upper elementary SCHOOL COUNSELOR
Shawna Ricci
Phone: 412-771-3213, ext. 4105
Shawna joins Sto-Rox this year with more than 20 years of experience as a school counselor in Allegheny County. A Pittsburgh native, she grew up in the South Hills and went on to earn both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from California University of Pennsylvania. She is excited to bring her expertise and passion for supporting students and families to the Sto-Rox community.
Mental Health/Community Partners
Pittsburgh Area Community Schools
Pittsburgh Area Community Schools works in the Sto-Rox School District and several other local school districts. PACS staff members work throughout the Sto-Rox School District to assist with everything academics to resources. Check out the flier at right for more information!
LINK: Pittsburgh Area Community Schools Website
Contact: Shawntea Mahdi, Kristy Magnelli
Site Manager: Dawn Gennuso, Ext. 2404
Pressley Ridge
Pressley Ridge works with children and families in the Sto-Rox School District and elsewhere to help support them through life’s challenges. Pressley Ridge uses collaborative and inclusive relationships to help children and families reach their full potential. This locally-based agency works with communities across the country, and we are proud to have them here in Sto-Rox.
LINK: Pressley Ridge Website
Contact: Sophia Hune, Elena Gaard, Meghan Veglia
Supervisors: Monica Filopovez and Krystin Rodack, Ext. 2301
Community and School-Based Behavioral Health
Community Care collaborated with stakeholders to design a new approach to delivering care to children with behavioral health conditions and their families. Community and School Based Behavioral Health (CSBBH) is an innovative model that creates an accountable clinical home for children’s behavioral health care. CSBBH teams provide services that span the home, school, and community and are available at any time. We work with school districts and providers to offer this service. The provider and school partner with the family to create a treatment plan that meets the child's needs.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania (BGCWPA) provides safe places, mentors and programs to help young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
Allegheny Children’s Initiative
Allegheny Children’s Initiative is a nonprofit social services agency that provides behavioral and mental health services to children between the ages of 2-21 and their families, throughout Allegheny and Washington Counties.
LINK: Allegheny Children’s Initiative
Contact: Amanda Cottrel
What Can a School Counselor Do for You and Your Child?
School Counselors can help students:
Provide classroom guidance lessons relating to character education, friendship, social skills, and self-awareness.
Offer various small group opportunities related to self-image, academic success, friendship, and more.
Provide individual assistance to students in need. Topics may include study skills, conflict resolution, feeling awareness, anger management, self-confidence, communication skills, friendship concerns, and more.
Mediate student conflict and assist with learning healthier ways to communicate among peers.
Help students with their academic, personal, social, and career development.
Inform students and families about student intervention services and make referrals based on student need.
Participate in Student Assistance Program to better serve students in need.
School Counselors can help parents:
Navigate academic services and structure.
With making referrals to community agencies for assistance.
Find resources to assist their students’ needs.
Understand and facilitate academic evaluation requests.