School Counselors play a pivotal role in the education of students at all age levels. At the high school level, school counselors help students navigate through the many ups and downs of teenage live and future planning. A Comprehensive School Counseling program incorporates activities that target the Academic, Personal/Social and Career domains of the lives of the students we serve. In recent years, it has become more evident that students present with many problems that impact every aspect of their lives and school counselors play a vital role in assisting students maintain positive mental. Our school counseling staff has vast experience and they understand that children need a variety of supports to help them navigate through their teen and young adult segments of their lives.

Loris High School Counseling Department Staff

Wanda Todd, Lead Counselor

12th Grade, 10th Grade A-G

WTodd@horrycountyschools.net

Sheryl Dameron

11th Grade, 10th Grade P-Z

SDameron@horrycountyschools.net

Monche Simmons

9th Grade, 10th Grade H-O

MSimmons001@horrycountyschools.net

Danielle Gore

Guidance Secretary

DGore003@horrycountyschools.net

Parents and students may contact the school counselors via telephone, email or by completing a referral using the designated link below.

Horry County Schools 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 www.caresolace.com/horrycounty and either search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated each year from September 15 to October 15. It began as a week-long celebration in 1968 under President Johnson and was expanded to a month by President Reagan 20 years later in 1988. The month-long celebration provides more time to properly recognize the significant contributions Hispanic/Latino Americans have made in the United States.

Hispanic Heritage Month does not cover one single month but instead begins in the middle of September and ends in the middle of October. The timeframe of this month is significant because many Central American countries celebrate their independence days within these dates, beginning on September 15 with Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. By aligning with these independence dates, Hispanic Heritage Month honors the resilience and determination of the Hispanic community. Key Independence Days celebrated within Hispanic Heritage Month include:

• September 15 - Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua
• September 16 – Mexico
• September 18 – Chile
• September 21 - Belize

September marks #SuicidePreventionMonth – a time to remember the lives lost to suicide, the millions who have struggled with suicidal thoughts & the individuals, families, and communities that have been impacted. #SPM24

If you need to talk, the 988 Lifeline is here.

At the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, we understand that life's challenges can sometimes be difficult. Whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, our caring counselors are here for you. You are not alone.

School safety is everyone’s responsibility! The single most effective preventative tool regarding school safety and security is the “If you see something, say something ®” protocol. It is critically important that if students see or hear something that is concerning, they say something to a trusted adult or report it below.

Horry County Schools (HCS) is committed to providing our students and staff members with a safe and secure learning environment that is conducive to learning. In order to fulfill this commitment, we ask all students to report any safety concern to one of the school’s administrators, a teacher, a parent, or another trusted adult. Other reporting methods are also listed below. Please provide adequate information about a safety concern in order for school administrators and/or law enforcement to begin an investigation.

Student Affairs / Make a Report (horrycountyschools.net)

PowerSchool Parent/Student Portal

The PowerSchool Parent/Student Portal is web-based and can be accessed from any computer with internet access. Compatible web browsers include Internet Explorer 8, Firefox, Safari, and Chrome. The PowerSchool Parent/Student Portal can be found at the following secured web address: https://myps.horrycountyschools.net/public/

The PowerSchool Parent Portal requires a unique username and password to access student information. Students will also have access to the Parent/Student portal. Each student will be assigned his/her own username and password. Parents should contact the Data Quality Clerk to obtain access information.

A parent/guardian or student can also view the cumulative grade for each course in which the student is currently enrolled. This view provides a summary detailing exactly where a student stands in each course area for the current semester. These are live grades as they exist in the teacher’s grade book. The grade in blue is a clickable link that, when clicked, will display the individual assignments that contribute to this grade. The teacher’s name, also in blue, is a clickable link to the teacher’s email.

Any parent who wished to refer his/her student for COGAT Testing, must submit a completed referral form to the LHS Guidance Office by Monday, September 16, 2024. Click on the blue link below to access the referral form.

The 25-26 FASFA will open on December 1, 2024. Loris High School will host a workshop for parents and students in October. FAFSA is completed at www.fafsa.gov.

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/bigfuture-scholarships-student-