Counseling
Welcome to the PHMS Counseling Page!
Counseling Department
6th Grade Counselor: Briana Nelsen
7th Grade Counselor: Chelsea Timm
8th Grade Counselor: Hannah Serck
Social Worker: Allison Reuland
Success Counselor: Margi Orris
Counseling Secretary: Brandi Umberger
**Click the counselor's name and you'll be directed to their email address**
Contact Us at 605-367-8443
Upcoming Events & Info
No School
Monday, April 1st
South Dakota Assessment:
Wednesday, April 10th and Thursday, April 11th- Math Assessment
Wednesday, April 17th and Thursday, April 18th- ELA Assessment
Tuesday-Thursday April 23rd-25th- Science Assessment for 8th Grade Only
Incoming 6th Grade Parents/Students
In the next few months, we will be focusing on elementary to middle school transitions. There are many events in place that will help prepare current 5th graders to enter middle school. We know this transition can be exciting and nerve-racking at the same time. We're always here to help so please feel free to reach out to our counseling staff, specifically Hannah Serck, who will be the 6th grade counselor next year. Below are the events for elementary to middle school transitions:
End of April:
Registration information will be sent to parents via ParentLink in mid-April. Registration forms will be given to 5th grade students and those forms will be sent home to be signed off on by a parent or guardian.
Beginning of May:
PHMS Counselor Visits: PHMS counselors will be visiting elementary school classrooms to give more information and get students registered for classes. Please have registration forms filled out, signed and back with your student before PHMS counselors come to visit:
- Discovery on Friday, April 26th
- Eugene Field on Monday, April 29th
- Hawthorne Visit on Tuesday, April 30th
- Robert Frost Visit on Wednesday, May 1st & Friday, May 2nd
- Susan B Anthony Visit on Friday, May 3rd
- All City Visit on Monday, May 6th
- John Harris Visit on Tuesday, May 7th
Middle School Parent Night- Thursday, May 9th we are holding parent night to give parents more information about Patrick Henry Middle School. This will take place in the PHMS Auditorium.
Elementary Tour: Students will also be coming to PHMS for a tour on Thursday, May 9th at 9:30am
July:
Running Start Dates- see main page for flyer:
July 8-11 (morning session 8 - 11:30am; evening session 12:30 - 4pm)
July 15-18 (morning session 8 - 11:30am; evening session 12:30 - 4pm)
July 22-25 (morning session 8 - 11:30am; evening session 12:30 - 4pm)
August:
6th Grade Orientation: On August 7th our WEB crew will be hosting our 6th grade orientation. 8th grade WEB leaders will lead students through an orientation that will help them feel more comfortable and be more prepared to start middle school.
Attention 8th Grade Students/Parents
If you are interested in high school's Connections course (see description below), please email
Hannah.Serck@k12.sd.us for an application. Application deadline is May 19th.
CONNECTIONS is designed to assist students in making a smooth transition to high school by providing connections with math, reading, and writing skills. The class incorporates a variety of activities which provide students with an opportunity to improve their academic skills, as well as to familiarize them with their new high school, expectations, procedures, opportunities available, and organizations/clubs/activities. This is an excellent opportunity for students to get a head start as they enter high school. Students who successfully complete the class will earn .50 elective credit toward their total high school credits. The course will include math and language arts units which will help prepare students for high school.
Additionally, if your student would like to do high school summer courses, here's the link for more information and registration: https://www.sf.k12.sd.us/page/summer-school
Other Resources
Online Tutoring- Dakota Dreams
Parental Resource- Is My Child Normal Continued
This month's parental resource is titled Is My Child Normal. This is a continuation of last month's Family Forum. Parents often wonder if their child is developing at an age-appropriate rate or if a particular behavior is "normal" or not. When it comes to being ready for, and finding success at, school, these anxieties can multiply. Hear from Avera experts and our own SFSD professionals about this important topic, and find out about real, local resources which can help with evaluations and assistance.
Second Step
Second Step Middle School is a research-based social-emotional learning (SEL) program designed to improve students’ social-emotional skills, such as emotion management, impulse control, problem solving, and empathy. This month we will start Unit 4: Managing Relationships & Social Conflict
All PHMS students will be taught these SEL lessons in protimes each week (see dates above). Here's what students will learn this month:
The goals of this unit include students being able to:
- 6th grade: Recognize the difference between minor and major social conflicts. Describe the different perspectives of the people involved in a conflict. Apply the four-step conflict resolution process. Identify ways to make amends after a social conflict
- 7th grade: Recognize when a social conflict is escalating and identify what actions contribute to the escalation. Describe the different perspectives of the people involved in a conflict. Apply the four-step conflict resolution process. Take responsibility for their actions and make things as right as possible
- 8th grade: Choose healthy relationships. Treat others with respect despite differing values and opinions. Use conflict-management strategies to manage conflicts (including those within close relationships) when values and perspectives differ.
Dates for Second Step Lessons this Month:
Friday, April 5th (Lesson 23)
Monday, April 22nd (Lesson 24)
6th Grade
Lesson 23: Respectful Communication
In this week’s lesson, your child will practice using non-blaming language to resolve conflicts.
Question: Ask your child to give you an example of non-blaming, respectful communication. Brainstorm with them to think of a time in your household when non-blaming language could have been helpful and make a plan for how to use respectful communication in the future.
Lesson 24: Resolving Challenging Conflicts
In this week’s lesson, your child will think through different ways to resolve a conflict and choose the one they think is best.
Question: Ask your child why they think different conflicts need different solutions. Tell your child about a time when you had to think about the best way to solve a conflict. What did you think about? Did it work out in the end?
7th Grade
Lesson 23: Resolving Conflict Part 1
In this week’s lesson, your child will learn how to describe a conflict in a non-judgmental way by avoiding blaming language.
Question: Discuss with your child a time in your life when you had a particularly difficult time resolving a conflict. How did avoiding blaming language help?
Lesson 24: What Makes a Conflict Escalate?
In this week’s lesson, your child will learn how to consider possible solutions, determine the negative and positive consequences of each of those solutions, and agree on the best solution for resolving a conflict.
Question: Ask your child why they think different conflicts need different solutions. Discuss with your child a time in your life when you had to think about the best way to solve a conflict. What did you think about? How did it work out?
8th Grade
Lesson 23: Finding the Best Solution
In this week’s lesson, your child will learn to find solutions to a conflict that everyone can agree on.
Question: Ask your child about a conflict they recently had where they got something they wanted after it was resolved. Share a similar situation of your own.
Lesson 24: Making Things Right
In this week’s lesson, your child will learn ways to make amends after a conflict and restore a relationship they may have harmed.
Question: Tell your child about a time you had to make amends with someone. What did you do to repair the harm?