Middle School Guidance

"That I may care enough to love enough to share enough to let others become what they can be."

-John O´Brien

In Middle School years ASA's Counseling services focus on facilitating the many transitions our students go through when they enter Middle School as well as helping the students and their families manage the emotional, psychological and physical changes that children experience when they enter adolescence. In order to help our adolescents, the Counseling Office provides many diverse services using a developmental approach. This approach is composed of the following 1) the guidance curriculum, 2) responsive services, 3) individual planning and 4) system support.

Middle School Guidance Curriculum

The MS guidance curriculum delineates the goals for guidance instruction and student competencies by grade level. This component addresses self-esteem, motivation for success, decision making and problem solving, interpersonal and communication skills, cross cultural awareness, responsible behavior, health issues, and violence prevention, among others, using the Advisor Advisee (AA) format. The MS counselor researches topics that the community (parents, students, teachers, and administrators) consider significant for this population. The counselor also researches and requests resources available to deliver these topics, and develops the guidance curriculum and calendar in close consultation with teachers and administrators. The MS team periodically assesses materials and methodology used in order to make appropriate modifications for the following guidance lessons.

The AA Calendar for the second semester 2002-2003 is coming soon.

Responsive Services

Responsive Services that are provided in MS include crisis, remedial, and preventive components. The purpose is to provide intervention services for students in crisis, for students who have made unwise choices, or for students that need help with specific areas of weakness. This component addresses academic problems, school-related issues, such as tardiness, truancy, misconduct; relationship issues; abuse; bereavement; family concerns; sexuality issues; and stress-management. The counselor provides individual or small group counseling. The counselor also frequently consults with teachers, administrators, other school personnel, and parents about creating a crisis intervention, remedial and/or preventive services for our at-risk students, and manages referrals to outside service providers when students’ difficulties require in-depth, long term professional counseling.

Individual Planning

The individual planning component provides assistance for all students in making and implementing personal, educational and career plans. The primary goal of this component is to help students learn to monitor and understand their own growth and development to proactively take action on this information. The counselor’s role is primarily providing guidance to individuals or groups.

System Support

The system support component provides support for carrying out the other three components and provides support for school personnel in carrying out educational programs in school. It addresses: program development, including budgeting, and distribution of materials and facilities; staff development; parent education; consultation with teachers, administrators, and other service providers; community outreach; public relations; professional development; and guidance related administrative activities.

On this website, you will be able to find out more information about:

Enjoy your time at our website!