Students are assigned to a counsellor alphabetically based on their last name. Students can access their counsellor via email to set up an appointment or by seeing them in person outside of class time. Parents can contact counsellors regarding questions or concerns via email or phone 604-941-6053.

Services offered by the Counselling Department:

• Support with programing and course selection
• Support with academic challenges and facilitating conversations with teachers
• Providing information about the school's organization and daily functioning
• Providing information on post-secondary options and application processes (universities, colleges, vocational schools, tech. institutes, apprenticeship programs, etc.)
• Providing support with vocational and career planning, family life, intellectual skills (learning styles, learning disabilities, study skills), relationships, child/sexual abuse, substance abuse, mental well-being and healthy living
• Support with personal problems and assistance in making personal decisions
• Support in crisis situations and referral to community agencies (mental health, counselling, public health, Ministry of Children and Families, etc.)

Meeting with a counsellor
The counselling area is located near the front entrance of the school in the space next to the reception desk. Students should see their alpha counsellor for academic counselling (ie for course changes, programming options, etc.). Counsellors are also all available for social/emotional support and work as a team to meet the needs of all students. Students can make an appointment with their counsellor via email or they can drop into the counselling area. They may see their counsellors before and after school, at lunch, during an off-block or (with teacher permission) during class time.

Youth Workers

Ms. Monica Brochu is our Youth Worker and she can be found upstairs in room 217.  Students can meet with Monica for things such as social emotional support, outside agency referrals, or just a safe space when students are struggling. Students can make an appointment with Monica via email or they can drop by her classroom. Students can meet with her before and after school, at lunch, during an off-block or (with teacher permission) during class time.

Ms. Taylor Lucken is our Indigenous Youth Worker and her office is upstairs beside room 226. Taylor is at Riverside on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursday mornings.

Post-Secondary and Career Advisor

Our Post-Secondary and Career Advisor is Ms. Rochelle David. Her office is in the Career Centre located in the Counselling area. Ms. David is at Riverside Monday- Thursday and Friday mornings. She is available to assist students with career planning, post-secondary education and applications, job and volunteer opportunities, cover letters/resumes, and scholarship information and applications.

Course Changes

Before semester 1 begins, students will have the opportunity to request course changes via an online Forms submission. Once the semester begins, course changes may be requested by seeing your alpha counsellor. All requests must be completed by the end of the first week of classes each semester. No courses may be dropped after two weeks into the start of the semester without being counted as a withdrawal/fail on your record (some exceptions may apply with Admin approval).

Any request for a change must meet the following criteria:

• Missing a graduation requirement
• Missing a class completely. Grade 9-11 students must have a minimum of 8 courses and Grade 12 students must have a minimum of 7 courses.
• Incorrect course level. For example: a student requested Chemistry 12 because they planned to take Chemistry 11 in summer school, but then did not register for summer school. 
• Change in summer school plans. For example: a student planned to take Science 10 and took Social Studies 10.
• Post-secondary plans have changed and course selections do not match the requirements. 

 
Learning Support
 

Students can access additional support at school by speaking with their classroom teacher, counsellor, or a peer tutor. Students can see their alpha counsellor to get support in connecting with a peer tutor. Additionally, peer tutors are available once a week in the library after school for grade 9 and 10 students. The schedule for peer tutors in the library varies from semester to semester, so please see your counsellor for the most up to date schedule. Students with an IEP will be assigned to a case manager and receive support through our learning services department. Support blocks are assigned based on a student's middle school recommendations, as well as conversations with parents, teachers, case managers, and counsellors. ​​