If you’ve been to the guidance office this year, chances are that you’ve seen the new guidance counselor, Mrs. Caitlyn Belhumeur.

Mrs. Belhumeur began her new job as guidance counselor at the start of this school year. Prior to this, Mrs. Belhumeur was the Life Skills teacher in our Special Education Department, a position she held for six years. She now oversees students with last names I through M, as well as students in the gifted program.

The guidance position became available when Mrs. Sara Henry took a position at Quaker Valley Middle School over the summer.

Mrs. Belhumeur said, "I know that they [the guidance department] wanted someone who had experience with people who have had experience writing IEPs [individual education plans] or gifted IEPs. Because I was a special education teacher, they thought I’d fit right in."

Despite the change in titles (and location in the building from the 400s hall), Mrs. Belhumeur seems to be enjoying her new job.

"I love it; I’m really enjoying it. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do, to be a guidance counselor."

Being a guidance counselor, of course, comes with new and difficult responsibilities.

"The hardest part has been learning all the processes in guidance; there’s a lot with PowerSchool; there’s a lot with writing the GIEPs, just figuring out the technology of it all and what steps to follow, what issues come up."

Students will also have the opportunity to join a new club that Mrs. Belhumeur is starting along with Mrs. Sam Gimigliano, the district's mental health counselor.

"We're starting a new club called the Youth Ambassadors Program, which is all about raising awareness for mental health," said Mrs. Belhumeur.

Mrs. Belhumeur also plans on transforming what the guidance office does for students.

"We're definitely trying to grow and improve the guidance department to focus on college and careers, not just colleges, and trying to give students more opportunities than they have now," she explained.