GUIDANCE STAFF MESSAGE

The Belle Vernon Area High School Guidance Department is here to assist our students in fulfilling their academic obligations and responsibilities as well as to help them grow to their fullest potential.  The following guidelines are suggested:

 APPOINTMENTS

To request an appointment with your counselor, complete a green guidance interview request form in your first period class or in the Guidance Office.  It will be returned to you as soon as possible with a day and time for your visit.  You may phone us at 724-929-9800 or fax at 724-929-2374.  E-mail address for the counselors, faculty, and staff at Belle Vernon Area are available by accessing the staff directory page on our district website.

REGISTRATION

To register a new or transferring student, please contact the Guidance Office to set up an appointment.  You should have the following information available:  a record of immunization, previous school transcript or latest report card, a copy of the student’s birth certificate, and proof of residence within the Belle Vernon Area School District.

HOMEWORK

Homework and other school assignments are important tools in the success of a student.  Students in all grades are strongly encouraged to use their student agenda book for recording and planning these assignments.  Students are responsible for completing all homework and other school assignments according to the deadlines given by the instructors. 

HOMEWORK REQUESTS

If a student will be absent from school for more than three days due to illness, surgery, etc., the student or parent/guardian may call the Guidance Office at 724-929-9800, ext. 234, to request assignments.  Since each teacher must be contacted individually and given time to prepare several days assignments, the Guidance Office must be given a 24 hour notice prior to the time the parent/guardian will pick up the assignments.  Telephone extensions and e-mail addresses for all faculty and staff are available on the school web site if you wish to make direct contact.

If a student is out of school for field trips, vacations, sporting events, etc., it is their own responsibility to meet with their teachers prior to leaving to gather any class work or assignments they might miss. 

RESOURCES

As a high school student, you should seek assistance from parents, teachers, counselors, or administrators for the important decisions you will need to make in the next few years.  A successful high school career is a solid basis for your future education and career choices.  The Guidance Office is an important resource for you to consider.  A variety of college handbooks and applications, career guides, and scholarships offerings are available.  We have a supply of S.A.T. and A.C.T. test information and registration booklets.  FAFSA information is also available.  Our door is always open.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarship applications and information are made available to all Belle Vernon Area High School students.  Posters and flyers are placed in the hallways at the office end of the cafeteria and new scholarships are announced when they become available.  Individual applications are placed in magazine racks adjacent to the counselor’s doors within the Guidance Office.  Students are invited to stop in any time to look over the selection.  It is the student’s responsibility to pick up the applications and information.  Only scholarships that require one applicant per school district will be handed out on an individual basis.  Those nominees are decided by a committee comprised of administration and/or faculty.  Scholarship applications should be returned to the Guidance Office prior to the due date.  A transcript will be attached and the scholarship information will be mailed.

TRANSCRIPTS

A transcript is a record of your high school career and includes all grades earned, attendance, S.A.T. and/or A.C.T. scores, and class rank.  This record is used for school transfers, college applications, scholarship applications, employment, or entering the military.  An official transcript is one that is signed, sealed, and mailed directly from the Guidance Office.  Any transcript given to a student will be considered unofficial.  To request an official transcript, visit the Guidance Office to complete a transcript request form.  If a transcript is needed to accompany a college or scholarship application, bring the completed application packet to the Guidance Office.  We will review the packet for accuracy and make sure all required attachments are included.  An official transcript will be prepared and the packet will be mailed.  A 24 hour notice is appreciated.  Please do not wait until the due date to submit your request.  Allow ample time for preparation and mailing.  Please be aware that no records will be released if you have any outstanding obligations.

When completing your registration for S.A.T. or A.C.T. testing, be sure to include your home school CEEB code (390230) so that a score report may be included on your official transcript. 

Belle Vernon Area CEEB Code:  390230
Belle Vernon Area S.A.T. Test Center Code:  39141
Belle Vernon Area A.C.T. Test Center Code:  201760