Individual Student Planning

Individual Counseling:  Students discuss issues in a safe, positive, and confidential setting. Topics are based on the needs of the students and may include: goal-setting, changing families, peer relationships, stress management, understanding personal strengths and weaknesses, social skills, academic planning, bullying, career exploration, problem-solving, transition planning, and decision-making.

Registering New Students:  Please visit, read, and complete the necessary information in the following link: Enrolling at Sykesville Middle School . Next, schedule an appointment with Jessica Lewis, School Counseling Secretary, to hand in the required paperwork and documents.  Your student's school counselor will offer him/her a tour of the school and discuss scheduling classes with you and your student.

Scheduling:  During the summer months, counselors schedule students for the upcoming academic school year based on information from the current year's teachers, MSA data, current performance, and benchmark assessments when appropriate. Any questions or concerns regarding your student's academic placement should be directed to your student's assigned counselor. 

Responsive Services

Small Group Counseling:  Students with similar issues and concerns work together to achieve their goals in a small group environment consisting of 3-10 peers. The group sessions usually last about 30 minutes and are held for approximately 6-10 weeks. Group topics are based on the needs of the students and may include divorce or changing families, grief and loss, friendship and social skills, organization, conflict resolution, anger management, self-esteem, and stress-management.

Academic Interventions:  Throughout the school year, counselors monitor student performance.  If it is determined that a student is at risk for failing an academic course, counselors initiate participation in the Grade Recovery Program. 

Behavior Interventions and Support:  Students whose behavior is negatively impacting their educational performance may be eligible to receive behavior interventions. Behavior interventions may be in the form of a discipline plan, goal chart, or functional behavioral assessment.

School Guidance Curriculum

Classroom Guidance:  Counselors teach developmental skills using age-appropriate, classroom-based lessons. Topics may include self-esteem, conflict resolution, study skills, anger management, career exploration, high school planning, friendship/social skills, responsibility, respect, bullying/harassment, goal setting/decision-making, and peer pressure.

System Support

Consultation and Collaboration with School Staff and Parents:  Counselors meet on a regular basis with school teams and other school staff to monitor student progress and design effective interventions.  Parents are welcome to schedule meetings with their student's assigned counselor or request they be present at a meeting with the team.

®American School Counselor Association (2003); The ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs. Alexandria, VA.