Another school year is upon us and we hope to make it even better this year! We want to welcome all of our new and returning families to the new school year! Let’s make it fantastic! We will be going into classrooms throughout the year to provide classroom lessons and assist new and returning students with anything they need. Our goal is to provide quarterly updates from the counseling office.

Kindly,

Tamrah Rouleau

Please feel free to contact us if needed. We look forward to working with you and your child(ren).

Jodi Callinan, Counseling Director

Tamrah Rouleau, Middle School Counselor

Kaitlyn Schena, NJSHS Social Worker

Amanda Nieves, School Psychologist

Kathi Al-Darraji, School Counselor

Manya Cetlin, Counseling Admin / Registrar

As with the beginning of any year, changes can infiltrate our routines, and this year is no different. To help ensure your child finds success this year, here are some things to consider:

· Communicate with your child’s teachers- ask your child questions, clarify classwork and homework expectations, attend the open house, inform teachers of anything happening at home that may affect your child at school. Teachers are better able to meet you and your child’s needs when they are able to openly and honestly communicate with you.

· Communicate with your child- remember to ask your child about his/her school day, their homework, their friends, and anything else they wish to share with you. They may have important insight and information to share with you. Let their voice be heard!

· Parents, get involved- at Newmarket Middle School, there are a variety of ways that both parents and students can get involved. Parents can attend PTO meetings and volunteer at various events throughout the year. Our parent network is what makes us strong!

· Students, get involved- In addition, we urge our students to also get involved in extracurricular activities such as sports teams, clubs, ambassadors, etc. Your child will have an even greater experience in middle school by discovering his/her likes and passions through these activities!

We will be providing lessons and resources surrounding monthly themes. These themes are focused on positive character traits that all tie into students Being Kind, Being Strong, and Being Well.

Be Kind

Social skills like listening, friendship, solving conflicts, and leadership.

These skills are taught alongside Empathy, Respect, & Cooperation

Be Strong

Skills that help students focus, stay organized, and set goals.

These skills are taught alongside Responsibility, Courage, & Perseverance

Be Well

Skills that help students handle their emotions and deal with stress.

The monthly themes for 2023-2024 are:

September: Respect
October: Responsibility
November: Gratitude
December: Empathy (including generosity)
January: Perseverance
February: Kindness
March: Cooperation
April: Courage

May: Creativity

June: Cruising into summer safety

School Counselors help all students in the areas of academic achievement, personal/social development and career development, ensuring today's students become the productive, well-adjusted adults of tomorrow. This can be done in an individual or group counseling setting as well as classroom lessons.

Academic Development:

· Classroom support

· Goal setting

· Transition

· Study skills and organization

· Individual plans for academic success

Career Development:

· Education on job clusters

· Interests/skills survey

· Career exploration

· Connecting interest, activities, and performance to career opportunities

Personal and Social Development:

· Developing a positive mindset

· Interpersonal skills

· Problem solving/resolving conflict

· Strengths and resiliency

· Healthy decision making

· Respect for others and self

"When things outside of school are making it hard for you to succeed in school."

Mental Health

If you are concerned about your child's mental health impacting their day to day functioning, I will meet with you and your child to hear what is going on, and if needed make recommendations for strategies, make referrals, and/or provide brief in school counseling to make sure they are ready to learn.

Problem Solving

Is your child having trouble with their peers? Are they doing well academically, but still struggling in school? I will work with the student to find what is causing their problems, and come up with strategies to make their school experience better.

Resource Finding

If your family is struggling financially, I have a wide range of resources to connect you with. I have helped families access clothes, school supplies, fuel assistance, SNAP, and even worked with local agencies to fix families' ovens, get them furniture, and help pay their electric bills. You don't need to struggle on your own, if you reach out I may be able to help.

SOS prevention education will be provided to all middle school students during Health class throughout the year.

Suicide Prevention for Students:

SOS Signs of Suicide is an affordable, evidence-based suicide prevention program that has demonstrated a 64% reduction in self-reported suicide attempts.

October 23-31: Use Red Ribbon Week as an opportunity to continue talking to your kids about drugs. Let them know that alcohol and drug use will not be tolerated. For more information and resources check out the site here: https://www.redribbon.org/about

Each year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition. However, mental illness affects everyone directly or indirectly through family, friends or coworkers. We believe that mental health conditions are important to discuss year-round, but highlighting them during the month of October provides a dedicated time for mental health advocates across the country to come together as one unified voice.

Resources for families include but are not limited to:

National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI)

National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH)

NH Rapid Response Access Point

NH National Alliance on Mental Health (NHNAMI)

Please contact Tamrah Rouleau or the Counseling Office at any time.

Counseling Office Direct Number: 603-292-7943