Druid Hills Middle School Counseling Department
The Druid Hills Middle School (DHMS) Counseling Department is off to a great start for the 2024-2025 school year. DHMS counseling is place for all students…not just those who are experiencing problems. We are here to support students’ academic, social, and emotional needs. We encourage students to stop by and talk to us! Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 – 4:00. If we are unavailable, please submit a counselor request form and we will meet with you. We strive to provide the support and assistance that will allow our students to achieve at the highest level possible. We look forward to working with you all! DHMS counselors serve our students, parents, and teachers. Each counselor works with a specific grade level, affording the opportunity to meet and get to know all students.
DHMS Counselors Implement the Counseling Program by Providing:
1. School Guidance Curriculum
- Academic skills support
- Organizational, study and test-taking skills
- Education in understanding self and others
- Coping strategies
- Peer relationships and effective social skills
- Communication, problem-solving, decision-making and conflict resolution
- Career awareness, exploration, and planning
- Substance abuse education
- Multicultural/diversity awareness
2. Individual Student Planning
- Goal-setting/decision- making
- Academic planning
- Career planning
- Education in understanding of self, including strengths and weaknesses
- Transition planning
3. Responsive Services
- Individual and small group counseling
- Individual/family/school crisis intervention
- Peer mediation
- Consultation/collaboration
- Referrals
4. System Support
- Professional development
- Consultation, collaboration, and teaming
- Program management and operation
5. 504 Case Management
- If you suspect your child has a disability that requires intervention under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, please contact your grade level counselor.
- To be protected under Section 504, a student must be determined to:
- have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; or
- have a record of such an impairment; or
- be regarded as having such an impairment.
Why Middle School Counselors?
Middle school students are characterized by rapid physical growth, curiosity about their world, and an emerging self-identity. Through a comprehensive developmental school counseling program, school counselors work as team members with school staff, parents, and the community to create caring, supportive climates where young adolescents can achieve academic success. Middle school counselors enhance the learning process and promote academic achievement. School counseling programs are essential for students to achieve optimal personal growth, acquire positive social skills and values, set appropriate career goals, and realize full academic potential. The professional middle school counselor holds, at the minimum, a master’s degree and required state certification in school counseling. Maintaining certification includes on-going professional development to stay current with education reform and challenges facing today’s students.
Confidentiality Guidelines
Student confidentiality is important to us! In our counseling office, what is said here stays here… with the following exceptions, as required by law and/or ethical standards:
- Harm to self or others
- Abuse or neglect
- Court or other legal proceedings
If there is ever a need to reveal information, we will work with students and/or parents to handle the situation in a way that respects the feelings and needs of the student and family.
Naviance
Naviance helps students uncover their strengths and unique skills so they can develop confidence and see their potential. They connect the dots between their interests, college, and career choices and stay motivated to choose their best-fit postsecondary path. Naviance student makes it easy for students to answer questions such as:
- “Who am I?"
- "What do I want to be?"
- "How will I get there?"
- "How will I succeed?"
Naviance Student is a mobile responsive site, for both students and parents that uses intuitive tools that personalize and simplify the college and career planning process. Naviance classroom presentations start next week. Contact your grade level counselor for more information about Naviance, and to obtain parent account information.
Looking Ahead
- September 2nd-Labor Day (No School)
- September 5th-Curriculum Night 6pm-8pm
- September 10th-Virtual 6th Grade Conversation with Counselor (9:30-10:00am)
- September 11th-Virtual 7th Grade Conversation with Counselor (9:30-10:00am)
- September 12th-Virtual 8th Grade Conversation with Counselor (9:30-10:00am)
- September 13th-Week 4.5 Progress Report
- September 26th-Parent/Teacher/Student Conference (4:30-6:30pm)