North Davis Prep Academy

Lanette Rupert

Student Services Coordinator

Debra Denning

Counselor

Welcome to the Counseling Page for NDPA. Your counseling staff at NDPA is here to help you and your student succeed in junior high.

Our purpose, and in accordance with the State Of Utah Comprehensive Guidance Standards, is to support your student through:

Individual academic planning
College and Career Readiness Conferences (CCR)
Counseling behaviorally and academically struggling students
Present and coordinate classroom guidance lessons and activities
Mediation with students
Assist principals and teachers with individual and school wide action plans
Provide community resources and referrals to families of students
Provide small and large group counseling services as needed

Please be aware that a school counselor does not:

Provide therapy for students or families
Perform disciplinary actions with students or teachers
Perform the same duties as a principal or assistant principal

NDPA Counseling Permission Form (pdf)

College & Career Readiness

The College and Career Readiness (CCR) process provides opportunities for students to discover and celebrate the characteristics that make them unique. As counselors, we can help students understand how to use this information to develop a unique and personalized plan for life/career success.

Individual student planning at NDPA is recognized as the CCR process, which consists of the school counselors coordinating ongoing systemic activities designed to help individual students establish personal goals and develop future plans. NDPA school counselors coordinate activities that help all students plan, monitor, and manage their own learning as well as meet competencies in the areas of:

Academic/Learning Development
Life/Career Development
Multicultural/Global Citizen Development
Personal/Social Development

Helpful Links

Credit Recovery

In 9th grade, students begin to earn credit toward high school graduation. It is our plan that all students will leave NDPA with those necessary 9th grade credits which include Language Arts, Math, Biology, Computer Technology, Geography, Participation Skills and Techniques (PE), along with 1.5 elective credits. There are several options available for students and parents to recover credit when a student has failed a required class.

The NDPA Credit Recovery policy allows students who have failed a class to immediately make up the lost credit. This agreement is between the student and the teacher. If the student failed a class but earned 45% or higher they may request Credit Recovery from their teacher.

The following are the steps to NDPA Credit Recovery:

Pick up a Credit Recovery Form from the counselor.
Take this form to the teacher and request Credit Recovery.
If the teacher agrees to Credit Recovery, the teacher will complete the form.
Take completed form to the secretary and pay $10.00
Complete Assigned work within three weeks of the trimester’s end.
Take receipt, completed work, and the Credit Recovery Form back to the teacher by the due date.
When all steps have been completed teacher will post a D- grade and credit will be recovered.

The other credit recovery options that are available are:

NORTHRIDGE LEARNING CENTER
For information call (801)776-4532

SUMMER SCHOOL
Fees vary
Offered at the high school you will attend during 10th grade
Schedule is available in May for most high schools

High School Links

Davis County High School Graduation Requirements

Scholarships and Financial Aid

UHEAA
FAFSA
Regents' Scholarship

Community Resources

EMERGENCIES (24 HOURS)
Life Threatening	9-1-1
Crisis/Suicide Prevention	801-773-7060
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline	1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Poison Control	1-800-222-1222

Parent Resources

5 Protective Factors for Strengthening Families Training Presented by USU Extension

Strong Parents, Stable Children

Fight the New Drug

Educating on the harmful effects of pornography for teens
http://www.fightthenewdrug.org

Helping Teens with Social Media

Help students think through posting to social media
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/social-media

Eleven Ideas For Students With ADD

1. HELP ME TO FOCUS – Please teach me through my sense of touch. I need “hands on” and body movement.

2. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT COMES NEXT – Please give me a structured environment where there is a dependable routine.

3. WAIT FOR ME, I’M STILL THINKING – Please allow me to go at my own pace. If I am rushed, I get confused and upset.

4. I’M STUCK, I CAN’T DO IT! – Please offer me options for problem solving. If the road is blocked, I need to know the detours.

5. IS IT RIGHT? I NEED TO KNOW NOW – Please give me rich and immediate feedback on how I am doing.

6. I DIDN’T FORGET, I DIDN’T HEAR IT IN THE FIRST PLACE! – Please give me directions one step at a time, and ask me to say back what I think you said.

7. I DIDN’T KNOW I WASN’T IN MY SEAT! – Please remind me to stop, think, and act.

8. AM I ALMOST DONE? – Please give me short work periods with short term goals.

9. WHAT? – Please don’t say “I already told you that.” Tell me again, in different words. Give me a signal. Draw me a symbol.

10. I KNOW IT’S ALL WRONG, ISN’T IT? – Please give me praise for partial success. Reward me for self-improvement, not just for perfection.

11. BUT WHY DO I ALWAYS GET YELLED AT? – Please catch me doing something right and praise me for the specific positive behavior. Remind me about my good points when I am having a bad day.

Excelling at NDPA

There are many things you can do to make sure you get the most out of your junior high school years. This page will give you some ideas to help you be successful on your journey. Follow these ten steps and you are sure to have a great junior high school experience here at NDPA!

STEP ONE:
Know your school. The NDPA website explains our school policies, uniform code, the diagonal schedule, etc. Know where to go for help. The Counseling Office and the Main Office are two great resources.

STEP TWO:
Be in school every day. Good attendance =school success.

STEP THREE:
Know how to get good grades
• Be organized, use your planner and write down due dates.
• Manage time wisely; make sure you set aside time everyday to study.
• Study Smart: use your class notes and study guides.
• Do your homework and turn it in.
• Take good notes and review them often.
• Do your own work, you only cheat yourself when you don’t.

STEP FOUR:
Set goals. It is important for people of all ages to have goals.
• Set short term and long term goals
• Set specific goals that are measurable and realistic
• Set academic and personal goals
• Write your goals down

STEP FIVE:
Get involved. Students who are involved in activities usually like school more. There are many reasons to be involved in school activities here are just a few:
• Strengthen existing friendships and make new friends
• Learn something new, develop skills and talents
• Service, help others
• Become a leader
• Relieve stress
• Have fun

STEP SIX:
Make good choices and decisions. Learning to make good choices now will really help you make good choices in the future. Here is one strategy to help you in making good choices.
1. Figure out what your choices are
2. Write down the positive and negative things about the choices.
3. Make sure that you have all the information you need.
4. Think about your choices: then make your decision.

STEP SEVEN:
Deal with stress, anger and problems with others. Junior high can cause stress which can lead to anger which can lead to problems with others. Remember to use the personal skills you have been learning all through elementary school at NDPA.
• Stop and Think
• Be aware of your feelings
• Talk to someone you trust( an adult or trustworthy friend)
• Use positive self-talk
• Take deep breaths
• Walk away
• Talk it out
• Redirect your energy
• Talk to an adult

STEP EIGHT:
Get along with your Parents. Parents are your best support.
• Your parents really do care about you and are concerned for you.
• Talk to your parents about what’s happening in school and with your friends.
• Bring your friends home to meet your parents.
• Never be disrespectful to your parents. Respect goes a long way in making strong relationships and building trust.
• Make a real effort to do well in school. It will alleviate a lot of stress with your parents.
• Do your chores with a good attitude.
• Always tell your parents where you are and where you are going. Check in often. It builds trust and shows you are responsible.
• If you make a poor choice, own it. Admit what you’ve done, make it right and pay the price. Your parents will be more understanding if you tell the truth.
• When you and your parents disagree, try to understand things from their point of view. Discuss the situation calmly and seek for a compromise.
• Communicate. Share your wants, needs, problems and concerns with your parents. They aren’t mind readers so unless you tell them they don’t know your needs.

STEP NINE:
Understand the Social Scene. Junior high offers more activities which will increase your social opportunities. You will be able to attend dances, sporting events, student government activities and clubs. As you spend more time with your peers, be certain to be true to yourself and choose friends wisely.

STEP TEN:
Plan and prepare for your future. Junior high is a good time for you to begin thinking about your career choices and educational options. Think about what you are good at (abilities), what you like to do (interests), and what you have a natural talent for (aptitudes) and what is important to you (values).

Scheduling Information

Resource on how to cope during COVID-19:
• How to talk to your kids about COVID-19: https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/health-crisis-resources/helping-children-cope-with-changes-resulting-from-covid-19

• Talk to your child about Corornavirus: https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/

• Mindfulness Parenting: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/going-beyond-intelligence/202001/mindfulness-parenting

• 5 Ways to Deal with emotions from Coronavirus: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/motivate/202003/5-ways-overcome-the-psychological-stress-coronavirus

• Keep your kid moving: gonoodle.com

Exercises to help during the COVID-19:
• 30 Things we can do for our emotional heath
Emotional Health Calendar (pdf)

Counseling