MIDDLE SCHOOL GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING SERVICES

GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING PROGRAM (Click on link for more information)

The school counselor is available to meet with students individually, in small groups, and with entire classes. Counseling and guidance meetings with students generally have a brief educational/solution-oriented focus (i.e. not a therapeutically emphasis). Goals in working with students include healthy and responsible decision making, accepting and taking responsibility for one's actions, goal setting, academic and behavioral improvement, and conflict resolution.

Guidance contacts can be initiated by students, parents, teachers, the principal, and the counselor. Every effort is made to schedule appointments when students are not in class, however, some situations necessitate meetings during class time, in that all students do not have a guided activity period in the day during which to access guidance services.

Teacher team meetings may include the counselor in planning for student needs, as does the bi-monthly Student Assistance Team meeting. The counselor is involved with the orientation of incoming students and assisting eighth grade students with their four-year plans for high school. Pre-intervention strategies and special programming options generally involve the counselor, who can also provide referral to outside agency services. Administration of achievement testing and career interest inventories is coordinated by the counselor. The Career Cruising computer program is also used to help students explore future educational and occupational options. See the school counselor for more information if you wish to take advantage of Career Cruising.

Guidance Classes are taught in sixth grade based on the Wisconsin Department of Education Comprehensive School Counseling Program. Three Domains are the foundation of the standards covered which include Academic Development, Career Development and Personal/Social Development. Monthly topics include Self awareness/Self acceptance; Careers; Goal Setting; Academic Success; Respecting Diversity; Social Skills; Character Education and Safe and Healthy Behaviors. Further details of the counseling department program can be viewed at the link above.

The Guidance and Counseling Department also supports a Peer Helper program to assist students who may not wish to talk to an adult. Peer helpers are not a replacement for a licensed counselor and they may encourage the student to seek additional help from a trusted adult. Peer Mediators are available to facilitate disagreements among students. Request forms are available in the counseling area. Counseling and Guidance services also provide Peer Mentors to assist those students who may need additional support in the school environment. Another resource available are peer mentors who meet with students weekly for one period. Peer mentors assist students who have academic or social needs; students who may not think they are fitting in well with our school.

Parents are welcome and encouraged to arrange times to talk with the school counselor regarding their child’s academic, behavioral, personal concerns and career planning and progress issues.

MIDDLE SCHOOL EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS (EEN) PROGRAM

Students with disabilities are more independent, productive, and integrated in school and community life as a result of West De Pere Middle School Inclusion program. Many EEN students express a more positive attitude toward school and feel less stigmatized. They are provided greater opportunity for social relationships with their non-handicapped peers and teachers. Inclusive programming, with modifications, allows each child to actively participate in classroom activities, create the opportunity to demonstrate individual talents, and enhance self-esteem. Experiencing success results in increased risk taking which prepares them for future social and academic challenges.