Each month we will be randomly selecting 6th, 7th, and 8th graders to share their perspectives on middle school trends.

Gavin Morgan - "The Science teacher, Mr. Franchina, Mrs. Waiter and the middle school in general are lit."

Lilly Snyder & Rozzlyn High - " Lower tapered fades are the in thing right now"

Sofia Ferello & Emily Peffley - “The Dungeons and Dragons club with Mr. Franchina has been really fun.”

Each year we ask parents to update their information through logging into PowerSchool. It is important for the school to have updated contact information for your child for many reasons including being able to get into contact with you for any emergency, the nurse to be able to treat things like headaches, and for you to view your child's grades in PowerSchool. If you haven't done so already - please log into PowerSchool asap and complete the information that is needed. If you are having any difficulty logging into PowerSchool please contact Mrs. Burrows in the Counseling office at janine_burrows@pasd.us

Each sixth-grade team has a daily homework slide that helps students stay organized with their outside school responsibilities. These slides can be accessed on Schoology in each of the core classes and can be a great way for parents to help reinforce good work and study habits. The slides also provide reminders of theme days and other special events occurring in school. See below for links for each team's information.

FTK!!!

"School Counselor Week" is typically celebrated during the first full week of February, highlighting the important role school counselors play in supporting students' academic, social, and emotional well-being.

What do counselors do?

• School counselors provide individual counseling sessions, group workshops, and classroom guidance lessons, and collaborate with teachers, administrators, and parents to address student needs.

How can parents get involved?

• Reach out to your child's counselor: Send a thank you note, ask questions about their services, or schedule a meeting to discuss your child's progress.

• Learn about the school counseling program: Understand the different services offered and how to access them.

• Share your appreciation: Publicly acknowledge the counselor's important role in your child's life.

What are the important aspects of a school counselor's work?

• Academic support: Helping students set goals, manage their time, choose appropriate courses, and prepare for college applications.

• Social-emotional support: Addressing issues like bullying, peer relationships, anxiety, depression, and family challenges.

• Career planning: Exploring career options, developing skills, and researching post-graduation pathways.

Why did I become a school counselor?

• Mr. Capodanno - When I started my undergraduate degree at Lebanon Valley College, I was able to get involved in athletic coaching as well as several different internships working with local adolescents. Through these experiences, I knew I wanted to work with kids in some capacity when I graduated. I started my career as a group leader at a behavioral health hospital working with all aged students. I loved the career but did not love the setting. I went back to school to earn my Master’s degree in School Counseling and completed all of my internship hours in Palmyra schools. I was lucky enough to land a job upon graduating here at the Middle School and have enjoyed working with our students and community for the last four years. The students keep us on our toes every day and I believe that’s what I love most about what I do. Here’s to many more years and learning more Middle School lingo!

• Miss Lamboni - I knew from a very young age I wanted to work with students, I just was not sure how. After teaching for 2 years I realized that I wanted to be able to create relationships with students that would benefit them as a whole in creating a future. Being in a school setting was where I always wanted to be and school counseling was what I felt led to do, to best benefit students.

• Mrs. Waiter - I have always enjoyed being around others and helping them. I feel that I am a pretty good listener and like to help solve problems. My personal experience of losing my mother in middle school was very hard, and I wanted to work in a profession where I could get to know students and help support them. Ironically, I never wanted to be a classroom teacher, but I liked the school setting. I majored in Social Work in college and then continued to get my Master's Degree in School Counseling. I feel very lucky to have picked a profession where I can honestly say that I love what I do!

The Peer Mentoring Program is underway. Mentors (students offering help) are connected with mentees (students needing help) by their school counselor and assigned one time a week to meet during PAWS (Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday). Students can work on finishing classwork, and homework, study for tests/quizzes, work on projects, organization, etc. Music ensemble times will be avoided so students can attend those graded courses. Please email your child's counselor below if you want your child partnered with a peer mentor this year.

Michelle Waiter - 6th Grade Counselor michelle_waiter@pasd.us

Kari Lamboni - 7th grade counselor kari_lamboni@pasd.us

Andrew Capodanno - 8th Grade Counselor andrew_capodanno@pasd.us

Middle School clubs are underway. Clubs are a great way to get involved and meet others with similar interests. See the list of clubs below for this school year. We have added some new clubs since the beginning of the school year!

Paperwork for the spring Outdoor Education Program was handed out to your child on January 23rd at school. Please ask for the packet of paperwork and review and complete the necessary forms.

The items that need to be returned from the packet include:

• Payment and permission slip - with check or money order attached made out to PAMS for the required amount (please refer to the sheet)
• $5 snack donation - please send this in separately and do not include this in your payment for the camp program (if you are unable to donate, please contact Mrs. Waiter)
• Health Form - double-sided (please make sure to note any food allergy or dietary needs on this form so that the chef at camp can provide for those needs at camp.
• Medication form - does not need to be returned until the Thursday before your child's camp week, along with the medication needed for camp. However, if your child will be taking any over-the-counter or prescription medication while at camp, please reach out to your doctor NOW to have them complete the form.
• Behavior contract - both student and parent need to sign the form to be returned
• Camp Swatara waiver form - needs to be completed and returned
• Clothing and Equipment list - packing list to keep and use for camp

Paperwork and payment are due by February 12th.

As a parent of a middle school student, expect to see increased emotional fluctuations, a stronger focus on peer relationships, a desire for more independence, potential academic challenges due to increased workload, and a need for more communication and support as they navigate this transitional phase in their lives.

Key points to expect:

• Mood swings and emotional volatility:

  Hormonal changes can lead to frequent mood swings, irritability, and sometimes seeming overly sensitive or withdrawn.

• Stronger peer focus:

  Friends become increasingly important, and social dynamics can be a significant source of stress and influence.

• Desire for independence:

  Middle schoolers may want more autonomy in decision-making and may push back on parental rules.

• Academic challenges:

  More complex coursework, multiple teachers, and increased homework expectations can put pressure on academics.

• Body image concerns:

  Puberty can lead to anxieties about physical appearance and body changes.

• Social comparison:

  Students may compare themselves more readily to peers, impacting their self-esteem.

• Need for open communication:

  Maintaining open dialogue with your child is crucial to understand their experiences and address concerns.

• Potential for procrastination:

  Middle schoolers may struggle with time management and procrastination habits.

How to support your middle schooler:

• Be a good listener: Actively listen to their concerns and validate their feelings.

• Set clear expectations: Communicate rules and boundaries while providing explanations.

• Encourage healthy habits: Support good sleep schedules, nutritious eating, and regular physical activity.

• Stay involved in their school life: Attend parent-teacher conferences, monitor their progress, and offer help when needed.

• Promote positive self-esteem: Focus on their strengths and accomplishments, and encourage healthy coping mechanisms.

• Seek professional help if needed: If you notice significant behavioral changes, academic struggles, or persistent emotional distress, consider consulting a counselor or therapist.

Frugal February is the perfect opportunity for parents to hit the reset button on their finances and make thoughtful decisions about spending. After the holiday season, it’s easy to get caught up in the momentum of everyday expenses, but this month allows you to refocus on saving and budgeting. By embracing frugality for just 28 days, you can make a noticeable impact on your family’s financial health—whether it’s by cutting back on non-essential purchases, planning meals more efficiently, or taking advantage of discounts and deals. Not only does it give you a chance to put aside a little extra cash for emergencies or future goals, but it also sets a positive example for your kids about the importance of living within your means and being mindful of your resources. It’s a short-term commitment that can lead to long-term financial benefits for your family.

We have lots of great books and pamphlets for students and families to borrow or take from the school counseling office. Students can stop in before school, at lunch, PAWS, and at the end of the school day to check out what we have to offer.

Michelle Waiter - 6th Grade Counselor

Kari Lamboni - 7th Grade Counselor

Andrew Capodanno- 8th Grade Counselor

Janine Burrows - Counseling Secretary

Angela Boeren - School Social Worker

Visit our School Counseling page to access additional resources and information by clicking the link below!

Website: https://www.pasd.us/PAMS-Counseling
Location: 50 West Cherry Street, Palmyra, PA, USA
Phone: (717) 838-1331
Twitter: @PAMSCounselors