Promoting Student Success
School counseling staff promotes the mission of the Aberdeen Catholic School System by “Instilling Catholic values and promoting academic excellence by nurturing the mind, body and soul.”
Services provided by the counseling staff include, but are not limited to, promoting:
- Academic Success through academic advising, ACT prep, dual credit, CTE (career and technical education) and post-high school planning opportunities through classroom guidance, individual counseling, partnering with teachers, parents and community stakeholders. The school counselor believes that every student can be academically successful and serves as a student advocate through serving on IEP and 504 teams.
- Personal/Social Wellness by providing prevention education and responsive services. In addition to individual and group counseling, school counselors partner with Campus Ministry and Administration to promote students’ making healthy, happy, holy life choices. Counselors provide classroom guidance, teach Life Skills for middle high students and foster a TOP 20 school culture. Counselors help students and parents make connections with community mental health services.
- Career Exploration through classroom guidance using XELLO (formerly SDmylife), individual counseling, promotion of job shadowing and internship experiences and career fairs.
The American School Counselor Association’s three domains promote mindsets and behaviors that enhance the learning process and create a culture of college and career readiness for all students. Activities and curriculum are based on needs assessment, data collection and student-learning goals and objectives.
Students may access counseling services through referrals from parents, trusted adults, teachers, administration, friends and self.
School counseling staff are members of South Dakota School Counseling Association and the American School Counseling Association. They are licensed through the SD Department of Education and participate in continuing education.
Meet Your School Counselors
Jackie Braun
I am a Warner native and Northern State University graduate. My husband John and I farm outside of Warner. We have four children, Shelby, Jack, Alex and Chase. I also have three fur babies, Diesel, Rugar and our furrrr-ouis beast Jingle the cat. We enjoy watching sporting events and cheering on ALL of the local teams as well as hunting and fishing. I love being outdoors and still run for fun! I teach Crossfit Kids at the YMCA and am a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Church.
Cal Nygaard
I am a Webster native and an NSU graduate. My wife Barb teaches at Aberdeen Central High School. We have two daughters, Stephanie who is a school counselor at Simmons Elementary School and Sami who is an occupational therapist at Sanford in Sioux Falls. We enjoy sports and traveling and you will see me at athletic events serving as a referee for Volleyball and Basketball. In addition to my school counselor role, I also teach Driver's Education during the summer months. We are members of St. Mary parish in Aberdeen.
Counseling Resources
Click any of the categories listed below for more information.
Academic Resources
View Area College Requirements
Studying for the ACT and SAT
The student will need to login by:
• Please type: SD-(Your student identification number)
• You have a password that you have created. If they need access please contact Mrs. Vetch or Mrs. Braun.
The free ACT Method Prep tab is located at the bottom right of the screen.
Other Academics Resources
Link to Post- Secondary College Prep- https://sdsfec.org/college-visit-tour/
What if I want to participate in college athletics? View NCAA Information
View other useful websites for academic and Career Planning
Career Development Resources
Hello Xello
Career Exploration Program we use in the Classroom.
SDMyLife
is an online career exploration and academic program for South Dakota students and educators. SDMyLife is an online program assisting students with navigating the career development process since 2008. With the support of teachers, counselors, and parents, SDMyLife's goal is to help students better understand themselves and how their interest, skills, and knowledge relate to real-world academic and career opportunities. South Dakota students use SDMyLife to research, select, and plan their careers. To find a good match, students take interest and ability assessments. They can explore by career cluster, keyword, or school subject. Students can also research postsecondary education and training options, build a portfolio, study with Method Test Prep and find out about scholarships opportunities.
ALTERNATIVE POST‐HIGH PROGRAMS
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps is the national service program through which 40,000 people each year tackle community problems from disaster relief to tutoring.
Amigos De Las Americas
Volunteer organization that send young Americans to Central and South America for humanitarian experiences.
City Year
City Year is a national youth service organization that unites diverse young people ages 17‐24 for a demanding year of full‐time community service, civic engagement, and leadership. Corps members receive a weekly stipend of $175 and upon graduation are eligible for a $4,725 post‐service awarded to be used for educational pursuits.
Earth Corps
Members complete environmental restoration projects in the Puget Sound area of Washington State. Projects can include stream and salmon habitat restoration, erosion control, invasive plant removal, native plant installation, trail construction, and volunteer management.
Global Service
Global Service Corps provides opportunities for volunteers worldwide to live and work abroad on projects in developing countries. Volunteers have the unique experience of living with local families. Short‐term (2‐4weeks), Long‐term (6 weeks to one year) and International Internship (6‐10 weeks) programs.
Leap Now
Leap Now is a source for internships, volunteer positions, work exchanges and experiential academic programs in 129 countries and the United States.
National Outdoor Leadership School
The school teaches outdoor skills and leadership and offers courses ten day to full semesters in the world’s most spectacular wilderness classrooms.
Outward Bound
International federation of over fifty schools on five continents which offers students a safe, adventure based program with learning options.
Peace Corps
Information on how to volunteer to help others around the world.
The Road Less Traveled
The program takes youth outside to seek adventure, experience challenge, make new friends, build community and understand the world and its people in a different way.
Rustic Pathways
Rustic Pathways provides superior quality international community service , education, and adventure programs for students around the world.
Student Conservation Association
Engages volunteers for three to ten months in hands‐on conservation projects in all 50 states. Corps members work on critical environment issues such as wildfire management and education, trail restoration and maintenance, environmental education, and invasive species eradication.
Where there be Dragons
Offers students and adults learning opportunities through off the beaten path, small group expeditions to countries in Asia, Central America and South America. Trips are rugged, creative, and engaging journeys that combine wilderness exploration, trekking to remote villages, introduction to traditional philosophy, and artistic traditions.
Military Resources
Financial Aid Resources
Parent Resources
A Parent's Role in Career Decision Making
Children's Device Safety Parent Guide
Conversation Starters for Online Safety
Online Challenges Parent Guide
What parents need to know about the App Store
Why Social Media is Not Smart for Middle School Kids
The Condition of Career Pathway Readiness in the United States
Personal & Social Resources
Aberdeen Area Youth Services Directory
Be the 1 SD - Suicide Prevention
Suicide Hotlines
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
When you child is experiencing suicidal ideation
Anti-Bullying and CyberBullying Prevention
Students Against Destructive Decisions
Spiritual Direction - Priest and Campus Minister Emails
frmichaelkapperman@sfcatholic.org
frandrewdickinson@sfcatholic.org
