simivalleyusd.org)

Front Desk:
Registrar: Beth Hankins (beth.hankins@simivalleyusd.org) 
Secretary: Cathy Alfano (cathy.alfano@simivalleyusd.org)
Secretary: Dalila Van Boven (dalila.vanboven@simivalleyusd.org)
 

Counseling Office: (805) 577-1400 , Then press 2

Counseling Fax: (805) 520-6135 

Counselor Office Hours for Student Drop-In:
Before School (7:30am-7:55am)

During Student Lunch

After School

If your counselor is unavailable when you drop in, please use the Chromebooks at the front desk to email your counselor, and we will do our best to connect with you as quickly as possible, either by email or by sending you a pass for an appointment.

Additional Counseling Programs & Support:

College & Career Center:

Jennifer Gast (jennifer.gast@simivalleyusd.org)

School Psychologist: (for Special Education Services and Evaluation)
Jake Goodrich (jake.goodrich@simivalleyusd.org)

For detailed information regarding Special Education (IEP) and Section 504, please click here for the
SVUSD Office of Student Support Services website.