Individual Counseling

School Counselors provide a supportive and confidential environment where their students can discuss personal and social concerns, educational and career goals, and academic difficulties. We are able to focus on short-term, solutions focused counseling. If a student requires long-term support, we may refer them to our Intercommunity Health Center for social work/counseling services. Reach out to your student's school counselor if you are interested in a referral for counseling services. 

Small Groups & Lunch Bunches

Throughout the year, groups are created based on teacher feedback, family input, administrator referrals, and student requests. Lunch Bunch is more informal, open to interested students, and occur during each lunch waves as needed. These are the following topics that are typical in any given school year:

• Social skills

• Grief

• Friendships

• Conflict Resolution

• Changing families/Divorce

• Anger

• Organization/study skills

• Anxiety/Stress

Classroom Lessons & School-Wide Programs

Throughout the year counselors will provide lessons and programs, within the classroom and through Advisory lessons, that reflect upon the needs of the students and the school. These lessons and programs may include the following topics:

• Bullying Prevention                    

• Transitioning to High School           

• Career Exploration      

• Study Skills

• Conflict Resolution with Peers

• Dealing with Stress

• Healthy Relationships/Friendships

Career Development

The School Counseling Department utilizes SchoolLinks, a web-based platform for all Manchester Public School students in grades 6-12 to identify their strengths and align their interests to long-term college and career goals. Students have the opportunity to take interest inventories and explore career and higher education opportunities. 

This tool is mostly utilized at the high school level, but students will begin some career exploration through the program in 8th grade.