SMS Counselor News – March 2020

School Counselor News

Southern Middle School Counseling Staff

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

Mrs. Jackie Winterson, Counseling 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 student gets what they need to make school a happy, safe place to learn.  You may contact us at [email protected], [email protected] or call 717.235.4811 extension 3520.

York County School of Technology 

Parents of 8th graders:  First round applications were due on December 2, 2019. Your student can apply if they are interested, as it will be submitted on a rolling basis for the second round of applications which will be due by Wednesday, April 1, 2020.  Students & families will be contacted in March regarding acceptances. If you have any questions about York County School of Technology, please contact Mrs. Hall or Mr. Katz in the guidance office.  

 Scheduling

It’s that time of the year that plan for next school year’s classes. The SMS Guidance Department assists with the transitions of 6th to 7th grade, 7th grade to 8th grade, and finally 8th to 9th grade. Here are some dates to be aware of:

6th to 7th Grade 

Tuesday, March 3 – 6th Grade Scheduling  and Transition Night

Wednesday & Thursday, March 4 & 5 – Course Recommendations will be sent home for review

Friday, March 13 – Course Recommendation Sheets returned to 6th grade homerooms

7th to 8th Grade 

Monday & Wednesday, March 16 & 18 – SMS Counselors will meet with 7th grade students to provide course recommendation sheets.

Monday, March 23 – Course Recommendation Sheets due back to SMS Guidance Office

8th to 9th Grade

Wednesday, Friday, March 6 – Last day that the Sapphire portal is open for students to make changes to selected courses

Wednesday & Thursday, March 11 & 12 – SHS Counselors meet with students to review courses 

Monday, April 6 – Signed course selection and any required course wavier forms due to the SMS Guidance Office

Monthly Counseling Tip

“Student Organization”:

• Use a planner every day to write down assignments and upcoming tests/projects
• Have a system for organizing papers 
• Declutter once a week
• Keep your locker and backpack neat
• Use sticky notes to help you remember things
• Work on one task at a time
• Create your own deadline that is before the actual deadline
• Before you go to bed, get everything ready for the next day

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