Welcome to the Carthage Central Middle School Counseling Office!

Counselors:

-Mrs. Jessica Hastwell, 5th Grade

-Ms. Lori Houppert, 6th Grade

-Mrs. Shenita Ruiz-Williamson, 7th Grade

-Mr. Adam Odett, 8th Grade

-Mrs. Melissa Gibbons, 5/6 Office Secretary

-Mrs. Kelly Thomas, 7/8 Office Secretary

The Counseling Office is open Monday-Friday from 7:20 a.m. until 2:50 p.m., when ever school is in session. Please feel encouraged to contact our office at 315-493-5020 for assistance *During summer months, counselor availability is limited. Please contact Kelly Thomas or Melissa Gibbons to see when your child's counselor is in.*

We look forward to working with you and your children, for your child's academic, social, and emotional success.

Dignity for All Students Act

CHS 8th Grade Orientation Presentation 2023
Teacher Conferences

Conferences at the middle school are scheduled on an "as-needed" basis\ You may contact your child's assigned school counselor to set up a meeting with their team of teachers. Teachers may also ask the school counselor to schedule a conference if there are concerns they wish to bring to a parent/caregiver's attention\ Teacher Conferences are generally held during the grade level team's "team planning" time, which varies based on their grade level. Your child's counselor will let you know what that team's meeting time is\ A conference will usually be with the caregiver, school counselor, and team of classroom teachers (ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, along with Technology/Health/Home & Careers, Foreign Language, and/or Special Education, if applicable). We may also request the child to be there to be involved in their plan for learning and progress.

PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION.

We encourage you, as parents, to also feel free to use our resources. If you need immediate help, please call the grief hotline at 315-955-9062 or 315-782-2327. We are saddened by the loss to our school community and will make every effort to help you and your child as needed.

Jefferson County Mental Health Resources

Jefferson County Drug and Alcohol Support Resources

Fort Drum Mental Health and Wellness Resources

Lewis County Mental Health Resources

Additional Information

We have connections to numerous outside resources and agencies that we collaborate with on behalf of your children. We can also help with referrals for mental health needs that occur outside of the regular school day

The School Based Health Clinic has a licensed LMSW here at school to provide mental health services for students with emotional and mental health needs. All insurances are accepted and there are no co-pays for services provided. For additional information, please contact the SBHC directly at 315-493-5075.

The Student Assistance Program is a NYS certified prevention and support counseling program that helps students with their concerns, difficulties, and decision-making. The Student Assistance Counselor provides support through one-to-one discussions, awareness information, assistance with coping skills, and referral services. This program is both confidential and voluntary. The Student Assistance Program is part of Pivot, a community agency of Jefferson County

The Military and Family Life Counselor (MFLC) is an Army supported position intended to provide outreach services to local military students in order to ease their transitions to new schools and address issues related to deployment. The MFLC counselor may assist military parents and children with communication, self-esteem, conflict resolution, behavioral management techniques, bullying, deployment and reintegration issues, to name a few.