COUNSELORS’ CORNER

The elementary school years set the foundation for developing the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary for children to become healthy, competent, and confident learners. ICS school counselors have an impact on these years by collaborating with school staff, parents, and the community to create a safe and respectful learning environment. By providing education, prevention, early identification and intervention, school counselors at ICS help their students achieve academic success, develop an understanding of career opportunities, and develop social/emotional skills in response to their world.

Childhood is a time of foundational social/emotional development, which is why school counselors at ICS are committed to supporting students’ social/emotional needs. As advocates for students, school counselors promote a positive environment that enhances students’ ability to identify and regulate their emotions. School counselors use strategies to promote a school environment designed to propel students toward positive mindsets and behaviors supporting social/emotional development through collaboration and direct and indirect services.

In Philadelphia, the public high school selection process allows students currently in 8th grade to apply to attend criteria-based and citywide schools with available space other than their catchment school. This application process begins in the fall of your student’s 8th grade year. Counselor Anne assists families as they navigate through the process.

The District’s school selection process:

• uses a centralized lottery and waitlist system,
• applies school-specific grades and attendance criteria
• makes the online application available in 10 different languages.

This application process does not include other charter or tuition-based schools.

For more information, please visit the School District of Philadelphia’s school selection website.

Under the McKinney-Vento Act, the term “homeless children and youth” means individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence and includes children and youth:

You may qualify for certain rights and protections under the federal McKinney-Vento Act if you live in any of the following situations:

• A shelter.
• A motel or campground due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations.
• A car, park, abandoned building, bus or train station.
• Doubled up with other people due to loss of housing or economic hardship.

 As an eligible student you have the right to:

• Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment.
• Enroll in the local school or continue attending your
• school of origin (the school attended when you were permanently housed or the
• school in which you were last enrolled), if that is your preference and it is feasible.
• Receive transportation to and from the school of origin at no cost to the parent or student.
• Receive free school meals.

Starting at the age of 14, students in Philadelphia are eligible to to work once they’ve obtained their working permit. To obtain working papers, you will need to complete the application (signed by a parent or guardian) and schedule an appointment. Appointments can be scheduled in person or virtually. Please see the school district’s website for further information on obtaining a working permit. Guidelines for work are based on age can be found here.