NMS Counseling Department
DECEMBER 2022
Ms. Katie Florio - School Psychologist
Mrs. Lacey Foley - School Adjustment Counselor
COUNSELING APPOINTMENT PROTOCOL!
1. Consider what YOU have done to help the situation so far.
2. Check out our department website tab titled "helpful resources" for coping skills, grounding techniques, study tips, and more: https://www.middleboro.k12.ma.us/Page/5867.
3. Check in with the nearest adult. Lots of issues can be resolved by talking to any adult - it doesn't necessarily have to be a counselor!
Still need to chat?
THEN you can contact the counselor you're looking to see! No need to use a Google Form anymore - just email us directly. We will respond as timely as possible. If you're just looking to chat and check in, that's fine! - but be prepared to patiently wait for availability.
For more coping skills, tips, and tricks, check out the "Helpful Resources" tab of our department website: https://www.middleboro.k12.ma.us/Page/5867
TRIMESTER CHANGE & ACADEMIC SUCCESS
Trimester 1 will end and grades will close on Friday, December 2nd (F Day).
On Monday, December 5 (A Day), Trimester 2 will begin. Unified Arts sections will rotate and all students will follow their Trimester 2 schedule. Additionally, the lunch schedule will change:
1st lunch, 10:46 AM - 11:16 AM: 8th Grade
2nd lunch, 11:19 AM - 11:49 AM: 6th Grade
3rd lunch, 11:52 AM - 12:22 PM: 7th Grade
The start of a new trimester is the perfect time to refocus on your academic goals! Your grades all reset, so be sure to stay on top of your assignments from the get-go. If you have trouble understanding content, please utilize your teachers' extension block and/or after school help sessions. The staff directory, including teacher emails, can be found online here.
Parents: we strongly encourage you to periodically check your child's ASPEN account to monitor their grades. Teachers must discuss ASPEN at least once every two weeks. If you are unable to access your ASPEN account, please contact Katie Goodine, kgoodine@middleboro.k12.ma.us.
HIGH SCHOOL OPTIONS AND INFORMATION
Middleborough High School is thrilled to welcome all of our rising 8th graders home this fall! We encourage all students to attend the StartSTRONG Orientation Program in August; more information will come from Principal Paul Branagan as that gets closer.
All 8th grade students, regardless of whether they are planning to attend Middleborough High School, will be meeting with their high school counselors to learn about the Program of Studies (course offerings) and selecting high school courses after the winter break.
High school counselors are as follows:
Mrs. Amy Beirne (last names A-E), abeirne@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Mr. Andrew Swiderski (last names F-M), aswiderski@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Mr. Stephen Goldman (last names N-Z), sgoldman@middleboro.k12.ma.us
If you have any questions at all about the MHS experience, please feel free to email Principal Paul Branagan at pbranagan@middleboro.k12.ma.us.
Remember that regardless of the high school you are planning to attend, the MOST IMPORTANT things for ALL 8th graders to do are the following:
- COME TO SCHOOL and maintain good attendance;
- TRY YOUR BEST and keep your grades up;
- BE RESPECTFUL and stay out of trouble so you can submit a clean discipline report!
Applications for ALL schools look at these things when considering you for admission. If you can maintain these three things, you will be in great shape when it’s time for schools to make their decisions. Additionally, Middleborough High School receives these records and these things can affect whether you remain eligible for things like sports and extracurricular activities.
Please visit the "Getting Ready for High School" tab of our department website: https://www.middleboro.k12.ma.us/Page/5862.
Applications for each school are done entirely online:
Bristol Plymouth: https://bptech.go2cte.com/
Bristol Aggie: https://bristolaggie.go2cte.com/
If you are interested in a school not listed here, please contact Ms. Moriarty directly and she will help you out.
BP FIELD TRIP 12/22: SEEKING CHAPERONES
Approximately half of our eighth graders will be attending Bristol Plymouth Vocational Technical High School on December 22, 2022 (this is a PD - early release day, 12:05 PM dismissal). Attendees will depart at 8:15 AM and return by 11:00 AM.
We are seeking parent and/or guardian volunteers to attend this field trip as chaperones. Responsibility will include riding the bus to and from NMS with our students and escorting a group of no more than 20 through the high school campus with a BP student representative. Parent/guardian chaperones must have an up-to-date CORI form on file with Mrs. Cavanaugh in the main office.
If you are interested in volunteering, please email Ms. Moriarty at mmoriarty@middleboro.k12.ma.us and copy Mrs. Cavanaugh, jcavanau@middleboro.k12.ma.us by Thursday, December 8.
STUDENT ASSEMBLIES
Coming up in December, students will learn about Conflict Resolution, Peer Relationships, and Social Media use with the counseling department, including what constitutes as a "crisis" and empowering strategies for resolving conflict on their own.
All assemblies will take place during last block in the auditorium from 1:45 pm - 2:15 pm.
Wednesday, December 7 - C Day - Grade 7
Thursday, December 8 - D Day - Grade 6
Friday, December 9 - E Day - Grade 8
Topic of the Month: Tik Tok Safety
Tik Tok Facts:
- What is TikTok? Learn the basics here.
- From teens: Fun, but addictive and may be harmful.
- "Teach kids how to use it wisely and in moderation, and monitor their use."
- Remember, what you post online never really goes away! Always think twice before you post anything on TikTok or any other social media.
- If you would not say something in person, don't type it behind a screen.
Tips for Parents
- Learn how to set TikTok parental controls, including content preferences, screen time limits, and "family pairing" here: How to turn on and customize parental controls on TikTok.
- Safety concerns to be aware of:
- When you download the app, users can see all the content without creating an account although they are not able to post, like or share anything until they’ve set up an account on the app.
- By default, all accounts are public so anyone on the app can see what your child shares. However, only approved followers can send them messages.
- Users can like or react to a video, follow an account or send messages to each other, so there is the risk that strangers will be able to directly contact children on the app.
- Children may be tempted to take risks to get more of a following or likes on a video so it’s important to talk about what they share and with who.
- Need to delete your account? Go to Me>Tap …, located on the top right corner>Tap Manage account > Delete account. Follow the instructions in the app to delete your account.
NMS Counseling Department
Website: https://www.middleboro.k12.ma.us/domain/370
Location: 112 Tiger Drive, Middleborough, MA, USA
Phone: 508-946-2020
Twitter: @counseling_nms