Hello Aviators!

I am thrilled to begin my twelfth year in the Hasbrouck Heights School District as the new Supervisor of Guidance and Testing. I have over eleven years of experience in education and counseling, specializing in student support services, college and career readiness, and mental health advocacy. I earned a B.A. degree in Psychology from Saint Joseph's University and a M.A. degree in Counseling from Montclair State University.

I am excited to collaborate closely with counselors, teachers, and administrators to cultivate an inclusive and nurturing environment within our district where every student can thrive. The Counseling Department is committed to fostering resilience, promoting well-being, and ensuring equitable access to resources for all students.

Hi! My name is Valerie Del Russo, and I’m excited to be a part of the Hasbrouck Heights School Counseling Department. I am the school counselor for students in grades 10-12 with last names starting from G to N and I also serve as the Dual Enrollment point person. I earned my B.A. in Psychology from Rowan University and my M.A. in School Counseling from New Jersey City University. This is my first year as a school counselor, and I can’t wait to work with everyone! My door is always open, so feel free to reach out anytime!

Hello!  My name is Christian Alfano, and I am very excited to join the School Counseling Department here at Hasbrouck Heights.  I will be the counselor for all 9th grade students.  I received my B.A. in Family Science and Human Development from Montclair State University, and my M.A. in School Counseling from Seton Hall University.  I completed my school counseling internship at Columbia High School.  I am very excited to be working with everyone!  Please feel free to reach out with any questions. 

Hello! I’m Alisa Rios, and this is my first year as the mental health counselor for students in grades 6-12 in our middle and high school. I earned my B.A. in Psychology from Ramapo College of New Jersey and my M.Ed. in Counseling from William Paterson University. I am a certified Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) in New Jersey. Over the last few years, I was one of the school counselors for grades 10-12 whose last names began with G-N. This marks my fourth year as a counselor at Hasbrouck Heights High School. Before joining this team, I worked as the College & Career Coordinator for Sage Day Schools and New Alliance Academy (now known as Sage Alliance). I am eager to collaborate with students in this role, with an emphasis on enhancing their emotional well-being.

In addition to my responsibilities as a mental health counselor, I serve as an advisor for the Senior Class, Glam 101 Club (cosmetology based), and Multicultural Club. Additionally, I am a trained Anti-Bullying Specialist and a member of the Intervention & Referral Services team. I was also previously one of the coaches for our Lady Aviators basketball team.