Counselor’s Corner

Welcome to the SSA + S Counselor Corner Website! The guidance counselor at SSA + S is here to help with all parents and student needs, to make sure students are in the appropriate classes, and to help them meet their academic and personal/social goals as effectively as possible.  I am also here to counsel students individually and in groups when needed and to help prepare them for the future. 

On this website you will find helpful links for parents and students, as well as school information and updates. There’s also links to Sarasota County High Schools, information on college preparations, and much, much more! Check out the site frequently for new and exciting updates!

Referral for Special Needs

If you believe your child is experiencing difficulties academically or behaviorally, you should contact the Team Leader to express your concerns.

6^th grade team leader: Sarah Shepherd

7^th grade team leader: Mickey Stone

8^th grade team leader: Brian Sutliff 

If you feel your child could benefit from a possible 504 (or has a current 504 and needs updating) or other Exceptional Student Education (ESE) services due to ADHD/ADD or other reasons, please contact the school counselor.  Parents/ guardians must submit this request in writing and include an email address or phone number and time that would be best to contact you.  Once your request is received, the school counselor will contact you in a timely manner and explain the process we follow at SSA+S to address your child’s needs.

1. Parent puts request in writing to school counselor.

2. The school counselor will :

a.       Respond to parent and document phone call or leaving a message. 

b.      Send a written summary of contact home.

c.       Inquire from teachers via team meeting if they are noticing any issues with the student at school

·         If teachers note issues with academics and/or behavior, then intervention strategies will be developed, parent teacher meeting will be scheduled, and attempts at resolving academic/behavioral concerns will be addressed.

·         If concerns cannot be addressed in this manner and concerns still persist, then student will be placed on the agenda for the school wide support team (SWST).

·         If teachers do not note concerns with academics and/or behavior, then the parent is contacted again in writing with teacher feedback provided. 

Teens Against Bullying Website 

Teens Against Bullying Web site is an interactive, unique educational resource for bullying prevention designed to engage, empower and educate all teens. There are creative solutions that all teens can use to educate or help each other raise awareness in their in bullying situations. http://www.pacerkidsagainstbullying.org/

High School Planning

Below you will find a link to the high school planning packet that was given to the students in January. Please contact the school counselor for more information regarding high school planning.

High School Planning Packet

Helpful Parent Resources

Http://http://www.greattowait.com/

http://www.collegeboard.com/

http://www.troubleteen.com/

http://www.getnetwise.org/

http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/

http://www.sarasota.k12.fl.us/

http://www.theantidrug.com/

http://www.timetotalk.org/

http://www.thelookup941.org/

FCAT Preparation

http://www.fcatexplorer.com/

http://http/www.paec.org/your_child_your_public_schools/fcat_essentials.html