The Jordan Middle School Counseling Program focuses on three primary areas of development:

• Supporting each student’s academic achievement
• Promoting personal, social, and career growth through personal prevention and intervention activities
• Helping students explore post-secondary and career options

Additionally, the counselors coordinate school-wide programs designed to enhance student success and encourage family involvement in the learning process.

Middle school is a special place that gives students new opportunities and more independence. Students feel excited, sad and nervous. Classes are different, rules are new, schedules are busier, and students have their own lockers. Here are some tips for success in middle school.

• Getting organized is an important key to success.
• Use agenda books to write down assignments each day.
• Schedule time for homework, break big projects into small steps, and prepare the night before.
• Talk to your teachers. Ask questions if you are unsure of your assignment, if you do not understand something, or if you need help.
• Turn your homework in on time and always do your best work.
• Get involved in extra-curricular activities. Find things that you enjoy like sports, clubs, and community activities. It's a great way to meet new people and to have fun.
• Get plenty of rest at night and eat a good breakfast to stay healthy.
• Communicate with your parent or guardian regularly about what is going on with you at school.
• Choose your friends wisely and always surround yourself with positive people.
• Be sure that you log-in and/or attend each and every day. If you don’t log-in, you can't learn.

• When your student is having difficulty achieving academically.
• When family changes interfere with academic progress.
• When you want to become more involved in your student's educational and career choices.
• When you need help to interpret tests and school records and track school progress.
• When you want to discover available community resources and agencies for your student or your family.

Can a school counselor provide therapy?
While school counselors have specific training in regards to mental health issues, they are not intended to function as therapists. The role of school counselors is to assist students with academic issues that may interfere with their academic success. School counselors are equipped to serve as liaisons with outside agencies and can consult with families about the steps to take to link to outside therapeutic services.

If my child sees the school counselor, will I be contacted?
Many times parents initiate the referral process and may speak to the counselor before counseling sessions take place with the students. However, parents are not called every time a counselor meets with a child. And, should parents be called in to meet with the school counselor in a collaborative effort to help the student, parents must also realize that confidentiality is the hallmark of a school counselors’ work. As counseling with a student progresses, it may become beneficial or necessary for the school counselor to consult and collaborate with parents. While respecting the rights and responsibilities of parents/guardians for their children, the school counselor works to establish a mutual relationship with parents/guardians to maximize a student’s development.

If the counselor sees my child, is this on the student's permanent record?
No information shared with the counselor is included in the permanent record. Again, information is only shared with others when a student is a danger to himself, herself, or others.

What are the limitations to confidentiality that parents should know about?
The limitations of confidentiality don’t include information of possible abuse or harm to a child. By law, school counselor must report any case of abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities.

Will my child be in trouble if he/she visits the school counselor?
No. School Counselors are not disciplinarians! Our role is different from an administrative role and does not include discipline consequences. Our primary role is to assist in removing barriers that may keep the student from being successful in the academic environment.

Will my child miss academic time when they see the school counselor?
While the school counselor makes every effort to protect academic time, it may occur that a student briefly misses academic time to meet with the counselor. School counselors do their very best to prevent the counseling session from being a burden on the student academically.

Will others know that my child is being seen by the counselor?
School counselors take every precaution to protect the confidentiality of each student. A student’s right to privacy and confidentiality is the basis for an effective counseling relationship. Confidentiality ensures that school counselors won’t share students’ disclosures with others (including teachers and other staff members) unless the student authorizes it or when there is a clear and present danger to the student and/or to other persons.