CMS Counseling Center

  • Helping Students Plan for the Future

    Kimberly Nichols, Counselor - Grade 6
    Grade 5: Mr. Wasner & Mrs. Cieplinski
    716-686-3650, kcoates@ccsd-k12.net

    Melissa Goc,Counselor - Grade 7
    Grade 5: Mrs. Musialowski & Mr. Skierczynski
    716-686-3651, mgoc@ccsd-k12.net
     
    Lauren Smith, Counselor - Grades 8
    Grade 5: Mrs. Conrad & Mrs. Riddoch
    716-686-3652, lmohn@ccsd-k12.net 
     
    Nancy Kean, Social Worker
    nkean@ccsd-k12.net 716-686-3653 
     
     
     
    Jackie Formato, Secretary
    jformato@ccsd-k12.net 716-686-3649

  • Responsibilities of Middle School Counselors

    • Educational Assessments
    • Monitor Student Achievement
    • Orientation
    • Curriculum Development
    • Consulting
    • Registration
    • Vocational and Career Awareness
    • Attendance Concerns
    • Group and Individual Counseling
    • Scheduling

     


    Students may stop in the Counseling Center to meet with counselor

    • before homeroom
    • during small group time
    • after lunch
    • after school
    • with a pass from their teacher
    Parents may request a conference with their child's counselor or a classroom teacher by calling Mrs. Epstein, Counseling Center Secretary at 686-3649.

    Counseling Program Sketch:

    • We meet with students in the Middle School Counseling Center on an individual or group basis.
    • Groups will meet throughout the year focusing on concerns such as careers, getting along with teachers and parents, reviewing study skills, social skills, and school achievement.
    • 5th and 6th grade counselors visit the classroom to teach Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies or PATHS.

    Knowing the Middle School Counselor:
    As a School Counselor, we assist students when learning about themselves and when answering these questions:
    What am I learning?
    Why am I learning it?
    How can I use it

    We encourage students to speak with a counselor, when they:

    • Feel lost
    • Find school too hard
    • Want to plan their futures
    • Have questions about High School
    • Feel no one understands them
    • Need someone who will listen to them
    • Need help in making decisions
    • Want to feel better about themselves
    • Want to search for realistic goals
    • Need help in developing study habits

    A counselor will seek out students to speak with them when they:

    • Cannot keep their minds on their work
    • Need to improve work habits
    • Demonstrate inappropriate behavior
    • Need to improve conflict resolution skills
    • Need to review academic progress on a regular basis
    • Requested by a teacher

     

  • Peer Mediation

    "Hand In Hand, We Can Work It Out!" Peer Mediation is a way to resolve disputes . . . PEACEFULLY!

    Mediation helps students work together to reach a mutual agreement. They are asked to come to mediation session and a follow-up meeting to insure that they are both living up to their shared solution.

    Common Disputes Include:

    Misunderstandings

    Name Calling

    Bullying

    Teasing/Harassment

    Gossip

    False Accusations

    Boyfriend-Girlfriend Conflicts

    Friend-to-Friend Arguments

    Third Party Conflicts

    "He said vs. She said,"

    The role of the mediator is to help the disputants find a resolution to their disagreement by using negotiation skills. Well-trained student mediators assist disputants in a brainstorming process to help them solve their own problems. Peer mediators are always, good listeners, fair, non-judgmental, trustworthy, and respect the confidentiality of all parties involved in the dispute.