Latest news with #guidancecounselor
Irish Times
2 days ago
- General
- Irish Times
Carl O'Brien: ‘Take a deep breath - the weekend is a time to recharge'
Phew – that was intense. The first few days of the exams really are the hardest. The weekend, thankfully, offers the chance of some much-needed respite for everyone. Leaving Cert students who sat maths paper one on Friday afternoon may well feel deflated . But remember: if it was hard for them, it was hard for lots of others too. Our live coverage of the exams on Friday includes lots of comments from students who really struggled with the content and questions. Examiners tend to mark 'hard' exams easier in order to keep the same proportion of grades from year to year. It's also know as the bell curve . So, there is every chance the marking scheme will take account of this. READ MORE Students Why not take a deep breath – the weekend is an opportunity to recharge. It may be tempting to spend every moment revising, but rest is just as important. Brian Mooney, our guidance counsellor, recommends a balanced approach : review upcoming exams in manageable sessions, and then step away from the books. Take a walk, get exercise, meet up with friends or watch your favourite show: it can do wonders for your focus and mood. Parents For parents, supporting your child can simply involve a calm presence and encouraging downtime. Try to keep the atmosphere relaxed and remind them that it's normal to feel nervous or tired. A favourite meal, a listening ear or a quiet space to work can make all the difference. With balance, support and rest, your child can face the week ahead with greater energy and clarity. Keep going – you're doing great!
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Pennsylvania school worker gets surprise light sentence over encounter with boy, 14
A former Pennsylvania guidance counselor was sentenced to seven years of probation for her relationship with a 14-year-old boy. Kelly Ann Schutte, 36, pleaded guilty in February to corruption of minors after it was revealed she had an ongoing relationship with the teen that started during a class field trip in the fall of 2022, during which Schutte sat next to the minor on the bus, court documents stated. Other charges of institutional sexual assault and indecent assault were dismissed as part of her plea deal. The ordeal, which was reported to police by the student's mother, began at Schutte's home, the student admitted. Schutte would also call the student to her office during school hours, resulting in missed classes at Pennridge South Middle School in Perkasie - about an hour outside of Philadelphia. An affidavit revealed that the duo's inappropriate relationship continued even when classes were dismissed for summer. Their interactions also took place in her car while parked outside of a local supermarket, as well as the student's home while his family was away, per court records. Schutte, who appeared in court on Thursday with her husband for her sentencing hearing, must also register as a sex offender for 15 years and cannot have any contact with the victim. She is also required to avoid unsupervised contact with children, can never be employed as a school counselor again and must undergo psychosexual evaluation and comply with all treatment recommendations, Montgomery County Court Judge Wendy Rothstein ruled. 'As a guidance counselor, you were in a position of trust. You breached that trust on multiple occasions. You were supposed to offer guidance, and instead, you sexually molested a student,' Rothstein told Schutte. Their relationship initially came to light after one of Schutte's relatives walked in on her and the teenage boy kissing, per the legal filing. He then went on to tell his parents about his relationship with the disgraced guidance counselor. Police also discovered one of her earrings in the boy's bedroom, records showed. At the time, the Pennridge School District released a statement revealing that Schutte was placed on administrative leave. The statement said that the district has been aware of the allegations since July of 2023, which prompted the decision to place the counselor on immediate administrative leave pending the investigation's outcome. In response to the charges filed against Schutte, the school said: 'While we refrain from making premature judgments about the actions of the staff member facing prosecution, it is crucial to reiterate the district's stance against any inappropriate contact between a Pennridge School District employee and a student. Such behavior will NOT be tolerated.' During her hearing in February, Rothstein turned to the victim and praised him for coming forward. 'You are strong, brave and courageous. You are not to blame for anything that happened here. You did nothing wrong,' Rothstein said. The teen's mother also made a statement in court, sharing that Schutte's betrayal 'jolted' her family. 'When someone, who we as a society have deemed trustworthy, breaks that trust, the ramifications are great and far-reaching. We as a family have been jolted by this offense,' the mother told the court. 'The cost to our child has been substantial. Peace was stolen along with innocence and normalcy. The effects on both his reputation and daily school life are noticeable and inescapable. 'No sentence can right this wrong or undo the damage that has resulted. But consequences are essential in order for justice to prevail.'
