Pyle Middle School

Counseling Office

Phone: (240) 740-3510
Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

The Counseling Program at Pyle Middle School focuses on the rapidly changing needs of adolescents. These changing needs unfold in every aspect of a youth’s life and range from the emotional to the physical as well as from the personal to the social. As students in Grades 6-8 struggle for an identity, counselors help them to balance these needs with those associated with the school setting.

 Focus and Delivery of the Counseling Services
 Frequently Asked Questions
 Registration and Cluster Information

Pyle Counseling Services

Meet the Counselors Presentation 2022-23

 Mission  

The Pyle Middle School Counseling Department is dedicated to ensuring that all students achieve their potential to be successful in their academic, social, and emotional lives by learning in a nurturing environment where unique talents and backgrounds of individuals are valued and respected.  Pyle's school counselor leaders utilize a school-wide approach to support an environment in which students feel cared about, supported, valued, and able to grow.   Pyle's school counselor leaders deliver interventions such as "Smarter, Stronger, and Kinder by the Quarter" activities to equip students with skills to increase to their leadership, resiliency, ability to develop relationships with peers and adults, and confidence. 

 Vision  

Students at Thomas W. Pyle Middle School will become equipped to be mentors, lifelong learners, kind and global citizens, who make successful transitions to post-secondary options.   Our students will demonstrate their responsibility to help and respect others and strive to maximize their potential. Every student will leave middle school with increased 21 ^st century skills, including a focus on grit, growth mindset, digital citizenship, collaboration, and an appreciation of others.  

 Focus of the Counseling Services

 The Counseling Program at Pyle Middle School stresses student development in three major areas: academic achievement, career and educational decision-making, and personal and social growth.

 Academic Achievement

• Identify programs available to students and the requirements for participation in these programs.
• Help students adjust to the school and plan their programs.
• Help students with time-management.
• Consult with teachers on ways to improve student academic achievement.

 Career and Educational Decision-Making

• Develop a 4-year plan for high school.
• Review graduation requirements.
• Assess student aptitudes & interests and explore career options.
• Reinforce problem-solving and decision-making skills.

 Personal and Social Development

• Help students discover their strengths and weaknesses in relation to school performances.
• Help students use their problem-solving and conflict resolution techniques.
• Help with conflict management and interpersonal relationships.
• Help students become their own advocates.

 Counseling Service Delivery

Counselors deliver the program in a variety of ways. Responsive counseling services are provided in individual and group settings when students need help in any of the three areas of emphasis. The student, parent, or member of the staff who sees the need for a particular issue to be addressed may initiate these services.

Counselors also meet with individual students to help them make decisions about career and educational planning. Another vehicle, group counseling, provides systematic large-scale instruction for all students at the middle level. Counselors plan with teachers and then teach specific objectives. This professional teamwork gives teachers the necessary resources to reinforce (in their content areas) the appropriate objectives.

Counselors support the overall school program by designing and coordinating activities necessary for the effective implementation of the school’s guidance program. Such activities include, but are not limited to, orientation of new students and parents, membership on the Counseling Advisory Committee, participation on interdisciplinary teams to determine special services for students, and providing for the academic placement of students in classes.

Signs of Suicide Prevention Program

Pyle students participated in the Signs of Suicide (SOS) Prevention program in October 2018. This Signs of Suicide® (SOS®) lesson helps students recognize the symptoms of depression and/or suicide in themselves, friends, or loved ones. The program helps students recognize symptoms of depression that indicate a need for follow-up. Remember, if you are concerned about yourself or a friend, or if you have more questions about the video and lesson, please talk to a trusted adult and/or stop by the counseling office to talk to a counselor.
Here are some resources as a follow up to today’s lesson. 

 ACT Pamphlet  & Mental Health & Wellness Guide