Counseling Center New
Welcome to the CCS Counseling Center
The CCS Counseling Center supports the academic, social, emotional, career, and personal development of students from kindergarten through graduation. Explore the resources on this page for guidance with academic planning, college and career readiness, student well-being, family support, and leadership opportunities.
Guidance Office Resources
The CCS Guidance Office, led by Mrs. Brigitte Gillette, provides comprehensive academic, career, and post-secondary planning services for students in grades 6–12. Mrs. Gillette works closely with students and families to support course selection, graduation planning, career exploration, college and military readiness, scholarships, financial aid, standardized testing, and social-emotional well-being.
The resources below are designed to help students and families make informed decisions, explore future opportunities, and successfully prepare for life after high school. Whether you're planning your academic path, researching colleges or careers, applying for scholarships, or preparing for your next steps, the Guidance Office is here to provide personalized support every step of the way.
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🎓 Graduation Planning
Planning for graduation begins well before senior year. The Counseling Center is here to help students and families understand graduation requirements, explore diploma options, select appropriate courses, and prepare for future college and career opportunities. Use the resources below to guide your academic planning throughout high school.
📋Graduation Requirements
Learn about New York State graduation requirements, required credits, Regents examinations, and pathways to earning a diploma.
🎓Types of Diplomas
Review the diploma options available in New York State, including Regents and Advanced Regents diplomas and their requirements.
📚Scheduling Courses
Learn about course selection, scheduling timelines, graduation planning, and choosing classes that align with your goals.
📖Course Catalog
Explore course descriptions, prerequisites, graduation requirements, and academic opportunities available at CCS.
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🧭 Career Exploration
Exploring careers helps students identify their interests, strengths, skills, and future goals. The resources below allow students to investigate career fields, learn about education and training pathways, and discover opportunities that may help prepare them for life after high school.
🩺Health Career Exploration
Explore healthcare careers, regional workforce opportunities, educational pathways, and programs offered through the Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization.
🗺️Mapping Your Future
Find information about careers, colleges, financial aid, and money management to help you make informed decisions about your future.
💼New York CareerZone
Explore careers connected to your interests, strengths, skills, and talents using resources from the New York State Department of Labor.
🚀MyFuture
Research careers, education options, military pathways, and workplace opportunities as you consider your plans after graduation.
Healthcare Job Shadowing and Internship Opportunities
Students interested in further college and healthcare career exploration may be able to participate in interactive and observational experiences, including job-shadowing opportunities and paid Health Scholar internships.
For additional information, contact Tracy Leonard at tleonard@fdrhpo.org or 315-783-7526 .
Career and College Readiness Resources
Strong writing, study, and career-readiness skills can help students succeed in high school, college, training programs, and the workplace.
✍️Writing Skills Guide
Review practical strategies for improving writing skills that are valuable in high school, college, training programs, and professional careers.
📘Study Skills Guide
Learn study strategies that can help students develop effective habits and prepare for future college, training, and workplace expectations.
🏥CNA Training After High School
Learn why Certified Nursing Assistant training may provide an affordable and accessible entry point into a healthcare career.
🛤️Healthcare Education Pathways
Compare two-year and four-year degree programs, bridge programs, accelerated training options, and other pathways into healthcare.
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🎓 College Planning
Preparing for college is a process that begins well before senior year. The Counseling Center provides students and families with resources to explore colleges, prepare for entrance exams, plan campus visits, understand college athletics, and stay on track throughout the junior and senior years.
🏫Campus Visit Checklist
Make the most of a college visit by knowing what to observe, which questions to ask, and what information to gather while touring a campus.
🏅College Athletics
Learn about the college athletic recruitment process, eligibility expectations, and the steps student-athletes should take when considering collegiate sports.
📝College Entrance Exams
Find information about college entrance testing, including when students should consider taking exams and how test scores may be used during admission.
📅Junior Year Checklist
Stay organized during junior year with a timeline for researching colleges, preparing for entrance exams, visiting campuses, and beginning the application process.
✅Senior Year Checklist
Follow important senior-year deadlines for applications, transcripts, recommendations, financial aid, scholarships, and final college decisions.
🧭Need Help Developing a College Plan?
Students are encouraged to meet with Mrs. Gillette for assistance with researching colleges, reviewing admission requirements, planning campus visits, completing applications, requesting transcripts, and preparing for the financial-aid process.
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💰 Financial Aid & Scholarships
Understanding financial aid and scholarship opportunities is an important part of planning for college. The resources below can help students and families complete the FAFSA, explore federal and New York State financial aid, search for scholarships and grants, and develop a plan for managing college expenses.
📝Complete the FAFSA
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to apply for federal grants, work-study opportunities, student loans, and other forms of college financial assistance.
📋Filing the FAFSA
Review helpful guidance about the FAFSA process, required information, important deadlines, and steps families can take before beginning the application.
🔍Searching for Scholarships
Learn how to identify scholarship and grant opportunities, organize application materials, avoid common mistakes, and meet important deadlines.
💵Paying for College
Review a simple three-step approach to understanding college costs, identifying available financial resources, and planning how to cover remaining expenses.
📅High School Scholarship List by Month
Review scholarship opportunities organized by month to help students keep track of application windows and upcoming deadlines. Students should check the list regularly because opportunities and due dates may change throughout the school year.
Additional Financial Aid Resources
Use these additional websites to research scholarships, learn about New York State financial-aid programs, and explore college-savings options.
🎓Fastweb
Create a free profile to search for scholarships that may match your interests, activities, academic background, and future plans.
🗽NYS Financial Aid
Visit the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation for information about TAP, state grants, scholarships, loans, and college-planning resources.
💰New York 529 Plan
Learn about New York's tax-advantaged college-savings program and how families may use a 529 account to prepare for qualified education expenses.
🏆New York Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities associated with colleges, universities, organizations, and programs throughout New York State.
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🪖 Military Career Information
Military service can provide students with opportunities for career training, leadership development, education benefits, and service to the country. Students interested in exploring military careers, ROTC programs, or enlistment requirements can use the resources below to learn more about each branch and the ASVAB assessment.
✈️Air Force ROTC
Learn about Air Force ROTC scholarships, college programs, leadership training, eligibility requirements, and pathways to becoming an Air Force officer.
🪖Army ROTC
Explore Army ROTC programs, college scholarships, leadership development, service commitments, and opportunities to begin a career as an Army officer.
⚓Marine Corps
Learn about Marine Corps education, leadership, professional military education, service opportunities, and pathways for students considering military service.
🚢Navy ROTC
Explore Navy ROTC programs, scholarships, officer-training opportunities, academic expectations, and pathways into Navy and Marine Corps service.
📝ASVAB Testing
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery measures skills and abilities that help determine eligibility for military service and identify career areas that may be a strong match. Students can learn about the test, preparation, scoring, and military eligibility requirements through the resource below.
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👨👩👧 Parent Resources
Parents and caregivers play an important role in supporting a child’s academic, social, and emotional development. The resources below provide information about mental health, grief, school safety, character development, substance-use prevention, diversity, social media, and community support.
Mental Health, Safety & Grief
💚Say Something
Learn about warning signs and how students and families can speak up when they are concerned about someone’s safety.
🌻When a Friend Dies by Suicide
Guidance for parents supporting a child after the suicide of a friend, including grief, communication, and emotional support.
🗣️Talking With Your Child About Suicide
Helpful information for beginning a calm, direct, and supportive conversation with a child about suicide.
🤝Attending the Funeral of a Friend
Suggestions for preparing a child to attend a friend’s funeral and helping them understand what to expect.
Character Development & School Programs
⭐Positivity Project
Explore resources that help students understand character strengths, build positive relationships, and support a caring school community.
🛡️Awareness and Prevention
Review awareness and prevention information designed to promote student safety, well-being, and healthy decision-making.
📅Middle School Advisory Calendar
View the middle school advisory calendar and topics used to support student growth, connection, and social-emotional learning.
Race, Diversity & Inclusion
🌎Talking to Kids About Race and Racism
Advice for parents on discussing race, racism, violence, and protest with children in thoughtful and age-appropriate ways.
👨👩👧Age-by-Age Guide to Talking About Race
Developmentally appropriate suggestions for discussing race and inclusion with children at different ages.
📖Mixed: Diversity Discussion Guide
A story and discussion guide parents can use to support conversations about identity, diversity, and inclusion.
📚Books About Racism and Protest
A collection of books that may help families explain racism, protest, and social justice topics to children.
Substance Use Awareness
⚠️Heroin and Opioid Fact Sheet
Important information for parents about heroin and opioids, including risks, warning signs, and prevention.
💊Prescription Drug Misuse
Review common signs and symptoms that may indicate misuse of prescription medications.
🧠Teen Drug Facts
Access educational information about prescription drugs and substance misuse written for teens and families.
Family & Community Support
📍Lewis County Community Resource Guide
Find local services and community organizations that support children, families, health, and well-being throughout Lewis County.
🏘️Lewis County Resources
Explore additional Northern New York community services and support programs available to students and families.
📱Social Media and Youth Mental Health
Learn about the relationship between social media use and youth mental health, along with considerations for families.
💼Working Papers
Access working-paper forms and information for students seeking employment.
🤝Need Additional Support?
Every child faces unique challenges throughout the school years. The CCS Counseling Center is committed to partnering with families by providing guidance, resources, and support. Families with concerns about a child’s academic progress, emotional well-being, or social development are encouraged to contact the Counseling Office.
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🌟 Sources of Strength
Sources of Strength is an evidence-based suicide-prevention and health-promotion program that empowers students and caring adults to strengthen connections, encourage help-seeking, and make positive changes throughout the school community.
🧑🤝🧑Peer Leaders
A diverse group of students is trained to promote messages of hope, help, strength, and connection throughout the school community.
🤝Adult Advisors
Trained school staff support student leaders, help coordinate activities, and connect students with trusted adults and appropriate resources.
📣Schoolwide Activities
Peer leaders create activities and campaigns that encourage wellness, identify trusted adults, reduce stigma, and promote help-seeking.
💚Our Mission
Our mission is to provide high-quality, evidence-based prevention for suicide, violence, bullying, and substance misuse by training, supporting, and empowering peer leaders and caring adults to positively impact their community through connection, hope, help, and strength.
The Eight Sources of Strength
Students are encouraged to recognize, build, and use multiple sources of strength. Many strengths working together are more powerful than relying on only one.
👨👩👧Family Support
Family members who provide care, encouragement, stability, and a sense of belonging.
🧑🤝🧑Positive Friends
Friends who are supportive, trustworthy, encouraging, and committed to healthy choices.
🧭Mentors
Trusted adults who listen, offer guidance, and help students navigate challenges.
⚽Healthy Activities
Activities that provide enjoyment, connection, purpose, creativity, and healthy stress relief.
🎁Generosity
Helping others through kindness, service, encouragement, and meaningful contributions.
✨Spirituality
Beliefs, values, traditions, or practices that provide meaning, hope, and connection.
🏃Physical Health
Healthy sleep, nutrition, movement, medical care, and habits that support overall wellness.
🧠Mental Health
Recognizing emotions, using healthy coping skills, and seeking help when support is needed.
🌐Learn More
Learn more about the Sources of Strength program or contact Mrs. Gillette in the CCS Counseling Center for information about local activities and student involvement.
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📝 Student Check-In Form
Students may use the form below to request support from the CCS Counseling Center. Please provide as much information as you feel comfortable sharing so the counseling team can better understand how to assist you.
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📝 Testing Information
Standardized tests may play an important role in college admissions, course placement, and earning college credit. The resources below can help students and families review ACT and SAT registration information, learn about Advanced Placement exams and credit policies, and develop strategies for managing test anxiety.
📅ACT Test Dates
Review upcoming ACT testing dates, registration deadlines, testing locations, fees, and other information students need before registering.
✏️SAT Test Dates
Find SAT registration information, upcoming test dates, deadlines, testing policies, preparation resources, and details about the digital SAT.
📚AP Exam Information
Learn about Advanced Placement courses and exams, exam preparation, test-day expectations, scoring, and how AP experiences can support college planning.
🎓AP Credit Policies
Search colleges and universities to see how they may award credit or placement based on Advanced Placement exam scores.
🧘Managing Test Anxiety
Feeling some stress before a test is common. Students can reduce test anxiety by preparing ahead of time, getting adequate sleep, using positive self-talk, practicing relaxation strategies, and asking for help when needed.
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📝 Complete the Form
Please complete the form below. Be sure to review your responses before submitting.
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🌟 Youth Advisory Council (YAC)
Copenhagen Central School’s Youth Advisory Council gives students in grades 9–12 an opportunity to develop leadership skills, support their school and community, and make meaningful decisions about projects that benefit local children and families.
📅Monthly Meetings
YAC members meet after school each month to review grant requests, discuss student matters, and plan activities that support CCS students and the wider community.
🎤Student Activities
Members help organize student-centered projects and events, including the annual Talent Show, which collects canned goods for the CCS Backpack Program.
🤝Student Leadership
The council gives students a voice in funding decisions while building collaboration, responsibility, service, and leadership skills.
💡Have an Idea for a School or Community Project?
Students and community members may submit grant requests for projects that will benefit children in the school or community. YAC members review submitted applications and help determine which ideas may receive funding.
Pratt Northam Foundation YAC Goals
The Pratt Northam Foundation sponsors Youth Advisory Councils to give students in grades 9–12 the opportunity to make funding decisions about ideas proposed by students and their peers.
🧠Encourage Creative Thinking
Inspire students to identify needs, generate ideas, and develop thoughtful solutions for their school and community.
💰Fund Youth-Led Projects
Support projects proposed by young people that create a positive and lasting benefit for their community.
❤️Promote Service and Philanthropy
Help students develop a lifelong commitment to volunteerism, generosity, service, and community involvement.
🙋Interested in Joining YAC?
Students interested in becoming part of the CCS Youth Advisory Council should speak with a current YAC member or stop by the Counseling Office for more information.
CCS P–12 Comprehensive School Counseling Program
The CCS P–12 Comprehensive School Counseling Program serves as the framework for counseling services across our district. It outlines our vision, mission, program goals, and comprehensive approach to supporting every student's academic achievement, career readiness, and social-emotional development from kindergarten through graduation.
Guided by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model and New York State School Counseling regulations, this plan reflects our commitment to providing equitable, student-centered services that empower every learner to reach their full potential.
📄 View the CCS P–12 School Counseling Program
School Social Worker Resources
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🤝 How I Support Students & Families
As the CCS School Social Worker, I work with students, families, school staff, and community agencies to help remove barriers that may affect a student’s ability to learn, grow, and succeed. Support may include counseling, crisis response, attendance assistance, family guidance, and connections to local programs and services.
💬Individual & Group Counseling
I provide individual and small-group counseling services to help students strengthen social-emotional skills, develop healthy coping strategies, build confidence, and work toward goals identified through their Individualized Education Program or other student-support plans.
🛟Crisis Response & Immediate Support
I provide crisis-response support throughout the school building whenever a student is experiencing emotional distress, a difficult situation, or an immediate need. Support may take place in the classroom, hallway, counseling office, or another appropriate setting.
🏫Attendance & School Engagement
When attendance becomes a challenge, I work with students and families to identify barriers, develop supportive plans, and encourage a successful return to school. This may include family meetings, school-based interventions, or home visits when appropriate.
🌎Community Resources & Referrals
I help students and families connect with local services throughout Jefferson and Lewis Counties. Resources may include mental-health treatment, food and nutrition assistance, family support, case management, health services, and other programs that promote individual and family wellness.
👨👩👧Family Partnerships
Every family’s situation is unique. I work collaboratively with parents and caregivers to understand their concerns, identify strengths, develop practical next steps, and connect families with supports that can improve student success both at school and at home.
❤️Student Wellness & Advocacy
I advocate for students by helping ensure their social, emotional, behavioral, and basic needs are understood and addressed. My goal is to help every student feel safe, supported, connected, and ready to learn.
🤲Support Beyond the Classroom
Families are encouraged to reach out whenever a student or household is experiencing a challenge that may affect well-being or school success—even when the concern is not directly related to academics. Together, we can identify helpful next steps and connect your family with appropriate school or community resources.
Conversations are handled respectfully and confidentially, except when disclosure is required under mandated-reporting guidelines or when there is a concern for safety.
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⭐ School-Based Support Programs
The CCS School Social Worker helps coordinate several evidence-based programs that support students' social, emotional, and behavioral development. These programs are designed to identify student strengths, provide early support when needed, and help every child feel connected, confident, and successful at school.
🌱Social-Emotional Learning Team
The Social-Emotional Learning Team supports the whole child by recognizing that social and emotional development is just as important as academic growth. Twice each school year, strength-based screening tools are used to gather information about the social-emotional skills of students in PreK through Grade 5.
The Teacher-Child Rating Scale (T-CRS) and Child Rating Scale (CRS) help identify student strengths and determine whether additional classroom or school-based support may be helpful.
Possible supports may include:
- School-home communication systems
- Behavior and self-monitoring supports
- Break cards and classroom strategies
- Focus Groups (Lunch Bunch)
- Check In–Check Out
- Primary Project
- Individual or community-based counseling
Participation is voluntary. Families are partners in every step of the support process.🎨Primary Project
Primary Project is an evidence-based early intervention program for students in PreK through Grade 3 that strengthens school adjustment, confidence, social skills, and emotional well-being.
Students are identified through teacher screenings, classroom observations, and recommendations from the Social-Emotional Learning Team.
Our Child Associate
Mr. Logan Spaulding meets individually with participating students for approximately 30 minutes each week over a 15-week period. Through structured play-based activities, he helps students build confidence, strengthen social skills, and develop a greater sense of belonging within the school community.
Parent or guardian permission is required before participation in Primary Project.
💚Early Support Makes a Difference
By identifying student strengths early and providing appropriate supports, CCS helps children build confidence, strengthen relationships, and develop the skills needed for long-term success both in and out of the classroom.
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CCS Backpack Program
The CCS Backpack Program, coordinated by Mrs. Michelle Bartlett, helps provide nutritious food to students and families for weekends and school breaks. The program is designed to reduce food insecurity while ensuring students have the resources they need to learn, grow, and succeed. Enrollment is confidential, available throughout the school year, and open to families who may benefit from additional support. The program continues to be made possible through the generosity of our community and school partners.
🎒 Learn More About the Backpack Program
Meet Our Counseling Team
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Brigitte GilletteSchool Counselor | Grades 6–12 Mrs. Brigitte Gillette serves as the School Counselor for students in grades 6–12, supporting students and families throughout their middle and high school years. She works closely with students to help them achieve their academic, career, and personal goals by providing guidance in course selection, graduation planning, career exploration, college and military readiness, scholarships, financial aid, and standardized testing. In addition to academic and post-secondary planning, Mrs. Gillette provides social-emotional support, helping students navigate personal challenges while developing the confidence, resilience, and decision-making skills needed for lifelong success. She is committed to building positive relationships with students and families and believes every student deserves encouragement, individualized support, and opportunities to reach their full potential.
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Michelle BartlettSchool Social Worker | Grades K–12 Mrs. Michelle Bartlett serves as the School Social Worker for Copenhagen Central School, providing support to students and families across all grade levels. She works collaboratively with students, parents, staff, and community agencies to help remove barriers that may impact a student's ability to learn, grow, and succeed. Mrs. Bartlett provides individual and group counseling services, crisis response, attendance support, and assistance connecting families with valuable community resources throughout Jefferson and Lewis Counties. She understands that every family faces unique challenges and is committed to helping students and caregivers access the support they need in a compassionate, confidential, and respectful environment. Her goal is to ensure every student feels safe, supported, and connected both in school and within the community. |
As the CCS School Social Worker, Mrs. Michelle Bartlett is dedicated to helping students and families access the support they need to be successful. She coordinates a variety of school-based programs, connects families with valuable community resources, and partners with staff to promote student wellness, strengthen social-emotional skills, and remove barriers to learning. The resources below provide information about many of the services and programs she oversees throughout the school year.