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WMS Student Support Services
Guidance Counseling
School counseling services at Weston Middle School are directed towards supporting students’ transitions from childhood to adolescence. Our goal is to aid students in the development of the necessary skills to succeed in the areas of academic achievement, career exploration and personal and social growth.
Middle school counselors provide a full range of guidance services. They offer individual planning and goal setting, academic advisement and transitional planning. Counselors have a key role in the evaluation of students concerning standardized tests and in the interpretation of the results with parents and students.
How it Works
Counseling services include weekly and short-term individual sessions and group counseling, as needed. Counselors also provide meaningful classroom lessons at each grade level that target areas of personal and social development, create academic goals and encourage career exploration. Healthy decision-making and character development are key points in these activities.
Counselors also facilitate the Student Assistance Team (SAT), which is an early intervention process. The goal of the SAT is to change “at risk students” to “at promise students” by connecting these students to positive opportunities within the school community.
School counselors, with the help of parents and the school community, hope to help all students leave the middle school with academic integrity, a strong character and goals for the future. This solid foundation will enable our students to be successful in high school and in life.
Guidance Staff
School Physchologist:
Mrs. Ann Soutar 203-221-1530
Counselors:
Mrs. Jennifer Doyle 203-221-1531
Mrs. Ande Ogden 203-221-1533
Mrs. Lauren Davi 203-221-1532
School Social Worker:
Lisa Amore 203-221-1534
Guidance Counseling Common Questions
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Counselors act as the student advocate in a variety of ways. They provide individual and group counseling, facilitate guidance lessons in the classroom, act as a communication liaison between home and school, consult with teachers, students, and parents. Counselors also help resolve scheduling conflicts.
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The counseling department is located in the main lobby next to the main office. Please check in with Mrs. Mezzo, guidance secretary, who will let you know if the counselor is available.
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The Student Assistance Team (SAT) is an early intervention process for academic or emotionally at-risk students. The purpose of the team is to influence student change in a positive direction by identifying strengths and implementing strategies that promote group involvement and healthy connections to others.
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Counselors are here to assist students with personal/adult, academic, and career needs. Generally, students ask their teachers for a pass to schedule an appointment or stop by the guidance office before school starts to make an appointment.
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In mid to late August, students receive notification of their period one/homeroom class. On the first day of school, students report to this class and will receive their schedules. Period one teachers will be available to answer any questions regarding their schedules. Teachers will send students to a guidance counselor if there are any scheduling conflicts.
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Schedules are randomly generated by the computer. We are always interested in learning about your child, but we do not take specific teacher requests.
Health Services
The school nurses’ role is to promote the physical and mental health and well-being of all students within the school setting including the following:
- Provide nursing assessments and interventions for students.
- Provide health and development screenings.
- Identify students with existing and potential health problems including those who are not accessing primary health care services outside of school.
- Refer identified students and their families to appropriate sources of health and social services within the school and community.
- Act as a case manager for students with special health care needs.
- Advocate for students and families with the school and community setting.
- To promote collaboration and communication among families, school personnel and health care providers with the community, including school based centers.
Medical Staff
NURSE SUPERVISOR
Sheryl Zulkeski
MIDDLE SCHOOL NURSE
Daisy Benedict
Phone: 203-221-1550
Fax: 203-221-1248
Talented & Gifted Program
“Imagination is more important than knowledge.” – Albert Einstein
“Imaginization without knowledge is ignorance waiting to happen.” – Zapperz
Students who have met the criteria on a matrix comprised of scores on standardized tests, creativity tests, logical thinking tests, GPA and a teacher checklist may elect to participate in the TAG program. Classes meet five times out of a ten-day period. The curriculum is highly challenging and thematically based, integrating strands of language arts, social studies, science and philosophy, cultivating creativity, problem-solving, critical thinking, debate, decision-making, communication and higher-order thinking skills. The class explores one thematic unit each trimester; themes vary with grade level. In addition, each student works on an interest-based independent study culminating in a written paper, a visual project and a creative oral presentation. Students consistently engage in reading, creative and expository writing, research, presentation and debate, and develop long-range planning and organizational skills to address the curricular needs.
Special Education
School counseling, psychological and health services are available for every student in the middle school and are accessed directly through the nurse or guidance counselor.
The Middle School Pupil Services Department addresses the areas of special education for students who qualify for services under the 504 Civil Rights Act. Services may be provided in the areas of: psychology, speech and language, health, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and/or academics. With the exception of health, psychology, and guidance, the above list of services is accessed through the special education process. In most cases, the student has been identified at an earlier age with intervention beginning prior to middle school. However, at times, specific concerns may arise during the middle school years. A parent should work through the guidance counselor, in order to access services that a student may require. This counselor will assist the parent throughout the identification process.
Special Education services are provided through the IEP (Individual Education Plan) process. Parents are vital members of the Planning and Placement Team (PPT), which includes an administrator, regular and special education teachers, and appropriate guidance personnel. Additionally, students may be identified with needs through Section 504. Working collaboratively, the appropriate team develops a program for the student to perform successfully at WMS.
Programs vary according to individual needs and may consist of: collaborative classes with regular and special education teachers, support via a strategies class, direct instruction in a major academic subject or a combination of the above.
Common Questions
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The first thing you do is contact your child’s School Counselor. They can provide you with information based on your concern and determine how to best respond to your concern. If your child is already receiving Special Education services as determined at a 504 or PPT meeting, then you may address your concerns to your child’s case manager.
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There are a many ways you can assist your child at home. First and foremost, access the Teacher Web so that you are aware of assignments, tests and projects. You can also: assist with organization, encourage pleasure reading, provide a consistent time and place for homework, monitor homework follow through, encourage discussion of current events and in general, foster an appreciation of learning.
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If your child is participating in Learning Strategies, this was determined at a 504 or PPT meeting. Your child’s individual needs are taken into account when planning for Learning Strategies class. The purpose of a Learning Strategies class is to provide individualized instruction to help foster academic independence. Please contact your child’s case manager or the Learning Strategies teacher if you have a question regarding Learning Strategies class.
Extra Help Sechedules
Weston Middle School offers extra help schedules for grades 6-8. Please contact our main office for more specific and updated information.
Weston Middle School
203.221.6361
Academic Support
The purpose of this regular education trimester program is to strengthen and support skills in reading, writing and mathematics. Placement is based on test scores and teacher recommendations. Subject area teachers work closely with Academic Assistance staff to develop strategies to meet the needs of the individual student. Typical class work includes reinforcing good organization and study habits as well as developing greater skill on reading, writiing, and mathematics. Students who are not enrolled in a world language course are also recommended for this program.