COUNSELOR'S CORNER SEPTEMBER 2025
Kelly O’Donnell is a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) and experienced mental health professional with over 15 years of dedicated service supporting children, adolescents, and families. She holds a Master of Science in Counseling & Clinical Health Psychology from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, with specialized training in treating addiction.
Before joining Audubon School District as the PreK-12 Mental Health Counselor, Kelly served in various clinical and school-based roles including School Social Worker at National Park School for the past 7 years, outpatient therapist at Ellie Mental Health, and Program Supervisor/therapist at Robins’ Nest Inc. (now Acenda Integrated Health). Her work has spanned outpatient therapy, family systems support, trauma-informed care, and community-based services. Kelly specializes in loss/separation, grief, trauma, depression, anxiety, and neurodivergence. Kelly brings a warm, collaborative approach grounded in evidence-based practices such as cognitive behavioral therapy and trauma-informed interventions.
In her new role at Audubon, Kelly is committed to fostering a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for students at all grade levels. She provides individual and group counseling, supports social-emotional learning, partners with families and educators, and helps students build resilience and coping skills for lifelong well-being.
Outside of school, you will find Ms. O’Donnell cheering on her favorite Philly teams, Eagles and Phillies, watching stand-up comedy, hanging with her dog Mary Tyler Moore, and heading to Ventnor in the summers to spend time with her nephew who will be graduating from high school this year.
College Board SAT
College Board SAT Suite of Assessments shares information about the SAT, which is designed to assess a student's academic readiness for college. It provides a path to opportunities, financial support, and scholarships, in a way that's standardized, in an effort to provide equal opportunities for all students. Below is more information:SAT Dates and Deadlines
- SAT Practice Tests
- SAT - Most students take it for the first time during the winter or spring of junior year and possibly a second or third time during the fall of their senior year.
- SAT Fee Waiver - Free/Reduced Lunch students are eligible for SAT fee waivers. Using a SAT fee waiver serves as a springboard to qualify the student for college application fee waivers. See your counselor for more details.
- College Board Services for Students with Disabilities- Students with disabilities may submit a request. Consent Form for Accommodations Request
ACT
ACT is a nationally administered, standardized paper-and-pencil test that helps colleges evaluate candidates. Colleges accept ACT or SAT scores interchangeably, which means you have the opportunity to decide which test you would prefer.
- Register for the ACT Test - Dates & Deadlines
- Free ACT Test Prep
- ACT Fee Waiver Eligibility Requirements - For Free/Reduced Lunch students.
- ACT Requesting Accommodations - Students with disabilities may submit a request. Consent to Release Information to ACT - For parents to sign and return to their school counselor.
Student-athletes in the 11th grade who are hoping to play at the NCAA Division I or II levels in college must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. All student-athletes must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center prior to making any official school visits or receiving a written offer of athletically related financial aid with “D-I” or “D-II” colleges. You can register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. Senior athletes who have not already done so, should register immediately
Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery
The ASVAB is the most widely used multiple-aptitude test battery in the world. It consists of eight tests, contains a total of 200 items, and requires three hours to complete (134 minutes of actual test time and 36 minutes of administration time). Each test is strictly timed, with permitted time ranging from 9 minutes for the 20-item Electronics Information test to 36 minutes for the 30-item Arithmetic Reasoning test. See your counselor for more information on the ASVAB Test.
The ASVAB Fact Sheet will give you more information on the test.
Steps to Take In Advance of the Actual Test Day
Prepare well in advance of the day of the test - Know what to expect on test day
Familiarize yourself with the contents of the ASVAB Subtests
Take sample questions & review content areas to freshen up your skills.
Get plenty of rest the night before the test.
Are you interested in becoming a leader and making a difference in our school community? Join the Peer to Peer Program! As a Peer Mentor, you’ll have the opportunity to support younger students, build friendships, and help them navigate challenges inside and outside of the classroom. Along the way, you’ll develop important skills in leadership, communication, and teamwork while serving as a positive role model. This is a great chance to give back, grow as a leader, and make a lasting impact. See Ms. Warren for more information.
The Audubon School District partnered with Care Solace to support the well-being of students, staff, and their family members. Care Solace is a complimentary and confidential care coordination service that can help you quickly find mental health or substance use treatment options matched to your needs regardless of circumstance. If you would like to use Care Solace to help you find a provider:
Call 888-515-0595 available 24/7/365 in any language.
Visit https://caresolace.com/site/apsd/ and either search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.
NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
In this guide, a family can find out more information on how to apply for food, income and employment assistance, as well as health care and much more. A caregiver can get information on support programs and services to assist them in caring for their loved ones. Individuals with disabilities and their families can get information on various services that include in-home supports, vocational rehabilitation, and education.
NJ4S - Student Support Services
The NJ4S - Statewide Student Support Services provide an array of wellness services to support students and their parents or caregivers. Student Support Services Hubs, located across the state, connect students and their parents and caregivers with services to address social, emotional, and mental health well-being. Services are provided in schools and other convenient community locations, such as libraries and community centers.
Visit https://www.centerffs.org/our-services/community-connections/nj4s-student-support-services for more information,
2ND FLOOR
"A safe space for Teens'
Download it today by choosing your mobile app store and receive 1:1 CONFIDENTIAL chat support, communicate directly with your peers on message boards, or find daily inspiration!
When people call, text, or chat with the 988 Lifeline, they are connected to trained crisis counselors who are part of the existing 988 Lifeline network, made up of over 200 local crisis centers. These crisis counselors are trained to provide free and confidential emotional support and crisis counseling to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress and connect them to resources. These services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, across the United States.
