School Counseling Services:

• Group and Individual Mandated Counseling (IEP)

• Short Term Individual Counseling (As needed)

• Classroom Lessons

• Targeted Individual and Small Group Counseling Interventions 

• Crisis Counseling 

• Consultation and Collaborations with Administrators, Teachers and Parents 

• Community resource assistance available for students and families

Students, I am here to help you with:

• Making and keeping friends

• Setting goals for academic success

• Working with others

• Feeling good about yourself

• Adjusting to a new school

• Managing your feelings (stress, worry, anger, etc.)

• Dealing with peer pressure and bullying

• Transition from 5th grade to TSMS and 8th grade into High School

• Assisting with Conflict Resolutions

• Providing guidance, resources to assist in College awareness and preparations

Parents, I am here to help you with:

• Exploring ways to help your student succeed in academic, career, personal and social development

• Improving parent-child communications

• Providing referrals for community resources

• Assisting in transition from 5th grade to TSMS and 8th grade into High School

                                                            FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ's)

Q1. What services does the counselor provide?

Middle School Counselors provide preventive and intervention services, which are integrated into all aspects of children’s lives.  Counselors provide appropriate tools for communicating, making decisions, and developing friendships and coping skills.  Counselors provide services by developing and assisting, supporting and encouraging students to increase academic, social emotional and post-secondary goals, both long and short term. Facilitating individual/small group counseling mandated counseling and providing immediate short-term counseling when needed, and providing support during personal crisis.  In addition, counselors work collaboratively with parents to help their student succeed in academic, career, personal and social development and provide referrals for community resources. 

 Q2. How does a student get referred to the counselor?

• Students who are not already mandated for counseling services can see their School Counselor via self-referral, parental request, request of the counselor, administrative referral, and/or teacher or staff referral.  Parental referral forms are available in the main office.

 Q3. How do parents contact the  School Counselor?

• Parents are invited to contact the school counselor at any time via email Pmelendez@tsmsonline.org regarding their child.  We can discuss your concerns over the phone or you can come in to meet with me. Parents can call or email the School Counselor to set-up a conference.

 Q4. How long does the School Counselor see the student?                                                                                                 

• Sessions may be held on a regular, ongoing basis or simply as needed.  

 Q5. How do I get referred for outside services?

• The role of a school counselor is to assist children during their school day. This may include issues with friends, test anxiety, social issues, and problems at home that are affecting their school day. When there are difficulties at home (i.e. divorce, death of a loved one, deployment) that are not affecting the child at school or are affecting the child greatly at school there are times when outside, private counseling may be necessary. If you decide private counseling is necessary for your family, I can provide information regarding local counseling agencies.

 Q6. If a student is getting outside services, what is the school counselor's role?

• The school counselor can collaborate with the outside service providers if needed. There is a form that the outside might give you titled, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Form (HIPAA). This authorization for use and/or disclosure of confidential Information allows communication between providers.

 Q7. What are the parameters around confidentiality?

• Confidentiality is an important aspect of counseling; this is how the counselor builds trust with the student. What the child says during counseling is to remain between the counselor and the child unless: 1. The child is in imminent danger. 2. The child is threatening to harm him/herself or someone else. 3. The child reports an incident of abuse and/or neglect. 4. The child gives permission to disclose. When a breach in confidentiality is necessary, I would make a report to the appropriate agencies, support staff and/or parents depending on the situation. Note: School counselors and other school staff members are mandated reporters. Mandated reporters are required by law to report to ACS any time a student is suspected of being in danger.

Q8. Why would my child see you? 

• Students may be referred to the school counselor if there are concerns that are inhibiting their learning here at school. Some concerns, but not limited to are: Behavioral, social/ emotional, and academic concerns.

Q9. Will you notify me if you spoke to my child?

• Parents are notified at the discretion of the counselor. If a counselor will be seeing a student on an on-going basis the counselor will notify the parent and seek parental consent for school counseling.

Q10. What topics do you cover in small groups?

• Small group topics are determined based on the need of the small group. Previous groups held here and their topics are social skills, study habits, friendship, anger management and self-confidence.

Q11. Where is the Counselor’s office?

• The Counselor’s office is in Room 353.