The counseling center at Bethel Middle School works with the school staff,  families and community seeking to help students with personal, social and academic needs which supports the development of the whole child. Our goal is to provide support for all students to maximize their full potential and to become responsible, productive and emotionally healthy citizens through an enriching middle school experience.

Counseling Services

• Speak with students individually and in groups about their educational, career, personal, and social concerns
• Classroom guidance lessons
• Referrals to community agencies
• Scheduling
• Assists in crisis situations
• Help students with academic goals and high school planning
• Aid teachers and parents in helping students
• Provide peer mediation services
• Information for parents and guardians regarding educational, career, and personal resources

School guidance counselors provide a comprehensive school counseling program that improves student achievement and enhances the academic, career and personal/social development of all students. The comprehensive school counseling program is delivered through classroom guidance lessons, individual student planning sessions, and individual and group counseling.  School counselors collaborate with parents, teachers, administrators, and other school staff to promote student success.  School counselors also provide leadership and advocacy to promote equity and access to opportunities and rigorous educational experiences for all students.

Scot Collins, School Counselor

School counselors are available to help students with academic, personal, and career concerns. Parents may request an appointment to meet with their child’s school counselor.

Misty Turner, Social Worker

Social workers are shared across multiple schools. The School Social Worker functions to enhance the academic and social development of students through family support, student support, and school staff consultation and support.
Social workers also play an important role with students who have attendance problems by helping parents be more accountable for their children’s school attendance.

Misty House, Psychologist

The school psychologist helps students to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. They have training in both psychology and education and possess a broad range of skills that enable them to: consult with school personnel and families about students’ learning, behavior, and educational environments;  assess academic skills and aptitudes, social/emotional development, and eligibility for special services; help teachers and parents to better understand and support students’ learning, development, and mental health.

 If you would like to contact a counselor, please call the main school line at 646-3442.

What Should I Do if My Child is Being Bullied?

What Is The Definition of Bullying?

A lot of young people have a good idea of what bullying is because they see it every day! Bullying happens when someone hurts or scares another person on purpose and the person being bullied has a hard time defending himself or herself. Usually, bullying happens over and over.  The following are examples:

• Punching, shoving, and other acts that hurt people physically
• Spreading bad rumors about people
• Keeping certain people out of a “group”
• Teasing people in a mean way
• Getting certain people to “gang up” on others

Bullying can also happen online or electronically. Cyberbullying is when children or teens bully each other using the Internet, mobile phones or other cyber technology. This can include:

• Sending mean text, email, or instant messages
• Posting nasty pictures or messages about others in blogs or on Web sites
• Using someone’s name to spread rumors or lies about others

Bullying Websites for Parents

http://www.greatschools.org/parenting/bullying/slideshows/10-bullying-myths.gs?content=3098

http://www.relationalaggression.com/

http://www.tolerance.org/

PROCEDURE TO ADDRESS BULLYING AT BETHEL MIDDLE SCHOOL

Harassment of students, whether physical or verbal, will not be tolerated. When a student feels he/she has been bullied the student will report the incident to any faculty or staff member as soon as possible. The faculty/staff member will then notify the Principal or Assistant Principal of the allegations.  The administration will thoroughly investigate all incidents.  Please refer to the Haywood County School’s policy on bullying.