Dear Holy Cross Students and Families,
We are looking forward to seeing you all throughout the school year & meeting our new students.
There are 2 main ways for students to contact the counsellors at Holy Cross:
By emailing us directly to schedule an appointment (see our emails below)
By going, in-person, to the Main Office, where the office staff will phone to see if a counsellor is available. Since we cannot guarantee the availability of the counsellor, scheduling ahead is highly recommended.
Any parents wishing to contact a counsellor, please email us directly so that we can arrange to speak or meet as needed. Below are details regarding counselling at Holy Cross:
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach us at the emails below.
Reminder: Academic concerns should be directed to Grade Level Advisors (GLAs).
If the need is critical, do not wait for a counsellor’s response - the crisis contact information is listed at here.
MEET THE COUNSELLORS!
Ms. Maureen Parker -
mparker@holycross.ca
Hello & welcome to the Counselling Department! I’m a Registered Clinical Counsellor who really enjoys working with teens in a safe & confidential space. I offer support for students who are struggling. I also enjoy facilitating in-class workshops on social & emotional competency, social justice…
I live on the North Shore, love photography, art, cooking, the outdoors, biking, hiking, kayaking spending time with my family & travelling (Maui is a happy place). Books I enjoyed: Jodi Picoult’s Small Great Things, Terese Anne Fowler’s A Good Neighborhood & John Grisham’s The Guardians.
I look forward to getting know both students and parents.
Mrs. Leah Bittante - lbittante@holycross.bc.ca
Hobbies: Sourdough baking, growing raspberries, quilting
Favourite book: The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
Most empowering experience: PRH personal growth work
Memorable summer experience: Cycling around the Agassiz/Harrison Circle Farm
Mr. Stephen Ching - sching@holycross.bc.ca
Hobbies: Biking, Board games, Reading, Beekeeping, Changing newborn diapers
Recent listening: Mozart - Trio in E-Flat Major, K.498 for Clarinet, Viola and Piano
Memorable summer experience: Being a new dad!
Book I’m reading now:
N/A. Just trying to get more sleep.
When we are available:
| Mon | Tues | Wed | Thurs | Fri |
| Ms Parker | Ms Parker | Ms Parker | ||
| Mrs Bittante | Mrs Bittante | |||
| Mr Ching | Mr Ching | Mr Ching | Mr Ching | Mr Ching |
** Please note: These days and times may be subject to change to accommodate meetings and other commitments **
Wishing you all the best and good health!
Mrs. Maureen Parker (mparker@holycross.bc.ca)
Mr. Stephen Ching (sching@holycross.bc.ca)
Mrs. Leah Bittante (lbittante@holycross.bc.ca)
Resources for the Family
Below are some resources and handouts for our Holy Cross community:
“20 Questions about social media” - Family Dinner Project
“Family Guide for Using Devices” - Defend Young Minds
“Digital Safety Planner” - Defend Young Minds
Crisis Resources & Links
If you or someone you know is in a crisis situation, please refer to the following resources:
Police/Ambulance/Fire : 911
BC 211 Support & Resources: 211
24 Hr. Crisis Line / Fraser Health Crisis : 604-951-8855 or 604-872-3311
Kids Help Phone : 1-800-668-6868
S.P.E.A.C. (Suicide Prevention Education and Counselling) : 604-584-5811
M.C.F.D. (Ministry of Child & Family Protection Line) : 1-800-663-9122
S.T.A.R.T. (Short-Term Assessment Response Treatment) - Fraser Health
Posts
10 Ways to Start the School Year Off Right
1. GET INVOLVED in clubs, activities, sports, etc.
2. Set specific, realistic GOALS: Break down your big goals into actionable smaller REALISTIC steps (want to achieve this school year); COMMIT to WORKING HARD!
3. POSITIVE, GROWTH MINDSET – stretch your comfort zone & learn from setbacks. Perfection is not realistic.
4. TIME MANAGEMENT – PLAN AHEAD; MAKE TIME COUNT by staying ORGANIZED. Set up a STUDY AREA. Bring what you need to class & bring home notebooks, texts, pens, calculator. Take good notes
5. Set up a SCHEDULE /CALENDAR: Consciously & wisely schedule time! Identify things that distract you (eliminate or decrease). Use planners, wall calendars, or app (Todoist Microsoft To Do. Calendly iStudiez Pro myHomework Power Planner.ClickUp) *See a counsellor to help with time management & stress
See homework as a priority; decide how much time you are willing to allot for homework & studying - your decision; dedication correlates to success. *Procrastination – don’t let procrastination tell you that avoiding is a good thing
6. SLEEP, HEALTHY EATING, EXERCISE, limit screen time…, a HEALTHY SOCIAL LIFE ….
7. PAUSE to make smart decisions. Don’t put anything on SOCIAL MEDIA that is potentially embarrassing, harmful or mean (grandma check). Deep Breathing & Relaxation techniques
8. UTILIZE SUPPORT early before falling behind. Teachers, Grade Level Advisers, tutorials or tutors can help with academics
9. COUNSELLORS can help with emotional (anxiety…) or social issues & work with you on skills to help you succeed both academically & emotionally.
10. Be the best version of yourself & be nice to your peers, your teachers, your parents… !
Does someone you know have any of these signs that might indicate problematic VIDEO GAMING?
Playing more than 1-2 hrs a day of video games?
Spending so much time playing video games that it causes problems with home, school and extracurricular activities?
Neglecting sleep, physical activity, and other basic needs in order to spend time playing video games?
Gets upset or irritable when it is time to stop playing, or when asked to stop playing?
CHECK OUT THGIS LINK for more info
EATING DISORDERS RESOURCES https://omny.fm/shows/kelty-mental-health-where-you-are/re-release-eating-disorders
https://keltyeatingdisorders.ca
https://foundrybc.ca/body-image-disordered-eating-eating-disorders-resources/
http://www.bcchildrens.ca/our-services/mental-health-services/assessment-treatment/eating-disorders
https://www.lookingglassbc.com/resources
Roughly 5% of all Canadians are affected by Eating Disorders. Eating Disorders can affect anyone & often can be overlooked even by those close to the youth; treatment is key. Counsellors are here to help, & can providing resources for youth & their families.