News from the Guidance Office

Southern Middle School Guidance Staff

Mrs. Connie Markle, Guidance Clerk A.M. x3520

Mrs. Jackie Winterson, Guidance Clerk P.M.  x3521

Mr. Jason Katz, School Counselor Last Names A-K x3523

Mrs. Lisa Hall, School Counselor Last Names L-Z x3522

Please reach out and contact us with any concerns, so we are able to work with you in a proactive manner to ensure your son/daughter gets what they need to make school a happy, safe place to learn.  You may contact us at [email protected], [email protected] or at 717.235.4811 extension 3520.

York County School of Technology

Parents of 8th graders: York County School of Technology conducted its annual visit to SMS on October 5, 2017.  All 8th graders attended in order to hear about what programs YCST can offer to them for grade 9.  

The annual YCST open house was on November 2, 2017 from 6- 8 p.m.  

Applications for YCST First round applications were due on November 20, 2017.   If you have any questions about York County School of Technology, please contact Mrs. Hall or Mr. Katz in the guidance office.  Second round applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the firm deadline of April 1, 2018.

Heart Team

The HEART team continues to function actively in the middle school.  As a reminder, the HEART (Helping Educate At-Risk Teens) team is a group of trained staff members who work to identify, intervene and refer high risk students who are having problems due to:  (1) drugs or alcohol and/or (2) mental health issues.  The student assistance program is available to all students at SMS (the exception being someone who is already receiving drug/alcohol or mental health counseling).  Please contact the guidance office to make a referral or obtain additional information.

Aevidum Closet Open

The Aevidum Closet is up and running, and they need everyone’s help to keep it stocked for the school year. All donations will help students at SMS or other Southern York County Schools.  Any items that can not be used will be donated to other local charities.  The Aevidum Closet is run by students for students.

We are currently looking for the following items:

These gently used items:

-shorts

-backpacks

-sneakers/shoes

Aevidum would also like these items that are new and still in the packaging:

-socks

-underwear

-toothbrushes

-toothpaste

-deodorant

-shampoo

-body wash or soap

Please contact Mrs. Hall or Mr. Katz at SMS for further information.

Small Group Counseling

If you are interested in having your child participate in a bi-weekly school counselor check-in group titled Pulse, please contact your child’s counselor at 717.235.4811 x 3272.

The purpose of these check-ins is to maintain regular contact with your child in order to proactively address any social/emotional concerns that may be impacting them at school.  This check-in will occur during the morning intervention/enrichment period, and your child will not miss any formal class time in order to participate.