Guidance Gazette
Volume 5
What Would You Like to Know?
Your Guidance Gurus,
- Mrs. DiMaggio, Ms. Ross, & Mr. Wesseling
8th Grade Job Shadow Day!
This is our makeup day for 8th Grade Job Shadowing. Please contact Mr. Wesseling if you have any questions!
Friday, Mar 6, 2020, 07:45 AM
So many different places!
New Vaping Info
Growth Mindset
Random Acts of Kindness Week! (RAK Week!)
- Mrs. DiMaggio
IGPs were amazing! Thank you parents/guardians for your continued support of your student(s)!
Middle School Counselors? Huh?!
Middle school is an exciting yet challenging time for students, their parents/guardians, and teachers. During this passage from childhood to adolescence, middle school students are characterized by a need to explore a variety of interests, connecting their learning in the classroom to its practical application in life and work; high levels of activity coupled with frequent fatigue due to rapid growth; a search for their own unique identity as they begin turning more frequently to peers rather than parents for ideas and affirmation; extreme sensitivity to the comments from others; and heavy reliance on friends to provide comfort, understanding and approval. Identifying students’ academic and social/emotional needs, as well as providing any necessary interventions, is essential in removing barriers to learning and helping students develop skills and behaviors critical for academic achievement. The knowledge, attitudes and skills students acquire during these years build the foundation for future success.
MEETING THE NEED
Middle school counselors are educators uniquely trained in child and adolescent development, learning strategies, self-management and social skills. They implement a school counseling program to support students through this important developmental period. The school counseling program provides education, prevention and intervention activities, which are integrated into all aspects of students’ lives. The program teaches students the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary for academic, career and social/ emotional development. Middle school counselors do not work in isolation; rather they are integral to the total educational program. They provide a proactive program that engages students and includes leadership, advocacy and collaboration with school staff, administration and community/family members in the delivery of programs and activities to help students achieve success. Middle school counselors also collaborate with teachers and parents/guardians on early identification and intervention of children’s academic and social/emotional needs, which is essential in removing barriers to learning and developing skills and behaviors critical for academic achievement. The work of middle school counselors aligns with the school’s mission to support all students’ academic achievement as they prepare for the ever-changing world of the 21st century. This alignment is accomplished through the design, development, implementation and evaluation of a school counseling program. The tools guiding this work are the ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success, which address students’ academic, career and social/ emotional development, and the ASCA National Model, with its data-informed, results-based focus. Research demonstrating the effectiveness of school counseling programs continues to grow, and there is evidence of the positive impact these programs have on students’ academic and social/emotional development.
RESEARCH ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SCHOOL COUNSELING
Numerous studies demonstrate the value of school counseling for students in the domains of academic development, college and career readiness and social/ emotional development. Results of research about the effectiveness of school counseling can be found at schoolcounselor.org/effectiveness.
Information retrieved from ASCA published Why Middle document
Mrs. Ashley DiMaggio
Email: dimaggioa@fortmillschools.org
Website: https://dimaggdialogue.wixsite.com/dimaggdialogue
Phone: 803-548-8300
Twitter: @DiMaggDialogue
Ms. Lisa Ross
Email: rossl@fortmillschools.org
Phone: 803-548-8300
Mr. Marc Wesseling
Email: wesselingm@fortmillschools.org
Phone: 803-548-8300