Welcome to the BEACH STREET middle school

Counseling OFFICE'S official website

Mission and Vision: Our Counseling Department is committed to creating a safe and positive environment where students can receive academic, social, and emotional guidance that enhances their ability to achieve their highest potential. Our team is dedicated to helping our students grow as learners, individuals, and members of the community and world at large.

It is our personal belief and philosophy that every student in West Islip Middle School is capable of success through hard work and a Growth Mindset. In the West Islip Middle Schools, school counselors work closely with students assisting them to develop their ability in the areas of educational, personal and vocational development. Through individual counseling and group counseling, along with classroom presentations, counselors help students understand their learning strengths and weaknesses, choose appropriate courses, plan for transition to the high school, discuss college and career plans/paths, and meet personal challenges in a mature, appropriate way.

Personal Beliefs and Philosophies, as supported by the American School Counselor Association's (ASCA) National Model:

We, School Counselors, believe:

• Every student can learn, and every student can succeed

• Every student should have access to and opportunity for a high-quality education

• Every student should graduate from high school and be prepared for employment or college and other post-secondary education

• Effective school counseling is a collaborative process involving school counselors, students, parents, teachers, administrators, community leaders and other stakeholders

• School counseling is one component in the continuum of care that should be available to all students

Role of the School Counselor

The role of the School Counselors is to identify and address student needs that will ultimately formulate into academic and personal success. Their main goal is to advocate for our students to ensure they have a positive and successful middle school experience. School Counselors work with students individually, in small groups, and within the classroom setting to support and assist them in their academic, social, emotional, and personal development. School Counselors also are the liaison between students, parents, and administrators. Often times, the School Counselor will facilitate the needs of the student to identify and minimize barriers that stand in the way of student success. Our counselors are important sources of information for referrals and outside resources.

The counselors offer support in areas including:

• Peer relationships

• Decision making skills

• Communication and conflict resolution

• Fostering self-awareness, acceptance, and diversity

• Teaching time management and organizational skills

• Crisis intervention for students and parents

• Academic Planning

• Individual and Group Counseling

ON OUR WEBSITE YOU WILL FIND:

Pep Rally videos #beachstreetpride

community - KINDNESS - COMPASSION - POSITIVITY - LOVE - HARD WORK - GENEROSITY - FRIENDSHIP - school pride