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John Wallace Middle School

Preparation. Respect. Integrity. Determination. Excellence.

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School Counseling

The school counseling department at the middle school has three full-time guidance counselors. They provide a broad range of opportunities for problem-solving and skill development. They assist students in developing as a total person through individual or group counseling. Through the gathering and organizing of information about academic performance, social behaviors and emotional needs counselors can ensure student successes. They provide placement for individual students, assist them in making appropriate academic and social choices, and help them in making transitions from one school or grade to another. The counselors serve as the primary liaison between home and school for students in grades five through eight.


If you have a specific question or concern, please feel free to contact the assigned counselor.


Mrs. Kavarsky: 8th Grade and 5th Grade (Dickinson/Klett)

Mrs. Schmidt: 7th Grade and 5th Grade (Fitzsimons/Bangs)

Ms. O'Keefe:  6th Grade and 5th Grade (Lundberg/Wozniak)

Role of the School Counselor

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The role of the school counselor is to provide students with the tools necessary to help with the student's personal/social, career and academic success. Here at JWMS, our counseling department encourages every student to reach his or her highest potential.

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Every student, every day.

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    \n
  • Individual Planning
    • \n
  • Individual/Group Counseling
    • \n
  • Developmental Guidance Classes
    • \n
  • Collaboration with students, staff, and families
    • \n
  • Responsive Services
    • \n
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With whom do school counselors work?

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    \n
  • Students: Counselors work directly with students to help them plan for the future, to learn strategies for school success, and to develop decision-making skills.
    • \n
  • Teachers: Counselors work with teachers to discuss student progress and placement. They also make suggestions to teachers to help students succeed.
    • \n
  • School Administrators: Counselors meet with administrators to advocate for student needs.
    • \n
  • Parents: Counselors work with parents to help them communicate with teachers, students, and outside resources.
    • \n
  • Outside Resources: Counselors work with outside resources such as Youth & Family Services, private counselors, private/magnet schools and technical schools.
    • \n
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Newington Human Services
\nNewington, (860) 665-8590

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\nAlateen
\nNew Britain, (860) 665-8590

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\nWheeler Clinic
\nPlainville, (800) 793-3588
\nThe Wheeler Clinic provides a full continuum of mental health, addiction treatment, prevention/wellness, early childhood development, and special education services for children, adolescents, adults, families, and the elderly.

\n\n


\nEmergency Mobile Psychiatric Service
\nNewington, (866) 261-0893
\nPart of the Wheeler Clinic that offers 24-hour crisis intervention services

\n\n


\nKlingberg Family Center
\nNew Britain, (860) 224-9113
\nThe Klingberg Family Center is a private, nonprofit agency offering an array of services designed to serve children and families whose lives have been affected by abuse in its various forms, severe family problems, abandonment issues, and emotional/behavioral problems. 

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\nMary's Place
\nWindsor, (860) 688-9621

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\nThe D'Esopso-Pratt Resource Center
\nWethersfield, (860) 563-5677
\nThe D'Esopso-Pratt Resource Center provides an accessible and comfortable environment in which educational and supportive materials and shared. It is the hope that they lessen the isolation of one's feelings as a result of a loss. 

\n\n


\nThe Cove
\nMeriden, (800) 750-2683
\nThe Cove is a program designed to help children through the grieving process.

\n\n


\nThe Bridge
\nWest Hartford, (860) 521-8035
\nThe Bridge Family Center is a comprehensive, regional nonprofit agency that provides a broad range of services for children and families throughout the Greater Hartford area. Founded in 1969, the Bridge offers a safe haven for children and families in crisis as well as positive, healthy intervention and prevention programs. 

\n

  • Role of the School Counselor

    \n\n

    The role of the school counselor is to provide students with the tools necessary to help with the student's personal/social, career and academic success. Here at JWMS, our counseling department encourages every student to reach his or her highest potential.

    \n\n

    \n\n

    Every student, every day.

    \n\n
      \n
    • Individual Planning
      • \n
    • Individual/Group Counseling
      • \n
    • Developmental Guidance Classes
      • \n
    • Collaboration with students, staff, and families
      • \n
    • Responsive Services
      • \n
    \n\n

    \n\n

    With whom do school counselors work?

    \n\n
      \n
    • Students: Counselors work directly with students to help them plan for the future, to learn strategies for school success, and to develop decision-making skills.
      • \n
    • Teachers: Counselors work with teachers to discuss student progress and placement. They also make suggestions to teachers to help students succeed.
      • \n
    • School Administrators: Counselors meet with administrators to advocate for student needs.
      • \n
    • Parents: Counselors work with parents to help them communicate with teachers, students, and outside resources.
      • \n
    • Outside Resources: Counselors work with outside resources such as Youth & Family Services, private counselors, private/magnet schools and technical schools.
      • \n
    \n

  • Newington Human Services
    \nNewington, (860) 665-8590

    \n\n


    \nAlateen
    \nNew Britain, (860) 665-8590

    \n\n


    \nWheeler Clinic
    \nPlainville, (800) 793-3588
    \nThe Wheeler Clinic provides a full continuum of mental health, addiction treatment, prevention/wellness, early childhood development, and special education services for children, adolescents, adults, families, and the elderly.

    \n\n


    \nEmergency Mobile Psychiatric Service
    \nNewington, (866) 261-0893
    \nPart of the Wheeler Clinic that offers 24-hour crisis intervention services

    \n\n


    \nKlingberg Family Center
    \nNew Britain, (860) 224-9113
    \nThe Klingberg Family Center is a private, nonprofit agency offering an array of services designed to serve children and families whose lives have been affected by abuse in its various forms, severe family problems, abandonment issues, and emotional/behavioral problems. 

    \n\n


    \nMary's Place
    \nWindsor, (860) 688-9621

    \n\n


    \nThe D'Esopso-Pratt Resource Center
    \nWethersfield, (860) 563-5677
    \nThe D'Esopso-Pratt Resource Center provides an accessible and comfortable environment in which educational and supportive materials and shared. It is the hope that they lessen the isolation of one's feelings as a result of a loss. 

    \n\n


    \nThe Cove
    \nMeriden, (800) 750-2683
    \nThe Cove is a program designed to help children through the grieving process.

    \n\n


    \nThe Bridge
    \nWest Hartford, (860) 521-8035
    \nThe Bridge Family Center is a comprehensive, regional nonprofit agency that provides a broad range of services for children and families throughout the Greater Hartford area. Founded in 1969, the Bridge offers a safe haven for children and families in crisis as well as positive, healthy intervention and prevention programs. 

    \n

Your school counselor keeps all information confidential unless disclosure is required to prevent clear and imminent danger to you or others or when the law requires that confidential information be revealed.

"A counseling relationship requires an atmosphere of trust and confidence between student and counselor. A student has the right to privacy and confidentiality." - American School Counseling Association