Counseling Website Links:
|
|
Commonly Asked Questions
Q - Which school counselor is the one I'm supposed to talk to about my child? A - Mr. Moyer-Wilkes is the counselor for 5th grade and also the 4th gr homerooms of Dupras, Leven and Hart. He also serves Croteau (LLP), Dutton (SAILS), Orszulak (Pathways). Ms. McConnell is the counselor for 6th grade and the 4th gr. homerooms of Bernashe, Breen, Ingram, and Lavigne. (Of course either counselor is happy to help any student or family, regardless of grade level/homeroom, if the assigned counselor isn't available.) Q - How do I get in touch with a specific teacher? A - Phone or email tends to work best. The main school number is (413) 323-0437. You can click HERE to return to the Chestnut Hill Community School Faculty Directory. All staff email addresses follow this format: first initial, last name, @belchertownps.org (Example: Jane Smith = [email protected]). Q - I want to check my son/daughter's grades and/or assignments. How can I do that? A - PowerSchool. Click HERE to access the Parent/Student Login Page. You will need to ask for your child's PowerSchool student ID #, and can only get this ID by going to the school in person and showing your own ID to office staff, or by contacting your child's school counselor. You'll need to create an account, and then link your account to your child in order to access their academic information Q - I am a parent/guardian and I want to speak with the counselor. How do I do that? A - Call or email is best. You could also stop by in person if you have time and the building is open. Be aware though; we might not be available if you just stop in without contacting us ahead of time. You can email via the contact forms on our personal pages: Ms. McConnell or Mr. Moyer-Wilkes |
Q - I am a student and I want to talk to a counselor. How do I make that happen?
A - Assuming we are in the building, ask your teacher if you can stop by and see if one of the counselors are available to chat. If one of us is not in the office or look busy with someone else, check with the other counselor or fill out one of the communication notes on our doors, fold it (so no one else can read it), and place it in the mailboxes attached to the door. We'll get back to you as soon as possible. If you can't do either of those, ask your teacher or parent/guardian to give us a call or send an email, or email us yourself.
Q - I have a question or concern but I don't know if it is something I should be asking a counselor about.
A - No problem. We are used to helping people figure out who they should be talking to in order to fix a problem or address a concern. We've heard all kinds of things, and nothing is too off-topic or too awkward to discuss. We've heard it all and we are happy to help!
Q - I need some help finding outside counseling/psychiatry/mental health services for my child. Where do I look?
A - We get asked that a lot. We've created an ever-growing webpage for that HERE where you can find an extensive list of providers.
Q - Are there any counseling groups going on at CHCS?
A - Yes. both counselors run several counseling groups throughout the year. They vary in size, topic, structure, and duration depending on the needs of students at that time. Topics might include friendship skills, building self-esteem, anger management, conflict resolution, social skills, grief and loss, managing anxiety, becoming more organized, and many others. Each group typically meets once a week for about 4-8 weeks at a time, and often during lunch periods. The number of times a group meets and how many weeks it runs depends on the group, the intensity of the topic or need, and the progress of group members.
Q - Does a student have to have an IEP, 504 Plan, or DCAP in order to get into a counseling group?
A - No. Some students in counseling groups might have these specialized plans, and some of those plans might specify participation in a counseling group, but it is not a requirement. Participation in groups is based on the individual needs of each student.
Q - What is an IEP or a 504 Plan?
A - They are different kinds of specialized plans developed to help school staff meet the individual educational needs of a student. IEPs and 504s are considered legal documents with specific interventions to help the student learn.
Click here for information about IEPs
Click here for information about 504 Plans
Q - What is a DCAP?
A - A DCAP is a "District Curriculum Accommodation Plan". It is similar to an IEP or 504 Plan in that it is a document designed to help teachers know how best to work with and support a student. Unlike an IEP/504, teachers are not legally or otherwise bound by the DCAP to provide instruction as specified in the DCAP. It serves more as a means of providing suggestions for helpful methods and interventions a teacher might use. These interventions are based on past experiences of teachers who are familiar with the student (such as teachers from previous years), but the use of the DCAP is left up to the discretion of the individual current teacher.
Q - My son/daughter said he/she earned a "Teacher Ticket" that they put in a silver box. What's that all about?
A - They are talking about something related to PeaceBuilders here at CHCS. All teachers in the building have a roll of raffle tickets. When a teacher sees or hears about a student who did something AWESOME to show they are a caring individual and a role model for other students, the teacher might give them one of those tickets. Students put their tickets into the silver box for a chance to win a reward from a monthly drawing. The School Counselors draw 4 names from each grade level. These students are given a Certificate of Recognition and a prize of some kind
(Ex: PeaceBuilders pencil, cool-looking eraser, t-shirt, stress toy, key-chain, small toy, notebook, etc.), and they have their picture taken with other drawing winners. The picture is posted on this website as well as on the "Random Acts of PeaceBuilding" Board.
Q - I need help understanding how to parent my child through issues relating to social media, technology, and the internet.
A - No problem. You're not alone. Click HERE to go directly to our Internet Safety Page. You can also contact your child's counselor about this. We've helped lots of parents around these issues.
Q - How does CHCS handle classroom placement/assignment for the following school year?
A - Good question. Click HERE for more information on placement.
Q - I somehow got to this page, but I'd like a virtual tour of this entire website, narrated by Mr. M-W.
A - Wow. That was a very specific request, but we've got you covered. Click HERE to view a YouTube video of just that.
Q - How did I get to this page? I don't think this is what I was looking for.
A - Click HERE to return to the main Chestnut Hill website.
A - Assuming we are in the building, ask your teacher if you can stop by and see if one of the counselors are available to chat. If one of us is not in the office or look busy with someone else, check with the other counselor or fill out one of the communication notes on our doors, fold it (so no one else can read it), and place it in the mailboxes attached to the door. We'll get back to you as soon as possible. If you can't do either of those, ask your teacher or parent/guardian to give us a call or send an email, or email us yourself.
Q - I have a question or concern but I don't know if it is something I should be asking a counselor about.
A - No problem. We are used to helping people figure out who they should be talking to in order to fix a problem or address a concern. We've heard all kinds of things, and nothing is too off-topic or too awkward to discuss. We've heard it all and we are happy to help!
Q - I need some help finding outside counseling/psychiatry/mental health services for my child. Where do I look?
A - We get asked that a lot. We've created an ever-growing webpage for that HERE where you can find an extensive list of providers.
Q - Are there any counseling groups going on at CHCS?
A - Yes. both counselors run several counseling groups throughout the year. They vary in size, topic, structure, and duration depending on the needs of students at that time. Topics might include friendship skills, building self-esteem, anger management, conflict resolution, social skills, grief and loss, managing anxiety, becoming more organized, and many others. Each group typically meets once a week for about 4-8 weeks at a time, and often during lunch periods. The number of times a group meets and how many weeks it runs depends on the group, the intensity of the topic or need, and the progress of group members.
Q - Does a student have to have an IEP, 504 Plan, or DCAP in order to get into a counseling group?
A - No. Some students in counseling groups might have these specialized plans, and some of those plans might specify participation in a counseling group, but it is not a requirement. Participation in groups is based on the individual needs of each student.
Q - What is an IEP or a 504 Plan?
A - They are different kinds of specialized plans developed to help school staff meet the individual educational needs of a student. IEPs and 504s are considered legal documents with specific interventions to help the student learn.
Click here for information about IEPs
Click here for information about 504 Plans
Q - What is a DCAP?
A - A DCAP is a "District Curriculum Accommodation Plan". It is similar to an IEP or 504 Plan in that it is a document designed to help teachers know how best to work with and support a student. Unlike an IEP/504, teachers are not legally or otherwise bound by the DCAP to provide instruction as specified in the DCAP. It serves more as a means of providing suggestions for helpful methods and interventions a teacher might use. These interventions are based on past experiences of teachers who are familiar with the student (such as teachers from previous years), but the use of the DCAP is left up to the discretion of the individual current teacher.
Q - My son/daughter said he/she earned a "Teacher Ticket" that they put in a silver box. What's that all about?
A - They are talking about something related to PeaceBuilders here at CHCS. All teachers in the building have a roll of raffle tickets. When a teacher sees or hears about a student who did something AWESOME to show they are a caring individual and a role model for other students, the teacher might give them one of those tickets. Students put their tickets into the silver box for a chance to win a reward from a monthly drawing. The School Counselors draw 4 names from each grade level. These students are given a Certificate of Recognition and a prize of some kind
(Ex: PeaceBuilders pencil, cool-looking eraser, t-shirt, stress toy, key-chain, small toy, notebook, etc.), and they have their picture taken with other drawing winners. The picture is posted on this website as well as on the "Random Acts of PeaceBuilding" Board.
Q - I need help understanding how to parent my child through issues relating to social media, technology, and the internet.
A - No problem. You're not alone. Click HERE to go directly to our Internet Safety Page. You can also contact your child's counselor about this. We've helped lots of parents around these issues.
Q - How does CHCS handle classroom placement/assignment for the following school year?
A - Good question. Click HERE for more information on placement.
Q - I somehow got to this page, but I'd like a virtual tour of this entire website, narrated by Mr. M-W.
A - Wow. That was a very specific request, but we've got you covered. Click HERE to view a YouTube video of just that.
Q - How did I get to this page? I don't think this is what I was looking for.
A - Click HERE to return to the main Chestnut Hill website.
Q - My son/daughter is a 6th grader moving up to Jabish Brook Middle School next year. Where do I find information about that transition?
A - Find answers in the links below:
Frequently Asked Questions about JBMS
Jabish Brook Middle School Home Website
JBMS Guidance Counselor Websites:
Ms. Parker's website
Mr. Morton's website
A - Find answers in the links below:
Frequently Asked Questions about JBMS
Jabish Brook Middle School Home Website
JBMS Guidance Counselor Websites:
Ms. Parker's website
Mr. Morton's website
Some Student Advice Resources
Dork Diaries (Ask Nikki) - Inspired by the Dork Diaries book series, author Rachel Renee Russel offers great advice for kids about life, friends, school, relationships, hobbies, and tons of other topics from a girl's perspective
Dork Diaries (Ask Brandon) - Another advice column by the author of Dork Diaries, but from a boy's perspective
Dork Diaries (Ask Brandon) - Another advice column by the author of Dork Diaries, but from a boy's perspective