School Counseling and Well-being

Suffern Central has a robust School Counseling and Well-being program to serve our students, staff and community. School Counselors, School Social Workers and Student Assistance Counselors work diligently to ensure all students at SCSD are happy, healthy and comfortable with who they are and their place in the world. We strive to foster a sense of belonging amongst our students, staff and community and work hard to serve all students.

Under the direction of Sarah Kern, Director of School Counseling and Social-Emotional Wellness, our staff compliment the work done inside of our classrooms to create a school environment in which the whole child's needs are addressed. With a positive, strength based approach, our team is diligent in supporting our students and helping them on their path to high school graduation and beyond.

Who Are We?

School Counselors

As per the American School Counselor Association, "school counselors help all students apply academic achievement strategies, manage emotions and apply interpersonal skills and prepare for post-secondary options such as employment, military service or higher education."

At Suffern, elementary counselors deliver social-emotional learning lessons in all classrooms and teach our students the behaviors and skills needed to become successful young learners. At Suffern Middle School, our counselors are diligent in helping our middle-mounties navigate grades 6-8, a time known for rapid growth and big emotions. At Suffern High School, the counseling team works hard to promote successful completion of high school in four years and to ensure each student has a plan unique to their wants and needs upon graduation from Suffern High School.

School Social Workers

The School Social Workers Association of America defines a school social worker as "trained mental health professionals who provide services related to a person's social, emotional and life adjustment to school and/or society. School Social Workers are the link between the home, school and community in providing direct as well as indirect services to students, families and school personnel to promote and support students' academic and social success.

At Suffern, our social workers are essential to the success of our students. Social workers are diligent in connecting students and families with the vast community resources available in Suffern and the greater Rockland County community. Social workers are also essential in identifying students' needs and helping our administrators create programs that promote the overall health, both physical and mental, or our students and families.

Student Assistance Counselors

The New York State Department of Civil Services describes a Student Assistance Counselor (SAC) as a professional whose work is of a complex nature which involves a responsibility for individual, group and family counseling for students who show drug/alcohol abuse behavior or for those troubled and or at risk.

At Suffern, our Student Assistance Counselors are tasked with educating our students of the dangers of drugs and alcohol use and abuse. Student Assistance Counselors help our students learn healthy behaviors and actively connect at risk students with community resources. Student Assistance Counselors also work with school administrators to create clubs, programs and events that promote healthy life choices.