The Counseling Center
Dennis Murphy, District Director of Guidance & Support Services
Phone: (631) 893-7942
Stephen Vaccaro, Director of Special Education, Counselor: 10th, 11th, & 12th Grade
Phone: (631) 893-7942
Rebecca Cifelli, Counselor: 10th, 11th, & 12th Grade
Phone: (631) 893-7942
Tracy Lesnick, Counselor: 10th, 11th, & 12th Grade
Phone: (631) 893-7942
Francesca Castro, Counselor: 7th & 8th Grade
Phone: (631) 893-7942
Kristen Scheriff, Counselor: Elementary School
Phone: (631) 893-7960
Nicole Campanaro: Grade School Counselor
Phone: (631) 893-7980
Dr. Karen Pinto: School Psychologist
Phone: (631) 893-7910
Allison Lepore, School Psychologist
Phone: (631) 893-7941
Elaine DiGiacomo, Grade School Social Worker, Registrar
Phone: (631) 893-7985
Dennis McGovern, JSH Social Worker, Youth Service Coordinator
Phone: (631) 893-7941
A Message from the District Director
Dear Babylon Families,
The Guidance Department at Babylon Schools provides counseling and support services to all students from kindergarten through senior year. It is evident that our students will require a wider range of support services as they continue to grow and develop. Therefore, our skilled team will serve and meet the needs of our students and families as they move on and progress through our school system. We will make sure that each student is exposed to age and grade level appropriate activities that will support their academic and social emotional development.
Our comprehensive K-12 Guidance Plan is designed to promote, support, and enhance the overall student experience. It is designed to help all students develop their educational, social, career and personal potential to become responsible and productive citizens. Our team currently provides support throughout the student’s entire educational journey. The families within the Babylon community can rely on our team to serve as a valuable resource and partner.
Our team is always available to speak or meet with you and your child. Please call or email your child’s counselor with any questions or concerns. I am also available as a resource and can be reached at 631-893-7942 or at dmurphy@babylonufsd.com. The Counseling center will have evening office hours throughout the year to help us better meet your needs. I wish you and your family a healthy and happy 2021-22 school year!
Sincerely,
Dennis M. Murphy
District Director of Guidance
Our Mission
The Counseling Program is designed to assist students with their academic, social and emotional development. This function can best be affected by the combined efforts of the administration, faculty, pupil personnel, parents and the students themselves. The counseling role encompasses the total school population and program. This role becomes a specific one since counselors are collating and interpreting information about individual students for the student, parents, faculty and the administration. The highest obligation is to recognize the worth and dignity of each student and to provide an education which will lead to his/her full development. Counselors have the responsibility to open horizons and point out opportunities for students. In order to help individual students recognize their own worth and thus be in a better position to make decisions and to assume responsibility for their lives, the Counseling Center places a premium on knowing individual students.
Guidance Plan
The Babylon Jr/Sr Guidance Plan is designed to be a resource for members of the Babylon Central School District Counseling Department and the Babylon Central School District educational community. The plan supports the overall mission of the School District by promoting student achievement, college and career planning, and personal and social development for every student. Babylon school counselors, using their leadership, advocacy, teaming and collaboration, and data driven decision making skills, will ensure that every student will have access to a quality and equitable education. This plan is aligned with the Common Core Learning Standards, the New York State School Counselor Association’s Model Comprehensive K-12 School Counseling Program, the American School Counselor association National Standards for Students and enhanced with practical ideas for activities and assessments.
It is recognized that the development of any program is a process of continuous improvement. This plan assumes that the use of data as a powerful planning tool makes school counseling programs more effective. A properly implemented program focuses school resources on student achievement and increases collaboration between educational professionals within schools.
The Counseling Plan is currently being updated and will be available soon.
Babylon Profile & Courses
Situated on Long Island's South Shore, Babylon is a community consisting of approximately 13,000 people. Thirty miles east of New York City, Babylon attracts residents who have the benefit of suburban living supplemented by the educational and cultural resources of the city.
The Babylon Union Free School District has three schools: one junior-senior high school, one grade school and one elementary school. The school year is divided into two semesters. A semester is 19 weeks, with 10-week reporting periods.
Babylon Junior-Senior High School is a nationally recognized school with a total enrollment of approximately 784 students in grades 7 through 12. Babylon students have received national, state and local recognition for academic, fine and performing arts, and athletic achievements.
Standardized Testing Information
Below you will find important information to help students/parents prepare for standardized tests related to applying for college.
NCAA Student Athletes
Below you will find important information to help students/parents prepare to become student athletes in college.
Scholarships
Scholarship opportunities will updated on the website periodically as they are received. Scholarship applications are available on the district website. Copies of applications are available by request in the Counseling Center.
In order to allow for processing time, please note that applications that require transcripts and/or recommendations or must be mailed to the scholarship organization, must be returned to the Counseling Center at least ten days prior to the due date listed on the application.
Additional Links & Resources
Below you will find additional links and resources for students & parents.