Counseling Center
Brice Crowninshield
Julie Danner
Jennifer Jennings
What do Counselors do?
- Talk with your student about personal problems
- Answer questions about school related issues
- Help parents deal with adolescent behavior
- Connect your family with the resources necessary for success
What do Student Support Specialists do?
* Please Visit Our Student Mental Health Page
- Talk with students about tough issues at school or at home
- Connect your family with resources in the community related to mental health
- Provide social-emotional education to students and staff
- Facilitate specialized support groups during school, after school, and through the summer
- Provide individualized support for your student/family
Everything You Need to Know About Middle School (PDF)
College Bound Scholarship Information Click HERE for more info
Think you can’t afford college? Think again. If you’re in 7th grade and you’re ready to work hard in school, keep your grades up and stay out of trouble until you graduate, you may be eligible for a four year College Bound Scholarship.
Visit the College Bound Website: http://www.wsac.wa.gov/college-bound
FAQs
How can I help my child make the transition from elementary to middle school?
The first few weeks of school can be overwhelming and stressful for new students. Good intentions, motivation to make it a “good year”, and good behavior mark this period. This is the time to talk honestly with your student about what worked last year, and offer suggestions about changes that may need to be made. Some suggestions include: studying after school and not after supper; eating breakfast; keeping an assignment notebook. Talk about what did not work: staying up too late on school nights; procrastinating on long-term projects; giving too much time to one’s social life – and not enough time to school work.
My child is choosing to NOT complete assignments, what can I do?
Unfortunately, the proverbial “you can bring a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink” holds true for school work. At the middle school level, students are expected to take more responsibility for themselves and their school work. On the first day of school, each student was given an agenda, or day planner, to help them keep track of assignments and important dates. These agendas are 3-hole punched, and fit nicely in 3-ring binders. Even though it’s tempting to want to “rescue” your child (i.e. running assignments to school when your child forgets them at home, organizing their notebooks or backpacks for them, etc), they must learn to start doing things for themselves – and suffer natural consequences when they “mess up” or “forget.” Have faith in the process – your child may moan and groan about these consequences, but they are learning from their mistakes. Find the courage to give them space to make a few mistakes – 6th and 7th grade is still a safe time to make them. Nothing goes on a transcript until the 9th grade. NOW is the time to start creating healthy routines and good study habits. It may take a few years, but stick with it!
Why does my child seem like a different person this year?
Adolescence is marked by a drastic change in personality and priorities. This change may happen slowly and gradually, or it may happen over night. Sometimes, parents don’t see these changes in their children until the 8th or 9th grade – while others may be noticing personality changes now. During this time, you may see your child start to pull away from you, and rely more on their peers for support and advice. Although this may be true for the day-to-day, more “trivial” stuff (such as what to wear, how to talk, where to hang out, etc.) it is not true for the important issues in their lives. Young adolescents depend on their parents and other significant adults for critical help and advice. They need guidance, support, and love from their parents, and still depend on them for shaping the values that guide their lives. As much as they complain and push the boundaries – they are still wanting and needing you to set them. Peers are obviously very important to young adolescents, but for the really important aspects of their lives, your children depend on you!
Who can I talk to if my child has special needs?
In the public school system, “special needs” refers to children who need specialized instruction or accommodations in order to be successful at school. Most often, this refers to students who have qualified for Special Education and have an IEP (Individualized Education Plan). If your student had an IEP in elementary school, and they have not been “exited” from Special Education, they will still receive accommodations here at LSMS.
How can I stay involved with what's happening at school?
Staying involved with your child's life at school is important, and there are several ways to do so. At the beginning of the school year, you will be given a Family Access code. This enables you to login to an electronic grade book - including grades, assignments, and test scores. It is a fantastic way to stay abreast of your student's progress. You are also encouraged to check your student's assignment calendar each night to make sure they are keeping up to date with their work. Additionally, each fall we host a Curriculum Night (similar to "Open House"), where parents are invited to come and meet teachers and learn about life at middle school.
I’m nervous about my student starting at the mid-high next year.
We understand. After all, you just got used to your child being a middle school student, right? If you have concerns about your child starting at the mid-high, you can contact the counseling department here, or at Cavelero (425) 335–1630. We will also be hosting a number of meetings as the time draws near, and coordinating with Cavelero staff to make the transition as smooth as possible for you and your student.