Dear North Middle School Students,
If you need to contact your School Counselor, you can reach out to them during school hours of Monday through Friday from 9:00am-4:00pm.
If you need support outside of these hours, you can reach out to a trained mental health professional at these numbers:
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If it is a true emergency, call 911
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Safe2Tell.org or 1-877-542-7233 or go to their mobile app
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Colorado Crisis Services at https://coloradocrisisservices.org or 1-844-493-TALK (8255) or text the word TALK to 38255
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National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255
PLEASE NOTE - If your age is 12 years or older, according to Colorado law, you can request mental health services for yourself. To request services, please fill out this form for Aurora Mental Health Aurora Mental Health Support Request Form
As School Counselors, our primary responsibility is to promote the academic, personal, and social development of all students. We look forward to offering support to the students, staff, families and community. We will be meeting with students individually and in small groups, coordinating Second Step curriculum implementation, meeting with parents, collaborating with teachers and staff, and consulting with community organizations to benefit and meet the needs of all North students and families.
We are here to help students achieve their personal/social and academic goals, as well as provide support for the parents and teachers.
Below are a few ways in which students can contact their grade level counselor for support:
6th grade:
If you want to talk to Mr. McRoberts:
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You can contact the main office and schedule an in-person meeting with Mr. McRoberts (ext. 25612)
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You can download the TalkingPoints app and send a text message via TalkingPoints
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You can start a google chat by using his email address [email protected]
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You can email him at: [email protected]
7th grade:
If you want to talk to Mr. Winter:
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You can contact the main office and schedule an in-person meeting with Mr. Winter (ext. 25643)
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You can download the TalkingPoints app and send a text message via TalkingPoints
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You can start a google chat by using his email address [email protected]
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You can email him at: [email protected]
8th grade:
If you want to talk to Ms. Stolz:
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You can contact the main office and schedule an in-person meeting with Ms. Stolz (ext. 25616)
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You can download the TalkingPoints app and send a text message via TalkingPoints
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You can start a google chat by using her email address [email protected]
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You can email her at: [email protected]
College/Career/ICAP:
If you want to talk to Ms. Hertz:
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You can contact the main office and schedule an in-person meeting with Ms. Hertz (ext. 45675)
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You can download the TalkingPoints app and send a text message via TalkingPoints
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You can start a google chat by using her email address [email protected]
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You can email her at: [email protected]
Social/Emotional Support:
Parents have an opportunity to receive training on Signs of Suicide (SOS) for awareness and prevention purposes at our September 2023 Parent Coffee.
6th grade students also receive this important educational prevention training on in September. Please stay tuned for further communication once the exact date is determined. We ask that parents of 6th graders be present for their students on this day.
If you did not get to participate in this training, please watch the SOS Parent Training video below to learn more, recorded in English and Spanish.
For more program information, you can go to sossignsofsuicide.org/parent
You can also refer to the "Learn to Act" information form below:
Second Step - A Socio-Emotional Learning Program:
Every 6th grade student at North will experience the Second Step program, which is a research based program that helps students to navigate through daily social emotional needs and offers guidance on conflict resolution.
There are four units, which are delivered during Advisory class each week. Within each unit there are anywhere from 5 to 9 lessons.
Unit 1 focuses on Mindset and Goals
Unit 2 focuses on Values and Relationships
Unit 3 focuses on Thoughts, Emotions and Decisions
Unit 4 focuses on Peer Conflicts.
Success Bound - A Socio-Emotional Learning Program:
Every student at North Middle School will experience the Success Bound Curriculum. Success Bound is an adaptable curriculum that is based in the science of adolescent development to help students explore who they are and who they want to be in the future, by connecting their interests and identities to academic empowerment, social emotional learning and post secondary exploration.
Unit 1: My Identity and Life Vision
Unit 2: Keys to Academic Success
Unit 3: Keys to Life Success
Unit 4: Postsecondary Pathways (College and Career)
Unit 5: Preparing for the Next Phase
Unit 6: High School Transition
Learn more about us at SuccessBound.org!
PARENT/STUDENT RESOURCES
Parents: If you are looking for community resources - including food, housing, health, or financial assistance then visit this website to access these resources: www.auntbertha.com/search_results/80010
Additional resource: COVID 19 Resources for Undocumented Communities
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Parents: Internet Safety is important as your student(s) are in remote learning and spending a lot of time online. Please take a moment to look at this document that has a variety of resources and information to help you talk to your children about being safe online. This information will also help you understand how you can monitor what your children are doing online, how to help prevent unnecessary cyber crimes/predatory behavior and keep your children safe.
Internet Safety- What Parents Need to Know & How to talk with Your Children About It
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Families of North Middle School: Check out APS Virtual Wellness Center which has a variety of great resources for the whole family! Virtual Wellness Center of Aurora Public Schools
Parents: Are you looking for ideas or needing tips to balance working full-time while your child is learning remotely? Please look at the variety of options below to support you and your child at home.
Students: Are you feeling bored or anxious at home? Here are some resources to help you while learning remotely:
Fun Activities:
Mindfulness:
Counseling Department
Mission, Vision and Belief Statement
Mission Statement:
The mission of the North Middle School Counseling Department is to support all students with their social and emotional needs, as well as academic and career pathways while thriving as part of a diverse community. Students will develop the knowledge, skills, and character needed to succeed in further schooling, thrive in adulthood, and positively contribute to their communities.
School Counselors will support a positive school-wide climate and culture, the implementation of a guaranteed and viable curriculum while using data analysis that drives our decision-making. This is accomplished through supporting our students while building a partnership with parents/guardians, staff, and community members to enable all students to become successful, productive citizens and lifelong learners.
Vision Statement:
The North Middle School Counseling Department will empower all students to reach their maximum potential by using a comprehensive program that addresses academic, personal/social, and career goals. We will promote an environment to encourage personal inquiry and growth, social responsibility, and academic excellence. School counselors believe that every student can succeed through the collaborative efforts of school, home, and community leading to responsible and productive citizenship.
Motto:
Supporting all students in finding their TRUE North.
Beliefs:
The school counselors at North Middle School believe:
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All children are unique and should be treated with respect and dignity.
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Every student can succeed.
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Learning is a lifelong process.
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Every student can be a productive and thriving citizen in their community.
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Fostering a positive self-image is the collaborative effort of the school, home, and community which leads to responsible and productive citizenship.
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The diverse needs of all students are supported through the school counseling program.
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Every student benefits from learning appropriate personal and social skills to achieve optimum academic results from the educational program.
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A comprehensive, developmental school counseling program is not a support service but an integral part of the total education program.
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A developmentally appropriate school counseling program provides important supports to individual students by addressing their intellectual, emotional, social, physical, and psychological needs.
Post-Secondary Information:
Parents - Are You Looking for More Information on College and Career Options?
Students have access to a useful post-secondary program called Naviance. This program has an abundance of information on career exploration and in-depth details on over 4600 colleges/universities. If you would like to access Naviance, you can log in with your student's credentials.
To login, students go to Clever, then click on the Naviance icon, then they will automatically be logged into Naviance. If logging in from outside of school, student can google "Aurora Public Schools Clever login" and access Naviance icon once logged in.
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The following options are for college-bound students who want to get a head start on continuing their education. Students can earn college credit while still in high school.
College Credit Options in APS:
ASCENT Program
Accelerating Students Through Concurrent Enrollment (ASCENT) is a first-year college experience program that allows for students to continue on full time at a community college or technical college for a 5th year. APS pays both tuition and fees. Students receive one free year of college & participate in support programming at Community College of Aurora, Metropolitan State University of Denver, or Pickens Technical College. For more information, go to this link: sites.google.com/aurorak12.org/ascent
Concurrent Enrollment Program
Concurrent Enrollment is an exciting partnership between the Community College of Aurora and the Aurora Public Schools. It is designed to increase the number of high school students earning college credit. The program is for all high school students who have the ability to test into a guaranteed transfer course. Learn how your child can earn credit toward an Associate's Degree at the Community College of Aurora while attending an APS high school at this link: aurorak12.org/schools/concurrent-enrollment/pacesetter-program/
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Graduation Requirements:
COLLEGE & CAREER STUDENT EXPLORATION:
At North, we offer opportunities for students to have accessibility to explore college and career options. Each student has an ICAP (Individual Career and Academic Plan) portfolio that they take with them through each grade level. The ICAP process will be explored and completed through the Success Bound Curriculum.
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In addition, all students have access to a useful post-secondary program called Naviance. This program has an abundance of information on career exploration and in-depth details on over 4600 colleges/universities. If you would like to access Naviance, you can log in with your student's credentials.
To access this great resource, students must be logged in to their APS student account, then log in to www.clever.com and choose the Naviance icon to start exploring.
Additional Information:
According to the American School Counseling Association (2017)....
"Middle school counselors are professional educators with a mental health perspective who understand and respond to the challenges presented by today’s diverse student population. Middle school counselors do not work in isolation; rather they are integral to the total educational program. They provide proactive leadership that engages all stakeholders in the delivery of programs and services to help students achieve success in school. School counselors align with the school’s mission to support the academic achievement of all students as they prepare for the ever-changing world of the 21st century. This mission is accomplished through the design, development, implementation and evaluation of a comprehensive, developmental and systematic school counseling program. The ASCA National Model: A Framework For School Counseling Programs, with its data-driven and results-based focus, serves as a guide for today’s school counselor, who is uniquely trained to implement this program."
Middle School Counselors Implement the School Counseling Program by Providing:
School Guidance Curriculum
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Academic skills support
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Organizational, study and test-taking skills
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Education in understanding self and others
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Coping strategies
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Peer relationships and effective social skills
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Communication, problem-solving, decision-making and conflict resolution
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Career awareness, exploration and planning
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Substance abuse education
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Multicultural/diversity awareness
Individual Student Planning
Responsive Services
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Individual and small group counseling
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Individual/family/school crisis intervention
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Peer facilitation
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Consultation/collaboration
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Referrals
System Support
Middle School Counselors Collaborate With:
Parents
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*Parent information night
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*Communication/networking
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*Academic planning programs
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*Parent and family education
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*One-on-one parent conferencing
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*Assessment results interpretation
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*Resource referrals
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*College/career exploration
Teachers
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*Career portfolio development
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*Assistance with students’ academic plans
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*Classroom guidance activities on study skills, career development, etc.
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*Academic support, learning style assessment and education to help students succeed academically
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*Classroom career speakers
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*At-risk student identification and implementation of interventions to enhance success
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*Parent communication/education
Administrators
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*School climate
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*Behavioral management plans
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*School-wide needs assessment
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*Student data and results
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*Student assistance team building
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*Leadership
Students
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*Peer education
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*Peer support
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*Academic support
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*School climate
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*Leadership development
Community
Credit: American School Counseling Association (2017); https://www.schoolcounselor.org/school-counselors-members/careers-roles/why-middle-school-counselors
Concerns:
If you are concerned about your student, please contact:
Mr. McRoberts for 6th graders at [email protected] or 303-364-7411 ext. 25612
Mr. Winter for 7th graders at [email protected] or 303-364-7411 ext. 25643
Ms. Stolz for 8th graders at [email protected] or 303-364-7411 ext. 25616
Ms. Hertz for College/Career/ICAP at [email protected] or 303-364-7411 ext. 45675
