Big Sky Counseling
The vision of the Big Sky High School Counseling Department is to prepare students to become globally conscious citizens that have the skills and confidence to be successful, happy, and marketable in whatever careers, education, relationships, and adventures they pursue. In collaboration with families, staff, and community members, all Big Sky students will have access to the counseling program to maximize happiness, achievement, and a sense of community and belonging.
- What do Counselors do?
- If I’m at school, do I need an appointment or is this an emergency?
- Contact a Counselor
- Support Staff
- National Hotlines & Local Safety Offices
- Alternative Programs
- Additional Resources
What do Counselors do?
If I’m at school, do I need an appointment or is this an emergency?
Emergency
- When you or someone you know is thinking about hurting themselves
- When you or someone you know is being hurt by someone else
- When you or someone you know is thinking about hurting someone else
Need an Appointment
- Schedule Changes
- Career/College Plans
- Conflicts with friends/family
- Stress/Anxiety
- Trouble with classes/grades
- Having a bad day
- Relationship problems
- Other questions/concerns
- If you or your student have questions regarding a specific class or teacher please contact them first
Schedule Change Protocol
Schedules will only be changed for the following reasons:
- Sequence of courses is out of order (example: advanced weight training semester 1/beginning weight training semester 2)
- Incomplete schedule. Keep in mind that in some cases, your alternative course had to be used in completing your schedule
- Failed a course that must be repeated
- A credit recovery course has been passed
- A required course to graduate was not scheduled
- Schedules will not be changed for requests for a different teacher or for friends in a class.
To request a schedule change make an appointment with your counselor through the online referral form. Remember you may only change your schedule once!
Contact a Counselor
You may contact a counselor via email, phone, stopping by the office, etc. However, in order to give you our full attention we recommend making an appointment. If you are unable to reach a counselor in the event of an emergency, please call the front office at (406)728-2401
Counselors
- Heather Williams M.S., Ed.S. - Class of 2026
- Molly Wilson M.A., NCC. - Class of 2027
- Michelle Riddle- Class of 2028
- Leslie Guerreri - Class of 2029
Heather Williams M.S., Ed.S. - Class of 2026
- Phone: 728-2400 X8033
- Email: hnwilliams@mcpsmt.org
- Referral Form
- Google Classroom Code For BSHS Class of 2026: x4gw4u3
Molly Wilson M.A., NCC. - Class of 2027
- Email: mwilson@mcpsmt.org
- Phone: 728-2400 X8034
- Referral Form
- Google Classroom Code: qhgms6o
Michelle Riddle- Class of 2028
- Email: mriddle@mcpsmt.org
- Phone: 728-2400 x8046
- Referral Form
- Google Classroom Code: 6wh5ees
Leslie Guerreri - Class of 2029
- Phone: (406)728-2400, ext. 8031
- Email: lguerreri@mcpsmt.org
- Referral Form
- Google Classroom Code Class of 2029: zwiuzswq
Support Staff
Social Worker
The Social Worker provides support for emotional, social or family issues. Feeling stressed or isolated from other supports. Lack of coping/social skills. Concerns with suicide and at risk behaviors. Conflict resolution. Assisting and coordinating family supports.
Michelle Rucks - 71B (off of student commons)
- Email: merucks@mcpsmt.org
- Phone: 728-2400 x8075
- Online Referral Form
Camille Allen - Counseling Center
- Email: callen@mcpsmt.org
- Phone: 728-2400 x8044
- Online Referral Form
Comprehensive School and Community Treatment
Comprehensive School and Community Treatment (CSCT) is a combined effort of MCPS and Western Montana Mental Health Center that provides emotional and behavioral support to students at school. CSCT staff help students with various issues that can affect their ability to be successful in school as well as other areas of life. Our support services include individual sessions, group sessions, family support, lunch group, and in-class support. We also offer group as a class to our students in which they are able to earn credit. Students, parents, Big Sky staff, or other providers may refer students to our program.
- Email:
- Phone: 728-2400 ext. 8625
Family Resource Center
The Family Resource Center (FRC) provides a safe space and essential resources to students and families in need. The FRC gives students access to basic needs by supplying a food pantry, clothes closet, non-perishable items, toiletries and so much more.
Shanna Nickerson
- 728-2400 ext 8051
- snickerson@mcpsmt.org
- Located in the F Building
National Hotlines & Local Safety Offices
Emergency: 911
National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE
Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK
Crisis Text Line: CONNECT to 741741
Crisis Line for Western MT Mental Health: 406-532-9710
National Domestic Violence Hot Line: 1-800-799-SAFE
RAINN (Rape Abuse and Incest National Network): 1-800-656-HOPE
Child Abuse Help Line: 1-800-4 A CHILD
Trevor project https://www.thetrevorproject.org; Suicide hotline and 24hr helpline for LGBT kids
Trans suicide hotline; www.translifeline.org and number: 1-877-565-8860

A list of community resources and phone numbers can be found at Youth Diversion Project: http://missoulayouthcrisis.org/ This is a great place to start and to get guidance. as well as crisis stabilization, brief counseling, and connection to resources. Providence St. Patrick's Hospital--327-3034. Sandy Cummins LCSW, is the lead facilitator.
Urgent Care Mental Health Clinic: The Urgent Mental Health Clinic provides short term mental health care with access to same day or next day appointments. Request an Appointment: (406) 327-3034
- 1-855-PMG-TEAM
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
- 900 N Orange Street 1st Floor, Suite 102, Missoula, MT 59802 https://montana.providence.org/clinics/urgent-mental-health-clinic/
When remote:
- Be aware that when we are calling you from outside the school, our number will come up as "No Caller ID".
- Please be aware that crisis evaluation and response are very limited. As a result, referral to outside crisis resources will be necessary.
Student and Family Resources
Local resources from our Family Resource Center:Food, Housing, and Mental Health Resources and the County: Missoula County Local Resources
From the Center for Disease Control (CDC):
Things you can do to support yourself:
- Take breaks from reading, watching, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
- Take care of your body. Take walks, deep breaths, or meditate. Try to eat healthy well balanced meals, excercise regularly, get plenty of sleep and avoid drugs and alcohol.
- Take time to unwind and do activites you enjoy.
- Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
Talk with your health care provider if stress gets in the way of your daily activities for several days in a row. Learn more about taking care of your emotional health.
Stress Reduction Resources:
Calm: https://blog.calm.com/take-a-deep-breath
Alternative Programs
Accordion
- Willard Alternative High School Program
- Job Corps
- Montana Youth Challenge
- High School Equivalency (HiSet) Diploma
- Services
Willard Alternative High School Program
Willard Alternative Program is a “school of choice” designed for students who want to earn a high school diploma and who want to participate in a rigorous and relevant educational experience preparing them for their adult roles and responsibilities in the 21st Century.
What Willard offers all students:
-
- Smaller student body (150 students)
- Smaller student-to-teacher ratio
- 4 period day (no study halls)
- Shorter grading periods (9 weeks)
- Shorter days (9:30a.m.-3:30p.m.)
- Mentor teachers
- More one-to-one help
- Family atmosphere
Willard School is made up of three programs:
- The Alternative High School Program is for students with alternative learning styles in need of smaller classes and more hands-on curriculum. It is an all-day program consisting of 4- 70 minute periods with no study halls.
- The Freshman Transition is a program for 9th grade students whose behavior (attendance, work completion or other behaviors) is disrupting their success in school. The student’s primary focus is gaining the skills they need to become successful in mainstream classes.
- Students attending Willard remain enrolled in their high school with all the rights and privileges of an attending student, i.e., yearbook photo, prom, graduation ceremony, activities, etc. However, students cannot be in the schools while schools are in session.
For more information go to: Willard Webpage
Job Corps
Job Corps is the nation’s largest free, residential career training and education program for low-income young adults ages 16 through 24. Job Corps is not just a career training program. You’ll also receive everyday staples AND a supportive community. All of this for FREE. Whether you’re searching for a new career, finishing your high school diploma or exploring your options, Job Corps can provide you with FREE training to jump-start your future.
- For more information: contact your school counselor or go here.
- Rick Whitmore: 406-479-9933
Montana Youth Challenge
Montana Youth Challenge Academy is a residential academic intervention program on the campus of the University of Montana Western for 16-18 year old students who are seeking an opportunity for change. Designed by the National Guard Bureau and run through a cooperative agreement between the federal government and the state of Montana, the Academy offers military-style structure and discipline along with academic, professional, and life-coping skills students need to become productive citizens.
Challenge empowers participants, whom we call cadets, to embrace responsibility, achievement, and positive behavior. It instills self-confidence, fosters ambition, and increases opportunities through job skills training, service to the community, and leadership.
Learn more at Montana Youth Challenge
High School Equivalency (HiSet) Diploma
Missoula County Public Schools’ Adult Education Division in the Academic Success Program we help adults (age 16 and older):
- Earn a HiSet diploma
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Prepare for college, career training or apprenticeships and
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Develop English language skills and learn about U.S. culture and citizenship.
These free HiSET practice tests provide students with a valuable opportunity to assess the skills necessary to earn a High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma. Many students find the tests more challenging than anticipated, making them a useful tool for guiding discussions about the importance of staying in school. The practice tests available on this website are approximately half the length of the official HiSET exams.
For students with disabilities, testing accommodations are available; however, no modifications are made to the content itself. This lack of content accommodations can pose additional challenges for some students in meeting the requirements to obtain an HSE diploma.
Services
The Academic Success Program offers in-person and virtual classes during daytime and evening for anyone who is 16 yrs or older. If students are between 16-18 years old they have to be withdrawn from high school. Our classes are a good option for:
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Students who withdraw from high school
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Those who graduate from high school and need help preparing for college
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Parents or other adults who want a HSE diploma, help preparing for college, training, or apprenticeships
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Parents or other adults who are English Language Learners (ELL)
