• Erin Hull, 2024-25 7th grade Counselor

• Emily Misner, 2024-25 8th-grade Counselor

• Jodi Zenner, 2023-25 6th-grade Counselor

We are all very excited to be working with your children during this transitional time in their education. 

Our registrar, Mrs. Stinson, is amazing. If you have questions regarding registration, forms, transcripts, or life in general, she is your gal! 

AS SCHOOL COUNSELORS, WE ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT:

• Physical or sexual abuse that has not been previously reported. If you tell me that it has been reported, I will still need to verify that it was reported. 

• Suicide threats, attempts, or thoughts, including thought of wanting to be dead. If you tell me that your parents know about the problem, I will still need to contact them to verify this. 

• Threats to your safety or the safety of others. This includes concerns about fighting, self-injury, substance abuse, and sexual activity. If you tell me that your parents know about the problem, I will still need to contact them to verify this. 

• Unreported felony crimes.

• When a student meets "reasonable suspicion" of being under the influence of a controlled substance at school or has possession of a controlled substance at school.

Link to Medication Drop-off Day!

West Ada School District Counseling Services
School counselors are vital members of the education team found in each West Ada school building. Through the implementation of a comprehensive school counseling program, school counselors assist all students in the areas of academic achievement, personal/social development and career development, to ensure that today's students become the productive, well-adjusted adults of tomorrow. School counselors provide short-term individual counseling, group counseling, and guidance curriculum. School counselors also help connect students and their families to a variety of community resources. 

Each school counselor or school social worker has a Pupil Personnel Certificate from the Idaho State Department of Education. The minimum education requirement for this certificate is a master’s degree in school counseling or social work. 

School Counseling 

The School Counselor:

• Promotes a safe, caring, climate and a positive school experience for all students

• Guides and supports students with personal, social, and academic goals

• Encourages students to have healthy perceptions of themselves

• Inspires students to show kindness, respect, and empathy toward others

• Advocates for students, and empowers students to make positive choices, by using appropriate tools for problem-solving and decision making

The Role of the School Counselor:

• Offers short-term, solution focused, individual and group counseling (group counseling is based on availability).

• Teaches whole group class lessons with district approved curriculum

• Observes students in various settings

• Consults and collaborates with parents, staff, students, and community agencies

• Provides community referrals and resources for families

• Coordinates Section 504 Accommodation Plans

• Provides support during a crisis

The School Counselor's Referral Process:

• Referrals typically come from parents, staff, and students

• Students can stop by the counselor’s office (with teacher permission), and fill out a request slip, or bring their own note, and place it in the counselor’s confidential mailbox. Or, students can ask their teacher to contact the school counselor for them.

• Staff and parents may contact the counselor at any time via phone or email

 Note: For issues beyond the scope of a school counselor, and/or when more intensive, long-term services may be needed, parents may request referrals for outside counseling services

Confidentiality Policy

What you say in here stays in here UNLESS:

• You threaten to hurt someone...

• You plan to hurt yourself...

• Someone has hurt you... 

• You have broken the law... 

• You give us permission to share with other trusted adults...

Counseling Support Groups
Heritage Middle School offers many different groups throughout the school year. These groups are offered according to interest and availability. All group members will be required to obtain parent/guardian permission before attending group meetings.   For a copy of the group counseling consent form, please have your student stop by the counseling office before school, at lunch, or after school. A copy can be emailed home to you upon request.  

Friend Zone: A group to build friendships and communication skills.

Mad Hatters:  An educational support group to help you learn skills to manage your anger so you can be more successful in school and life.

Changing families: A peer support group for students experiencing changes in their family due to divorce, military deployment, illness, and other stressors. 

Zen Kids: An educational support group focused on mindfulness and coping skills to deal ith everyday stress and anxiety.

Concerned Others: A peer support group to help those dealing with a loved one's drug/alcohol use.

Reflections: A peer support group for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one.

Individual School Counseling is..

• Offered in a confidential and supportive setting

• Conducted on a one-on-one basis

• Short-term in nature, and often occurs in 1-3 sessions

• Available to ALL students 6-8

• Meant to meet any immediate student needs or concerns

• Not long-term therapy. For students with acute mental health issues (e.g. Eating Disorders, Abuse, Depression, Anxiety, etc.), a referral to an outside mental health provider can be provided to parents.

Please contact your School Counselor if you would like to refer your child for individual counseling

Academic Resources/Interventions

Parents/Guardians,

If your student is struggling academically, we have several interventions available. Please review and select the best option for your student.    

Encourage your child to use their agenda - Every Monday, students write the week’s assignments, important dates, and other relevant information in their agenda. Encourage your student to review their agenda each day at home to ensure they are completing work on time and studying for tests. Teachers will post on their website, each week, a copy of the agenda for their class.    

Communicate with your child’s teacher(s) - Contact your child’s teacher directly to discuss concerns, ask questions, and to provide support. 

Create an account in PowerSchool and check your child’s grades weekly - Contact the school if you need your username and password to create your parent account in PowerSchool. Actively checking your student’s grades is one of the best ways to support your child.

Fast Forward Program

The Fast Forward program provides every student attending an Idaho public school an allocation of $4,125.00 to use towards Advanced Opportunities in grades 7-12. The program was expanded by the Legislature in 2016 through the passing of Senate Bill 1292. 

The funds can be used for: 

Dual Credits
Dual credit courses are taken by high school students. These courses are transcribed on both their high school and college transcripts. The Fast Forward program can pay for up to $75.00 per credit. In most cases, the cost of these credits is $65.00. Dual Credit courses can also be taken online, by virtual conferencing, or in some cases students can go directly to the college/university campus. All dual credit courses must be transcribed on the students’ high school transcript. 

Overload Courses
An overload course is a high school level course that is taken in excess of the student’s regular school day. These courses are offered online, during the summertime, and after school. In the event that student incurs a cost for such courses, the Fast Forward program can pay up to $225.00 for the cost of the course. Overload courses must be above and beyond the full course load offered by the student’s local school.

• West Ada high school students should have a 3.0 or higher GPA and must be taking a full course load of 12 credits per year.

• West Ada middle school students should have a 3.0 or higher GPA and must be taking a full course load of 6 classes per semester.

• Fast Forward funds may not be used for repeated or remedial course work.

Contact your student's counselor for more information or visit the Fast Forward website by following the link at the top of this page

Community Assistance

Please contact your grade level counselor as early as possible during the school year to indicate interest in one or more of the following assistance programs. The space is limited.

Operation School Supply: The Assistance League of Boise (ALB) and various other service organizations provide our school with donated school supplies each fall. Please contact your grade level counselor to determine what supplies are available. Many times we do not receive donations for all of the items on your child's supply list. you may contact the counselor by email or phone to request supplies.

Weekend Food Backpacks: A local church is offering Meridian School District students "in need" (free and reduced lunch recipients) a weekend food package. Each weekend food package consists of non-perishable, individual-sized food items for one students. Deliveries are typically made to the school on Fridays. Space for this program is limited. Please call your grade level counselor to check on the availability of the weekend food bags and to obtain an application.

Holiday Giving: Various community organizations begin contacting schools during the fall months to offer holiday assistance. Some programs offer food boxes and others also offer basic necessity gift items for Christmas (pajamas, clothing items, board games, etc.). If you are interested in this service, please contact your grade level counselor as early as possible.

Free Tutoring: Tutor.com

Boise Bicycle Project: Last year gently used bicycles were available as part of the Boise Bicycle Project. Guardians were responsible for transporting their children to the site for a bike, helmet, fitting, and bicycle training session. Contact a School Counselor for an application. 

Computers for Kids: Refurbished computers are available to kids at a nominal fee. Computers and equipment costs are your obligation-this is not a free of charge service. Go to CFK Idaho for more information, pricing, and an order form.

Link to Credit Policy (Middle School)