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Discovery Middle School

A Place for Innovation, Excellence & Discovery

DMS Guidance and Resources

Counselor Role and Responsibilities

The counselors at Discovery Middle School are responsible for providing outstanding services to students, families, teachers and administrators in order to maximize student success.  We strive to enhance our students’ experience at DMS by promoting their emotional, academic and social well-being.

DMS School Counselors:

 

  • Mrs. Verena Owsley (He-Mc)
    • vdowsley@madisoncity.k12.al.us or (256) 837-3735 ext. 82113
  • Ms. Constance Long (Me-Z)

Counselor Services

Counselors are available to provide individual and small group counseling to students in the following areas:

  • Academic
  • Social/Emotional
  • Family Issues
  • Decision Making
  • Anger
  • Grief and Loss
  • Changing Families
  •  Friendships
  • Anxiety
  • Study Habits
  • Organization
  • High School 4-year planning

Counselors are available to facilitate transition to DMS via:

  • Meeting with elementary counselors and teachers of 5th graders
  • Assisting in determining academic levels of each student
  • Hosting student orientation/parent meeting/Open House

Counselors are available to facilitate transition of BJHS via:

  • Meeting with high school counselors
  • Assisting in determining academic levels for placement
  • Organizing student orientation program
  • Assisting 8th graders and parents with 4-year plan

Additional services available:

  • Provide new student orientation
  • Facilitate parent-student-teacher conferences
  • Facilitate 504 eligibility meetings
  • Facilitate P2T meetings
  • Coordinate ACT ASPIRE Testing
  • Assist with schedule planning and registration 

Counselors are available to consult with parents regarding:

  • Academic concerns
  • Family relationships
  • Peer relationships
  • Behavior management
  • Community referrals

Counselors are available to consult with teachers both individually and at department/grade level meetings in order to:

  • Proactively address concerns about students with academic, social, and behavioral issues
  • Identify “at-risk” students
  • Develop and implement intervention plans
  • Act as an advocate on behalf of the students
 

  • Counselors are available to provide individual and small group counseling to students in the following areas:

    • Academic
    • Social/Emotional
    • Family Issues
    • Decision Making
    • Anger
    • Grief and Loss
    • Changing Families
    •  Friendships
    • Anxiety
    • Study Habits
    • Organization
    • High School 4-year planning

  • Counselors are available to facilitate transition to DMS via:

    • Meeting with elementary counselors and teachers of 5th graders
    • Assisting in determining academic levels of each student
    • Hosting student orientation/parent meeting/Open House

    Counselors are available to facilitate transition of BJHS via:

    • Meeting with high school counselors
    • Assisting in determining academic levels for placement
    • Organizing student orientation program
    • Assisting 8th graders and parents with 4-year plan

    Additional services available:

    • Provide new student orientation
    • Facilitate parent-student-teacher conferences
    • Facilitate 504 eligibility meetings
    • Facilitate P2T meetings
    • Coordinate ACT ASPIRE Testing
    • Assist with schedule planning and registration 

  • Counselors are available to consult with parents regarding:

    • Academic concerns
    • Family relationships
    • Peer relationships
    • Behavior management
    • Community referrals

  • Counselors are available to consult with teachers both individually and at department/grade level meetings in order to:

    • Proactively address concerns about students with academic, social, and behavioral issues
    • Identify “at-risk” students
    • Develop and implement intervention plans
    • Act as an advocate on behalf of the students
     

Parent Resources