South Pasadena Middle School

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Guidance Counselors

 
Sandra
Sandra Ray
 
Click HERE for
Counselor Request Form
Kim
Kimberly Woo
 
Click HERE for
Counselor Request Form
Jackie
Jackie Su
 
Click HERE for
Counselor Request Form
Rosa Ibarra
Rosa Ibarra
 
Click HERE for
Counselor Request Form
 

Welcome to the 2023-2024 School Year! SPMS FAQ

Please Note: 

- All Zero period classes begin Monday, August 21st. Zero period classes will meet daily from 7:00 - 7:55am. 

- 8th Period Band will begin Tuesday, September 5th.

Monday classes will be from 2:25 - 3:20; Tuesday - Friday will be from 2:45 - 3:40pm. 6th Graders will attend Monday, Wednesday, Friday; 7/8th Graders will attend Tuesday and Thursday.

 

- Counselors will be available to meet with students for non-emergent concerns starting on Monday, August 28th.

 

ALL SCHEDULING CONCERNS CLICK HERE: Scheduling Request Form

As you may understand, the counselors are working towards answering your questions/concerns as soon as we are able to do so. We appreciate your patience.
2023-2024 Elective Classes
 
Incoming 7th & 8th Graders
Student's will be receiving an email Monday, May 9, 2023 with a link to an electives google request form for next school year (2021-2022).  Please review the elective descriptions document below, which is important for students to read in order for them to know what is offered for their grade level. Please note each grade level could have different electives and/or different times of the year so please make sure you are looking at the electives description. Please keep in mind that all electives are not guaranteed and based on class availability, special programming, and if scheduling permits. Due to the amount of students each counselor has, we appreciate your understanding that counselors will address individual questions during a scheduled student meeting if the student selects the option to check in with their counselor on the google form. DUE DATE IS FRIDAY MAY 13 @ 3:00PM
 
Online Tips
Parent Resources and Video on time management
 
Online Elementary School | Decide the Right Fit for Your Child
 
Resources for Stress & Anxiety
Four Seas One Family and the Expat Life — Expat, Immigrant, Stress and  Anxiety - 4S1F82

Everything you need to know about the SPMS Counseling Department:

Counselors no longer accept schedule change/request forms after the first week of the school year.  Please do not fill out a counselor request form about this. All forms that are turned in last week will be followed up with by the end of the week by your counselor. Please be patient as we make changes and go through our many emails and request forms. Any other counseling questions/concerns can be brought to your Counselors attention by filling out the blue counselor request form found in their boxes. Have a great year!
Who will be our students counselor?
Counslors are assigned to students on teh first day of school, it will be listed in the class schedule.  That counselor will remain their counselor while they are at SPMS.
 
How can I reach my counselor?
Students at the beginning of the school year are encouraged to ask questions, to their counselors via the "Pink/Purple" Counselor
Schedule Form located in the main office. We will attempt to reach out to each request form as soon as we are able to process them.

We didn’t get the elective we requested, what do we do?
Students are given a request form at the end of 5th-grade year, a google form in 6th & 7th grade or upon registration to fill out to
give us an idea of what classes students are interested in.  Unfortunately, we may not be able to honor each request but we do the
best we can. When it comes to specific semester/yearlong electives, they may be in high demand and these electives are randomly selected from the computer based on the initial request.

What is the "wheel" (6th grade) and other grade levels elective system?
The wheel is computer generated and in 6th grade will include a rotation of 4 classes (not to be repeated for more than 1
quarter/semester). If a student does not get the wheel elective they wanted in the 1st quarter, they might get it in one of the other
quarters/semesters. Students do not have the option on which quarter an elective is given. In 7th & 8th grade, students are given either semester or yearlong electives--but again, not guaranteed.

Can teacher(s) requests be made?
Due to balancing classes and being fair to all students and teachers, per administration, teacher requests are not accepted.

I want an honors class, what do I do?
All honors classes are looked at carefully based on set criteria and students must meet the criteria in order to qualify for an honors
class. Every student is given a chance to reach the criteria at the end of each year. Due to reevaluating the students at the end of eachyear (except 8th graders in the spring), students may also be dropped out of an honors class if they do not meet the current criteria.  Honors classes are not guaranteed year-to-year.

**For Math Placement**Please refer to the board approved criteria for Math Placement Protocol.

I would like to receive Math Placement Data?
You may come into the main office to request your information from the main office clerks by the Friday of the second week of the new school in August. Please note that teacher recommendation scores are confidential and cannot be released.

How can I set up a parent meeting?
The beginning of the year is extremely busy. Email is the best way to reach counselors as they are with students and may not be able to answer a call.  If you would like to meet, please email to make an appointment, which will begin after the first few weeks of school. We can also make phone call appointments.

I left you a voicemail, but I haven't heard back?
We are glad that you sent us an email, we only check voicemail at the end of the day--with students in and out of the office, with exception within the first few weeks of school where it may take a bit longer.  With email we are able to communicate more directly. We apologize for the inconvenience.
 
Please note that due to scheduling issues, schedules may be subject to change without prior notice.


School Counselors
If you are having difficulties in school, with your friends or family, speak with your school counselor.  The counselors help by offering you a safe and confidential environment in which to talk to someone, and can help you:
  • Work out personal issues.
  • Get used to the middle school.
  • Set and achieve goals.
  • If you or someone you know are being bullied.
  • Understand yourself better so you make good choices.
  • Find ways to improve your grades and attitude.
  • Mediate conflict.
  • Think about your future (school and career).

School Specialists

Ms. Amanda Tarca
Psychologist
(626) 441-5830 ext 3102
Mr. Abraham Fuerte
Speech Therapist ext
(626) 441-5830 ext 3921 
 
Occupational Therapist
(626) 441-5830 ext 3921
 
Ms. Dawn Mays
Psychologist
(626) 441-5830 ext 3920
 
Ms. Fiona McEniry
TYB Counselor
(626) 441-5830 ext 3913
Anna Clark
Speech Therapist
(626) 441-5830 ext 3921
Middle School Behavior
Please click on the link below in order to view the Middle School Behavior Presentation.

The Need for Middle School Counselors

Outside Counseling Referrals
Here is a list of outside therapists, counseling agencies and hotlines:
Counselor-Recommended Books
Below is a link to a list of books we recommend. We have found they are helpful in working with middle school students.
ASCA National Model
American School Counseling Association National Model - Professional School Counseling Standards for K-12:
Habits of Minds