Mental Health Monthly
February 2024
Updates from Manning's Mental Health Team.
What's Been Going On?
Individual Career and Academic Plans (ICAP)
A multi-year process that intentionally guides students and families in the exploration of career, academic and postsecondary opportunities.
The program the district uses is called Naviance. Students complete grade specific tasks each year until they graduate. Having a complete ICAP is a Jeffco Public Schools graduation requirement. Student and families have access to the website and student's accounts 24/7.
Here is what each grade level's ICAP lesson involves.
6th grade Lesson: ICAP introduction, complete Strengths Explorer, Outdoor Lab reflection and Postsecondary Workforce Readiness (PWR) Goal.
7th grade Lesson: Complete CareerKeys assessment and Postsecondary Workforce Readiness (PWR) Goal.
8th Grade Lesson: Warren Tech presentation, Career Cluster Assessment and Postsecondary Workforce Readiness (PWR) Goal.
Ask your student to show you their ICAP today!
Wednesday's Lunch Bunch Group
The mental health team started a Lunch Bunch on Wednesdays during lunch. Students are invited to the lunch bunch based on teacher recommendations for students who may get overwhelmed in a large group or are having a hard time making connections with other students during lunch.
Meet our New 504 Secretary!
Hi Manning!
You may have received many emails from me already, but I think it’s time I introduce myself more formally!
My name is Willow! I’m a Golden High School alumni and a life-long Colorado resident.
I’m the 504 secretary for Manning and Bell. As a 504 secretary, it’s my duty to set up meetings with the parents/guardians of 504 students for reviews and reevaluations as well as gather the data and feedback required for the 504 process. I am also the one in charge of writing and making adjustments to 504 plans as needed.
I’m at Manning on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and alternating Wednesdays if anyone ever wants to say hello or discuss anything 504 related with me!
What's Coming Up?
Eighth Grade High School Class Registration 24-25
- Tuesday February 6th Golden High School a Manning
- Tuesday February 20th Wheat Ridge High School at Manning
Other Important dates can be found HERE on the Manning website
National Junior Honors Society (NJHS)
Monday, February 5th: Invitations/Letters will go out to all eligible students with a 3.65 or above GPA. This letter informs students about the upcoming informational meeting. An email will also go out to one parent of each student. The invitation/letter will also be the student's access pass for the informational meeting.
Wednesday, February 7th: Informational meeting regarding NJHS during advisement in the auditorium.
February 8th-27th: Students wanting to be in NJHS have from February 8th until the 27th to complete the application/qualifications process. Students need 2 teacher recommendations as well as an essay. Students receive a paper copy of the requirements at the meeting with teacher recommendations. The idea is that the student fills out the paper form and hands each teacher a small slip of paper asking the teacher to fill out the recommendation form.
Thursday, March 14th: NJHS Induction Ceremony, Auditorium 5:00 - 5:45 pm: Students who complete NJHS application and are eligible are invited to attend the NJHS ceremony. Various staff members present at or speak at the induction.
Meet Manning's Mental Health Team!
Britney Derhak
This is my 9th year as a school counselor, 8 of those years at the middle school level. I graduated with a Masters in Arts in Counseling and Human Services from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs in 2014.
I became a school counselor because of my passion for sports and the influence my coaches had in my life. I wanted to "coach" youth on how to be good students and eventually good people in society.
In my free time I like to spend time with my dog Sawyer and be outside in nature. I also play professional Women's Tackle Football for the Denver Bandits in the Women's National Football Conference.
Email: Britney.Derhak@jeffco.k12.co.us
Phone: (303) 982-0452
Jill Shulsinger-Wall
Hello, my name is Jill Shulsinger-Wall. I have lived in Colorado most of my life and love walking, hiking and biking. I love animals and usually have one or two special needs animals running around my house. I am married and my husband, Steve and I have 3 wonderful daughters.
I started off my career working for the City and County of Denver and then a consultant as an Industrial and Organizational Psychologist. I started working in education in the middle of my career as an Assessment Coordinator for Denver Public Schools. Although the Assessment Coordinator job was not the job for me, I discovered that I loved working in education. After DPS, I worked as a tutor in the AVID program in Littleton and knew that school counseling was the path for me. I continued to work in AVID programs at various schools in Englewood and Cherry Creek school while working on my School Counseling degree. For the past 6 years, I have worked as a school counselor in Douglas County at the middle school level.
Kari Gray
Kari is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and the Social Emotional Learning Specialist (SEL) at Manning. While she wears many hats, her primary focus in the SEL role is to support Manning’s healthy climate and culture.
Prior to doing SEL work in Jeffco she graduated from the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver with a Masters in Social Work (MSW), school social work certificate, and a focus on family systems. Additionally, she received her Master’s in Education and taught in Chicago Public Schools; through work in residential settings and schools, she has been involved with people across the lifespan. Middle school is a great match for her passions, education, work history, and quirky personality.
When not at Manning, Kari enjoys bouldering, skiing, hiking, making art, spending time with her dog, friends and family. If you talk with her long enough, eventually she’ll recommend a podcast or 12.
You can follow her on Instagram @sel_by_gray
Email: Kari.Gray@jeffco.k12.co.us
Phone: (303) 982-1514
Mental Health Information
What Do Middle School Counselors Do?
What Counselors can help Parents/guardians with:
Provide information for a variety of social, emotional, career and academic needs.
Support in child’s academic and career planning.
Better understand the social and psychological aspects of child development.
Work with the school to plan their child’s education.
Learn more about school programs.
Become aware of community resources available to them and their children.
AND MUCH MORE!
What Counselors can help Students with:
Academic and career planning.
Individual Career and Academic Plans (ICAP).
Provide information for a variety of social, emotional, career and academic needs.
Crisis intervention and prevention.
Teach a variety of skills individually and in groups.
Establish and maintain cooperative relationships.
AND MUCH MORE!
How and Why to Contact a Counselor?
Concerns over student achievement
Family health problems
New school registration and orientation
Test interpretation
Discussing special needs of their child
Early discussion of potential crises
Family difficulties or concerns
Additional things Counselors Do:
Individual Counseling
Small Groups
Career Exploration
Academic Support
Collaboration
Crisis Response
Behavior Intervention
Referrals to Community Resources
Teaching Classroom Lessons such as ICAP
Parent Consultations
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is of the utmost importance to us. We believe that each student and their families deserve to be treated with the deepest respect and discretion. We will guard your privacy as much as permitted by law.
Limits to confidentiality when:
- the student poses a danger to self or others
- there is a court-ordered disclosure
- consulting with other professionals, such as colleagues, supervisors, treatment teams and other support personnel, in support of the student
- privileged communication is not granted by state laws and local guidelines (e.g., school board policies)
- the student participates in group counseling
- substance use and treatment are concerns
If you have any questions regarding confidentiality, please feel free to contact a team member.