The Student Services Department at ABJ is proud to offer unparalleled support in a variety of areas where we look to assist our student population as best we can in varying capacities. We want you to feel as confident as possible as you journey through our building so please don’t hesitate to contact one of the counsellors with regard to the following areas:
Personal Counselling
We provide a safe space where confidential discussions of personal concerns or problems can occur that may be interfering with student well-being or school performance. Issues may include but are definitely not limited to: anxiety, self-esteem, substance abuse, depression, grief and loss, self-harm, personal health and safety, family and peer relationships, stress and conflict management, addictions, social media.
Educational Counselling
The counselling team will meet with you many times periodically throughout the year in large groups, small groups, and individually to help with your course selections and your individual program planning, to ensure that you meet your graduation requirements and help you plan and meet your desired post-secondary prerequisites.
Career Counselling
We work with the students of ABJ to help you establish your career goals and encourage you to explore areas and occupations of interest. We arrange for a plethora of individuals and institutions to come in house to give you additional information to help direct you down your chosen career path and will inform students of any and all pertinent out of school opportunities as they arise.
Family Support
Our Family Wellness Workers (FWW) are available to students and families and works to foster a connection between the student, the parent or guardian, the school and the greater community. Offering one-on-one support for students and families in need of help, our FWWs are able to make appropriate community referrals that can best support the family unit. Our FWWs promotes positive mental health and wellbeing and runs comprehensive connection based parenting groups throughout the year to help families best support their student.
Financial Assistance
We provide our students with scholarship information and grant or loan information as they pursue any type or level of post-secondary education. There is a lot of money up for grabs and we are keen to see our students bring it home!
How to Access Services
We, as a counselling team, will always work to act in your best interest as a liaison with teachers, parents, students and community agencies and players. We have an open-door policy where students can access counselling on an as-need basis. We are available before school, at lunch, after school as well as during class time. Teachers and parents can also refer students and appointments can be booked in advance. It is our goal to work with the population at ABJ to help you make better informed and appropriate decisions currently and for whatever future endeavors you may undertake. We look forward to working with you!
Here are a few links that may be of interest to you…
Educational Links:
http://www.howtostudy.com/ - Discover proven ways to study not just harder, but smarter!
http://www.testtakingtips.com/ - Helps you to learn proper note taking, studying and test taking strategies that are a vital part of improving your grade on exams as well as your academic success.
http://www.exambank.com/ - Practice exams in every grade level and subject. Ask Mrs. McGhan in our E-Campus in the Library for our ABJ username and password.
www.albertahealthservices.ca - Exam stress: Check out www.albertahealthservices.ca and type in ‘exam stress’. You’ll find practical and helpful tips to get you through the rigors of high school exams.
http://alis.alberta.ca/index.html - One stop shopping for all things Career and post-secondary Investigation related. It is a provincial gateway for career, learning, employment information and services. Will help you find all the info you need to know about any future career path you may want to follow and how to get there.
https://myblueprint.ca/ - myBlueprint is a computerized program available to Archbishop Jordan High School students that follows a comprehensive education and career planning process to meet the learning needs, interests and aspirations of all students. To access the program, your username and password will be the same as it is for you to log in to the ABJ Network.
http://studentaid.alberta.ca/ - Student Aid Alberta is the place to go for all things related to Scholarships and Financial Aid. Learn about everything from school and program eligibility, to loan limits, to education costs. Application for the Alexander Rutherford is achieved through this website.
Personal and Mental Health Support:
http://teenmentalhealth.org/ This mental health resource provides complete evidence-based, online resources to increase understanding of mental health and mental disorders, decrease stigma of mental illness and enhance help-seeking efficacy amount students. Many Resources on transitioning to post-secondary and mental health literacy,
http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/ - Access information regarding substance use, self-harm, or other mental health concerns through this site. Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC), now part of Alberta Health Services, provides excellent information about resources, prevention and treatment of drug and alcohol abuse.
http://www.cmha.ca/ - Canadian Mental Health Association offers this site to raise awareness of mental health problems that can affect teen lives and to provide practical tools and suggestions to support high school students.
www.the-family-centre.com - The Family Centre offers a wide range of programs and services to individuals and families including counselling for individuals, couples, families and groups.
www.ok2bblue.com - Mental Health site for youth seeking support.
https://www.anxietybc.com/ - Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health illness in Canada. This website has my anxiety plans (MAPs) to help you understand and manage anxiety. Empower yourself by watching our educational videos, and downloading the MindShift app.
https://www.drugrehab.com/teens/ No one tries a drug with the hopes of becoming addicted. Teens may try alcohol because they saw their parents drinking, or they may try marijuana because their friends offered it to them. Drugs and alcohol have a greater effect on teens than on adults and signs of addiction can be difficult to see or understand. This site is a huge help, it is not only information but there are people you can talk to and connect with that can help.
Parents:
http://talkingcanhelp.ca/ - Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
http://www.search-institute.org/content/40-developmental-assets-adolescents-ages-12-18 - This wonderful site lists the 40 developmental assets for adolescents and provides examples of ways to 'take action' in supporting our teens. https://www.drugrehab.com/guides/parents/ Parents should stay informed about what their children do and what is going in their lives. In order to prevent kids from abusing drugs or help them recover from addiction, parents should understand drug addiction and the effects it has on teens.
https://www.sunshinebehavioralhealth.com/vaping/ Up to date information to help stop your teens from vaping.
