Wisconsin Rapids Area Catholic Schools

Wisconsin Rapids Area Catholic Schools Counseling Services

Professional school counselors are specially trained professionals who understand and respond to challenges presented by today’s diverse populations. They don’t work in isolation; instead they are integral to the school’s total educational program. School counselors help prepare students for success in the ever-changing world. School counselors help students improve academic achievement, plan and prepare for productive and fulfilling careers and develop the personal and social skills they will need as contributing and responsible members of society.

Professional school counselors are educators trained in school counseling School counselors develop and implement comprehensive counseling programs designed to meet the needs of students. Through these programs, school counselors provide elementary classroom guidance lessons, individual and group counseling, responsive services and system support.

The goal of the Wisconsin Rapids Area Catholic Schools’ Counseling Program The primary goal of the Wisconsin Rapids Area Catholic School’s Counseling. Program is to promote and enhance student learning through the three broad and interrelated areas of student development. The three areas of student development are:

Academic development
Career development
Personal/social development

Special Needs

The Wisconsin Rapids Area Schools welcome students with special needs. Special needs students are provided with a multitude of ser vices and accommodations to help them succeed in our schools. Working together as a team, the student, parents, teachers and other professionals, are able to design an Individualized Service Plan to help fit your child’s needs.

Secondary Counseling

Mr. Brian O’Donnell
422-0931

Mr. Brian O’Donnell, the secondary school counselor, has a master’s degree in Secondary School Counseling from the University of Missouri. He has also earned a certificate as a professional counselor.

He is a graduate of St. Lawrence Grade School as well as Assumption High School (’65). He lives in Wisconsin Rapids, is married, and both of his children are graduates of Assumption High School.

Main Responsibilities

Placing seniors in post-education after graduation
Providing a thorough standardized testing program in grades 9 through 12
Coordinating a scholarship program to aid seniors in their schooling after graduation
Establishing an Individual Service Plan for students who may need special accommodations in the classroom
Individual counseling for Assumption High School students

Students Sholarships and Recognitions
College Navigator
P-SAT

Middle School Counseling

Mrs. La Chapelle
422-0950
AMS Room 314 (third floor, next to the art room)

Mrs. La Chapelle received her Masters Degree in guidance and counseling with a school counseling emphasis at the University of Wisconsin- Stout in Menomonie, WI.

Some counseling responsibilities are:

serving as liaison between home and school
counseling students with social issues
counseling students with issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression
counseling students with life changes
counseling students in peer groups
collaborating with teachers and administrators over students’ different learning styles
assisting the principal in resolving student issues
referring students to professional therapists when necessary
referring students to Social Services as needed

Mrs. La Chapelle can be reached Monday through Friday at Assumption Middle School (422-0934) from 8:00 to 10:30 a.m.. She can be available at other times, if necessary. Her other responsibilities are teaching art at Assumption Middle School (7-8) and at St. Vincent de Paul School (4-6).

ELEMENTARY COUNSELING

Ms. Tanya Arps
422-0967

Ms. Tanya Arps, the elementary counselor, has a M.S. degree in Educational Psychology from Lakeland College. Ms. Arps travels among the five elementary WRACS buildings and can typically be found at each school on the following days:

Monday: St. Vincent (422-0960)
Tuesday morning: St. Lawrence (422-0990)
Tuesday afternoon: Sacred Heart (886-3761)
Wednesday: Our Lady Queen of Heaven (422-0980)
Thursday morning: St. Philip (435-3386)
Thursday afternoon: St. Vincent (422-0960)
Friday: Sacred Heart (886-3761)

Classroom Guidance Themes 2007-08 Monthly Calendar

Wisconsin Rapids Area Catholic Schools

Central Office

1120 Lincoln Street
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494
Phone: 715-422-0900

A superior system of Catholic schools serving pre-school to 12th grade students in Central Wisconsin