Individual counseling

Each guidance counselor is assigned, by alphabet, a portion of Ridley's student body. Counselors are available for individual appointments to discuss any school or personal concerns. All students are guaranteed to be seen at least once during the school year, more depending on individual need. To make an appointment, a student may sign up in the guidance office or, in an emergency, may simply request to be seen immediately. If a counselor is out for any reason, another counselor will fill in and speak with those students. All discussions in the counselor's office are strictly confidential except in certain situations including risk for homicide, suicide, or child abuse.

Parent - Teacher conferences

The guidance counselor is the student and/or parents direct connection to the high school faculty. A simple phone call or email can initiate a parent-teacher conference for your child. You can be assisted by your child's counselor with any difficulties (academic and/or social) he/ she may be experiencing or any questions you may have. The guidance counselor can be your advocate in the high school building. 

By answering the following questions before a parent-teacher conference, you can be prepared to have a productive meeting :

• what do you think your teen's strengths are? weaknesses?
• what subjects does your child talk about most?
• what does he/she seem excited about? worried about?
• what subjects seem most difficult for your son/daughter?
• how do you think your child learns better? by listening or watching? by working alone or in groups?
• what are your specific concerns about his/her progress, learning skills, or social skills?
• what is the best way to contact you? phone, email?

Ridley Educational Support Team

The Ridley Educational Support Team (R.E.S.T) is designed to help school personnel identify issues including alcohol use, drug use, or other behavioral concerns and issues that pose a barrier to a students' learning and success in school. The R.E.S.T team offers support to students and their families. R.E.S.T. is NOT a treatment program, rather, it is a systemic process using effective and accountable professional techniques to mobilize school resources to remove the barriers to learning, and/or, where the problem is beyond the scope of the school, to assist the parent and student with information so that they may access services within the community. The R.E.S.T. members DO NOT diagnose, treat, or refer for treatment; but they may refer for an assessment to determine if treatment is needed. Parental involvement in all phases of the process is the key to the successful resolution of identified problems. 

R.E.S.T offers the following supports and services to students and their families:

• a confidential process within our school
• access to school based support groups (grief groups, life skills development groups
• free access to a Certified Mental Health Assessor
• linkage to other school-based resources

Peer mediation is a program which was established several years ago at Ridley High School to assist our students in fostering a peaceful climate conducive to optimal learning. There are three aspects to this program:

1. To foster the resolution of conflict by providing on-site mediation services. These services are voluntary and allow students a confidential option to prevent further problems they may be experiencing with another student.
2. To actively foster individual conflict/resolution skills. This is accomplished through delivery of curriculum by students and for students in the Health and Physical Education Department.
3. To reach back to younger students in Ridley School District and teach the concepts of conflict/resolution and peer mediation.

Students maybe referred to Peer Mediation by teachers, counselors, administrators, deans, parents, and/or other students. The Peer Mediation program is sponsored by Mrs. Angel Wagner.