Counseling Information

Counseling services at OSMS exist to facilitate the growth and development of students as they progress through school. These services are designed to help all students in their educational planning, decision-making, and personal-social development. Counselors are committed to working with parents as well as with students to assist them in gaining the greatest benefit from their school experiences.

 

Counseling services, which complement both instructional and administrative operations, provide opportunities for students to develop self-understanding, self-evaluation, and self-direction. The counselor's goal is for the student to mature as an individual who understands the responsibility for making decisions and coping with the consequences of those decisions.

 

Counselors will be available throughout the day for individual and group conferences. Teachers are expected to refer students to their assigned counselors, and students are urged to ask their counselor for assistance when concerns arise.

 

The counselors adhere to the code of ethics established by the American School Counselors Association.

Each counselor is assigned specific counseling responsibilities for both counselor-student relationships and group guidance programs. Counselors are available to all students for counseling. Students are encouraged to work with their assigned counselors in order to allow the counselor to get to know the student better. You may also contact the counselor's office directly at (228) 872-6213. The fax number is (228) 872-7135.

 

Mrs. Kayla Pugh	7th Grade	kpugh@ossdms.org
Mrs. Patty Trochessett	8th Grade	ptrochessett@ossdms.org

The responsibilities of the counselor go beyond that of providing one-to-one counseling, although this is considered the "heart" of the counseling program. Other responsibilities include:

School registration, student records, and withdrawals are also handled through the counselor’s office with our registrar, Courtney Asher. Please contact Ms. Asher concerning these services at (228) 872–6213 or casher@ossdms.org. 

 

In addition, the counselors work closely with the MTSS/Testing Coordinator, Whitney Stevens. She also coordinates 504 and our English Learning (EL) students. You may reach Mrs. Stevens at (228) 872-6213 or wstevens@ossdms.org. 

 

Please visit the middle school’s Counselor’s Corner for information on course selections, the counselor request form, and school and community resources.

OSMS offers both core and elective classes that are designed to challenge the student and to prepare them for higher grade levels. Students are required to take Math, English, Science, and History each year at the middle school. Technology skills are a large part of our daily lives, therefore, we also offer computer courses for students to help them prepare for their future. OSMS offers accelerated courses in Math and English at each grade level. Eighth graders have the opportunity to be placed in accelerated Science. Students are selected for accelerated courses at the middle school level based on academic progress and performance on assessments. OSMS elective choices allow students to explore their interests in Fine Arts, STEM, Physical Education, Foreign Language, and Leadership. All students are required to participate in a physical activity including any of the following: Band, Choir, Physical Education, Weight Training, or Sports. Each year, the counselors meet with the students to develop an Individual Success Plan. The students participate in a career survey and review courses at the middle and high school. The purpose of the Individual Success Plan is to help middle school students think about their future courses in high school that will help them prepare for a career or continued education.