Deer Lakes

School District

School Counseling Services

Welcome to the Deer Lakes High School Counseling Page! Mrs. Pascucci and
Mrs. Yuhasz work with the high school students across various domains such as academic success, career readiness, and emotional support. You can find either one of them in their individual office's holding meetings, in a classroom delivering important information, or simply out and about around the building. Both Mrs. Pascucci and Mrs. Yuhasz are also a part of the many layers of mental health support we have across the district.

To find out more about the various mental health resources Deer Lakes has, please click here

WELCOME COOPER!!   DLHS CERTIFIED THERAPY DOG!

DLHS welcomes Certified Therapy Dog, Cooper!!!!     Cooper is a Golden Retriever and has been in training for several years.  He belongs to Mrs. Tina Pascucci, one of the DLHS School Counselors and will be accompanied by her at all times. He will stay safely in the School Counseling Office until proper acclimation has been completed. Initially Cooper will be in the building one day a week. Cooper will then begin by meeting with students in small group settings. Please refer to the letter Principal Baughman sent out on 9/1/23 for more information. Click HERE for the letter.


KEEP SCROLLING DOWN THE PAGE BUT ALSO SEE THE GREEN TABS ON THE LEFT FOR MORE SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON MANY DIFFERENT TOPICS!! 


NOTE:   If using a cell phone or iPad, these will be accessible from a drop down menu.
 



IMPORTANT DEADLINE FOR SENIORS!!
Any student needing their transcript, and any other required documents, sent to a college/univ./trade school or submitted to the Common App for a January 1st deadline MUST have their Transcript Request/Release form and the documents in to the School Counseling Office by no later than Monday, Dec. 11th  or they will not be sent out or uploaded until after Christmas break, when school resumes on Tues., Jan. 2nd.   School will be closed to students AND faculty & staff starting at 11:30 AM on Friday, December 15 thru Monday, January 1, 2023.      
E-mail and voicemail will not be checked during this time!
SENIORS

Whenever you need your transcript sent to a college, university, or trade/tech. school, you MUST complete & submit a Transcript Request/Release Form to Mrs. Gacci in the School Counseling Office.    There are 2 different forms:
 
 You can either e-mail your form Mrs. Gacci @ [email protected] or drop it off to her in the School Counseling Office.

COLLEGE/UNIV./TRADE/TECH. SCHOOL IN PERSON VISITS

You MUST sign up to attend a college/school visit by filling out a College-School Visit Sign Up Form.pdf.    Hard copies are also available in the School Counseling Office.   Either e-mail your form to Mrs. Gacci at [email protected].  or hand it in to her in the School Counseling Office by the noted deadline.  Students will receive a hallpass on the day of visit so they can attend.  


DECEMBER & JANUARY:

COLLEGE/SCHOOL

VISIT DATE

TIME

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP

University of Charleston

Tue, 12/12/23

11:15 – 12:00

12/7/23

Harvard College

Fri, 1/12/24

9:00 – 10:00

1/9/24


MILITARY REPRESENTATIVE VISITS

PA Army Nat'l GuardTues., 12/12/23

PENN STATE NEW KEN SAT PREP COURSE 

Penn State New Kensington will be offering an SAT Prep course – formatted for the new Digital SAT Test - beginning Saturday, January 27 through Saturday, February 24, 2024.    The class will be held at the Penn State New Kensington Campus on Saturdays from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm.   The cost is $200.00.    Click HERE for more information & how to register.

SPIRIT OF AMERICA YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

Accepting Applications for High School Spirit of America Youth Leadership Program at Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge
 
Open to high school students grades 10-12
Full Scholarships Available 

2024 PROGRAM DATES AVAILABLE:
Feb. 22 - 25
Feb. 29 - Mar. 3
Mar. 7 - 10Apr. 4 - 7
Apr. 11 - 14Apr. 18 - 21
Jun. 13 - 16July 18 - 21
Oct. 17 - 20Nov. 7 - 10

More than 100,000 high school students from across the country have participated in our transformative Spirit of America Youth Leadership program. Students engage directly with the first principles of freedom and they debate both their constitutional rights and responsibilities in our Freedom Summit while learning about economic freedom, entrepreneurship and the free enterprise system.  Along with a thorough understanding of civic responsibility, students leave inspired to do their part in securing the liberties that only an active citizenry can safeguard in their own communities, guided by a greater appreciation for our history, ideals, and the relevance of our country’s charters of freedom. 
 
It's an incredible program that receives high praise time and time again from students, parents, and teachers! Share this opportunity with your high school student or friends and ask them to apply for our in-person 2023 Spirit of America Youth Leadership programs today.    
SEE FLYER FOR MORE INFORMATIONNew SOA Promo Flyer.pdf
 
Questions can be directed to [email protected] or by phone at 610-933-8825 ext. 221.
ELMER HAFER AMERICAN LEGION-STATE POLICE-NATIONAL GUARD YOUTH CAMP  6/9 - 6/15/24

DATES:   June 9 – 15, 2024
LOCATION:    Messiah University,  Mechanicsburg, PA
DEADLINE TO APPLY:   May 15, 2024

The Elmer Hafer American Legion-State Police-National Guard Youth Camp brings together the PA National Guard, the American Legion and the State Police to give students firsthand experience in many areas of law enforcement and the military.   This program enhances leadership skills, discipline and self-esteem to morally, intellectually and physically prepare cadets as future leaders.

The Youth Camp is a six day program for students ages 15 – 17 interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement or the military.   Cadets must be Pennsylvania residents between the ages of 15 – 17 before entering the camp on June 9th.   

Cadets should be physically fit, in good health and have a good academic record.   This is not a recreational camp!!

A fee of $175 includes meals and lodging.  The fee is paid by a sponsoring post, unit, or other civic group and is nonrefundable. (Cadets must take their application to their local American Legion Post!!)  Price is subject to change.   Transportation is the responsibility of the sponsoring group or the Cadet’s parents.

Click  HERE for more information and the application.  Copies are also available in the School Counseling Office.
PA AMERICAN LEGION - KEYSTONE BOYS STATE  6/16 - 6/22/24

WHEN:    June 16 – June 23, 2024
WHERE:   Messiah University
COST:       $200 – PAID BY LOCAL AMERICAN LEGION POST
 
ELIGIBILITY:   High School students who have completed their Junior year and have at least one semester remaining before graduation.
 
Keystone Boys State is an educational workshop for high school student leaders.   Students selected to attend KBS have the opportunity to gain leadership skills through an intensive wee-long summer program.   The focus of KBS is its hands-on simulation of municipal, county and state governments.  Click HERE for the Brochure.  Copies are also available in the School Counseling Office.   
PA GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL FOR THE SCIENCES 6/23/24 - 7/27/24

This is an opportunity for high school Juniors
The Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Sciences (PGSS) at Carnegie Mellon University is now accepting applications from talented high school Juniors for the summer 2024 program. PGSS is an intensive, five-week summer residential program that emphasizes cooperative learning and hands-on laboratory research for high school Juniors pursuing careers in science and mathematics.

Accepted applicants will receive a full scholarship to the program. Costs are underwritten through matching funds provided by PGSS Campaign, Inc., the school’s alumni, Carnegie Mellon University, parents, and corporations.   Awarded scholarships will cover the costs of housing, meals, and all instructional materials.
 
DATES:           June 23, 2024 - July 27, 2024
LOCATION:     Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
ELIGIBILITY:   Must be a high school Junior at time of application
DEADLINE:      Apply online by no later than January 31, 2024.

Click HERE for more information.
NEXTSTEPU FREE ONLINE MAGAZINE FOR STUDENTS

Find Your Path to Success.   Helping you with your next step in college, career and life planning.  Get help with planning for college, finding college majors, searching for college, applying for free college scholarships, and STEM education.     https://www.nextstepu.com/ 
NACAC'S GUIDE TO THE COLLEGE ADMISSION PROCESS

NACAC’s favorite perennial resource, the Guide to the College Admission Process, has been updated for 2022 to reflect current trends, tasks, and additions to the college search and application experience. This guide offers sound advice on every step of the process, from getting in the right mindset, to researching universities, to completing application materials. This is a fantastic go-to source for students, families, and counselors!   NACAC GUIDE TO THE COLLEGE ADMISSION PROCESS
COLLEGE PLANNING GUIDE FOR STUDENTS & FAMILIES

Please read this informational and very helpful college planning guide that York College of PA has put together.    It applies to ALL students, no matter what college/univ. they may be interested in, and is NOT specific to York College.      
THE COLLEGE TOUR SHOW

“The College Tour Show” is a new TV series brought to you by Emmy-nominated and multi-award-winning producers.  The series tells the story of colleges and universities around the world.

 Each episode of The College Tour will focus on a single college or university.  From campus life, academics, housing, sports, activities, and much more… each student driven segment will give young people an inside look at what it’s truly like being a student at the featured college or university.

CONTACTS:

Mrs. Tina Pascucci
School Counselor
Grades 9-12  Last names A - L
Phone: 724-265-5320   Ext. 2671 
Fax: 724-265-5303
HOURS:    
Mon. - Thurs. 7:05 AM - 2:50 PM
Fri.   7:35 AM - 2:35 PM
View Mrs. Pascucci's profile

Mrs. Taylor Yuhasz
School Counselor
Grades 9-12   Last names M - Z
Phone: 724-265-5320  Ext. 2670
Fax: 724-265-5303
HOURS:    
Mon. - Thurs. 7:05 AM - 2:50 PM
Fri.   7:35 AM - 2:35 PM
Twitter: @DLSDGuidance

 Mrs. Leighann Gacci
School Counseling Secretary
Phone: 724-265-5320  Ext. 2626
Fax: 724-265-5303
HOURS:   Mon. - Fri.  7:30 AM - 3:30 PM  


LUNCH MENU
   

SCHOOL DISTRICT CALENDAR
STUDENT HANDBOOK


GRADING PERIODS  

STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SAP)
SAP is a voluntary program for students experiencing academic, behavioral, and/or emotional difficulties that may pose barriers to school success. Questions?  Call a School Counselor or the school Social Worker: 

Tina Pascucci, School Counselor  (A - L)  724-265-5320  x-2671   [email protected]

Taylor Yuhasz, School Counselor  (M - Z)   724-265-5320  x-2670   [email protected]

Leanna Barkley, Social Worker   
724-265-5320  x-2673  [email protected] 

Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. The program teaches youth and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to “say something” BEFORE it is too late. With Safe2Say Something, it’s easy and confidential to report safety concerns to help prevent violence and tragedies.
Here’s how it works:
  • Submit an anonymous tip report through the Safe2SaySomething system
  • Crisis center reviews, assesses and processes all submissions
  • Crisis center sends all submissions to school administration and/or law enforcement  for intervention
  • If needed, crisis center may contact tipster anonymously through the app

 
If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org


Resolve Crisis Services
Resolve is a 24-hour, 365-day crisis service that’s free to all Allegheny County residents.
Everyone experiences moments of crisis in life. You might be struggling with depression or substance abuse. Or maybe you’re overwhelmed by problems at work, feeling lonely, or having a conflict with a loved one. Whether your problem is large or small, talking with someone can help. Most of all, don’t wait for a problem to get out of control. Just call resolve Crisis Services for help at 1-888-796-8226.