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WELCOME TO THE GUIDANCE & COUNSELING DEPARTMENT
Dr. Leah Purpuri, Supervisor of Guidance
lpurpuri@laceyschools.org
If you or someone you know is having mental health struggles and is in need of additional support, there are many resources to help you.
988 is the official National Suicide Prevention Hotline.
Click this link for more information.
The Guidance and School Counseling office at Lacey Township High School extends a warm welcome to students, parents, and guardians. Guidance services are an integral part of the high school’s total educational program. Each student is an individual with unique goals, experiences, problems, abilities and resources. The department is designed to help students develop positive self-concepts, effective decision-making skills, and a sense of responsibility for their actions. Counselors work with the individual and their families, as well as with groups. All counselors assist with academic planning, the college admissions process, vocational planning, career planning, and personal concerns.
Lacey Township High School Guidance & Counseling Staff
Mrs. Christine Ayers
cayers@laceyschools.org
609-971-2020, 2011
Christine Ayers holds her Masters Degree in School Counseling and earned her Professional Counseling certificate from Monmouth University. She has served as a school counselor for over ten years, always seeking to provide a safe place for students to land in a time of need, assisting with coping and transition skills for later life success. In addition, she provides small group counseling, for both a psychoeducational approach and to boost coping skills. As a high school counselor, Mrs. Ayers believes that the best form of future planning is personally-tailored college and career counseling.Mrs. Kelly Brown
kbrown@laceyschools.org
Student Assistance Coordinator
Mrs. Brown has served Lacey Township School District for over a decade in the SAC role. Specializing in helping students through challenging seasons or everyday struggles, Mrs. Brown has aided hundreds of Lacey youth during her tenure. Further, she is the former President of the ASAP-NJ, the statewide SAC association, and is actively involved in the Ocean County SAC group as well. Mrs. Brown holds her Master of Arts degree in Holistic Health Studies from Georgian Court University, and serves as an adjunct professor at Kean University.Mrs. Stephanie Cook
scook@laceyschools.org
609-971-2020, 2017
Mrs. Stephanie Cook has been an experienced school counselor since 2004. Her academic resume includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Dickinson College, as well as a Masters of Education and an Education Specialist Degree from James Madison University. As a resident of Lacey, she is thrilled to be working in her own community. Mrs. Cook’s primary goal as your child’s school counselor is to promote their academic, personal, and social development. Helping students feel secure personally and emotionally enables her to work with them to set meaningful academic goals.Mrs. Nicole Cruz
ncruz@laceyschools.org
609-971-2020, 2018
Mrs. Nicole Cruz joined the Lacey Township High School Guidance Department in January 2018. Mrs. Cruz graduated from Georgian Court University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and went on to obtain her Masters in Education with a Certificate in School Counseling. She is very excited to work in this wonderful school district to prepare the next generation to be productive citizens of society. As a School Counselor, Mrs. Cruz feels her primary role is to promote academic, personal, and social/emotional development of all students. She will be meeting with students individually and in small groups throughout the year. Another aspect of her job will be collaborating with teachers, administrators, staff, families, and stakeholders to ensure LTHS is fostering an encouraging, safe, and effective learning community for our students.Ms. Carly Londrigan
AP Coordinator
clondrigan@laceyschools.org
609-971-2020, 2013Ms. Londrigan has been a school counselor since 2006. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Special Education and taught for 8 years before receiving her Masters in School Counseling from Monmouth University. She has worked with students in grades 7 -12 for the past 24 years. As a School Counselor, Ms. Londrigan believes in working closely with students, parents, teachers, and administration to help each student grow into the best version of themselves.Mrs. Danielle Fioretti
dfioretti@laceyschools.org
609-971-2020, 2035
Mrs. Fioretti (formerly Spinuzza) joined the Lacey Township High School Counseling Department in September of 2021. Mrs. Fioretti is invested in supporting all students' social, emotional, and academic development. Mrs. Fioretti graduated from Chestnut Hill College, where she was a student athlete. Mrs. Fioretti received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and minoring in Sociology. She then continued her education at Wilmington University where she earned a Master’s Degree in Elementary and Secondary School Counseling. Mrs. Fioretti is extremely excited to be a part of Lacey Township High School’s Counseling Department and looks forward to supporting all students and their families during their time at Lacey Township High School.Dr. Leah Purpuri, Supervisor of Guidance
lpurpuri@laceyschools.org609-971-2020, 2013Dr. Leah Purpuri has served in the helping profession since 2007 in both the non-profit and public education sectors; the majority of her education work has been through service in Lacey, first as a counselor (2014-2018), and now, as Supervisor of Guidance (since 2022). In between these roles, Dr. Purpuri served as District Supervisor of Guidance in Barnegat. Further, she is a formerly licensed therapist and holds a Bachelors in Psychology, Masters in Counseling (both from Messiah University) and Doctorate in Educational Leadership (from Monmouth University). She has twice published academic resource textbooks, Challenges and Transitions in Education in Times of Crisis and Building Resilient Education Models in Education Post-Crisis in addition to her dissertation entitled Expressions of Superintendent Resiliency in the Wake of COVID-19. Further, she is the current President of Ocean County Directors of Counseling and former President of Ocean County Personnel & Guidance Association. Dr. Leah Purpuri led district-wide crisis response efforts in the various traumatic losses last school year, and recently was recognized by RWJBarnabas for being a Champion of Mental Health Training. She and her team have coordinated $0-cost-to-district staff and student training in mental health and trauma-informed care, all bearing certifications for the attendants. She has the following New Jersey Department of Education issued certifications: Director of School Counseling; School Counselor, and additionally is certificated in Trauma Informed Care and Trauma Responsive Care.
