Talking

Counseling Services

Purpose & mission

Our students come from a multitude of backgrounds, and we will help students learn to accept and embrace their own diversity in a school setting.

Department CONTACT
Pattie Lake-Torbert

Patti Lake-Torbert

Senior Coordinator of Student Support Services

patti.lake-torbert@k12.sd.us

✆ (605) 367-4282

About Counseling

At the Sioux Falls School District, your counselor is an essential part of the success of our students. The counseling program is designed to serve all K-12 students. They are good listeners and can make accurate assessments of their students to prepare them for life beyond school.

School counselors often tend to hundreds of students, and their impact can empower students to be successful now and to approach their diverse futures with confidence. They challenge every student to push beyond limitations to achieve difficult academic, personal, and post-graduation goals.

For more information about school counseling services, call your child's school or the Instructional Planning Center at (605) 367-7900. If you or someone you know is in a mental health crisis please call your local law enforcement (911) or contact a crisis resources center:

Family Forum Series

New Virtual Series Brings Families and Experts Together on Important Topics

Parenting is hard. Growing up is, too. The Sioux Falls School District and Avera Health are partnering to strengthen families ir. Experts from Avera and SFSD will host free VIRTUAL forums once each month.

These virtual sessions on a pre-selected topic will be held the third Tuesday of each month at 6:00 pm through a secure webinar platform. Your anonymous participation provides a safe space to learn about the challenges facing today’s students and the resources available for help. The series does not offer personal medical advice, but rather general information to build a parent’s knowledge.

Sessions, each approximately 40 minutes in length, will be recorded and posted here for on-demand playback at your convenience.

Benefits of Setting Limits

September 19th

How do I build and support positive behaviors with my child?

Should I go, or should I stay, GO

October 17th

Addressing the importance of school attendance and addressing school Attendance/Avoidance if it is a struggle with your child.

You Be You

November 21st

Social media comparisons and breaking the shaming cycle.

Healthy Mind and Healthy Body

December 19th

The importance of mental and physical health for your child.

Additional Forums

Suicide Hotline

1-800-784-2433

National Suicide Text Line
TEXT “CONNECT” to 741741

National Suicide Prevention
Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK

Student Well-being

Created for parents and caregivers, these videos provide insight on concrete strategies for practicing positive parenting to foster healthy child development and promote positive mental health.