Academics

Counseling

The mission of the Faith Lutheran Counseling department is that Every student will be prepared to meet the emotional, academic and college/career challenges they will face.  The counseling department will support all students as they face challenges while under our care and assist them in acquiring the tools needed to meet these challenges as they move into the world.

List of 8 members.

  • Photo of Courtney Burns

    Courtney Burns 

    Director of 6-12 Social/Emotional Counseling and 7th/8th grade Counselor
  • Photo of John Chilman

    John Chilman   

    Director of HS Counseling/Director of the Honors Institute
  • Photo of Jenna Clifford

    Jenna Clifford 

    HS Counselor last names L-R
  • Photo of Alex Klenz

    Alex Klenz 

    International Student Director
  • Photo of Lynn Ann Lescenski

    Lynn Ann Lescenski 

    College Counselor, HS Counselor last names S-Z
  • Photo of Elizabeth McDaniel

    Elizabeth McDaniel 

    7th Grade Counselor
  • Photo of Holly Policastro

    Holly Policastro 

    HS Counselor last names D-K
  • Photo of Herbie Walker

    Herbie Walker 

    Director of School Climate & College Counseling, HS Counselor last names A-C

Suicide Prevention

Faith Lutheran currently has six counselors on staff, all of whom are trained and licensed to offer social/emotional support as well as academic guidance. While students have counselors assigned to them for academic purposes, we encourage kids to seek the aid of any counselor at any time and are able to speak with the counselor of their choosing.

Faith Lutheran takes the emotional well being and safety of our students quite seriously. Each fall a suicide screening evaluation occurs. Students who red flag on the screening for either suicidal ideation or depression are seen quickly by counselors and the appropriate guidance and referrals are given. Other mental health issues are addressed through a variety of ways; including classroom lessons given by the counselors, advisory curriculum, and outside speakers and assemblies.

The Faith Lutheran hotline, used to report bullying, suicide concerns, and other threats to student well being, is being replaced with SafeVoice. Students, parents, and faculty now have access to SafeVoice, an anonymous reporting system used to report threats to the safety or well-being of students. SafeVoice was established by the Nevada Department of Education under SB 212 in 2017 to protect student wellness, prevent violence and save lives.

In partnership with the Nevada Department of Public Safety, the SafeVoice program provides students a safe place to submit tips concerning their own safety or that of others. A fully trained professional team of experts responds in an appropriate manner 24 hours a day every day of the year. Response may include law enforcement welfare checks or engagement with the local crisis response team. Tips always stay anonymous. School administration is notified of reports made to SafeVoice and will follow up accordingly. 

A report of any type of threat received by the school outside of standard school hours may be submitted to SafeVoice to ensure safety through a timely response.

Counselor Resources

A few times a year the counseling department will offer Coffee with the Counselors. These parent events offer information on a variety of topics. Notes from previous events can be found on the resource page of the parent Crusader Connect under the coffee icon. 

Meet Esther

Esther, our school facility dog, was born at 4e Kennels in Pahrump and trained by Brad Norton of Norton Dog Training. An extra fluffy and hypoallergenic Goldendoodle, Esther is on campus 4-5 days a week and is truly just a part of campus life. She is there to offer comfort to kids who are struggling but is also ready to snuggle at any time with anyone. More about Esther’s journey can be found in her blog posts below.

SUPPORT

ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT

Counselors are available to assist with navigation of Crusader Connect, organization strategies, and general academic support. We often refer students struggling with executive function to the SOAR program, which can be found at studyskills.com.
 
Several different tutoring options are available to students struggling with classwork. Through a partnership with Princeton Review, Faith Lutheran students have access to live tutors in every subject 24 hours a day. These tutors can be contacted through the homework help icon on the topics page of each class’s Crusader Connect.
 
After school tutoring is offered by the math and science honor societies. Hours and location are posted around school. Each teacher also has office hours listed in the syllabus. Students are encouraged to reach out to teachers for help as needed.
 
All 504s and classroom accommodations are housed in the Academic Support Center. Our counselors do not write or manage educational 504s. If you have questions about our Academic Support Center please contact Miss McDaniel at Anna.McDaniel@flhsemail.org.