Counseling

Middle school is an exciting, yet challenging time for students, their parents and teachers. During this passage from childhood to adolescence, middle school students are characterized by a need to explore a variety of interests, connecting their learning in the classroom to its practical application in life and work; high levels of activity coupled with frequent fatigue due to rapid growth; a search for their own unique identity as they begin turning more frequently to peers rather than parents for ideas and affirmation; extreme sensitivity to the comments from others; and heavy reliance on friends to provide comfort, understanding and approval.

Middle school counselors are professional educators with a mental health perspective who understand and respond to the challenges presented by today’s diverse student population. Middle school counselors do not work in isolation; rather they are integral to the total educational program. They provide proactive leadership that engages all stakeholders in the delivery of programs and services to help students achieve success in school. Professional school counselors align with the school’s mission to support the academic achievement of all students as they prepare for the ever-changing world of the 21st century. This mission is accomplished through the design, development, implementation and evaluation of a comprehensive, developmental and systematic school counseling program. The ASCA National Standards in the academic, National Model: A Framework For School Counseling Programs, with its data driven and results-based focus serves as a guide for today’s school counselor who is uniquely trained to implement this program.

Middle School Counselors implement the Counseling Program by providing:

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

Individual Student Planning

• Goal-setting/decision- making
• Academic planning
• Career planning
• Education in understanding of self, including strengths and weaknesses
• Transition planning

Responsive Services

• Individual and small group counseling
• Individual/family/school crisis intervention
• Peer facilitation
• Consultation/collaboration
• Referrals

System Support

• Professional development
• Consultation, collaboration and teaming
• Program management and operation

Middle School Counselors collaborate with:

Parents

• Parent information nights
• Communication/networking
• Academic planning programs
• Parent and family education
• One-on-one parent conferencing
• Assessment results interpretation
• Resource referrals
• College/career exploration

Teachers

• Assistance with students’ academic plans
• Classroom guidance
• Academic support
• At-risk student identification and implementation of interventions to enhance success
• Parent communication/education

Administrators

• School climate
• Behavioral management plans
• Student data and results
• Student assistance team building
• Leadership

Students

• Peer education
• Peer support
• Academic support
• School climate
• Leadership development

Community

• Job shadowing
• service learning
• Crisis interventions
• Referrals
• Support groups
• Career education

Students are required to take all four core subjects each year.

Core Subjects	Related Arts
Language Arts/Reading	Art
Mathematics	Band/Strings
Science	Computer Skills
Social Studies	Health
	Music/Chorus
	Physical Education
	Gateway to Technology/Technology Education
	World Language

The following subjects are required middle school core subjects and related arts that you must pass to be promoted to 7th, 8th, and 9th grade (Superintendent’s Rule 5131.32).

Except as provided in 5131.33, in order for a sixth, seventh, or eighth grader to be promoted, the student must:

1. Pass Language Arts/Reading; and
2. Pass Middle School Mathematics; and
3. Meet one of the following:
   • Pass Science and Social Studies and at least one related arts course; or
   • Pass Science and at least two related arts courses; or
   • Pass Social Studies and at least two related arts courses.

Middle school students failing a required core subject during the school year must attend summer school to achieve a passing grade.

Middle school students failing a high school level math course (Algebra, Algebra II, and Geometry) can repeat the course in high school.

Middle school students who fail a high school level math course will be promoted as long as they meet all other promotion criteria. They must, however, repeat the math course either in summer school or during the next school year.

All children entering Charles County Public Schools must have the following:

1. A physical examination by a physician or a certified practitioner
2. Proof of required immunizations against communicable diseases
3. A copy of the most recent report card
4. Child's birth certificate or other acceptable proof of birth (e.g. passport/visa; physician's certificate; baptismal or church certification; hospital certificate; or birth registration).
5. Two proofs of Domicile

NOTE:  Parent(s)/guardian(s) are responsible for promptly notifying the school system of any change in address. Failure to do so may result in the student being immediately transferred to the school zoned for the student's correct address.

Online Registration

Proof of Domicile / Residence

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