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Florida A+ School ............       5 Star School

Home of the Warriors Welcome to Adams Middle School

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The counselors and career specialist at Adams Middle School take great pride in providing exceptional, comprehensive guidance services to our school community.  We follow professional guidelines, and participate in research-based programs that get proven results. We also collect data, per district policy, to help determine the impact that guidance services has on a particular targeted population or subgroup.  We are truly committed “WARRIORS” in the effort to help your adolescent child become responsible, caring, and productive young men and women.       Mrs Barry   is our 6th grade Counselor Ms. Hampton is our 7th  grade   Counselor Ms. Shaw is our 8th grade Counselor Mrs. Judy LoBalbo   is our Drop out Prevention / Career Specialist Mr. Angel Hernandez is our Behavior Specialist Mrs. Lorrie Skiles is our Guidance Secretary Miss Falon Williams is our Guidance Intern from USF KEVIN is our guidance assisted therapy dog   Guidance Newsletter / English Version                                 Guidance Newsletter/ Spanish Version    Class Scheduling Proper and appropriate course scheduling is important to ensure maximum student potential.  We strive to meet the complex needs of our students when determining both academic and elective placements.   Much focus has been placed on FCAT NRT scores or other Norm-Referenced test scores when deciding what academic level a student needs.  However, we recognize that over-emphasis on a single test is not best practice either.  We take multiple factors into consideration including teacher, student and parent input.  We believe in building a strong bond between all parties involved and often times this begins with course scheduling. If Adams Middle School will be the first school your child will attend in the Hillsborough County School District, please check out what is required for initial school entry.  You can find this information on page 30a of this link: http://www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/AdminDiv/Documents/StudentHandbook/0607StudentHandbook.pdf   In addition to the required documentation, it would be very helpful to bring any recent standardized test scores.  If your child is receiving services through Special Education please bring your copy of the most recent IEP (Individualized Education Plan).  This will allow us to expedite the process. Every effort is made to give your child their first choice of electives when they complete their course selection sheets in the spring.  With this in mind, the master schedule is derived from both student need and desire, and we ask that you and your child take the commitment to an elective choice seriously.  However, sometimes the need for a schedule change arises. This request can be made by having either the student or parent fill out a Guidance Request Form.  These forms are located in the Guidance Office and must be signed by the parent. Please understand that the counselors may not be able to honor all requests.  There are certain county and state policies that take precedence and are in the student’s best interest. Also, please be patient with us the first few weeks of school as this is a particularly difficult time for scheduling.  The high volume of incoming registrations creates a backlog of work. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Guidance Secretary or your grade level counselor.  The telephone number is (813) 975-7665 Guidance Secretary – Lorie Skiles   ext. 224 6th grade – Helene Hampton  ext. 226 7th grade – Lesley Morter    ext. 218 8th grade – Lisa Randolph    ext. 219 INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING Each counselor sees many students for countless reasons.  They often involve issues that are also addressed in classroom and or group counseling.  We take great pride in providing a non-threatening, confidential environment.  Our goal is to address the needs of the students so that they can ultimately return to class better equipped to handle the stresses that they are faced with.  Teachers refer students to the counselors when they realize that a “non-academic” issues needs to be addressed before maximum learning can take place.  Students can also request to see their counselor by filling out a request form located in the guidance office or their teacher’s classroom.  Often time the counselors are available to see the student(s) either immediately or by the end of the day.   GROUP COUNSELING Many students (and adults too) find comfort when they realize that they are not the only one going through a difficult situation. Small group counseling is provided at various times throughout the school year on an as needed basis.  They typically consist of 5 to 10 members and can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous in nature.  Groups are usually 6-8 weeks in duration or longer at the counselor’s discretion.  They usually meet once a week for 30-45 minutes.   The time of day often varies (unless they are during Homeroom) so that students do not miss the same class each week.  Topics may include: ·       Divorce ·       Death ·       Anger Management/Conflict Resolution ·       Leadership Skills ·       Positive Peer Relationships ·       Self-Esteem ·       Study Skills and Organization ·       Attendance CLASSROOM GUIDANCE Classroom guidance lessons or units occur at various times throughout the school year. Some are mandated by the district while others are chosen to address a specific need of the classroom or even the school.  The classroom guidance topics we plan to cover this year include: Study Skills and Goal Setting - Student Success Skills Curriculum (for the classroom and beyond) Multi-cultural and Diversity Issues – “Flash Judgements” Bullying & School Safety Sexual Harassment Internet Safety for Students Career Choices – Career Cruiser for 6th graders and Florida Choices Planner for 7th and 8th graders High School and Post Secondary Planning – e-PEP and FACTS.ORG orientation Grade promotion policies and the new A++ Plan affecting current (2006-2007) 6th graders.

Last Modified: Dec 17, 2009