Student Support

Guidance Counselors:

10th & 12th Grade:

John Ngai- jngai@schools.nyc.gov

9th & 11th Grade:

Magda Samborska-Murgio- msamborskamurgio@schools.nyc.gov

Social Worker:
Zachary Darr-Rodriguez- zdarrrodriguez@schools.nyc.gov

Guidance At Lab

Guidance counselors seek to facilitate communication between teachers, grade teams, other pupil personnel team members, and families.  The aim of this model is to provide a sense of continuity for students, parents, and staff.  Also, we hope to provide more opportunities for proactive social/emotional work with students.  Our Director of College Counseling, Amanda Madenberg, will handle all aspects of the college application process.  

Instructional Connection

The Guidance Department works to support students academically, socially, and emotionally.  We provide an outlet for all students.  In order to develop and maintain well adjusted , successful students, we interact with students, families, and colleagues in a multitude of ways.   Guidance provides:

• A safe space for students & staff
• Group counseling via advisory sessions
• Academic counseling/transcript review
• College counseling/advisement
• Communication with parents/guardians
• Referrals to outside agencies,supports for students and parents
• Crisis counseling
• Conflict mediation
• Reports of suspicion of child abuse
• Individual mandated counseling

Information shared by students with Guidance is confidential 

NYC 988 is your connection to free, confidential mental health support. Speak to a counselor via phone, text, or chat and get access to mental health and substance use services, in more than 200 languages, 24/7/365. At any hour of any day, in almost any language, from phone, tablet or computer, NYC 988 is your connection to get the help you need.

https://nyc988.cityofnewyork.us/en/ 

  SAPIS Counselor: 

Sarah Ramos- sramos8@schools.nyc.gov

Substance Abuse:

The Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention Specialists (SAPIS) program provides a range of prevention and intervention services in grades K-12.  The goals of the program are to: 

• Reduce the prevalence of substance abuse among youth
• Delay the initiation of substance abuse behavior among youth
• Decrease the negative health,social, and educational consequences associated with substance abuse
• Prevent the escalation of substance abuse behaviors to levels requiring treatment

Services Include:

• classroom lessons (using evidence-based programs)
• individual and group counseling
• positive alternative activities
• crisis intervention
• conflict resolution
• assessments and referrals for mental health and substance abuse services
• school-wide prevention projects

Students who are at risk for alcohol and substance abuse, gang involvement, suspension from school, disruptive behaviors, and violations of the Discipline Code, are referred to SAPIS for intervention services.  SAPIS provide parent workshops that address alcohol and substance abuse issues as well as bullying and violence prevention. SAPIS provide crisis-response services to schools needing support during crisis incidents.