Apr 2024 - Counseling Wellness
Since 1920, Grossmont High School staff has seen its task as caring for not just its students’ academic achievements, but for their personal and social well-being. This year’s Foothiller counseling team consists of one administrative assistant, seven counselors, therapists/interns from partner community agencies, and sixteen Peer Listeners.
Early in the school year, Wellness Coordinator and Department Chairman Laura Dawson shared this message, “The Counseling and Wellness Center is a safe space for students and families to access mental health support and other resources because we know students learn best when they are safe and supported.”
We offer drop-in counseling, crisis intervention, therapy, support groups, peer listening, peer mediation, a safe space for students to take a short break to regulate their emotions, a calming cart with mindfulness/sensory items, scholarship support, and referrals to community resources.
I want to reiterate one of the most important ways we serve our student's personal/social needs-through caring teacher intervention! Teachers are in the best position to provide mental health first aid and connect them to more support. If a teacher is concerned about a student's well-being and feels they may benefit from talking with a counselor or a referral to wellness services, please complete a referral form. A counselor will follow up with the student to assess which services are needed.
Laura continues with her most important message, “If the student is in imminent danger (to self or others), DO NOT LEAVE THEM ALONE and follow the Triage steps for support.
If you can think of any students who are experiencing grief or could use help regulating their emotions, please email me at
The GHS Counseling website at https://www.foothillers.com/Counseling reveals a variety of everyday support tools for students and parents: Counseling Home/Announcements, Counseling Newsletters, Counseling Dept. Directory, Scholarship Directory, Academic Information, Career Information, College Information, College Fairs/Visits, Testing Information, Transcript Requests, Volunteer Opportunities, Work Permits.
The first Tuesday of each month, the department emails their monthly newsletter to parents. The April 2024 newsletter, begins with this encouragement, “Our team supports students and families in the Counseling & Wellness Center on the 2nd floor of the main office. Students may visit during break/lunch or with a pass from their teachers. Caregivers should contact the counselor to schedule an appointment.”
The newsletter continues with information about Grossmont College Virtual Tuesday, where students can get ahead with priority registration, complete steps needed for the Promise Program, select classes, and meet counselors with a Register here link. Another section is a registration link for a SDSU college representative visit to the GHS College and Career Center on campus during period 3.
There is information about the East County Resource Fair: the CalKIDS Webinar, a state program which helps families save for college or career training after high school; a financial Aid Package Webinar with information about senior registration for FAFSA or CADAA; a Webinar about Supporting School-to Life Balance to Achieve Academic Success; and Wings of Hope, a way to memorialize those who have touched their lives.
The Wellness Center section of the monthly newsletter provides information about the Princess Project, which provides free prom dresses and an accessory to high school teens. Another subheading is information for parents and caregivers about supporting students’ mental health and also information about how to help students how to cope with feelings of being inadequate.
The Academic Support and College/Career Preparation section provides information about on campus Tutorials, Online Class Tutoring, Online Resources for AP Preparation, Information about Summer School, and specific information for Ninth and Tenth Graders, Juniors, and Seniors.
There is so much more available for students on the counseling website, which provides a myriad of resources for students, families, and caregivers as well as links to supportive and caring staff.
Staff Wellness
The Wellness Center also has had yearlong activities to support the GHS staff’s wellness and to encourage staff connectivity. These have included Wellness Wednesday Yoga before or after school, periodic 7 minute chair massages during prep periods, staff “get togethers”, including attending a Wave Soccer game, social hours at staff homes, and more.
A recent staff memo from Laura Dawson states, “Wellness Wednesday yoga is back! Please join us during 7th period in the College and Career Center to work out those kinks and breathe! You've spent the whole day taking care of others; let's slow down and take a moment to connect & care for ourselves. There are only 12 spots in this round, but don't worry, I will schedule more during different periods of the day in the future.” Wonderful advice for all of us.
After her chair massage, Math teacher Kristin LoPrell shared, “The chair massage was a perfect way to re-center on a busy day. I spent 10 minutes doing intentional breathing while the massage therapist worked wonders on my back. It helped energize me for the rest of my day and I would love a repeat sometime! “
Fortunately, through the counseling department’s Wellness and Counseling Program, the sometimes overwhelming challenges of being a high school student and staff member are acknowledged and hopefully addressed.
GHS Museum Reopening
Join us Saturday, May 18th from 10-2. We are located near the pool on the east side of campus. Email us for a map at
Upcoming Reunions and Museum and Campus Tours (open to all)
Class of 1964’s 60th Reunion: Friday, September 20, 2024 Catamaran Resort Hotel. Register atGrossmont64.com or email Ged Bulat at
Class of 1967 75th Birthday Reunion: September 15, 2024, brunch at the Brigantine and visit to the Grossmont High School Museum. Email
Class of 1976 Annual Reunion: Saturday,June1,2024 at Singing Hills Golf Club at Sycuan in the Red Tail Bar & Grill. It starts at 1pm. No need to prepay. All classes are invited.
Class of 1984 40th Reunion: Saturday, July 20, 2024, The Handlery Hotel. Reunion Website