Guidance

Middle School is an exciting, yet challenging time for students, parents and teachers. The guidance department at King’s Fork Middle school is available to help students adjust and thrive during their transitional years and prepare them for success in high school. The counseling staff is committed and dedicated to assist students and parents in building foundations for academic excellence as well as providing positive relationships between school and home.

We encourage parents to contact us with any questions or concerns as we get to know each child at King’s Fork Middle School. (923-5246)

Guidance Staff:
Mrs. J. Matthews, Director Gr. 8
Mrs. T. Collette, Gr. 7
Mrs. C. Catlett, Gr. 6
Mrs. L. Harrell, Secretary

Student Support Staff:
Mrs. C. Edler, Special Education Compliance Specialist
Mr. B. Price, Psychologist
Mrs. F. Gray-Lyles, Social Worker
Mrs. K. Schuhr, Educational Diagnostician

How Do I Register a Student at King’s Fork?

A parent must follow the registration requirements before a student can enter King’s Fork Middle School:

Proof of Age

Birth certificate

Proof of Residency

Mortgage statement
Rental agreement
Lease
Utility bill
Or an approval by Suffolk School Board

Proof of Immunization

All shots must be up-to-date including, DTap for all 6th grade students

Proof of custody

Documentation indicating custodial parent/guardianship are required in cases in which residential parent is divorced or separated

Other Information

A copy of current grades or last report card
Test scores

How Can a School Counselor Assist Parents?

The guidance department may assist parents by providing:

Student progress
Interpreting test scores
Intervention during crisis
Referrals for community resources when appropriate
Protect privacy of information shared by parents and students

Parent Conferences

Parent conferences may be initiated by parents or teachers. Conferences are intended to strengthen a positive relationship between home and school as well as establish strategies for student success. Guidance counselors will be in attendance for most conferences.

How do I schedule a conference with a teacher?
Please contact Mrs. Harrell, Guidance Secretary (923-5246) and request a meeting with your child’s teachers. The guidance counselor will coordinate the meeting with parent and teacher as well as maintain contact with parents.

How do I sign up for Parent Connection?
Your guidance counselor can assist in enrolling parents into this program. You will be able to see your child’s grades and communicate with teachers through e-mail. This is an ideal way to keep up with the progress of your child.

Parent Resource Center

The parent resource center is designed to provide assistance to all parents. The center houses books, pamphlets, tapes and videos that can be helpful in the success of parenting. It is located in the guidance conference room. Make an appointment with Mrs. Harrell to checkout materials or to sit and read. (923-5246)

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

Parent Newsletters

Attendance must be a top priority for your child

Strong attendance is as important to your child’s school career as the foundation is to a house. Without it, there is nothing to build on. It would be nearly impossible to list all the reasons your child must be in school. Here are just a few:

School attendance is the law. Every school district requires students to attend. The only exceptions are illness or family emergency.
Missing school is terrible for classroom performance. Most children have trouble keeping up if they miss more than a few days.
Peer relations often get started at school. A child who misses school may have fewer friends.

To aim for top attendance:

Tell your child that school is important to you and the family. You expect her to be in school.
Don’t take your child out of school to baby-sit other children.
Don’t take your child out of school to do errands.
Schedule appointments for non-school hours whenever possible.

Reprinted with permission from the September 2007 issue of Parents Still make the difference!® (Middle School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2007 The Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc. Source: “Is your child missing out? School Attendance: Information for Parents,” Department for Education and Skills, United Kingdom, Dfes Publications, www.dfes.gov.uk/schoolattendance/uploads/PARENTS%20LEAFLET%20FINAL%2012-12-2005.pdf.