Guidance Center

Welcome to the Guidance Center of Matthew Henson Middle School. We wanted to provide you with some general information about Guidance and some of the reasons why you may need to contact your child's counselor.

Counselor Assignments:

6th Grade:	Mrs. Wynn
7th Grade (A-L):	Mrs. Wynn
7th Grade (M-Z):	Mr. Clybourn
8th Grade:	Mr. Clybourn

How to visit your Guidance Counselor

Students who are self-referring to guidance are encouraged to stop by guidance during homebase to receive a pass to return later. Students who have already obtained a pass to see a counselor should first check-in with the teacher for that period/homebase. If a counselor wishes to see a student, the counselor will give the student a pass asking the teacher if that student may be excused for that period. Of course, the student will be expected to make up any missed work.

If a student comes to guidance and the counselor is not available, then the student should return to class and should reschedule at a later time. When the counselors meet with a student, they will provide that student with a pass to return to class. 

However, if the counselor is unavailable, the student will not have a returning pass to class. If a teacher sends a student to Guidance, the teacher should remind the student if the counselor is unavailable to return immediately to class. If the student's counselor is unavailable, the other counselor sends the student back to class. If a student is NOT in crisis, but really needs to see the counselor, encourage him/her to write a note and leave it in the counselor's mailbox, which is on the door for each counselor's office. If a student is in CRISIS he/she should report directly to Guidance. If both counselors are unavailable, the student will be sent to the main office.

What is the role of the counselor in relation to parents and teachers?

The school counselors' role at Matthew Henson Middle School is to act as a bridge for information to travel between students, teachers, parents, school staff, and the community. The classroom teacher is always your primary resource regarding school work. However, the counselor participates in parent-teacher conferences, suggests interventions, and provides referrals to other community agencies

How to Register your child for school

http://www2.ccboe.com/register/register.cfm 

Parent/Teacher Conferences

In the event that you would like to meet with your child's teachers as a group, please contact your child's counselor to schedule the meeting. Parent conferences are held in the mornings, before school, and begin at 8:00 am and run for thirty minutes. Students are invited to attend their own conference. 
 
If you would like to meet with one teacher, please contact that teacher directly.

Make-Up Work Requests

Please contact your child's guidance counselor in the event that your child will be out of school for 3 or more days due to illness. Teachers will need 24 hours advanced notice to gather the necessary work – so please get your requests in early.

SUPERINTENDENT'S RULE

Parent Visitation/Observation

Parents are encouraged to come to their child's school during normal operating hours. All visitors are asked to sign in at the main office and obtain a visitor's badge to ensure the safety and security of students and staff.
 
Parents may either visit the classroom at the teacher's/school's invitation or request to make a formal observation of a classroom. Making an appointment with the school at least two (2) days in advance of an observation is not only a courtesy and a requirement, but enables you to schedule the observation for the maximum benefit. Teachers cannot stop teaching to confer with parents who stop by without an appointment. Parents may schedule up to two (2) classroom observations of forty-five (45) minutes in duration each grading period. Staff will accompany visitors to the classroom. Siblings should not attend. Teachers will be happy to discuss the observation at a mutually convenient time. Parents are welcome to visit the cafeteria and eat lunch with their child.
 
Principals retain the authority to deny access to the school for any individual who has or may disrupt or disturb the learning environment or who lacks a valid or legal purpose for entering the school. Our shared commitment and cooperation is essential for the safety of our students and staff. 

Dealing with Bullies/Some things you might try:

• Tell a parent, a friend, a teacher, a principal, a counselor. Ask someone to help you.
• Walk away. It is more difficult for a bully if you just walk away and don't stand to listen.
• Get confident. Try not to react with a lot of   emotion and give power to the bully.
• Try not to be alone in places where a bully might pick on you. 
• Don't fight back and make the situation worse.
• Write it down. Keep track of any incidents, with dates, times, places, witnesses. Write down exactly what the bully said to show to an adult.
• Remember that it is not your fault. The bully is picking on you because of the way that he/she feels. You have a right to be safe and schools can and will take action.
  

Checklist for withdrawal of students

1. Parent signature on withdrawal form
2. Student cleared by the librarian (no overdue books or fines)
3. Check with cafeteria about any money still on students account
4. All textbooks turned into teacher (if book(s) aren't returned you must pay for the book)
5. All grades given to student
6. Student is responsible for clearing out his/her locker
7. Student must get PE lock from gym