The One and Only PHS Student Counselor
I’m not sure if everyone is aware that Park High School only has one student Counselor, Mrs. Abby Kinsey. Mrs. Kinsey has a lot of help and support from school registrar Lisa Peterson. I had the chance to interview Mrs. Kinsey and Lisa Peterson to find out how they feel about it.
The normal state of Montana set ratio for the number of students per counselor is one full-time counselor per every 400 high school students. In previous years, Park High employed two full-time counselors, but when R.D Jenkinson left at the end of last year to take a job in Bozeman, the school did not replace his position.
A school counselor to student ratio has a significant effect on student attendance and the ability to effectively deliver comprehensive school counseling programs to meet students’ academic, career and social/emotional needs. Mrs. Kinsey is currently counseling 439 students, which exceeds the maximum ratio recommended for school counselors.
Despite the ratio, Kinsey was ready to take on the challenge. Once school began, she knew the first week was going to be busy, but she was not nervous or scared. Kinsey stated “I’m used to chaos.” Lisa Peterson helped with scheduling day and time appointments with Kinsey for students wanting to make class schedule changes. Kinsey and Peterson both commented, “All the students and parents were so patient with us and made it so much easier.”
Every Wednesday the School Administration brings in Mental Health representatives, and then Kinsey can focus more on Academic Counseling. School counseling helps students resolve emotional, social or behavior problems and help them develop a clearer focus of direction.
Park High’s enrollment increased this year. 456 students were registered at the beginning of school in August, and today’s current count has dropped to 439 students because of students dropping out or moving away. The number of freshmen has increased this year to 133, which is the largest cohort in almost 10 years, when there were 138 freshmen in 2014, according to data from Peterson.
