Welcome to the School Counseling Department
The School Counseling Department at Bishop Chatard High School offers academic and personal support, as well as high school, college, and career guidance to our high school students through class counselors and support personnel. We are here to assist our students. Please contact us with your questions.
Check back for upcoming events.
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School Counseling
When enrolled as a freshman, each Bishop Chatard student is assigned to a school counselor who is ready to assist with academic support, class selection, college and career planning, and other issues important to high school students. Contact information for all school counselors is available on our Contact Us link in this section.Academic Support
As part of its mission to foster the success of each student, Bishop Chatard offers an innovative Academic Support Program to those students who qualify for an education plan. The program narrows learning gaps by allowing students to receive support in an inclusive learning environment.
Go to our Academic Support Page Tutoring & Coursework Assistance
Bishop Chatard offers a variety of programs and services to assist students who would benefit from tutoring or one-on-one time with a teacher. Students may receive assistance from teachers before the start of the school day, from 7:20 to 7:50, or they can take advantage of National Honor Society tutoring or Study Tables during homeroom or after school. For more information, students are encouraged to look at the options detailed on the Tutoring page or talk with a school counselor. Explore Tutoring and other study aidsCollege & Career Counseling
Bishop Chatard's College & Career Roadmap outlines the path to college or a career, with information for students from freshman to seniors! Make this your first stop for information about summer experience programs, leadership / enrichment opportunities, paying for college/training, college application FAQs and more for parents and student.
BCHS College Counselor Abbey Saurine is available to help all students reach their post-graduation goals.
Visit the College & Career Roadmap Mental Health Counseling
Bishop Chatard mental health counselor, Laura Gorr, works in collaboration with school counselors, school nurses, teachers, administrators, parents, and various community agencies to serve our students. Information obtained through these resources is integrated to provide social, emotional, behavioral, and adaptive functioning support to a student, his or her family, and the school. She provides a safe place for students to discuss problems while building resiliency factors so students are less likely to engage in risk-taking behaviors.
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Contact
Office hours for Mrs. Gorr are Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays all day. Her office is in the main office area, next to Mr. Reilly's office. She can also be reached via email, at Lgorr@bishopchatard.org, or by phone, at 317-251-1451, Ext. 2273.Services Provided
- Individual/group counseling
- Crisis intervention/conflict mediation services
- Empowerment of/advocacy for students and families
- Culturally competent services
- Referrals to community agencies
- Consultation with school staff, family and community agencies
Referral to the Mental Health Counselor
Parents, guardians, school staff, and students may refer someone to Mrs. Gorr. Please be aware that students may refer themselves to her without prior consent of a parent or guardian.Parental Notification
Parents or guardians will be notified if a referral is made by the school staff or if a referral relates to a serious nature. Parents or guardians may also contact the school directly if the parent/guardian does not want his/her child to receive those services.
An exception is made if child abuse or neglect is suspected or if the child appears to be in crisis. In this situation, the mental health counselor may meet with the student one time without parental or guardian consent to assess the situation.
Some common reasons for referral are:
- Sudden changes in academics/behavior
- Anxiety/Depression/Anger management
- Peer pressure and friendships
- Family issues
- Grief/loss
- Substance abuse
- Social skills
- Self-esteem
Student Assistance Services
The Bishop Student Assistance Program is designed for teachers and administrators to work collaboratively to address social and academic needs of students. The program is a way to ensure that the needs of every student are being met. Students are referred to this program by teachers, counselors, or other adults in their lives because they might be struggling personally, socially, and/or academically.
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The Student Assistance team meets bi-weekly or more often, when necessary, to discuss concerns for a student and to create an action plan focused on assisting that student in overcoming obstacles and reaching his/her potential. The team is comprised of Bishop Chatard staff members from the administrative team.
Program referrals
Any adult from the Bishop Chatard community can refer a student to this program. All referrals, students, and action plans adhere to a strict confidentiality policy. If you have questions or feel you know a student who would benefit from this program, please contact BCHS Mental Health Counselor, Laura Gorr, at Lgorr@bishopchatard.org, or 317-251-1451 Ext. 2273. Her office is in the main office area, across from Mr. Reilly's office.Career Days
Throughout the school year, the School Counseling Office in conjunction with the BCHS Alumni Coordinator hosts Career Days for juniors and seniors. During these presentations, professionals from various fields share insights about their careers, educational paths, and what inspired them to choose their professions. Students can choose a session that matches their interest. Sessions include opportunities for questions and answers, helping students explore potential career paths in greater depth. Research demonstrates that a key factor in choosing a profession is exposure to someone who works in that area. Bishop Chatard is excited to offer this opportunity who are thinking about their college and career choices.
Monica Helfrich
Director of Counseling, Senior Class College Counselor
mhelfrich@bishopchatard.org
317-251-1451, ext 2258
Abbey Saurine
College and Career Counselor
asaurine@bishopchatard.org
317-251-1451
Schedule an appointment
Michelle Wilson
School Counselor, Grades 9 - 11: Last Name A-K
mwilson@bishopchatard.org
317-251-1451, ext 2244
BCHS Links
College & Career Roadmap
- College & Career Roadmap: includes action for students in every grade
- Leadership & Enrichment
- Paying for college/career training
- Summer Programs
- College Application FAQs
- College Rep Calendar
Fun Fact! Bishop Chatard's IDOE College & Career Readiness Score was 74.6% for the 2022-2023 school year. (The state average was 59.5%).
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College and career readiness measures whether students are prepared for postsecondary life by achieving college or career credentials while still in high school. College or career credentials include successful completion of an approved industry certification; successful completion of at least three hours of college-level courses; a passing score on an Advanced Placement exam; or a passing score on the International Baccalaureate exam. Graduates in the most recently finalized cohort enrolled in the school are included when reporting college and career readiness information.