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Homework/missing work requests should be made to Fran Hebert, Guidance Secretary ext. 315 on the students second or more days of absence.
Work will be available for pick up the following day at noon.
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Programs and Activities in the Guidance Department |
Comprehensive Developmental Counseling Curriculum - RMS Counselors have joined forces with fellow guidance counselors throughout the Rochester School District to proactively develop a comprehensive developmental counseling program that addresses the educational, social/emotional and career development needs of all students K-12. The program, which is based on national standards and which has received praise from the NH Department of Education, strives to incorporate guidance curriculum as an integral part of the quality education offered to all students in Rochester. Throughout the year the counselors present guidance curriculum in the classroom and team up with teachers to incorporate guidance topics in different subject areas. Some of the lessons taught include bullying prevention, conflict resolution, healthy relationships, empathy, and career exploration.
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Collaborative Interventions – For students who may be experiencing academic or behavior struggles, the RMS Guidance Counselors work closely with the student in collaboration with team teachers to develop a series of supportive interventions. Parents are an important part of the collaboration process and may be called in to meet with the team teachers, guidance, and administration to help create an individual action plan for school success.
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Individual Supportive Counseling – Counseling support is helpful for some students in order to address issues that interfere with successful participation in school. While not designed to take the place of counseling needed outside of school, this support can be beneficial for students who are having difficulty with school-related issues. As deemed appropriate, the student’s guidance counselor will contact parents to discuss individual counseling needs.
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Counseling Groups - Throughout the school year, RMS counselors form topic-oriented skill building groups to address specific student needs. Recent topics have included social skills, conflict resolution, mood management and bullying prevention.
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EXCEL Alternative Education Program - Students who have significant struggles in the traditional classroom may be considered for the EXCEL program. Mrs. Else, the program counselor and Mrs. McCusker, the program educator, provide a supportive environment for students to build both academic and character development skills. Emphasis is placed on character building, respect for self, peers, and the greater community. Activities include team building, service projects and goal identification and achievement.
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Safety and Behavior Support - Carla Femino is the Safety and Behavioral Support Specialist at Rochester Middle School. A major component of Ms. Femino's position is to investigate Student Behavior/ Incident Reports in order to monitor student safety within the building. Through this work, she is often developing Safety Plans with students and conducting mediations to help students settle issues in a healthy manner. Another major focus of Ms. Femino's job is to work with students and parents to improve school attendance. She also participates on all three PBIS teams in order to support the effective flow of interventions at RMS.
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Parent Resources - The guidance office houses numerous resources available to parents as well as links to other resources available in the Rochester community. If you are at risk of becoming homeless or in need of basic resources, such as food and clothing, contact Jacky LeHoullier, the home/school liaison, at the Superintendent’s office @ 332-3678. The Community Action Program also offers a list of available resources in the community. They can be reached at 603-516-8130 or see their website for available services at: http://www.straffordcap.org/
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504 Accommodation Plans - When a student has a medical impairment that significantly interferes with success at school, it may be necessary to have a discussion to determine if the student is eligible for accommodations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. If a student is found eligible a 504 accommodation plan is developed. A 504 plan is a set of individualized accommodations and related services designed to ensure that every student has the opportunity to receive a quality education despite the presence of a medical condition that may significantly interfere with a child’s ability to learn. The RMS Guidance Counselors coordinate 504 referrals, as well as the drafting and monitoring of 504 plans in collaboration with the student’s education team.
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Educational Talent Search (ETS) – The ETS program at RMS promotes college aspirations for students who are low income or who would be the first in their family to attend college. Guidance staff act as the recruiter and coordinator for the ETS program. Students are nominated based on honor roll and good citizenship.
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Transition Activities – Guidance staff also assist with transition activities from fifth to sixth and eighth to ninth grade. The purpose of these activities is to create a smoother transition for students to their new school environment.
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Please contact your child’s grade-level counselor for more information regarding any of the above programs and activities.
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