Seabury Hall Middle School

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COUNSELING AND ADVISORY PROGRAM

Advisory is a critical part of the middle school concept.  Some of the primary objectives of advisory in Seabury’s Middle School include:  helping students cope with academic concerns and set positive goals, developing listening and other study skills, and fostering self-esteem through participation in shared decision-making and the building of positive relationships in a small group environment.

Advisors

All middle school students are assigned advisers who also serve as their classroom teachers so that a closer relationship may develop.  Advisement meetings are scheduled twice a week for twenty minutes each session.  Advisers assist students with every aspect of school life from academic problems to social adjustments to personal difficulties.  Advisement meetings center on the development of group trust building, communication and support.

School Counselor

The School Counselor. Susan Pirsch, serves as a resource should a student feel the need for assistance or confidentiality beyond that offered by his or her adviser.  Susan Pirsch runs several programs that support the social and emotional development of middle schoolers.  Her office is next to the Chapel on the second floor of  Cooper House.

Dean of  Student Life

Mr. Steve Colflesh is the Dean of Student Life, in charge of discipline and attendance.  He spends a great deal of his time in helping students to understand the goals and requirements of living in a community.  He is available to discuss questions and concerns with regard to student attitude and behavior.

Head of Middle School

Ms. Lehn Huff is the Head of the Middle School, and she is available to discuss questions and concerns with regard to all Middle School students. Students with academic questions or concerns should feel free to contact her in Carter Hall office.  Parents with academic concerns may telephone or arrange an appointment.

Classroom Teachers     

The school strongly recommends that parents call teachers directly to address specific classroom problems.  Teachers are hard to reach at school during the school day because they are busy with students and in class, although messages can be left requesting that teachers return calls at their convenience.  Calls to teachers may be placed from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. when they are available in their homes.

Class Sponsors

Each grade level is assigned two faculty members who serve as Class Sponsors.  Class Sponsors advise and help to organize the class officers and the class on activities, fundraising, community service projects and other class decisions.  Class meetings occur once a month on Thursdays during the middle school assembly period.

Peer Mediators

All eighth grade students will take the peer mediation elective sometime during the year.  Select eighth graders will be contacted by Susan Pirsch for the purpose of providing assistance in mediating minor disputes.  Any students interested in utilizing these services should contact Susan Pirsch.

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