Middle School Counseling Newsletter

I hope you had a restful summer. I am excited to work with you and your student this school year! The School Counseling Center works with students at each grade level (6-8) through classroom presentations, short term/brief individual sessions, schedule planning, academic/social/emotional/mental health problem solving, as well as small groups.

Information will be shared through:

* Classroom Presentations

* Newsletters

* Student Announcements

* EHSS School Website...MS Counseling tab coming soon

Please contact me with any questions at asilvis@blaineschools.org

Thanks,

Mrs. Silvis

EHSS Middle School Counselor

First of all, the best news this year is that the school counseling role for our MS population was approved by our BCSD Board of Trustees as a FULL TIME position now. This means that there isn't any more keeping track of when I am here and when I am not.

The bottom-line is: I am here for our students all week!

Next, it became apparent last year that our students (especially our MS kids) have a lot of ground to cover now that we are rebounding from the previous few years. Socially, there is a lot of growing and learning to do. Combine that with the demands of academic life, extra curriculars and responsibilities at home and our students have a lot going on! With this in mind, I was able to propose a dedicated space for MS students to come when they just need a breather so they can more quickly and easily return to class.

With an ENORMOUS amount of support from our Admin team and our Parent Auxiliary group I was able to reimagine not one, but two spaces over the summer. The goal was to create a space that was inviting and calming. Mission Accomplished!

Take a look below......

School Counselors are Mental Health professionals tasked with being available and ready to assist ALL students with anything impacting their school life. Social, Emotional, and Academic domains are all a vital part to this. I am lucky enough to work with the middle school population here at Hemingway. I view Middle School as the time that students are trying to figure out where they fit into the world around them. Balancing the need for more independence with the reality that there is still a fair amount of guidance needed can, at times, bring about strong emotions. I get to help and watch an incredible amount of change and growth that occurs between the first day of 6th grade and the last day of 8th grade. These kids are way cool!

Ways I am able to help:

• Individual Counseling (once in a while check ins or response to crisis)
• Short Term Individual Counseling (4-6 weeks at most, when appropriate/necessary)
• Referral to outside resources/therapists
• Small groups
• Whole Class lessons
• Collaboration with Parents, Teachers and Staff
• Provide Parent Resources on a variety of topics (when requested)
• Class Scheduling
• 504 Coordination (when appropriate and evaluated properly)

Email: asilvis@blaineschools.org
Phone: 208-578-5054

There are a number of ways that you, as a parent or guardian, can request assistance for your child. While a phone call is always an option the two easiest methods would be a detailed email (I will follow up with a phone call or email to you prior to working with your child) OR by filling out the Google Form below.

Last February, BCSD launched a partnership with Speak Up. The mission is to help create and strengthen an environment of safety for all. Concerns can be shared two ways, via email OR call/text. There is also an option for reports to be made anonymously. These reports are then filtered to the appropriate school. Check it Out!!!

Website: https://www.blaineschools.org/hemingway
Location: 111 8th St W, Ketchum, ID 83340, USA
Phone: (208) 578-5050