Department Information
The Maine 207 Student and Family Services team helps students make decisions and choices that will allow for success in high school and beyond. Student and Family Services work with students, families, and staff in supporting students’ academic, social-emotional, and career development throughout high school. Student and Family Services includes a range of supports for students and families focused on counseling services both in high school and in preparation for college and/or careers. Additionally, the Health Office is an integral part of Student and Family Services.

Student Service (504) Coordinators: Sarah Kirkorsky, Vicky Karahalios

Core Mission:

A vital link between home and school, the comprehensive guidance programs offered at Maine South High School through the Student and Family Services Department help students make the crucial decisions they will face during their high school years. A mix of individual and group activities; occupational, technical, and financial aid programs; test information; and course placement activities, the program helps students at all levels to make decisions that will shape their future. The Student and Family Services staff can help students gain direction as they make choices that will take them through high school and beyond to college and career.

The Student and Family Services Department provides many services in addition to the scheduled guidance-related activities. Most of these activities are initiated by students, parents, or school personnel as needed. Counselors try to anticipate and react to the needs of students and parents. However, for members of the Student and Family Service Department to be the most effective, it is important that there be open communication between the home and the school.

Student Handbook

The Student and Family Services Department provides support for students in a variety of areas and includes the following:

Counselors – Every student is assigned to one of ten counselors, who support the student and family from enrollment at Maine South through graduation. Counselors focus on the emotional, social, educational and career development needs of students. An important focus of the counselor’s services is academic counseling for college and career.

Postsecondary Counselor – Mrs. Robyn Moreth helps students to establish accurate self-awareness, explore careers, make tentative career decisions and formulate post-high school plans. Mrs. Moreth serves as a resource for students, parents, teachers and the generalist counselors. She coordinates many college awareness programs and makes numerous resources available to students. Mrs. Moreth’s office is located in the Career & College Resource Center (CCRC).

Career Coordinator – Mrs. Effie Loukas: Working in tandem with the Career & College Admissions Specialist, Mrs. Loukas guides students to determine career interests and opportunities to explore those interests through internships, job shadowing, career treks, and paid job experiences. Mrs. Loukas’s office is located in the CCRC.

Nurses – Mrs. Allison Dietz manages both acute and chronic illnesses and injuries. She is available to students, parents, and staff for health teaching, counseling, and referrals. The nurses act as a liaison between the medical community and the school community. They also address any special needs of students. The health office is open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Psychologists – Ms. Alexis Lane, Mr. Steve Mihalopoulos, and Ms. Robin Khan are responsible for psychological screening and testing of students who have been referred by parents, teachers, and counselors. A significant portion of that process involves the assessment for possible special education services. The psychologists are available for consultation to the faculty, staff, and parents.

Social Workers – Mrs. Lisa Buckley, Mrs. Leah Jackson, and Mrs. Janet Radziszewski offer individual, group, and/or family therapy for students who have been referred by parents, teachers, or counselors. Referrals and/or consultations are often made with outside support personnel including private therapists, psychiatrists, and community agencies. The social worker also serves as a consultant to the faculty and staff.

Department Links
Health Office

Maine South Career and College Resource Center (CCRC) 

JumpStart Youth Program – Career support federally funded through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

Registration

Residency

Parent involvement with Student and Family Services
Attendance at important events such as open houses and College Night is one way parents can promote home and school communication. It is also helpful to mark dates such as testing and group activities on the family calendar. Parents who are concerned about their child’s progress in a particular class should contact the individual teacher for the most current information. If they have a general concern regarding their child, they should contact the assigned counselor.

Parents can access the Infinite Campus Parent Portal to view their child’s schedule, check attendance records, view grades, and recent assignment activity by course. In order to access the Portal, parents must be listed as a student contact with a current email address. If this information is not on file, please contact the Student and Family Services office at 847-692-8214.