Middle School Counseling Program
To assist students in understanding and respecting self and others.
To enable students to develop decision-making competencies and career awareness.
The counseling program in our school is available to help students, parents, and teachers develop positive learning experiences. The program consists of a variety of services and activities, including individual and group counseling, parent and teacher consultation, information services, referral assistance to other agencies in the community, and student assessment.
Disclosure Notice:
Information shared between a student and a counselor is confidential. I make every effort to follow the counseling guidelines contained in the American School Counselor Association Code of Ethics. This means I will keep the information you share with me confidential—unless you give me permission to share it, or unless I am required by law or school policy to share it.
Examples of when I must share your information:
– When I must consult with other professionals to better help you.
– When I am required to release information by a school policy, state law, and/or the code of ethics for professional counselors.
– If I believe you are at risk of harming yourself or others.
– If I believe someone is trying to harm you.
– If a law is broken.
Students can schedule through self-referral, teacher, parent, or administrator referral. The Counseling office is located in room O104 at Swanton Middle School.
Services Offered:
Anger/Stress Management
Academics/Study Skills
Self-Esteem
Divorce/Family Concerns
General Questions/Concerns
Classroom Guidance
Individual (1:1) Counseling
Small Group Counseling
Career Development
504 Plan Case Manager
Problem-Solving/Decision-Making
Communication/Social Skills
Bullying/Dealing with Conflicts
Scheduling
Resources for Parents & Teachers
Small Group Counseling Services
G.I.R.L.S.
(Girls In Real Life Situations)
What a fun group! This group celebrates “sisterhood” and provides female students with a safe place to share with one another and work through tough issues such as self-image, peer conflicts, friendships, tough times, stress, emotions, and much more. Packed with lots of fun weekly activities, it’s no surprise this is a popular group with our female students! – Offered Quarter 2 (Q2) & Quarter 3 (Q3)
Healing Hearts
Death in the family? Loss of a beloved pet? Someone close to you move away? This group is designed for students who want to learn ways to cope with the loss of someone or something special in their lives. – Offered by referral/as needed
Grab Bag
(Lunch Bunch Group)
This group covers a little bit of everything! Topics discussed may include school achievement issues, friendship and peer relationships, conflict-resolution strategies, anger/stress management, divorce/family problems, self-esteem issues, and more (based on student needs/interests). – Offered Q2 & Q3
S.O.S.
(Seeds of Success)
This group focuses on success-building skills such as organization, time management, study skills, stress management, learning styles, and more! – Offered Q2 & Q3
Fall Newcomers
Just for new students to SMS! New students meet together with the school counselor three times during the first semester to help ease the transition to a new school and simply “check in” with one another. – Offered Sem. 1 (Q1-Q2)
Kids in the Middle
This group is geared towards helping students learn to cope with family changes, for example: divorce, separation, remarriage/blended families. – Offered by referral/as needed
