New Bedford High School

Guidance Department Mission

The mission of this department is to provide materials and services to assist in the maximum development of interests and abilities of every student. School counselors work with all students to enhance their learning as they assist them with the domains of academic, personal, and social development with a focus on college and career readiness.

Guidance counselors are available for conferences with students, parents and graduates before and after school.

Our Staff and Contact Information

Main Number  508-997-4511

Administrator of Registration & Alternative Pathways  - Ms. Tara Montembault x20207

Attendance Supervisors

Sarah Dury    x21204
Shannon Nobrega    x23203

Office of Dropout Prevention - Room D-219

Graduation Facilitators

New Bedford High School's MassCore Graduation Facilitators are located on site and work with students and families to develop inpidual plans for success. With a focus on increasing the MassCore graduation rate, the staff collaborates with school and community stakeholders and are active participants in Massachusetts' statewide graduation efforts.

With a focus on prevention, intervention, and recovery, this office works closely with school staff, numerous community partners, and is a stakeholder in statewide dropout reduction efforts.

MassCore Graduation Facilitators, Marc DeBrito and Valdir Silva, also register students for and encourage the use of the Your Plan for the Future online tools. YPFF is the state's no-cost, one-stop online shop for students, parents, and educators designed to help Massachusetts students manage their educational and career pathways. YPFF centralizes all the key planning elements of a student's educational career, including interactive planning tools, personal portfolio development, and key milestone reminders such as college application and financial aid deadlines.

Contact Information:

Mark DeBrito  x26530
Valdir Silva     x26531

Student Support Center - Room B-213

Students can utilize the center when they are having conflicts with peers or concerns about family members as well as ongoing adjustment issues in school. The focus of services provided for students includes crisis intervention, grief counseling, conflict resolution, and referrals to area resources for longer term treatment.

This center is staffed with four master level social work/mental health clinicians. The staff seeks to provide support to students and their family members and offer solutions to help maintain a safe school environment as well as access to mental health services if needed.

Contact information:

Barbara Kaplan  x20547
Alice Freitas      x20545
Chris Garcia      x20546

Health Services/Nurse's Office - Room B-217

The New Bedford High School Nurses are important and valued members of the educational team. They offer unique opportunities for students to learn healthy behaviors and to receive easily accessible health services within a school setting. They are specially trained in health promotion and assessment, respond skillfully to the ever-changing health care needs of today’s students, and are knowledgeable in the most appropriate referral procedures.

Contact information: x2338 or x2355

Nurse Jodi Spencer
Nurse Sarah Firth     
Nurse Jaala Duarte

School Resource Officers (SRO’s) - Room D-255

SRO’s are local police officers working in New Bedford High School to ensure the safety and security of our students, teachers, and staff.  They are involved in counseling students, giving advice regarding the law, and negotiating disputes. They also serve as mentors and positive role models for all students.

Contact information:

Officer Ryan Bland     x20592
Officer Willie Coates  x20590
Officer John Ribeiro   x20591