Mental Health Support Services
It is important that our students and families know that the district’s mental health support staff are available for questions and support.
Contact staff via phone call, email, as well as schedule appointments through our Google Calendars. We are here for you so please do not hesitate to reach out!
Take care!
Your School Social Workers, Counselors, and Psychologists
St. Francis Area Schools
Reasons to Connect
- Mental health support
- Concerns with your child’s social, emotional or behavioral needs
- Ideas for stress management for your child or family
- Self-care help
- Struggling to meet the distance learning expectations (attendance, engagement, overall performance)
- Academic and organizational tools
- Counselor Schoology pages (SFMS and SFHS)
- Assistance with basic needs
- SFMS Caring Closet
- Planning for the future (SFHS and SFLC students)
Contact information for Mental Health Support Staff
School Counselors and Social Workers
Early Childhood Family Center (ECFC)
Tiffany Ranz
CCES, ECFC & Districtwide School Psychologist
tiffany.ranz@isd15.org
763-213-8833
April Olson
ECFE & Districtwide School Social Worker
april.olson@isd15.org
763-753-8786
Melissa Denning
Parent Educator
melissa.denning@isd15.org
763-753-7178
St. Francis Elementary School (SFES)
Joni Bircher, MA Ed, LICSW
SFES General Education School Social Worker
joni.bircher@isd15.org
763-213-8759
Scott Kruger
SFES Special Education School Social Worker
scott.kruger@isd15.org
763-213-8684
Cedar Creek Elementary School (CCES)
Peter Dols
CCES General Education School Social Worker
peter.dols@isd15.org
763-213-8861
Lauren Laffen
CCES School Social Worker
lauren.laffen@isd15.org
763-213-8844
East Bethel Elementary School (EBES)
Jessica Marsolek
EBES Social Emotional Learning Specialist/ General Education School Social Worker
jessica.marsolek@isd15.org
763-213-8944
Megan Stearns
EBES Special Education School Social Worker
megan.stearns@isd15.org
763-213-8905
School Counselors and Social Workers
St. Francis Middle School (SFMS)
Amanda Tessmer
SFMS School Counselor (last names A-L)
amanda.tessmer@isd15.org
763-213-8619 (leave a voicemail)
Lindsay Pakola
SFMS School Counselor (last names M-Z)
lindsay.pakola@isd15.org
763-213-8535
Jennifer Norstrem
SFMS Special Education School Social Worker
jennifer.norstrem@isd15.org
763-213-8568
SFMS Virtual Calming Room
St. Francis High School (SFHS)
Dereck Buss
SFHS School Counselor - Last names A-Ha
dereck.buss@isd15.org
Make an Appointment
763-213-1572
Anna Ruel
SFHS School Counselor - Last names He-O
anna.ruel@isd15.org
Make an Appointment
763-213-1574
Tammy Sworsky
SFHS School Counselor - Last names P-Z
tammy.sworsky@isd15.org
Make an Appointment
763-307-4693
General Academic Tips
SFHS Virtual Chill Room
Caree Montague
SFHS Special Education School Social Worker
caree.montague@isd15.org
763-213-1537
St. Francis Learning Center (SFLC) & Crossroads School
Erica Campbell
SFLC School Counselor
erica.campbell@isd15.org
Email to set up a Google Meet
763-753-7148 (leave a voicemail)
Saints Academy Resources Website
Google Classroom: uiw4mbr
Schoology Page: 6TX8-RGJC-CRFW7
Caree Montague
SFHS, SFLC & Restore School Social Worker
caree.montague@isd15.org
763-213-1537 (leave a voicemail)
School Psychologists
Lisa Kastenbauer
SFES & SFMS School Psychologist
lisa.kastenbauer@isd15.org
763-213-8755
Karen Hamann
SFHS, EBES, SFLC & Crossroads
School Psychologist
karen.hamann@isd15.org
763-213-1682 (leave a voicemail)
Tiffany Ranz
CCES, ECFC & Districtwide School Psychologist
tiffany.ranz@isd15.org
763-213-8833 (leave a voicemail)
Lee Carlson Center
The Lee Carlson Center school-based program provides services including counseling, advocacy, education, and peer support group experiences in the northern suburbs.
Services are offered in St. Francis Area Schools as well as five+ additional school districts, helping 2000+ in early learning centers, grades K-12 and alternative learning centers.
How can I receive these services?
Reach out and contact with your site mental health support(s).
Services vary from school-to-school and include:
- Mental Health assessments and referrals
- Individual, group and/or family therapy
- Resources to help youth develop daily living and social skills
- Assistance for families to help them understand and better navigate the mental health system
- Collaboration between our psychiatric staff and school-based teams
- Peer Support Groups
- Psychoeducation (topics vary)
Payment options- Lee Carlson Center accept all major insurances and may be able to use an income-based sliding fee scale for families with inadequate insurance and limited financial resources. Talk to their team to learn how to qualify.