| Welcome to the Centennial Middle School Counseling Center! |
| We hope you find our website helpful in answering your questions. Please feel free to contact us by phone or email if you need more assistance. |
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Family Access
Family Access is a program which allows parents and students to view the most currently posted grades and attendance. To go to Family Access, click here. A password is required; passwords for parents and guardians differ from those given to students as parents have the capability to excuse absences online. Please contact Terri Claton, registrar, to get a password.
Please keep in mind that the grades posted reflect what has or has not been turned in, not what has been currently assigned. It is recommended that parents and guardians contact teachers directly if there are concerns about a student's progress in the class.
Study Skills
Good study skills improve school performance. Talk with your child about the job of being a student: Attitudes toward homework, class participation, note-taking skills, and test-taking strategies. Your child needs to feel prepared in these areas, and you can help by doing the following:
1) Identify commitments with your child (homework, sports, jobs, friends) and establish a schedule for completing all items.
2) Suggest that your child budget time and work on one project at a time.
3) Create a consistent space for homework to be done. Preferably, it should be clean, well-lit, quiet, and outfitted with appropriate materials.
4) A home library of good reference books such as dictionaries, atlas, almanac, etc. can be very helpful.
Create a consistent block of time during which to do homework.
5) Limit distractions. Television, telephones and cell phones, headphones, etc. should be off-limits during this time period.
Homework Help
For students who are struggling, the first source of help is always the classroom teacher. Students are encouraged to take advantage of time allocated during regular school hours to receive assistance from their teachers. Making individual appointments before or after school during lunch is also another option.
Sometimes students need help beyond what can be offered by the teacher. We also have a list of tutors who have registered with the district. The fees and hours for tutoring will be set by the individual tutor.
Zero Hour
As part of our Pyramid of Interventions, students who are identified as needing extra tutoring and/ or extra time to complete class work may be referred by their teachers to our Zero Hour Tutorial or Zero Hour Study Hall program. Zero Hour activities take place from 6:30-7:30 AM.
If your child is referred to a Zero Hour class, you will be contacted by the school to discuss this special opportunity for learning.
Link to Academic Assistance |
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The two school counselors are located in the office area. They are available to assist all students. Shirley Siegel assists students whose last names begin with A-K. Erica Fortune assists students whose last names begin with L-Z.
If a problem affects your performance in school or your sense of wellbeing, you may benefit from speaking with a counselor. Counselors may be personally contacted for appointments. "Request to See a Counselor" forms are available in the counseling office.
Link to Counseling Services |
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Common Characteristics of Secondary School Students
As your child reaches adolescence, you may notice some changes in behavior. It is common to wonder if what you are observing is typical adolescent behavior or if what you are observing should cause concern.
It is normal to see some change. However, keep in mind that abrupt, drastic changes can be indicators of underlying problems. If you are having concerns, consult the school counselor.
Academic Difficulties
Sometimes problems can arise and your student may struggle in his or her academic pursuits. Please consider viewing the Academic Assistance page of the counseling website.
Healthy Child Resources
Research has shown that there are 40 different characteristics that healthy, well-adjusted children hold. You may wish to consider viewing these characteristics, identifying areas where your child needs to grow and making a plan with him or her, and others as needed, to help your child reach his or her potential.
Sometimes parents and children both have difficulty knowing how to cope with some of the issues affecting teens. Please consult with the school counselor. While school counselors are not mental health professionals, they are trained in counseling techniques and school policy, will help identify when outside resources are needed, and can provide referral information. In addition, consider exploring some of the web resources listed below.
If you and the school counselor have determined that your child needs help beyond what the school can provide, please do seek outside help. Here is a list of providers who have been reported by parents and students as being helpful to district families. This list is also located in the Counseling Center.
Links to Helpful Sites
ADD/ADHD
National Resource Center on ADD/ADHD
CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
Bullying and Harassment
National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center
Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use
Depression and Anxiety
Helpguide on Teen Depression
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
General information on Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders Association of America
Domestic Violence/Dating Violence
Love is Respect
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Divorce
Teens Health on divorce
DivorceSource
Eating Disorders
Mirror-Mirror
National Institute for Mental Health
Grief and Trauma
General information on Grief and Trauma
Hospice-Helping Teens Cope with Grief
Medicine Net-- Helping Teens Cope with Trauma
Substance Abuse
www.drugfreeamerica.org
www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov
www.health.org
http://www.smoking-cessation.org
Link to Resources for Parents |
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Centennial Middle School
Counseling Center
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