Fort Valley Middle School

Mrs. Tamara Richardson

Counselor

FVMS Counseling Program

The school counseling program at FVMS is an integral component of our students' total educational program. While the counselor performs academic counseling functions such as career planning, test-taking, and study skills enhancement; I primarily focus on the contemporary needs of the middle school student. The FVMS counselor helps to promote the personal, social, educational, and emotional development of students as a whole. In harmony with the FVMS academic goals, the counseling program challenges students to move beyond their current levels of maturity.

Our Mission Statement and Program Philosophy

The Fort Valley Middle School Counseling Program fosters an environment to support the mission of the Peach County Board of Education and Fort Valley Middle School. We will graduate college and career ready students that are able to meet the challenges of a global workforce that includes 21st century soft skills. Our school motto echoes this sentiment -  FVMS Where Learning in Required.

The Fort Valley Middle School Counselor Believes:

• All children have a right to a quality education, including a sound developmental guidance and counseling program.

• All students needs (ethical, cultural, etc) are taken into consideration when developing the guidance and counseling program

• The school counselor is an advocate for breaking down the learning barriers for all students.

The school counseling program will:

• Promote positive attitudes towards self, family, peers and community;

• Promote respect for individuality and diversity;

• Encourage involvement of parents and teachers in monitoring the success and needs of students;

• Provide support during personal crisis;

• Be developmental and career/education oriented to cultivate academic success;

• Coordinate referrals to outside agencies;

• Work with students on attendance issues;                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

• Help to create a safe and positive learning environment.

Services Provided

Guidance Curriculum: The guidance curriculum is based on guidance lessons and activities delivered to every student through classroom instruction, interdisciplinary curriculum, group activities.

Individual Student Planning: Individual student planning services consist of activities to help students to establish personal, career and academic goals and is implemented through individual and small group advisement.

Responsive Services: This consists of activities to meet the immediate needs and concerns of students. This is done through consultation, individual and small group counseling, guidance referrals and peer facilitation.

System Support: System support services are comprised of management activities to enhance the school counseling program. This includes professional development, consultation, collaboration and teaming and program management.

Non-Guidance/Administrative Assignments: These are assignments and administrative responsibilities the counselor might handle as assigned by the principal.