I wanted to start by welcoming you to another great year at VSSA.It is a pleasure working with your children and I am excited for the 2016-2017 school year.
Vail Ski & Snowboard Academy considers the college search process an integral piece of a student’s education. Through student centered advising students are supported as they take the lead in their college exploration process. We teach students how to develop a range of options for life after high school. Our college counseling department is guided by our commitment to develop each students lifelong love of learning, responsible citizenship, and personal Integrity. At VSSA we promote the 4C’s: Character, Courage, Commitment and Compassion and we hold our school community to these values in order to create a supportive culture in which all of our students are able to pursue their goals and passions.
As the Counselor at VSSA my goal is support the success of our students by providing career, college and social emotional support. Both individual and group work may be utilized for your student at VSSA. Parents will be informed if any safety concerns are identified or if additional support is recommended in the home or community. If you do not want your child to participate in counseling services please inform me at the beginning of the school year. If you believe your child is in need of specific support by the counseling department or you have concerns about your student please contact the counseling office at any time.
I will maintain confidentiality for students whenever possible.Limits to confidentiality include mandated reporting laws.School Counselors are required to take appropriate action if students engage in behavior that presents clear and imminent danger to themselves or others.We are also required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect.
Also enclosed in the handbook with registration is the VSSA Anti- Bullying Pledge.We will continue implementing our 4 Core Values of Character, Courage, Commitment and Compassion as we strive for a positive and supportive school culture.We will continue to work in our mixed grade 4C groups and add more mindfulness training into our curriculum to promote a healthy community of kindness.
I look forward to serving the needs of your child in the 2016-2017 school year.Pay attention to the "Important Dates and Events' link at the top of this page and the weekly VSSA newsletter to stay informed throughout the school year. Mark your calendars for the yearly parent night scheduled for the evening of August 31st from 5:30-8:15pm and the Aspen College Fair on October 2nd. Any questions let me know!
Charlene Whitney joined VSSA in 2011 as the Director of College Counseling. She is originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia and has been in Eagle County since 2007. After graduating college, she took a job with Eckerd Youth Alternatives to work with youth at risk.
Out of the 19 wilderness programs throughout the East Coast, she went to work in a small town called Floral City, Florida.When she started her career in 1999, she had no idea that first position would have such a profound impact on her life. For her two year commitment as a Counselor/Teacher she lived with a group of 11 adolescent females in a campsite on 860 acres of land. They lived together in tent like structures built with their own hands. They slept under mosquito nets and cooked meals on open fires. When she completed her two-year commitment she stayed at the program to work in different positions. She gained experience as a supervisor, trainer, and a group treatment coordinator.
In 2005, she moved to Vermont and continued to work for the same company but gained experience working with adolescent males and their families as a Family Worker. In 2007, Charlene became aware of a career opportunity in Colorado as a Social Caseworker for Eagle County. While working for the county she was able to obtain a Masters in Counseling Psychology and Counselor Education from the University of Colorado at Denver with hopes of becoming a School Counselor.
Charlene is thrilled to be a part of VSSA and it has been exciting for her to jump into the world of college counseling while supporting the social and emotional needs of the students. While she loves to travel, she can not imagine living anywhere but Eagle County.