Guidance Department Overview

1. Keith Valley Middle School Guidance Department Overview

3. There is one counselor assigned to each grade. This counselor remains with their students throughout 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. The counselor responsible for special programs coordinates small groups, standardized testing and classroom guidance in all three grades.

4. Cynthia Ushler • Penn State University B.S.Elementary Education • University of North Carolina M.Ed Elementary and Secondary Guidance • PA Teaching Certification: Elementary Education - Instructional II • PA Certification: Educational Specialist II (Elementary and Secondary Counseling)

5. Andrew Osborne • West Chester University B.A. Psychology • West Chester University M.A. Clinical Psychology • Temple University M.Ed. Education • Temple University Ph.D. School Psychology • PA Certification: Educational Specialist II (Secondary Guidance and School Psychology) • PA Licensed Psychologist

6. Judith Silver • Penn State University B.S. Education • Villanova University, Graduate School of Education M.A. Counseling • PA Teaching Certification: Elementary Education - Instructional II • PA Certification: Educational Specialist II (Elementary Counseling)

7. Rebecca Lenthe • Lawrence University B.A. Psychology • University of Pennsylvania, Graduate School of Education M.S.Ed. School Counseling • PA Certification: Educational Specialist II (Secondary Counseling)

8. Roles of the School Counselor CounselingIdentification and Intervention CoordinatingLiaison for all facets of a student’s life ConsultingCollaborative Problem-Solving

9. Individual Academic Social/Emotional Family Issues Decision Making Group Small Groups: Changing Families, Self-Awareness, Anger Alternatives, Grief and Loss, Friendship Classroom Guidance: Decision Making, Conflict Resolution, Respect Counseling

10. Consulting Parents • Academic concerns • Family relationships • Peer relationships • Behavior management • Referrals to outside agencies • Teachers/Team Meetings • Collaborate with teachers to address • concerns about students with academic, • social, and behavioral issues • Identify students who are “at-risk” • Develop and implement intervention plans

11. Consulting Student Resource Team Counselors, Teachers, Parents, Students and School Psychologist collaborate to identify, implement, and monitor specially designed interventions for students with academic, behavioral, and emotional needs.

12. Consulting Administrative KATS (Keith Valley Assistance Team for Students)

13. Coordinating Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences Standardized Testing (PSSA) Multi-Disciplinary Evaluations for Special Services (Gifted, LS, ES) Orientation of New Students

14. Transition into KVMS Meet with elementary counselors and 5th grade teachers Assist in determining academic levels of each student Host student orientation Transition into HHHS Meet with high school counselors Assist in determining academic levels for placement Organize student orientation program Assist students with 9th grade course selection Coordinating

15. Coordinating Scheduling • Assist with building the master schedule • Balance variables such as: • Academic Levels • Needs of Students • Class Size • Special Placements • Individual Requests

16. The counselors at Keith Valley are committed to supporting, helping, and guiding the students, families, and teachers during this very important transitional period.

17. As an integral member and a key component of the educational team, each counselor attempts to promote an awareness of and sensitivity to the unique needs of each student at Keith Valley Middle School.