Meet Our Counseling Team
Welcome to the Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts Counseling Corner. We strive to ensure that you have all the resources needed to succeed during your time at SPA and help prepare you for life after high school. We have compiled resources on this website to help you prepare for graduation, apply for college, explore CTE pathways, view scholarship opportunities, and more!
Feel free to contact us via email or phone with anything you may need help with! Contact information for our counseling staff can be found below!
SPA Counseling Department Commits to:
Welcome and support the needs, feedback, and voices of all students.
Helping support the success of all students.
Provide a safe space for all students to thrive academically and within their art forms.
Connect students with community outreach opportunities.
Encourage students to be their authentic selves at school.
Offer guidance, training, and mental health resources yearly.
College and Career Readiness (CCR) is one of our primary focuses. Holding annual CCR meetings allows us to reach every one of our SPA students through student, parent, and counselor collaboration to help our students feel confident and well equipped for their future.
SPA Counseling Team
-
(801) 466-6700 ext 149
spettersson@saltlakespa.org -
Bio coming soon!
-
(801) 466-6700 ext 145
kdahle@saltlakespa.org -
Hello, my name is Kim Dahle and I am excited to be back at SPA. I have worked in education for over 16 years all on a High School level.
I have been married to Chad for 25 years and have two grown boys, Tyson and Jake. I have a dog named Willow and my cat, Luna.
I am a self-proclaimed urban farmer. I am very proud of my amazing flower and vegetable gardens, I keep chickens and honey bees.
I enjoy growing and storing and cooking my own food.
Simply put I love the outdoors, from yard work to camping, to sitting on the beach.
I am excited to be here again with all these amazing people. SPA is home!
-
(801) 466-6700 ext 144
igonzales@saltlakespa.org -
Iris Gonzales, CSW is our School Therapist at SPA. She is passionate about supporting and encouraging others to achieve their goals and overcome life’s obstacles. She loves enhancing the positive strengths and values in everyone through different modalities using evidence-based approach.
Iris is a graduate of the University of Utah, where she earned her degree in Master of Social Work. She is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and working towards getting fully certified. She also holds a Crisis Worker Certification through the State of Utah. Iris has worked at the Utah State Prison, UNI Crisis and is currently with Odyssey House of Utah.
College Information
College and Career Readiness
Letter of Recommendation Request Form
College Application Process
Understanding what documents to submit for your college and scholarship applications is important to know well in advance. All colleges will require an application and official transcript. Most colleges will require your ACT score. Some colleges and scholarships will require additional materials.
Application documents may include:
Application - Each college will require an application; The length of the application can vary. Most applications are now online, allowing you to start, save and edit as necessary. Might as well start early!
Transcript - All colleges will want an OFFICIAL copy of your transcript. An official copy means it comes directly from the school. It is a good idea to review your "Historical Grades" on PowerSchool to make sure all grades are included and accurate.
ACT/SAT Scores - Most colleges will want a copy of your ACT (or SAT) scores. Some colleges use it to accept or decline admission. Others use it for class placement only. Scores must be sent directly from ACT. See more information below in our ACT/SAT testing section.
Letters of Recommendation - Some schools and scholarships require letters of recommendation. Consider a counselor, teacher, coach, supervisor, etc who knows you and can speak to your strengths and character. It is also helpful to provide a resume to the person writing your letter in order to give additional information. You can use the following form. Please give at least 2 weeks notice. Remember - you are not the only one requesting a letter of recommendation.
Essay/Personal Statement - Some colleges, honors programs, or scholarships require an essay or personal statement. This is an opportunity to show the college something special about you and also demonstrate your writing skills. It is recommended that you take your time in developing this piece. Proper use of grammar, punctuation, and spelling are important. When possible, show with examples rather than just telling. Here are some tips:
Audition/Portfolio/Interview - Some colleges or programs will require an audition, portfolio, or interview. Each program will have specific requirements that may differ greatly from one program to the next. It is very important to start preparing audition and portfolio pieces early. Contact the school or program to learn the details of what is required.
Request a Transcript
PLEASE USE THE PARCHMENT LINK BELOW TO REQUEST A TRANSCRIPT:
Requests may be placed anytime, but our Office Hours for checking the requests and processing are Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Please also check the school calendar for closures.
Please note: Students/past students age 17 and under may have a legal guardian request and pick up transcripts. Students/past students age 18+ must sign the request form themselves and if requesting to pick up the transcripts in person, must do so themselves.
Any questions, please contact our Registrar Kim Dahle by email. kdahle@saltlakespa.org
EDUCATION VERIFICATIONS:
MAKE SURE THAT ALL VERIFICATION REQUESTS INCLUDE:
Student's name
Student's Date of Birth
Student's Graduation Date: Day, Month, and Year (self-reported)
Signed Release (may be electronic)
Your company information and contact person
HOW TO SUBMIT A REQUEST:
EMAIL: kdahle@saltlakespa.org
Scholarship Resources
Trusted Scholarship Websites
Additional scholarship information can be found directly through the colleges and universities you are applying to. Please remember that it's never too early or too late to apply for scholarships!
The Westminster Commitment
The Westminster Commitment is a tuition-free program through Westminster College for academically driven students who have a financial need. To find out if you qualify and to apply, please visit the link below.
The Utah Jazz Scholarship
Last year the Utah Jazz set up a full, four year, cost of attendance scholarship (tuition, fees, room & board, etc) for underrepresented minorities who are high school seniors. For every win the Jazz had, they provided a scholarship. They have decided to continue the program for the 2022 - 2023 school year!
Deadline: March 2nd
All the details can be found at utahjazz.com/scholarship.
The Salt Lake City Youth Rotary Scholarship
The Salt Lake Rotary Club is proud to announce that they will be awarding two (2) $3,500 scholarships to two (2) seniors at the Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts. This is a service-based scholarship that will require an application, a 350 word essay on service, and an interview.
Scholarship applications can be picked up from Kim in the counseling center.
Financial Aid Information
ACT Testing
Students will take the free ACT test provided by the school during their Junior year. It is encouraged that students take the ACT multiple times during their junior and senior years. Colleges look at a combination of ACT scores and GPA to determine whether a student will be admitted as well as for scholarship eligibility.
Cost:
ACT (no writing): $55 Includes report for you, your high school, and up to four colleges if you provide their school code when registering.
ACT with writing: $70 Includes report for you, your high school, and up to four colleges if you provide their school code when registering.
For more information about the writing portion of the ACT, please follow this link.
Please reach out to Gaye Young at GYoung@saltlakespa.org for questions relating to the free ACT Test.
ACT PREP Class at Highland
Next Class - Feb. 19th - April 1st
Wednesdays for 6 sessions
Pay $5.00 to the Highland High School treasurer to sign up OR go to www.myschoolfees.com. Paying the $5 gets you into the class.
Contact Highland High's front office for more information on when the next class begins.
SAT Testing
Please follow this link for further information regarding the SAT Test.
To register for the SAT, please click the link here.
Class of 2024 Graduation Information
Jostens Cap and Gown Orders:
This year, students will be able to keep their caps and gowns. Because of this, all gowns will be custom made to your student's measurements. To allow Jostens enough time to make your student's gown, please submit your cap and gown orders by December 13th during lunch. Our Jostens meeting is set for December 5th at 10:00 am in SPA's main lobby.
CTE Information
Mental Health Resources
SAFE UT HOTLINE (CRISISLINE) or call 1-800-273-8255
The SAFEUT app is also available for free from any app store. Students can use this app to report bullying, harassment, suicidal thoughts or ideation, or any troublesome behavior. Reporting here is anonymous.
Click on links below to access services and additional resources:
University of Utah Health Care via the University Neuropsychiatric Institute
Available 24/7 even on holidays
PROVIDES CRISIS INTERVENTION AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI)
Indian Training Education Center
United Way 211
Children's Help Insurance Program
Utah Youth Suicide Prevention
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (ASFP)
The SALT LAKE EDUCATION FOUNDATION provides a list of services and support for families. Here are the links to their information: Fact Sheet; Contact List; School Resource Handbook