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Guidance Counselor

The image shows a vibrant scene with several butterflies fluttering around a cluster of pink flowers. The flowers have long, feathery plumes and stand tall with green stems and leaves. The butterflies are of various colors, including black, yellow, and orange, adding to the visual appeal of the scene. The background is a soft blue, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere.

Welcome to the Guidance Webpage! 

Mrs. Ann Kessler, GBMS School Counselor
phone: 732-968-1051 ext. 2050
akessler@gbtps.org

Information for 8th Grade

 

Eighth Grade Student Orientation at WHRHS

Tuesday evening, April 26th starting at 7:00

Performing Arts Center

For additional information and agenda visit WHRHS website, main webpage.

The Work of the Middle School Counselor

Middle School Counselors Help Students. . .

  • to develop personal awareness and explore career goals
  • to develop communication and interpersonal skills needed to relate well to others
  • to transition through the young adolescent period

The counselor’s primary task is to help students become better learners by providing a comprehensive program that includes responsive services, individual planning, systems support and a guidance curriculum.

Guidance Curriculum

The GBMS Guidance Curriculum addresses three areas of a student’s development: social/personal, academic and career. The counselor works with students individually, in small groups and through classroom instruction to help them succeed in these areas of growth.

Committee for Children’s:  Second Step and Steps to Respect  Steps to Respect: A Bully Prevention Curriculum

Students in Grade 5 learn the following topics in bully prevention:

Students in Grade 5 learn the following topics in bully prevention:

  • How to recognize bullying behaviors
  • How to safely refuse bullying
  • How to report bullying
  • Responsibility of the upstander

 

Lessons for the 20014-2015 school year will occur in minimesters of approximately one month for each 5th grade class spread throughout the year. Please refer to the 5th Grade webpage on this site for additional information and the schedule for classes. These lessons are part of 21st Century Life and Career Skills.

 Second Step: A Violence Prevention Curriculum  This curriculum is taught to students in Grades 6 and 7. Topics include the following:

  • empathy training
  • impulse control
  • anger management
  • social problem solving

The image shows a horizontal arrangement of colorful flowers against a gray background. The flowers include yellow chrysanthemums, purple pansies, red roses, and other colorful blooms. Green leaves are interspersed throughout the arrangement.

Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth.
Do the right thing because it is right.
These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity. W. Clement Stone 



The image is a diagram illustrating "The Cycle of Bullying." It shows a large circle labeled "Social Culture" with six smaller circles surrounding it,

 

“Be the ‘G'”!  Students learn that in any bullying situation bystanders or participants assume one of eight roles. Each role is designated alphabetically. Letters are assigned behaviors in the following ways:

  • A-bully
  • B-follower
  • C-supporter
  • D-passive supporter
  • E-disengaged onlooker
  • F-possible defender
  • G-upstander
  • H-target

The image shows a group of game pieces on a white background. Most of the pieces are green, but one piece is red. The red piece stands out in the center of the group.


   Students understand the behaviors assumed by each of the above roles. Of the six bystander roles, only the “G” or “Upstander” actually helps the target. Students also listed a minimum of six behaviors the upstander could do to help the target that do not require addressing the bully directly.   Students participate in role plays designed to heighten their awareness of the power inherent in the roles of all bystanders if they all unite and: “Be the ‘G'”. Talk to your child about the behaviors of the bystanders. Ask them about the picture above of green and red markers. The colors are symbolic of two of The Six Pillars of Character: green represents “responsibility” and red, “caring”. How are we “responsible” for “caring” for the victim? What role does your child assume as a bystander (or upstander)?    

The image shows a colorful illustration representing unity and diversity. A globe is surrounded by five stick figures, each a different color (red, blue, yellow, brown, and pink). Each figure has a heart in their chest and their arms outstretched toward the globe.

Our Bully-Free Pledge 

We pledge that silence is unacceptable when someone is being hurt by words or actions. We will not accept bullying in our school.

We will Stand Up! We will Speak Up! We will Stop Hate!

 

The image shows a yellow sign with the words "BULLY FREE ZONE" in black and red letters.

Helpful Bully Prevention Websites:

 

The image shows a rainbow-colored design with the words "Power of a Friend" in bold, yellow letters. Below, two cartoon hands of different skin tones are shown giving each other a thumbs up. Underneath, the phrase "The No Bully Zone" is written in red with a line crossing out "No."​​​​​​​