Counseling & Community Connection

The holiday season is a time of celebration, reflection, and connection, but it can also bring stress, emotional overwhelm, or unexpected challenges for many families. Lindenwold Public Schools is committed to supporting the well-being of our entire community, and we want families to know that help is always available when you need it.

That’s why our district partners with Care Solace, a complimentary and confidential care-coordination service designed to help individuals find mental health or substance-use treatment quickly and easily.

What Is Care Solace?

Care Solace is a trusted resource that connects families to providers who meet their needs, insurance, language, and schedule. Whether you’re seeking counseling, therapy, psychiatric care, or substance-use support, Care Solace can help you find the right match.

How Care Solace Supports Families

Available 24/7/365: Live Care Companions are ready to help at any hour, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Private and confidential: Your name and personal information are never shared with the district.

Help with navigating options: Care Solace searches for local providers, handles outreach, and assists with appointment scheduling.

Support for all household members: Services are available to every person living in your home, regardless of insurance status.

Language support: Multilingual team members are available to assist families in the language they prefer.

How to Access Care Solace:

Getting started is easy and free

Visit: care.solace.com/lindenwoldk12
Call anytime: (888) 515-0595
Email: weserve@caresolution.com

Whether you’re looking for help right now or simply want to explore supportive options for the future, Care Solace is here to guide you.

Our Commitment to the Lindenwold Community

We know that caring for students means caring for families. Lindenwold Public Schools is proud to offer Care Solace as a resource to help our community access timely, supportive, and confidential care.

If you have questions or need assistance accessing services, please don’t hesitate to reach out to any of the school's counseling departments. Wishing all families a season of peace, well-being, and connection.

As part of Lindenwold’s ongoing commitment to maintaining a safe and inclusive school community, our school administrators and school counselors continue to collaborate on sharing important information with families about New Jersey’s Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) law and how it is applied within our District.

Parents play a vital role in recognizing concerns and helping students navigate peer challenges. Our ongoing outreach helps families understand how to report a suspected HIB incident, as well as the differences between bullying and other common peer conflicts that may arise during the school day.

Lindenwold Public Schools values parents as partners in supporting students to solve problems in safe, respectful, and productive ways. If you would like to learn more, please take a moment to watch the informational video below. It explains our bullying policy and provides guidance on how families can help promote a positive and inclusive school environment.

What is Bullying_English-1.webm

¿Qué es realmente el acoso escolar o bullying?(Spanish)-1.webm

Do you have a student nearing high school graduation this year or in the next few years? This message is for you!

Navigating the financial aid process can feel overwhelming, especially for families supporting a student through their postsecondary plans for the first time. Whether your child is considering a four-year university, community college, technical program, or career training, financial aid can make education more accessible and affordable.

This guide breaks down the essential steps so families know what to expect and how to prepare.

1. What Is Financial Aid?

Financial aid is money that helps students pay for college or career training programs. It can come from federal and state governments, colleges, and private organizations. Financial aid may include:

Grants: Free money you do not need to repay
Scholarships: Free money based on academics, talent, service, or other criteria
Work-Study: Part-time jobs for students with financial need
Loans: Borrowed money that must be repaid, usually with interest

The financial aid process helps determine how much support a student is eligible for.

2. Start With the FAFSA

The first—and most important—step is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form determines eligibility for federal grants, work-study, and federal student loans, and many colleges also use it to award their own financial aid.

Key points:

FAFSA opens each year on October 1, but this year’s redesigned application may release later—check for updates.
It is free to complete.
Families will need financial information such as tax returns and household income.
The sooner it’s completed, the better—some aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Where to complete it: studentaid.gov

3. Understand the Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

Once the FAFSA is processed, families receive a number called the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) (soon transitioning to the “Student Aid Index”). It is not the actual amount families must pay. Instead, colleges use it to calculate the student's financial aid package.

4. Review Your Financial Aid Offers

After students apply to colleges, each school will send a Financial Aid Offer Letter outlining:

Grants and scholarships offered
Work-study opportunities
Loans available (subsidized, unsubsidized, or parent loans)
Estimated cost of attendance (tuition, housing, books, etc.)

Families should compare offers across schools to determine which is the most affordable and sustainable.

5. Complete Additional State Aid Applications

In New Jersey, students may qualify for additional support through the NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application (for undocumented or DACA students) or NJ TAG (Tuition Aid Grant).

Families should also explore:

Community scholarships
National scholarship programs
Local organizations, foundations, and employers who offer funding

6. Ask Questions and Seek Help

Financial aid offices expect questions from families. If something is unclear—loan types, reconciling costs, verification requests, or award letters—families can reach out directly to the college or their child’s school counselor.

High schools also typically host:

FAFSA workshops
Financial aid nights
One-on-one support sessions

Take advantage of these resources—they are designed to help you.

7. Keep Track of Deadlines

Missing a deadline can mean missing out on thousands of dollars in aid. Families should monitor:

FAFSA submission deadlines
College financial aid deadlines
Scholarship application dates
Required documents for verification
Deposit and enrollment deadlines

Creating a simple checklist can keep students on track.

Final Thoughts

The financial aid process may feel complex, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. Planning early, staying organized, and asking questions can open the door to significant opportunities.

Lindenwold Public Schools is committed to supporting families through every step. If you need help or have questions, please contact your child’s school counselor, or come to our annual Virtual Financial Aid information session is on 12/11 and our FAFSA night on February 5 at 6:30 in the LHS Media Center.

The first district-wide family engagement event of the 2025–2026 school year, Hispanic Heritage Night, was held on Thursday, October 16th at Lindenwold High School. Families enjoyed face painting, authentic food from local favorites La Esperanza and El Salvadoreno, and vibrant cultural music performed by LHS 2020 graduate Bryan Lopez. The Lindenwold Police Department and the Board of Education were also on hand hosting tables. Thank you to all the families and staff who attended and to those who generously donated dishes to share!

This event was proudly hosted by the District’s Parent Outreach Committee and, as always, was very well-attended. We look forward to welcoming families to the remaining district-wide engagement events this year, with the next celebration—the Black History Month Community Event—scheduled for February.

Books make wonderful gifts, especially when they help children grow kinder, more confident, and more connected to themselves and others. This holiday season, consider gifting stories that strengthen emotional well-being, spark meaningful conversations, and help kids handle feelings, friendships, and life’s ups and downs.

Below are some wonderful books to enjoy or gift this season, stories that help children build confidence, understand feelings, strengthen friendships, and see the world with curiosity and compassion.

Pre-K & Early Readers

Saturday – A warm reminder that even imperfect days can become special.

I Am Enough – A gentle celebration of self-worth and kindness.

The Day You Begin – A comforting story about finding courage in new situations.

Eyes That Kiss in the Corners – A beautifully told reminder of inner and outer beauty.

Elementary

The Proudest Blue – A powerful story about confidence, pride, and standing tall.

Front Desk – A heartfelt look at family, problem-solving, and bravery.

Julian Is a Mermaid – A joyful celebration of imagination and being true to yourself.

Each Kindness – A thoughtful story about the impact of our choices.

Middle School

New Kid – A funny, relatable graphic novel about friendships and finding your place.

Brown Girl Dreaming – A beautifully written journey of growing up and finding your voice.

Inside Out & Back Again – A moving story about change, resilience, and new beginnings.

Front Desk (for younger middle years) – Courage, advocacy, and heart in every chapter.

High School

Piecing Me Together – A thoughtful story about ambition, relationships, and self-discovery.

You’ve Reached Sam – A tender reflection on love, loss, and healing.

The Hate U Give – A powerful, heartfelt look at courage and speaking up.

Just As You Are – A grounding guide for teens seeking confidence and calm.

Counseling & Community Connection

December 5, 2025

Do you have a student nearing high school graduation this year or in the next few years? This message is for you!

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Information for families from the Counseling and Community Department Information for families from the Counseling and Community Department

Care Solace: Confidential Mental Health Resource for Lindenwold Families 📱 Care Solace: Confidential Mental Health Resource for Lindenwold Families 📱

Bullying: What parents and families need to know 🛑 Bullying: What parents and families need to know 🛑

Understanding the Financial Aid Process: A Guide for Families🎓 Understanding the Financial Aid Process: A Guide for Families🎓

Do you have a student nearing high school graduation this year or in the next few years? This message is for you!

Parent Outreach & Community Involvement 🤝 Parent Outreach & Community Involvement 🤝

Feel-Good, Confidence-Building Books to Give Kids This Holiday Season 📖 Feel-Good, Confidence-Building Books to Give Kids This Holiday Season 📖

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