Dear Parents and Guardians,

This email contains info from the JHS Counseling Department, which includes professional counselors, college advisors, and learning support personnel. While students engage in digital learning, we are available to support students and can connect with them either via email or phone.

The unprecedented health crisis of the coronavirus may cause uncertainty and stress for people of all ages, including your teenager. Many students are coping with loss, wrestling with events, and experiencing discomfort. Social distancing and isolation can lead to feelings of loneliness. The coronavirus crisis can intensify the challenges of students already coping with a mental health illness such as anxiety or depression. For ways to support your student during this time, please see this article in the New York Times.

Please encourage your student to connect with friends and family virtually. We understand your concerns over too much screen time, but now more than ever your student needs the support of friends, and to provide support to others. This is how our students will remember that they are connected to a greater community and combat feelings of loneliness.

The Counseling Department is committed to caring for all of our students, and will be reaching out to them on a regular basis. If you know of students who are struggling for whatever reason right now—emotional, psychological, financial, technological, or otherwise—please do not hesitate to contact us.

In addition, we want all families to be aware of these resources:

Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, anyone who signs up for Comcast Internet Essentials will receive two free months of Internet service.

Emergency support can be found at the following:

Many public schools and Laughing Planet restaurants are providing free lunches to school age children. Please click here as the list of resources will continue to be updated.

Counselor email addresses are below:

Jason Barry (last names A-D)
jbarry@jesuitportland.org
Jason Lowery (last names E-F, I-Me)
jlowery@jesuitportland.org
Michelle Strear (last names H, Mi-R)
mstrear@jesuitportland.org
Ken Potter (last names G, S-Z)
kpotter@jesuitportland.org

Please click here for important college planning information and updates provided by our College advisors. This information will also be sent to students.

College advisor email addresses are below:

Teri Calcagno
tcalcagno@jesuitportland.org
Mollie Falkner
mfalkner@jesuitportland.org
Peter Johnson
pjohnson@jesuitportland.org

JHS Learning Support continues to support our students with diagnosed learning differences. Contact Director of Learning Support Colleen O'Mahony at comahony@jesuitportland.org if you have any questions or concerns.

As Mr. Hogan mentioned yesterday, we are moving forward together.

Sincerely,

Jesuit High School Counseling Department