Hephzibah Middle School Guidance and Counseling Program Dr. Cameron Henry, Principal Will Smith, Assistant Principal Lisa Byrd, IB Coordinator & Admin Intern Vera Williams, Guidance Counselor Amy Strozier, Guidance Counselor Cathy Peters, Guidance Secretary HMS

Purpose, Mission, and Vision To impact skills and learning opportunities in a proactive and preventative manner, which ensures that all students can achieve success through: 1.)academic 2.)career 3.)personal/social development Mission To strive to have every student in the school to succeed with the skills, knowledge, and dispositions essential for success. Vision To provide every student with the assistance and guidance needed to effectively identify, select, plan, and prepare for their career of choice.

Philosophy The middle school guidance and counseling program is a student-centered prevention/ intervention support service designed to aid children in mastering the developmental tasks which are essential for reaching their full potential and positive growth through a focus on: Classroom Guidance Group Guidance Individual Counseling

Middle School Counselors Work with student in a variety of ways: Individual Groups Classroom Guidance Lessons Help students make the transition from Elementary to Middle school and Middle school to High school To help students meet academic and emotional needs, middle school counselors work with: Administrators Teachers Parents Community

Goals To Promote the growth and development of all students in: Self-understanding Interpersonal relations Career exploration Decision-making Goal setting Problem solving To assist students in understanding monitoring and directing their academic progress and personal development To identify and address the immediate needs and concerns of students which impact academic progress To facilitate system support activities related to guidance involving: Program development Staff development Material Development Parent Education Testing Program Implementation Community Relations

Characteristics of Middle School Students Physical development is constantly changing! Height Weight Body Chemistry…HORMONES! Sexual Maturation Students at this age are sensitive. They seem mature, but often lack the experiences to understand the changes they are experiencing.

Characteristics of Middle School Students They are torn between the desire for independence and the desire to please adults. Peer approval and acceptance driving social need. They seek out friendships, groups, cliques, clubs, and others their own age for social interactions.

How Does A Student See A Counselor? Students can see the counselor in any of the following ways: Self-referral Request of the Counselor Parent Referral Administrative Referral Teacher or Staff Referral Referral by friends

Stay Connected! Phone: (706)592-4534 Guidance Office: Ext 2108 http://heph-mid.rcboe.org