Middle School Counseling Newsletter

At INGDA, your counseling team is here to support every student as they grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Each grade level has a dedicated counselor who serves as a resource, a guide, and a trusted adult throughout the school year.

Mrs. Wilson - 6th Grade Counselor

Mrs. Marcum - 7th Grade Counselor
Mrs. Andres - 8th Grade Counselor

As school counselors, we work with students on a wide range of needs, including academic planning, organization, problem‑solving, and short‑term individual support. We also offer crisis support when needed and collaborate closely with families and teachers to ensure students feel safe, connected, and ready to learn.

Throughout the year, we lead small groups focused on skills such as emotional awareness, stress and anxiety management, friendship building, leadership, mindfulness, and navigating life changes. Groups typically meet for 6-8 weeks and are scheduled with student availability in mind.

While school counselors don’t provide long‑term therapy, we do offer short‑term individual counseling and are always here to listen, help students work through challenges, and connect them with additional resources when appropriate. Above all, we want every student to know they have a supportive adult in their corner.

We’re excited to work with you this year and look forward to supporting a positive, successful middle school experience for all INGDA students.

- Your INGDA Middle School Counselors

Click on the photos to learn about your school counselors.

This Middle School Counseling Newsletter is your go-to place for all things counseling and answers to questions that returning and current students might have. Be sure to check it out and come back often, we’re always updating it with helpful, relevant information!

If you’re brand new to our school, your first two stops should be:

🎉Key Info from Your Counselors! and Welcome | Smore Newsletters

Still have questions? Check out: First Day of School Resources

English, Math, Science, Social Studies + 2 Electives (1 Required, 1 Open Elective) - You should also see a Homeroom class on your schedule.

The button above will take you to more information including the following:

• Grade-level elective information

• Spanish placement information

• Honors placement information

• INGDA Asynchronous Classes and Asynchronous Days Explained

• Additional scheduling details

Attendance Reminder: Students are expected to log in daily, attend live sessions/watch recordings, and complete assigned work each day school is in session. Simply logging in to Canvas will NOT count as a student being present for the day.

Have attendance questions? Check out the INGDA Attendance Information Newsletter!

While school counselors do not have the authority to make changes to attendance records, we want to ensure that absences are properly taken care of.

• For any attendance updates, please contact our attendance team directly at attendance@ingda.net. They can help update records and answer any questions you may have. Be sure to include your student’s full name and student number in your email, and please notify your teachers as well.
• Reporting an absence:
• Email: attendance@ingda.net. Be sure to include your student’s full name and student number in your email, and please notify your teachers as well.
• And a legal guardian must also complete the Student Absence Form: Student Absence Form 26-27

Please keep track of your student’s attendance, grades, and more by logging into PowerSchool. *See below for access information.

To access your Learning Coach PowerSchool account, go to:

👉 https://indianak12.powerschool.com/

Sign in using the same username and password you use for your Canvas Learning Coach account.

Once you’re logged in, PowerSchool lets you see your student’s:

• Attendance history

• Grades

• Important school information

PowerSchool is a helpful place to keep track of how your student is doing throughout the year.

Your school counseling team is available Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM (ET). You can reach us by phone, text, or email. We’re here for you at school whenever you need to talk, get support, or share a concern. You never have to handle big things on your own.

Need Help After Hours? 👉 If this is a true emergency, please call 911 immediately.

If it’s after school hours and not a crisis or emergency, leave us a message, text, or email, and we will get back to you first thing on the next business day.

If you are experiencing an after-hours crisis or prefer to get support anonymously, the contacts below can connect you with trained counselors 24/7. They’re ready to listen and support you through whatever you’re facing. These services offer Call, Text, Chat, and Deaf/HoH options.

• 988lifeline.org
• crisistextline.org
• 24/7 Suicide Hotline for LGBTQ Youth - We’re here for you Now

Hover your mouse over the photo and select the outward‑arrows icon to enlarge the INGDA School Calendar or click HERE to access the school's website. See section below for information about Asynchronous Days.

This year, every 7th grade student is required to complete an Initial Graduation Plan. This is part of Indiana’s graduation planning requirements in accordance with Indiana Code IC 20‑30‑4‑2.

The Grad Plan is simply a starting point to help students begin thinking about their interests, strengths, hobbies, high school pathway, diploma options, and future goals. Nothing is set in stone! Students will have opportunities to update their plans as they grow and their goals change, including completing another graduation plan in 9th grade.

🚨 Important: Students Must Complete the Grad Plan with a Parent or Legal Guardian

Students may NOT complete the Grad Plan by themselves. A parent or legal guardian must be with the student while completing the form. The student and parent/legal guardian will work through the Grad Plan together and complete the required signatures at the end of the document.

What You Need to Do:

Please visit our 7th Grade Grad Plan Newsletter using the link below. Read through ALL the information in the newsletter, as it will walk you through everything you need to know, including:

• What the Grad Plan is and why we are completing it
• Step-by-step instructions for completing the form
• Video tutorials to guide you through the entire process
• The link to the official 2026-2027 INGDA 7th Grade Initial Graduation Plan Form that students and a parent or legal guardian will complete together

👉 [CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE 7TH GRADE GRAD PLAN NEWSLETTER]

Students: Please make sure your parent or legal guardian is available before you begin this process.

Thank you for partnering with us to help our students begin thinking about their future and the many possibilities ahead! If you have any questions or need assistance with Grad Plans, please contact kmarcum@ingda.net.

What Are Asynchronous Classes?

Asynchronous classes allow students to learn at their own pace by completing teacher-posted assignments, videos, and activities in the learning platform.

• Students work through lessons independently during the school week to meet assignment due dates.
• Teachers provide posted lessons, instructions, guidance, support, resources, and feedback.
• There are no live class sessions for asynchronous courses, but you will see assignments on your calendar.

Asynchronous School Days on the Academic Calendar

Indiana Gateway Digital Academy (INGDA) schedules Asynchronous Learning Days throughout the school year. Be sure to check the INGDA academic calendar to know when these days occur. You will not see any live sessions on your calendar, but you will have assignments, so make sure to check all of your courses.

• No live classes will be held on these days, but just like a regular school day, students must log in and complete their assignments to be counted as present.
• Students will complete learning through teacher-posted assignments, tasks, videos, and activities.
• Students should log into each of their courses to check for work and instructions from their teachers.
• Work can be completed independently at your own pace during the day.

As your school counseling team, we’re here to support students with their academic success, personal growth, and future goals. While we’re not mental health counselors, we do offer short-term individual counseling, crisis response, and a variety of small support groups to help students build important skills and navigate life’s challenges.

⚡ Unscheduled Pop‑In Support

Need a quick chat? Pop‑in support is for short, unscheduled check‑ins when something comes up and you want to talk to a counselor right away. You can request a quick conversation, and your counselor can send you a virtual meeting link so you can connect fast and get support in the moment.

💬 Short‑Term Individual Counseling Support

Short‑term individual counseling gives you a chance to meet one‑on‑one with a school counselor to talk about things that matter to you. These meetings usually happen every other week and focus on helping you build confidence, solve problems, and handle challenges in healthy ways.

🧠 Small Group Counseling Support

Small group counseling brings together a few students who share similar experiences or goals. Groups meet once a week for 6–8 weeks, and we schedule them based on when students are available. The first round of groups usually starts after Fall Break, and the next round begins in the Spring Semester. It’s a great way to learn new skills, connect with others, and realize you’re not alone.

Some previous small group topics include:

• Emotional Awareness/Regulation
• Anger Management
• Anxiety and Stress
• Grief and Loss, Transitions (Major Life Changes)
• Leadership/Self-Esteem
• LGBTQ Support
• Friendship
• Mindfulness
• And more! Topics vary based on individualized need.

📝 Interested in Short‑Term Individual Counseling or Small Groups?

• Individual Counseling Sign Ups: You can sign up for individual counseling with your grade-level school counselor at any time throughout the school year.
• Small Group Sign Ups: During registration periods, we’ll email you the links to sign up. You can also find them anytime on your counselor’s Announcements page.

Use the links below to request services: *Contact your counselor for pop-in support.

👉 6th Grade Individual Counseling Request Form

👉 7th Grade Individual Counseling Request Form

👉 8th Grade Individual Counseling Request Form

👉 Group Counseling Interest Form (coming soon...)

🌟 We’re here to support every student’s journey. Whether you need a quick check‑in, a group connection, or help navigating tough moments, your school counselors are just a form away!

At INGDA, your middle school counseling team has created a space just for you to share helpful resources, coping strategies, mindfulness tools, and skills. You can use these when school, friendships, or big feelings start to feel overwhelming. We’ve even designed an Interactive Virtual Counseling Resource Room where you can visit, relax, and recharge anytime!

Questions About Testing: Contact your Homeroom Teacher or email testing@ingda.net.

Testing season is right around the corner, and we’ve created a one‑stop hub to help students and Learning Coaches feel prepared and supported. You’ll find a Learning Coach video series to help you get your student ready, plus student-friendly videos and guides that build coping skills and walk through what an in‑person testing day actually looks like so everyone knows what to expect and can walk in with confidence!

Inside the newsletter, you’ll find: 🎯 Click the button above to explore these resources to help you and your student feel ready for test day!

• ✅ Learning Coach Checklist – Everything you need to help your student get ready

• 🎥 Learning Coach Video Series – Quick tips for guiding students through test day

• 📝 Student Test Day Checklist – Step-by-step for a smoother in-person experience

• 🧠 Videos on Test Mindset – “Your Brain Works Even When You’re Nervous” & “You Don’t Need to Be Perfect”

• 💪 Body & Brain Prep Tips – “Prepare Your Body, Not Just Your Brain”

• ✌🏻 Test Day Reset Strategies – Quick ways to calm nerves and refocus

• 📞 Who to Contact for Support – Know exactly where to turn if you need help

Quote: "Just like the leaves, it's okay to let go of what weighs you down." 🍃

Self-Care Activity: Fall is a season of change! The leaves are changing colors, the weather is getting cooler, and you've probably settled into your school routine. But even after a few months of school, it's normal to feel stressed, overwhelmed, or just plain tired.

This season, take a moment to check in with yourself.

• What's going well? What's been challenging?
• And what might you need to let go of?

This week, try the "Fall 3-2-1 Reset":

🍁 3 things you're proud of yourself for accomplishing so far this school year.

🍂 2 things that help you feel calm, happy, or recharged when life gets stressful.

🌟 1 thing you'd like to let go of, such as negative self-talk, comparing yourself to others, or worrying about things you can't control.

Write down your answers or simply take a few quiet minutes to think about them.

Remember, just like trees don't change all at once, personal growth takes time. You don't have to have everything figured out, and every day is a new opportunity to grow!

When to use it:

• 🍁 When schoolwork or responsibilities start feeling overwhelming

• 🧡 When you need a reminder of how far you've come

• 🌻 Anytime you need a little mental reset

👉 Bonus Challenge: This week, do one small thing just for YOU! Take a walk, listen to your favorite music, spend time outside, or unplug from screens for a little while. Taking care of yourself is just as important as checking things off your to-do list! 🍂

Help is available in your neighborhood! Findhelp has local resources for mental health services, food pantries, meal programs, housing, financial assistance, health care, legal assistance, transportation, and more. Just click the link to get started!

Middle School Requirements: Click HERE to learn about the FLEX Learning Path.

• New students cannot request to be in FLEX
• Students are NOT automatically enrolled in FLEX.
• Students must complete one full semester at INGDA before applying for the FLEX Learning Path.
• Students must have no more than 5 unexcused absences to apply and remain in the program.
• Students must have a C or higher in all of their courses to apply and remain in the program.
• If you would like for your student to be in the flex program and they meet all of the criteria above, please contact your student’s counselor to inquire about applying.
• Students with IEPs: You must contact your student's Teacher of Record for approval.

• Exclusive Tips and Resources to Make Learning at Home Easier and More Fun
• Real-Life Advice from Other Learning Coaches
• A Friendly Space to Share Your Wins and Ask Questions

• Social Outlets at INGDA: The Digital Social Link | Smore Newsletters
• K12 National Newsletter: Click HERE to access.
• K12 National Clubs: K12 National Clubs | Smore Newsletters
• INGDA Clubs: Clubs & Activities - Indiana Gateway Digital Academy
• INGDA Clubs & ESPORTS Coordinator, Danny Patton: dpatton@ingda.net
• INGDA Clubs Sign Up Link: Middle School Club Sign Ups
• Strider Squads: Strider Squads are small, local groups of students who meet once a month to hang out, learn, and grow together. Each squad is led by a trained parent volunteer called a Squad Leader, who helps create a welcoming space filled with connection, laughter, and meaningful experiences.

• Strider Squad Website: https://ingda.k12.com/strider-squads/

• Strider Squad Newsletter: Read the latest updates

• Strider Squad Interest Form: Click here to sign up

👉 For 504 questions and inquiries, please contact: 504plan@ingda.net

• General Records: Requests/Received (For IEP/504 records see section above.)
• Transcript Requests/Parchment
• Address Updates
• Learning Coach Information/Updates
• Enrollment Verifications
• Social Security/Disability Forms

💻 Need help or IT technical assistance?

• Contact the K12 Help Desk for support.
• 1-866-512-2273 or https://www.help.k12.com/s/submit-a-case

Support Room Details

• Monday–Friday | 7 AM to 5 PM (ET)
  
• You can drop in anytime during open hours — no appointment needed.
• Zoom link: https://k12.zoom.us/j/97739092933
• Before joining, please download the Zoom application to be moved to breakout rooms and to take full advantage of all Zoom features.

More Ways to Get Help
While you’re in the main room, you’ll also learn about other quick ways to get answers:

• Check out help.k12.com articles.
• Learn how to submit a case online.
• Try our live chat—faster than waiting on hold!
• We will also share helpful how-to videos and other resources.

• Office Phone Number: 844-743-4437
• All departments have an extension. Follow the prompts to reach the appropriate contact.
• Office Email: office@ingda.net

• Indiana Accredited Online School - Indiana Gateway Digital Academy

• Indiana Gateway Digital Academy | Clarksville IN | Facebook

• INGDA_StrideK12 (@ingda_stridek12) • Instagram photos and videos

• https://www.youtube.com/@k12ingda73