Mercy Guidance & Wellness

Ms. Gina Mastroddi, Wellness Department Chairwoman

Gina Mastroddi has been a part of the Circle of Mercy for the past twelve years. Gina is the Director of the Guidance and Wellness Department and is the point person for all things Wellness!

Ms. Mastroddi is the School Counselor for the Junior class and shares the caseload for the Sophomore class (last names N- Z). Ms. Mastroddi is dedicated to our students, parents, faculty, and staff. Her love of Mercy and support of our students’ overall wellness is evident!

Ms. Beth Corbin, Freshwomen / Sophmore – Transitional Counselor

Beth Corbin has been a member of the Mercy Family since 2004. She is a Nationally Certified Counselor, as well as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, who has worked with students of all ages. Her love of engaging with students, parents, faculty, and administrators alike has led her to this profession. Ms. Corbin will be working with all incoming Freshmen and half of the Sophomore class (last names A-M). She is available to help students acclimate to high school, be a part of our community–emotionally, spiritually and academically–and prepare for the upper grades and beyond.

Ms. Sally Checca, College Counselor

Sally Checca has served in various capacities at Our Lady of Mercy Academy since 2005. In that time, she has had the opportunity to work with students across all grade levels and has developed long-standing relationships with faculty and college representatives. As a mother of three college graduates, one of whom is an alum of the Class of 2014, she is well versed in the college search and application process and has firsthand knowledge of the Mercy experience. In her role as our College Counselor, Mrs. Checca helps students and their families navigate the complexities of college admissions, but also serves as the School Counselor for the Senior class, assisting students with their social, emotional, and academic needs. Mrs. Checca works with students in all stages of the college process, but her focus is primarily on 11th and 12th graders. She also teaches a Junior College Prep class to the Junior class to prepare students for their college journey.

Kelly Raffaele, LMSW, Social Worker

Kelly Raffaele’s position as the Social Worker at OLMA involves supporting and improving the school climate in an effort to promote a healthier social-emotional atmosphere. Additionally, her focus is on the students’ learning and understanding of how to manage their emotions, set and achieve realistic goals, increase their ability to feel and show empathy, and maintain positive relationships, thus increasing their ability to flourish academically. Mrs. Raffaele’s role includes the support not only of students but also of their families, as well as the staff and faculty at OLMA.

Mrs. Jennifer Kacharaba, Director of Student Services

As the Director of Student Services, Mrs. Kacharaba works closely with students who receive additional support through an IEP or 504 Plan. Mrs. Kacharaba ensures that students are receiving their classroom and testing accommodations (including, but not limited to extended testing time) and registering students for their accommodations on exams given by College Board and the ACT. In addition Mrs. Kacharaba is our liaison between the Syosset School District and outside school districts for various needs relating to student support services. Mrs. Kacharaba works collaboratively with all administration, faculty, staff and families of students that receive support services.

Mrs. Angela Loomis, Learning Specialist

The learning specialist co-teaches in a variety of Math and English classes across grade levels to provide support to all students. Additional extra help is offered for these classes as well as for writing, study skills, and organization during the Wellness block.

Mrs. Barbara Piasio, Wellness Department Administrative Assistant

Barbara Piasio is the Administrative Assistant in the Wellness Department and proud mother of three Mercy alumnae! After years of volunteering at OLMA, she returned to the Circle of Mercy in 2016 to take on her current role. She is the first point of contact at the 4th-floor Wellness Center and happily welcomes all who visit. Mrs. Piasio wears many “hats” in assisting the Wellness staff, and she plays an integral part in the college application process for Seniors.

Teenagers Say Depression and Anxiety Are Major Issues Among Their Peers
www.nytimes.com
Teenagers Say Depression and Anxiety Are Major Issues Among Their PeersA Pew Research Center survey found that teenagers across all demographic groups grapple with mental health issues.

Harvard researchers study how mindfulness may change the brain in depressed patients
news.harvard.edu
Harvard researchers study…Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School are examining how mindfulness meditation may change the brain in depressed patients.

How to Take SEL to the Next Level at Your School
greatergood.berkeley.edu
How to Take SEL”The promotion of social, emotional, and academic learning is not a shifting educational fad; it is the substance of education itself,” the report says.

How Making Kindness a Priority Benefits Students | MindShift | KQED News
www.kqed.org
How Making KindnessHe goes by Ice, but Tanapat Treyanurak is known among his peers at Hamilton College for his disarming warmth. He grew up in a village in Thailand, where he lived with two older brothers, his mother and father, and his grandmother. Both parents worked long hours, so Ice spent considerable time with …