John Witherspoon Middle School
GUIDANCE SERVICES
217 Walnut Lane, Princeton, New Jersey 08540
Telephone: 609-806-4272 Fax: 609-806-4271
Evelyn Counts ~ 6th Grade Counselor
Adam Rothschild ~ 7th Grade Counselor
Cathy DiLorenzo ~ 8th Grade Counselor
The John Witherspoon Middle School counselors support the mission of the Princeton Regional School District by being available to support and assist students and their parents with their academic, social-emotional, and life-skills development.
School counselors are assigned by grade level and work closely with the academic houses in each grade.
Students may be referred to their school counselor by:
• Self-referral
• Teachers
• Administrators
• Peers
• Parents
ACADEMIC COUNSELING
The school counselor functions as an advocate for the student and provides a connection to school services (teachers, Child Study Team members, administrators, et al.) for both the student and parent. The goal is to foster academic growth and development in a positive educational environment for each student.
Efforts to encourage positive communication between home and school are always a primary concern of the school counselor. The school does this for students by:
• Fostering positive attitudes towards school, learning, and work;
• Helping with academic achievement;
• Encouraging personal responsibility;
• Facilitating educational planning;
• Developing career awareness.
School counselors also coordinate state-wide testing for JWMS students.
DEVELOPMENTAL GUIDANCE
To connect all of our adolescents to the services of the Guidance Department, school counselors provide support and teach life skills individually, in small groups, and in classroom settings.
In these various settings the school counselor will cover topics or themes related to:
• Problem-solving
• Decision-making
• Social Interaction
• Conflict Resolution
• School Performance
• Stress Management
• Communication Skills
• Self Concept/Awareness
• Transition Issues
The school counselor helps to meet the needs of our middle school students directly or by coordinating small group programs such as STAR, GENTS, Crossings, and Peer to Peer. Our program follows the guidelines of the American School Counselor Association and meets their standards in the areas of Academic, Career/Vocational, and Personal/Social.
COUNSELING SERVICES
Adolescence is an amazing time in the life of a student and his/her family. Many changes and transitions occur during these years and some happen without warning or the ability to prepare for them. The school counselor is a resource at these times by providing individual counseling, group counseling, crisis intervention, and resource/referral services.
The school counselor is available to the student and his/her family to facilitate in the coping, healing, and decision-making process. While most contacts are related to performance in school, the school counselor is available for all life issues facing adolescents and their families (separation and divorce, death, substance abuse, etc.). The school counselor also becomes a referral resource should the counseling issue and process need longer term and more specific attention.
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