JAMES BRECKINRIDGE

Welcome to Breckinridge’s Counseling Department

Fax: 540-853-1848

The goal of the Breckinridge Middle School counseling team is to promote academic success by working cooperatively with students, parents, teachers, staff, and the community.  We embrace the diversity of our students and advocate for equity, access, and success for all students.

Counseling Center Staff

The JBMS Counseling Department is comprised of 3 full-time counselors.

If you have any questions or concerns, parents are always welcome to contact us over the phone or via email, either to resolve concerns or to schedule an appointment.  All counseling center staff can be reached by calling Mrs. Calloway (540-853-6442), Mrs. Turnbull (540-853-6448), Mrs. Ford (540-853-6445) or calling the main office (540-853-2251).   Parents are welcome to drop-in but appointments are strongly recommended so we can put 100% of our focus toward your concerns.

The counselors assist in scheduling most parent/ teacher conferences.  If you would like to schedule a conference, please feel free to contact your child’s teacher or counselor.

Students are welcome to visit their counselors before and after school and during lunch.  If the counselor is not available, students can complete a “Counselor Appointment Request”  form, available in the counseling office, and the counselor will call the student to the office during the school day. During hybrid learning, students may contact counselors via email to set up an appointment or by following "Click here to make an appointment with your counselor!" on our Canvas page.

Each student is assigned a counselor based upon their grade level:
Mrs. Calloway (7th grade)
Mrs. Turnbull (8th grade)
Mrs. Ford (6th grade).

Homework Request Policy

The counselors can assist in collecting homework when a student misses three or more days of school.  If a student is out fewer than three days, we recommend that the student request the homework directly from the teacher. 

Counseling Services Available:

The JBMS counseling team provides individual and group counseling, and classroom presentations to students regarding academic and personal/ social issues.  Some of the counseling team activities include:

• Compact for Success and Early College Planning
• Parent/ student conferences regarding academic & personal issues
• Academic counseling
• Crisis counseling
• Conflict resolution and conflict mediation
• Referrals to community-based agencies for on-going counseling & support

   

  Individual Counseling

  Counselors meet with students in a one-on-one capacity when the student or an adult requests a meeting.  These meetings are confidential (unless safety is a concern) and are to discuss issues such as academics, problem solving, goal setting (Career), personal problems affecting school and other issues that may be impacting learning (Social-Emotional).  Counseling sessions are generally brief but a counselor may make a referral to on-going counseling if necessary.  School counselors are not licensed therapists and therefore we do not provide long-term counseling. 

   

  Group Counseling

  Small groups are formed when a common need surfaces for a small group of students.  Some examples include, resolving a conflict amongst a group of students, goal setting, adjusting to middle school, etc. Participating in small groups can help students relate with other students who have similar challenges.

   

  Classroom Guidance Lessons

  JBMS counselors provide lessons in the classroom in the three core counseling areas: academic development, career development and personal/ social development. 

   

• Parents- Tips for Success

• Monitor your child's grades on ParentVUE and keep in contact with your child's teachers via email. Encourage your child to monitor their own grades using StudentVUE.

• Talk to your child about school-- and not just their academics. When we care more, they care more!

• Attend Back-to-School Night: Each teacher will review their class expectations and will explain their grading policy.  In addition, they will share the best way to get in contact with them and how parents can monitor their student’s progress.

• Access the school website on a regular basis: Many teachers have class websites that allow parents to monitor daily assignments and even grades.  In addition, the school website has up-to-date bulletin announcements.

• Write down progress report dates in your calendar: .  If you do not receive the report card, please contact the counseling center for another copy.

   

  What should I do if my child is not achieving to his/her ability level?

• Talk to your child.  Find out what they are struggling with and what steps they have taken to get help.
• Talk with the teacher.  Is the student struggling with tests, quizzes, homework, and/ or behavior?  Ask about what interventions are necessary to improve the student’s achievement level in the class.  Ask about tutoring that may be available.
• Talk with the counselor about other available interventions, such as school tutoring, counseling, etc.
• Students and parents can monitor weekly progress by using the Student or Parent Vue of Synergy.  If you need an activation key, please contact your child’s counselor.
• Provide rewards and consequences for achievement.

   

  Transitioning to Middle School

•  The transition to middle school can be a scary, exciting, fun and/ or challenging time for many students.  It is normal for students and parents to feel nervous, excited, anxious or scared.  Students are not only making a change to a new school but they are also going through many physical and emotional changes that accompany adolescence.

• Click here for a video on tips to know about middle school! 

• Haz clic aquí para ver un mensaje sobre los grados medios.

• Middle school serves as a three-year transition between elementary school and high school.  During this time we assist your student in learning the academic and independent skills needed to be successful in high school and in life.

   

  How to help your child make a smooth transition:

• Reassure your child that it is okay to feel nervous.
• Highlight the positives
  • More independence
  • New opportunities: more clubs, new friends, dances, etc
  • Opportunity to learn new subjects
  • Attend 6^th Grade Orientation
  • Attend “Back-to-School” night
  • Reassure your child that middle school is a safe place with many caring adults to help
  • If your child is still having difficulty after several weeks, please make an appointment to see your child’s counselor.

Registration & Class Scheduling

Counselors make the majority of academic placements in the Spring semester (February-May) before summer vacation. If you have any questions, recommendations, or concerns regarding your student’s academic placement, please contact your student’s counselor.  Registration for the 2022-2023 School Year begins in January.