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Services Offered

Individual Counseling: Working with students on an individual basis is top priority for the middle school counselors. At this age, many student concerns are normal, developmental issues. Listening to the student and helping him/her work through the problem is a positive approach for dealing with the concern. Parental, teacher, or student requests for seeing an individual should be made directly to the child’s counselor.

Mediation: The counselors are available to meet with small groups of students who need help resolving specific issues or conflicts. The Middle School also has a school-based peer mediation program in place. Students who wish to become peer mediators receive training in listening skills, problem-solving skills and decision making skills in order to help resolve conflicts among their peers. The peer mediators encourage their classmates to brainstorm creative, non-violent ways to resolve problems.

Developmental Guidance Activities: Planned, sequential, and developmentally appropriate guidance activities are presented to students in the 5th and 6th grades. The classroom activities focus on personal, social/emotional, and academic development. Topics that are presented include, but are not limited to: Achieving School Success, Friendships, Expressing and dealing with Feelings, Handling Stress, Conflict Resolution/Problem Solving, Responsibility, Peer Pressure, Bullying, Appreciating Differences, Decision Making, Asking for Help, and Working Together/Cooperation.

Student Assistance Team: The counselors receive referrals from teachers and parents for students regarding academic concerns or requests for gifted screenings.

Student Assistance Program: Referrals for the Student Assistance Program are made through the guidance department. This program is designed to help students with mental health or drug and alcohol problems to get connected with local agencies that can help. The Caron Foundation and The Center for Mental Health at the Reading Hospital are the two agencies who work directly with the Student Assistance Program’s team.

Educational Screenings: To insure that all students are successful in the classroom, the counselors are available for parental and teacher consultation in regards to the student’s academic performance. Based on the outcome of the consultation the student may be referred to the Student Assistance Team. It is during a Student Assistance Team meeting that it may be decided that a student should be tested by the school counselor. With parental permission the school counselor will administer individual ability and achievement testing. The information obtained will then be shared with the Student Assistance Team and the parents. It is at this time that the decision may be made for the student to receive further testing by our school psychologist.

Tutoring Program

Students in danger of failing for any marking period may be referred by teachers or parents for tutoring. Students who receive an "F" in any core area subject will attend mandatory tutoring, remediation and/or study support during seventh period until their grade improves. This temporary assignment will replace the elective activity they signed up for at the beginning of the year. Tutoring is provided by the middle school.

At any time during the year parents and/or students may schedule tutoring. Requests can be made through the guidance office. Mrs. Heather Kulp is the counselor for 5th grade and the 6M team and can be reached at 610. 682.5115. Mr. Larry Schumacher is the counselor for the 6G team, 7th grade and 8th grade and can be reached at 610.682.5132.

 

LAST REVIEWED ON 12/08/2009