Counselor’s Corner

KHCS COUNSELING DEPARTMENT

The resources on this site contain valuable information about the school counseling program at Kestrel. Feel free to peruse the materials and contact the counselors with any questions!

KHS Counseling Department Mission Statement: The counseling department’s mission is to provide services and support to students and their families to maximize students’ potential for academic, social, and emotional success.

Stacy Kennedy – Counselor,
Grades K-5

I joined Kestrel Heights Elementary School its inaugural year in 2012. I was born in Montana, but I’ve lived in Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Massachusetts, and North Carolina. I earned my undergraduate degree in Psychology from Eastern Kentucky University in 1998 and in 2011 I went back to school to earn my Master’s of Education in School Counseling from UNC-Chapel Hill. I hold an Advanced Graduate (Specialist) K-12 School Counselor license and I’m a member of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and the North Carolina School Counselor Association (NCSCA). Currently, I live in Durham with my husband, two children (both former Kestrel students), mother, dogs (Beckett and Reba), and Willa the cat. I enjoy good books and laughter and when I’m not working, I can often be spotted at Ultimate Frisbee games (as a Coach, Team Mom, and player) and watching dance performances.
Fun Facts about Mrs. Kennedy:
  • I went to graduate school with Mrs. Callahan.
  • I’m a military brat.
  • I love to paddle board, jet ski, hike, and roller skate!

Morgan Callahan – Counselor
Grades 6-8

I was born and raised in upstate New York, but after graduating from Western Carolina University in 2011, I decided to stay in the great state of North Carolina permanently! I completed UNC-Chapel Hill’s Master of School Counseling program in 2012 (with Mrs. Kennedy!) and joined the Elementary school in its first year of operation, teaching first grade for three years before joining the Middle School as their grades 6-8 counselor. I currently hold licensure as both a K-6 Elementary School Teacher and an Advanced Graduate (Specialist) K-12 School Counselor, as well as a Nationally Certified Counselor certification. I am also a professional member of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and the North Carolina School Counselor Association (NCSCA). I currently live in Chatham county with my husband, toddler daughter, and our two dogs. I am excited about working with middle schoolers in a time of exciting personal, social, emotional, and academic growth!
Fun Facts about Mrs. Callahan:
  • My daughter’s name is a Gaelic word that means “freedom” – can you guess what it is?
  • I love to read, run, hike, watch movies, and work in my garden!
  • I love the UNC Tar Heels!
Mrs. Kennedy:
Email: kennedy@kestrelheights.org
 
Mrs. Callahan

Email: callahan@kestrelheights.org

Phone: 919-484-1300 X 325
Referral Form: Counselor Referral Form

Please remember that because we are with students, teachers, and parents all day long, we typically check our email and phone messages once per day. In a true emergency where you need to get in touch with a counselor to address something the same day, please call the front office to have Ms. Barber track one of us down.

What is your confidentiality/privacy policy?

Privacy is a very important piece of the counseling relationship. However, counselors are required by law to act, including to disclose information, when they suspect that a child may hurt themselves or someone else, or if someone else is hurting the child. In addition, we often encourage students to advocate for themselves by sharing information with parents and other staff members when pertinent, and students often give their permission for counselors to share information discussed.

Do parents/guardians need to give special permission for their child to see the school counselor?

The school counseling program is part of Kestrel’s regular educational program, the counselors do not need special permission to meet with a student. However, we highly value parent collaboration and welcome parents to contact us with concerns or questions. Additionally, we will send home notification letters and information for students who wish to participate in counseling small groups.

Who sees the school counselor?

EVERYONE! The school counselor works with teachers and staff to serve ALL of Kestrel’s students through a comprehensive school counseling program.

How can I refer my child for counseling services?

Please utilize the confidential referral link provided to refer your child to the counselor. In a same-day emergency, please call the front office to have Ms. Barber track one of us down.

Can you see my child for counseling all year?

School counselors are not mental health counselors and cannot diagnose or treat any mental health disorders. We can help students with issues that interfere with their education, like friendship issues, academic concerns, bullying, anxiety, dealing with family changes, how to handle feelings, and developing coping skills. Because counselors need to be available for all students, we are here to assist with short-term counseling (less than 4-6 sessions). We will be happy to help you in finding outside counseling if needed.
The McKinney-Vento Act is a federal law passed to help families who are homeless keep their children in school.
Definition of homelessness: The law defines a child or youth as homeless as one who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate residence. They may be in the following situations:
  • Living with a friend, relative or someone else because they lost their home.
  • Staying in a motel or hotel.
  • Living in an emergency or transitional shelter or domestic violence shelter.
  • Staying in substandard housing.
  • Living in a car, park or public place, abandoned building or bus station.
  • Awaiting foster care placement.
  • Living in a campground or an inadequate trailer home.
  • Abandoned in a hospital.
  • Living in a runaway or homeless youth shelter.
 
Click below for additional information:
McKinney-Vento Liaison:
Stacy Kennedy, M.Ed., NCC
Morgan Callahan, M.Ed., NCC
Email: callahan@kestrelheights.org
State Coordinator for Homeless Education:
Lisa Phillips
Phone: 336-315-7491

Phone: 919-484-1300 x325

Due to smaller student populations, charter schools are not required to post specific data counts on our website.  For data regarding homelessness in NC, please refer to the NCHEP Profile web page athttps://hepnc.uncg.edu/about/.

KHCS COUNSELING DEPARTMENT

The resources on this site contain valuable information about the school counseling program at Kestrel. Feel free to peruse the materials and contact the counselors with any questions!

KHS Counseling Department Mission Statement: The counseling department’s mission is to provide services and support to students and their families to maximize students’ potential for academic, social, and emotional success.

Stacy Kennedy – Counselor,
Grades K, 2, 4, 6, and 8

I joined Kestrel Heights Elementary School its inaugural year in 2012. I was born in Montana, but I’ve lived in Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Massachusetts, and North Carolina.  I earned my undergraduate degree in Psychology from Eastern Kentucky University in 1998 and in 2011 I went back to school to earn my Master’s of Education in School Counseling from UNC-Chapel Hill.  I hold an Advanced Graduate (Specialist) K-12 School Counselor license and I’m a member of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and the North Carolina School Counselor Association (NCSCA). Currently, I live in Durham with my husband, two children (both Kestrel students), mother, and dog, Beckett.  I enjoy good books and laughter and when I’m not working, I can often be spotted driving my not so little people to places like dance class, theater rehearsals, swim meets, summer camps, film location sites, and a myriad of social events.
Fun Facts about Mrs. Kennedy:
  • I went to graduate school with Mrs. Callahan
  • I’m a military brat.
  • I love to paddle board, jet ski, hike, and roller skate!

Morgan Callahan – Counselor
Grades 1, 3, 5, 7, and 8

I was born and raised in upstate New York, but after graduating from Western Carolina University in 2011, I decided to stay in the great state of North Carolina permanently! I completed UNC-Chapel Hill’s Master of School Counseling program in 2012 (with Mrs. Kennedy!) and joined the Elementary school in its first year of operation, teaching first grade for three years before joining the Middle School as their grades 6-8 counselor. I currently hold licensure as both a K-6 Elementary School Teacher and an Advanced Graduate (Specialist) K-12 School Counselor, as well as a Nationally Certified Counselor certification. I am also a professional member of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and the North Carolina School Counselor Association (NCSCA). I currently live in Durham with my husband and our two dogs, Tucker and Jasper. I am excited about working with middle schoolers in a time of exciting personal, social, emotional, and academic growth!
Fun Facts about Mrs. Callahan:
  • My dogs’ full registered names are Tucker, Prince of the Mountains and King Jasper Daniels.
  • I love to read, run, hike, watch movies, and work in my garden!
  • I love the UNC Tar Heels and Boston Red Sox!

Mrs. Kennedy:
Email: kennedy@kestrelheights.or
 
Mrs. Callahan

Email: callahan@kestrelheights.org

Phone: 919-484-1300 X 325
Referral Form: Referral Form

Please remember that because we are with students, teachers, and parents all day long, we typically check our email and phone messages once per day. In a true emergency where you need to get in touch with a counselor to address something the same day, please call the front office to have Ms. Barber track one of us down.

What is your confidentiality/privacy policy?

Privacy is a very important piece of the counseling relationship. However, counselors are required by law to act, including to disclose information, when they suspect that a child may hurt themselves or someone else, or if someone else is hurting the child. In addition, we often encourage students to advocate for themselves by sharing information with parents and other staff members when pertinent, and students often give their permission for counselors to share information discussed.

Do parents/guardians need to give special permission for their child to see the school counselor?

The school counseling program is part of Kestrel’s regular educational program, the counselors do not need special permission to meet with a student. However, we highly value parent collaboration and welcome parents to contact us with concerns or questions. Additionally, we will send home notification letters and information for students who wish to participate in counseling small groups.

Who sees the school counselor?

EVERYONE! The school counselor works with teachers and staff to serve ALL of Kestrel’s students through a comprehensive school counseling program.

How can I refer my child for counseling services?

Please utilize the confidential referral link provided to refer your child to the counselor. In a same-day emergency, please call the front office to have Ms. Barber track one of us down.

Can you see my child for counseling all year?

School counselors are not mental health counselors and cannot diagnose or treat any mental health disorders. We can help students with issues that interfere with their education, like friendship issues, academic concerns, bullying, anxiety, dealing with family changes, how to handle feelings, and developing coping skills. Because counselors need to be available for all students, we are here to assist with short-term counseling (less than 4-6 sessions). We will be happy to help you in finding outside counseling if needed.

Bullying:

The McKinney-Vento Act is a federal law passed to help families who are homeless keep their children in school.
Definition of homelessness: The law defines a child or youth as homeless as one who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate residence. They may be in the following situations:
  • Living with a friend, relative or someone else because they lost their home.
  • Staying in a motel or hotel.
  • Living in an emergency or transitional shelter or domestic violence shelter.
  • Staying in substandard housing.
  • Living in a car, park or public place, abandoned building or bus station.
  • Awaiting foster care placement.
  • Living in a campground or an inadequate trailer home.
  • Abandoned in a hospital.
  • Living in a runaway or homeless youth shelter.
 
Click below for additional information:
McKinney-Vento Liason:
Mrs. Kennedy:
Email: kennedy@kestrelheights.or
Mrs. Callahan
Email: callahan@kestrelheights.org

Phone: 919-484-1300 X 325