Counselors, Chaplains, and Nurses work together
to provide Support Services in the Upper School. Grade Deans,
the Director and Dean of Residential Life, and the Head of Upper
School team with Support Services, Teachers and advisors to share
observations, raise concerns, and plan together to meet student’s
needs. Student information is handled with care and shared as
needed to provide appropriate support for each student. Families
are encouraged to partner with the school to promote healthy development
and academic success during the Upper School years.
CHAPLAINCY
The chaplains are available to help students deepen their spiritual
lives. Accepting that students come to the campus with a wide
range of religious traditions and experiences, the chaplaincy
seeks to support each student on his/her spiritual journey. In
chapel, in confidential individual discussions, at celebrations,
and times of difficulty the chaplain is available to members of
the Upper School community to recognize the sacred in our midst.
The chaplain can also assist community members in identifying
community resources that are appropriate to their traditions and
interests.
GRADE DEANS
There is a grade dean for each class. Grades deans are responsible
for:
- Coordinating discipline for students
- Advocating for the well-being of students
- Supporting advisors in their work with families
- Providing for academic coordination for students across departments
- Working with counselors to ensure that students with special
needs are given appropriate attention
In addition, each class (9-12) has a Head Class Advisor and
an Assistant Class Advisor. These faculty members are responsible
for helping develop student leadership, working with the class
officers to plan class activities and fund-raising events, and
in general shepherding the class through its four years at OES.
COUNSELING
Three Upper School counselors are available to help students and
families with an array of concerns such as issues around social
relationships, family difficulties, eating disorders, anxiety,
depression, academic pressure, cultural adjustment, questions
about alcohol, nicotine and other drugs, or peer pressure. When
appropriate, counselors coordinate referrals with outside professional
services as they work to meet the needs of the student.
If students indicate that they may be at risk for self-harm or
violence toward others, a careful process is followed to protect
the student and the OES community from harm. Concerns, which may
warrant this process, are indications of suicidality, eating disorders,
drug and/or alcohol impairment, self-mutilation, threats directed
at others and other serious issues.
CORE TEAM
The School has identified a group of staff and faculty who meet
regularly with the concerns of individuals. Called the CORE Team,
this group meets weekly to discuss students who may be experiencing
personal or academic difficulties and to develop an approach for
helping these individuals. The CORE Team also identifies mental
and physical health issues about which the School needs more information
and plans ways to bring that information to the entire community.
The CORE Team consists of the Head of Upper School, Grade Deans,
the Director of Residential Life, the Chaplain, Upper School Counselors
and the School Nurses.
HEALTH SERVICES
The Nursing Staff is available to discuss any health concerns
you may have regarding your child. Ill or injured students will
be assisted and assessed by Upper School staff. The student will
be referred to the school nurse when appropriate. If a student
is too ill or injured to continue with the school day, parents
will be contacted and asked to take their child home. It is important
that parents are available to consult by phone and to respond
to the health needs of their child in a timely manner.
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