SMS SCHOOL COUNSELOR NEWS

School Counselor News

Southern Middle School Guidance Staff

Mrs. Connie Markle, Guidance Clerk A.M. x3272

Mrs. Jackie Winterson, Guidance Clerk P.M x3272

Mr. Jason Katz, School Counselor Last Names A-K x3255

Mrs. Lisa Hall, School Counselor Last Names L-Z x3256

Please reach out and contact us with any concerns, so we are able to work with you in a proactive manner to ensure your student 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 3272.

  Volunteers Needed for Career Program on December 11, 2019

We have a need for volunteers for an event at Southern Middle School on Wednesday, December 11, 2019.  Junior Achievement of South Central PA will be here with their YES! program and all students in 7th and 8th grade will participate in half-day activities related to Career Readiness and Financial Literacy.

Volunteers will facilitate one of these activities as students rotate through four 30 minute sessions.  JA will provide all the training the morning of the event and all activities are fun and engaging! Southern Middle School will provide a light breakfast to all volunteers. 

We hope you will join us as we spend the day empowering and inspiring our students. Please share this opportunity with other friends, neighbors and colleagues who may be interested in helping the students of our school!

To sign up as a volunteer please click here.  You may also contact Shannon Baker of Volunteer Engagement at [email protected] or Lisa Hall / Jason Katz, School Counselors at Southern Middle School at 717-235-4811 x3520 or [email protected] or [email protected] with any questions about the event.

York County School of Technology 

Parents of 8th graders: York County School of Technology conducted its annual visit to SMS on October 24, 2019.  All 8th graders attended in order to hear about what programs YCST can offer to them for grade 9.  Your child can pick up application information in the SMS Guidance Office.

The annual YCST open house is on November 14, 2019 from 5- 9 p.m.  Anyone interested in applying is encouraged to attend.  

First round applications are due on December 2, 2019. Your child will have the best chance of being accepted into the program of his/her choice if their application is submitted in time to be considered for the first round.   If you have any questions about York County School of Technology, please contact Mrs. Hall or Mr. Katz in the guidance office.  

The Student Assistance Program & 

School Based Outpatient Satellite Program 

The Student Assistance Program continues to function actively in the middle school.  As a reminder, the SAP team is a group of trained staff members who work to identify, intervene and refer students who are having difficulties due to a variety of possibilities.  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. 

The SYCSD/PCBH School Based Counseling Program utilizes a multi-disciplinary approach to bridge the gap young people who need mental health care, and young people who receive mental health care by providing coordinated mental health services at a licensed satellite office of PCBH in the familiar environment of the school setting. Please contact Mrs. Hall or Mr. Katz for more information if needed.

Follow Southern Middle School Guidance Department on Twitter – @SMSGuidance .