NMS Counseling Department

1. Consider what YOU, have done to help the situation so far.

2. Check out our department website tab titled "helpful resources" for coping skills, grounding techniques, study tips, and more: https://www.middleboro.k12.ma.us/Page/5867.

3. Check in with the nearest adult. Lots of issues can be resolved by talking to any adult - it doesn't necessarily have to be a counselor!

Still need to chat?

THEN you can contact the counselor you're looking to see! No need to use a Google Form anymore - just email us directly. We will respond as timely as possible. If you're just looking to chat and check in, that's fine! - but be prepared to patiently wait for availability.

Ms. Babul: nbabul@middleboro.k12.ma.us

Ms. Florio: kflorio@middleboro.k12.ma.us

Mrs. Foley: lfoley@middleboro.k12.ma.us

Mrs. Goodell: kgoodell@middleboro.k12.ma.us

Ms. Moriarty: mmoriarty@middleboro.k12.ma.us

Beginning this month, Mrs. Goodell and Ms. Moriarty will be visiting each student on their caseloads to have a "Minute Meeting." These short 1:1 meetings will take place during the morning Extension Block. We will complete a brief Google Form together that gives us a chance to see how each student's school year is going and get a sense of how they feel about our school community. This data is shared with teachers so that we can give students a voice in their school experience and best serve them in pursuit of their education. If you have any questions about Minute Meetings, please contact your student's counselor directly:

Mrs. Goodell: Grade 6 Challengers and all of Grade 7

Ms. Moriarty: Grade 6 Adventurers and all of Grade 8

Did you know that psychologists have found that breathing practice is effective in fighting anxiety, depression, and stress? Physiological evidence has indicated that even a single breathing practice significantly reduces blood pressure. Use this "box breath" technique next time you feel overwhelmed - if you can get your breathing under control, you will be ready to tackle the stressors!

For more coping skills, tips, and tricks, check out the "Helpful Resources" tab of our department website: https://www.middleboro.k12.ma.us/Page/5867

The counseling and administration departments are holding periodic assemblies this year for all students about different topics for success in middle school. During the first week, all students learned the NMS School Expectations, Code of Conduct, and the TIGER Acronym. In October, students learned about Cafeteria Expectations.

Coming up in December, students will learn about Conflict Resolution, Peer Relationships, and Social Media use with the counseling department, including what constitutes as a "crisis" and empowering strategies for resolving conflict on their own.

All assemblies will take place during extension block in the auditorium from 8:10-8:40 AM.

Wednesday, December 7 - C Day - Grade 6

Thursday, December 8 - E Day - Grade 7

Friday, December 9 - F Day - Grade 8

Although most of you will join the Middleborough High School family and become Sachems, some of you may be looking to pursue your high school education elsewhere. This may include Bristol Plymouth (BP) or Bristol County Agricultural High School (Bristol Aggie). For these and other schools, the Counseling Department is here to help you navigate the application processes.

The MOST IMPORTANT things for ALL 8th graders to do are the following:

1. COME TO SCHOOL and maintain good attendance;
2. TRY YOUR BEST and keep your grades up;
3. BE RESPECTFUL and stay out of trouble so you can submit a clean discipline report!

Applications for ALL schools look at these things when considering you for admission. If you can maintain these three things, you will be in great shape when it’s time for schools to make their decisions. Additionally, Middleborough High School receives these records and these things can affect whether you remain eligible for things like sports and extracurricular activities.

Please visit the "Getting Ready for High School" tab of our department website: https://www.middleboro.k12.ma.us/Page/5862.

Representatives from Bristol Aggie will be visiting NMS on Tuesday, October 11th, 2022 and representatives from Bristol Plymouth will be visiting NMS in early November 2022 (confirmed date TBA) for an informational presentation and Q&A session. All students, regardless of their interest in BP's programs, will be attending this session during their extension block/first block class.

Applications for each school are done entirely online:

Bristol Plymouth: https://bptech.go2cte.com/

Bristol Aggie: https://bristolaggie.go2cte.com/

If you are interested in a school not listed here, please contact Ms. Moriarty directly and she will help you out.

Model the kind of behavior you’d like your kids to emulate. Teens told us it was hard to take their parents’ chiding seriously when they saw their parents engaging in the same behavior. The rules don’t have to be the exact same for teen and parent, but transparency about why you’re on the phone can help.

If your teens doesn’t have a phone yet, Craig Knippenberg recommends holding off until at least 8th grade or starting off with just a flip phone. He recommends a campaign with resources on why it makes sense and how to go about it.

Think of the phone like junk food, says Ali Boyd, a Denver mother of three who subscribes to the Wait Until 8th idea. “A little bit goes a long way,” she says. “Technology is a helpful servant, poor master. So we try to be mindful about just how much and what quantity and when and in what context.” Discuss those decisions with your kid and make a pact.

Monitor phone usage, app downloads, chats, and text conversations, says Abby Jones, an 8th grader who has advocated giving up the phone. “Tell your kids that you're doing it. You don't need to be sneaky,” she says. If you do have to take the phone away, explain the reason why, no matter how uncomfortable or angry your child may get at you. “They may tell you they hate you, but eventually they will thank you.”

If your kid already has a phone, create a contract with your kid that you both sign and agree to, says Abby’s mom Brooke Jones. Give them some guardrails and establish your expectations.

One more thing: The American Academy of Pediatrics offers a family media plan, which can be tailored to the age of your child. Also, check out additional tips from the Center for Humane Technology, which offers resources for parents and kids on managing technology use.

See full article here.

Website: https://www.middleboro.k12.ma.us/domain/370
Location: 112 Tiger Drive, Middleborough, MA, USA
Phone: 508-946-2020
Twitter: @counseling_nms