ISB provides a variety of resources for its students to help with personal struggles, outlets and growth. The websites and documents given here represent a cross-section of what is available, and have been collated to provide parents and students with the means to continue a process we begin within the school. Every effort has been made to locate the most reliable websites and information; however, ISB does not personally endorse any one outside source and cannot corroborate all reported information. Please see below a list and brief description of what the high school counseling office provides for our students and parents.

 

One-on-one personal counseling: The high school counselor is available for students and parents who need to discuss personal, social, emotional, or family issues that are affecting any of ISB’s high schoolers. Students may be referred by teachers or come to the office on their own initiative—parents are asked to make an appointment by contacting the counselor at: lkozodoy@isb.rs

 

Advisory: administered on a weekly basis to by homeroom teachers and the counselor/medical staff as appropriate, advisory covers issues differentiated by grade level and emerging need. Examples of advisory topics include:

The program itself is constructed and revised yearly by the counselor with the input of school staff, including the principal, teachers and medical personnel. 

 

Peer Helpers:   The 2009-2010 Peer Helpers are the inaugural group of students to participate in and develop ISB’s Peer Helper support system, geared to aid transitions for transferring students and incoming 9^th graders.   With the mission of giving social, academic and behavioral guidance, the Peer Helpers host an official orientation and an autumn pizza and games party, meet regularly with their assigned students and as a group, compile ice-breaker and support materials, and conduct several surveys to evaluate their methods.  The goal of the group is to “establish a culture of people helping people.” Students who would like to apply to become Peer Helpers need to meet certain academic, behavioral, and attendance standards, and should see the high school counselor for an application and more information.

Academic assistance: The high school counseling office is also a resource for placement in summer programs, administration of the PSAT, registration and preparation for the SAT, assisting students with scheduling and course adjustment, and providing transcripts and university application support. For more information on this, please see the College and University Counseling page.

Orientation and Transition:  Students and parents new to the ISB community or the high school are invited to contact the counselor with any questions or concerns that arise, both prior to enrollment and once the student has begun attending classes. We conduct an orientation session in August before the school year officially begins and will assign each new student a Peer Helper who will provide further assistance throughout the year. Grade 8 students who are transitioning to the high school are also given an orientation and helped through the course selection process. Grade 12 students receive a series of seminars during the “Senior Days” that follow their final exams—these include topics such as: culture shock, survival in the outside world (from laundry to managing on a budget to cooking), first-year university expectations, graduation practice, etc.

Parents: A number of Parent Coffees are hosted during the course of the school year, addressing issues related to counseling programs such as Sexual Education or University preparation. Parents are encouraged to contact the counselor if they have a topic they feel needs to be addressed or if they would like to be part of the planning process.