Downingtown Middle Counseling

Downingtown Middle School Counseling Department

Welcome to the Downingtown Middle School Counseling Department. We look forward to supporting all students with their academic, social/emotional, and post-secondary planning needs. The Counseling Department door is always open. Students can stop by at any time to request an appointment to meet with their school counselor. Our Counseling Office Administrative Assistant, Kim Alvarez, will be happy to assist students and parents with whatever they need.

School Counselor	Last Names
Mr. Shirley	A-Hal
Ms. Lipkin	Ham-Pag
Ms. Witmer	Pah-Z

Counseling Administrative Assistant:
Kim Alvarez, kalvarez@dasd.org

Regular Hours of Operation: The Counseling Department is open year -round, Monday-Friday from 7:00 am - 3:00 pm. Counselors are available during the school year from 7:25 am - 2:55 pm each day school is in session.

Appointment Scheduling: The Counseling Department operates on a "walk-in" approach. Students are not required to have an appointment to stop in and see their counselor. If the counselor is not available when a student drops in, they will be asked to schedule an appointment at a later time. Students are welcome to schedule an appointment if they prefer, and parents are likewise encouraged to schedule an appointment as well, to ensure a counselor will be available when they come in. To request an appointment, please visit the counseling office or contact your counselor.

Counseling Support Areas

Academic Advising

Course Selection

Course Selection

Social Emotional Support

School counselors meet with students one on one, in small groups and in classroom settings. Throughout the year, various opportunities are provided for students to meet with their counselor, however, students are always encouraged to reach out to their counselor if they are concerned for their personal health and wellness or the health and wellness of a friend or classmate. The counseling department operates under an "open door policy" so students do not need an appointment if they want to meet with their counselor.

Student Assistance Program (SAP)
School Counseling Support

Student Assistance Program (SAP)

Student Assistance Program

The Downingtown Area School District has a Student Assistance Program, SAP, which is available to all students. The SAP team is composed of faculty members who have received training and who have expressed an interest in helping students deal with personal problems. SAP is designed to assist in identifying issues including alcohol, tobacco other drugs, and mental health which may pose a barrier to a student's success.

The team is available to all students grades 6-12 for assistance with problems of an non-academic nature. Students, parents, teachers and staff may refer anyone to the team. Each referred student periodically meets with a team member. While these meetings remain confidential, parental involvement is encouraged whenever possible. Please note a SAP referral is not appropriate for a student experiencing a mental health crisis. The 24-Hr Crisis referral resources provided in the right-hand margin should be utilized for immediate concerns during non school hours. If you would like to make a SAP referral please speak with an Administrator, School Counselor or Prevention Specialist at the school where your child attends.

For additional information regarding your child’s school- based team, you may reach out to the Prevention Specialist for your building.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Pennsylvania Network for Student Assistance Services
PA Department of Education SAP
PA Student Assistance Program FAQ and Best Practice Responses
Chester County Maternal and Child Health Consortium

School Counseling Support

School Counselor Support:
Downingtown Area School District School Counselors utilize a specific type of counseling when working with students. The solution-focused brief counseling (SFBC) approach is based on the belief that all students have within them the ability to be resilient and problem solve. School counselors work closely with students to brainstorm solutions that can work for their specific problem or need. SFBC differs from other modes of counseling in that it shifts the focus from the problem to creating present and future solutions. SFBC is a strengths-based approach, emphasizing resilience and resources individuals possess and how they can use them to enact purposeful and positive change. Since time is limited during the school day, counselors employ SFBC because it helps students create solutions in a straight-forward manner.

When a student shares a problem, concern or issue that requires more support than what a school counselor can provide during the school day, school counselors will refer the student to the prevention specialist or work with the family to seek community-based counseling services. Unlike school counseling, community-based counseling allows more time for students to work through their problems.

Career Readiness

Quick Links:

24-Hour Crisis Support

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
800-273-TALK (8255)

Valley Creek Crisis Intervention
24-Hour Hotline
610-280-3270

Safe to Say Something
24-Hour Tip Line
1-844-SAF2SAY
www.safe2saypa.org/tip

Are you afraid someone you know may hurt themselves? Submit an anonymous tip and school officials and law enforcement (as necessary) will immediately respond.

CHESTER COUNTY CHILD & ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

In School Support

While we continue to encourage students to tell a trusted adult about any concerns, the new and existing anonymous tip lines provide additional options for reporting concerns.

Prevention Specialists Mental Health Services School Counselors

Resources & Parent Trainings

Please visit our YouTube channel for past parent trainings and speaker series.

Pupil Services YouTube Channel

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