Counselor Information
Denfeld School Counseling Mission Statement:
To ensure all students are able to reach their fullest potential and achieve success in the areas of academics, personal, social, college and career readiness.
School counselors collaborate with students, families, community members and school personnel to assure that all students realize and integrate their academic, career and personal/social potential in order to develop and achieve an individualized vision of success.
- Collaborate - school counselors collaborate with students, families, school staff and community partners to help schools achieve their mission and students reach their goals.
- Academic support – school counselors help students with topics such as academic organization, course planning, study skills and post-secondary preparation.
- College and career planning – school counselors help students identify possible career paths through interest inventories, personality type assessments and learning style tests. Counselors help students understand the connections between their academic learning, post-secondary education and training, and their career goals.
- Personal/social support – school counselors help students with issues such as bully prevention, anger management, problem solving and cooperation. Counselors work with families to find students additional support if needed.
The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) model.
Denfeld High School Counselors provide a comprehensive counseling model which serves to assist students in the following areas:
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Educational Planning
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Post High School Planning
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Career Development
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Personal/social development
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Communication with parents and staff per individual student academic needs
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Transition Planning Needs
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Referral to in-school and community resources
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College and Career Center resources
Denfeld is committed to providing equal educational opportunities for all of our students.
In alignment with the Duluth School Districts policy, we does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, immigration status, sex, marital status, familial status, socioeconomic status, physical appearance, sexual orientation, including gender identity and expression, academic status related to student performance, disability, status with regard to public assistance, age, military status, association with a person or group with one or more of the aforementioned actual or perceived characteristics, or any other distinguishing characteristic defined in Minnesota Human Rights Act (Chapter 363A).
Link to the District policy on Equal Educational Opportunity.
Based on this policy, transgender students and their parents/guardians have the ability to submit the Student Record Update form to change the name and gender of their student in Infinite Campus, regardless of their legal birth status.
Make An Appointment to Visit With Your Counselor
You can call or email your counselor. We can set up a Google Meet or a conference call over the phone.
Counseling Office Hours:
Monday - Friday 7:45 AM - 3:45 PM
Dena Walczynski-Filipovic
Guidance Office Support Specialist & Registrar
Dena.Walczynski-Filipovic@isd709.org
218-336-8830; ext. 2253
Counselors
Lauren Mattson
Grade 9 Counselor
Lauren.Mattson@isd709.org
218.336.8830 ext. 2022
Geri Saari
Grades 10, 11, and 12
Last names A-He
Geraldine.Saari@isd709.org
218-336-8830 ext. 3336
Leah Hamm-Digatono
Grades 10, 11, and 12
Last names Hi-Q
Leah.Hamm-Digatono @isd709.org
218-336-8830 ext. 2264
Jessica Anderson
Grades 10, 11, and 12
Last names R-Z
Jessica.Anderson@isd709.org
218-336-8830 ext. 1923
Lauren Faherty
Career Center Coordinator
Lauren.Faherty@isd709.org
218-336-8830 ext. 2036
Jennifer Wellnitz
Grade 9 BARR Coordinator
Jennifer.Wellnitz@isd709.org
218.336.8830 ext. 2050