The counseling office is making changes to better serve our students.

Already students are being informed that counselor changes are being made for next year. Although some are worrying over the effects the changes will make, a new organization of assignment for students and their counselors will benefit WS. The new system will be beneficial to both students and counselors. Rather than assigning counselors to student by grade level, it will now be organized alphabetically.

“I think the decision will help the office run more efficiently. Overall, it will help [counselors] and students,” said guidance counselor Alex Gorman.

This year and in the past it has been especially difficult for counselors to give their students all the help required before leaving high school. Each of the counselors is responsible for around 300 students. Ideally, they would be able to sit down and discuss every students concern whenever asked of them, but currently time with individual students is limited. Besides helping students, counselors have spent a large amount outside of their offices providing informational units on things such as college.

 “This new organization will allow [counselors] to keep more current and updated on what is happening at every grade level, again allowing them to provide better services to their students,” said Principal Paul Wardinski.

Other benefits of the new system include that  rather than only two counselors writing college recommendation letters for one entire grade level, all eight will take part in the process, increasing the focus counselors give to each essay. The system will also benefit the families of students who have more than one child at the school. Currently, it is possible that each child would have a different counselor, which can be frustrating for parents.

“I still don’t think it’s fair because then your counselors don’t know you as well. When they try to help you for the future, they won’t understand all your interests,” said junior Emily Colon.

Aside from the advantages, many students are worried about having to create a new relationship with their counselor. Many have gotten to know and trust their counselor, and to them a change means more stress.

 “I understand it’s hard as a senior to get to know a new counselor, but the new system will help in the long run,” said Gorman.