Counseling
Welcome to the Richmond Middle School Counseling / Guidance Department!
The Counseling Office is located across from the Main Office and serves as a resource for all Richmond Middle School students and their parents. Your Counselors are happy to facilitate meetings and discuss individual supports for students. We meet with classroom teachers and administrators through team meetings at least once a week, and serve as professional leaders who share opinions, suggestions, information, and directions as they may relate to students, staff, and programs. We are involved in all levels of student support, including class advisement, academic support, social/emotional guidance, and career development. School Counselors provide counseling services which assist in the development of the student as a total person.
We work with all sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students. All students take Guidance class for one quarter each year. Liz Powers works primarily with students whose last names begin with the letters A-K. John LaCrosse works primarily with students whose last names begin with L-Z.
Katie Robbins also works in conjunction with the counseling office as a part time School Psychologist.
Guidance Class
6th Grade
Course Description
6th Grade Homework Club meets Tuesdays after school from 3 PM to 4 PM in Room 602. Mr. LaCrosse and Mrs. Powers supervise; and tutors from Hanover High School provide academic support for 6th grade students.
Homework club is on a drop-in basis.
Don't forget that there will be popcorn :)
SIXTH GRADE DEVELOPMENTAL GUIDANCE
Philosophy of Department:
The Guidance Department assists students in making good decisions, both academic and social, as they move through the middle school. The Developmental Guidance class enables us to work with all students once a week for one quarter of the year. It is our hope that students will get to know us through class during first quarter so that they might then be comfortable seeking our assistance in collaborative problem-solving throughout the year.
Philosophy of Course:
Through class discussion, group activities, role-playing and videos, students explore a variety of themes. Units studied include: adjusting to middle school, making and keeping friends, study skills and time management, and bullying and teasing. Guidance class helps students gain an increased awareness of the skills necessary to be successful and happy in middle school.
Essential Questions:
How will I negotiate the change from elementary to middle school?
What study and personal strategies will help me make this transition?
What are my strengths and weaknesses as a student?
How can I improve my performance?
What can I do to improve my friendship-making skills?
Key Concepts:
Analyzing how I think and learn
Setting long and short-term goals
Assessing personal study skills
Developing study strategies and organizational skills that work for me
Contributing to a respectful school community
Key Skills:
Practice effective communication skills
Work cooperatively
Set goals
Develop study skills (organization, note taking, test taking, time management, growth mindset, etc.)
Projects:
Study skills self assessment
Friendship poster
Materials:
Study skills video
Bullying/harassment prevention video
Large group guidance activities
Parallel Curriculum:
Students may participate in this class on a variety of levels to meet their needs. Written work can be reduced or eliminated. Emphasis is placed on each student getting what he or she can out of discussions and group activities.
Assessment Tools:
Participation in large and small group discussions
Completion of worksheets and idea sheets in class
Completion of journal entries and reflection questions
Participation in drama games and role-playing
7th Grade
Course Description
SEVENTH GRADE DEVELOPMENTAL GUIDANCE
Philosophy of the Department and Course Description:
The Guidance Department assists students in making good decisions, both academic and social, as they move through the middle school. The guidance class meets once a week for one quarter of the year. The class is team-taught by both school counselors and a licensed health educator. The material covered in class may be impacted by time of year or current issues in school, but generally focuses on stress management.
Essential Questions:
Why is it important for me to raise awareness of my personal stressors?
What are some positive coping skills I could use to help me manage stress?
Why is stress and stress management a life long skill?
What are some of the long-term effects of chronic stress?
Key Concepts:
Identifying situations and events which cause me stress
Analyzing why these issues cause me stress
Identifying physical and psychological signs of stress, including depression awareness & suicide awareness
Understanding and managing anger
Understanding the long-term effect of chronic stress
Understanding depression and its impact on teens
Using stress management techniques at home
Using relaxation techniques and humor as positive coping strategies
Materials used:
Films, texts and guided class discussion. Class structure is set up to allow students to explore their own ideas while learning to listen to others more effectively. Emphasis is also placed on helping students further their ability to express and understand their feelings.
Assessment Tools:
Participation in large and small group discussions
Completion of a stress management inventory
Completion of worksheets and idea sheets in class
Completion of journal entries and reflection questions
Participation in drama games and role-playing
SOS Suicide Prevention videos and materials
8th Grade
Course Description
EIGHTH GRADE DEVELOPMENTAL GUIDANCE
Philosophy of the Department:
The Guidance Department assists students in making good decisions, both academic and social, as they move through the middle school.
Description of the Course:
Eighth grade students have one quarter of guidance class and one quarter of health class; both classes meet once a week. Guidance class is taught by guidance staff and health team taught is taught by a certified health educator and a guidance counselor.
General theme of the course:
The certified health educator presents an introduction to learning about substance use and abuse. Students are presented with formal lessons on several pertinent topics, while being encouraged to ask questions and contribute freely when appropriate. The health curriculum used is Project Alert. For more information about drug use among American Teens, please visit this site. The guidance section of the course focuses on a variety of issues relevant to eighth grade and adolescent development.
Parallel Curriculum:
Students may participate in this class on a variety of levels to meet their needs. Written work can be reduced or eliminated. Emphasis is placed on each student getting what he or she can out of discussion, videos, and group activities.
Assessment Tools:
Participation in large and small group discussions
Completion of worksheets and idea sheets in class
Completion of journal entries and reflection questions
Participation in drama games and role-playing