Welcome to the Counselor's Corner
I am very excited to be working with the parents and students of Dawson County Middle School. I have included some of the programs that we offer here at DCMS as well as some helpful websites. Please feel free to contact me with your questions or your need of my help.
Mrs. Becca Wilson, EdS.
DCMS Counselor
706-216-5801 Ext 1815
Free Helpline for students and parents call 1-800-Children
Advisement - Each student is assigned an advisement group and teacher that they will loop with throughout their middle school career. Advisement meets twice a month and focuses on character education, career awareness, high school planning, post secondary education, study skills, and community service.
Student of the Month - Each month students are nominated and selected by
faculty members for their leadership abilities both in and out of the
classroom. A boy and a girl are selected from each grade level and honored
at a luncheon that is held at school. The students will have their picture
taken which will be sent to the local newspapers and posted in the front
hall of the school.
Gacollege411 -Each student will create a portfolio on the Gacollege411
website. This website has information on careers, high school planning,
college planning, financial aid, scholarships, and community service.
Learning Styles
Each DCMS student takes a learning style inventory that gives teachers valuable information about individual learning styles.
Bullying - This issue is addressed through classroom guidance lessons presented by NOA, No One Alone. You may click on the link below to view a letter from the NOA’s Community Outreach Director in regard to the information covered in the guidance lessons. You may also click on the link below to view the Dawson County Board Policy on bullying. Students will also view current, award winning educational DVD’s that address bullying. Please feel free to contact me at any time if you have concerns or questions in regard to bullying. Helpful websites are also listed below that address bullying.
Dawson County Board Policy (Bullying)
The Board of Education believes that all students can learn better in a safe
school environment. Behavior that infringes on the safety of students will
not be tolerated. Bullying, as the term is defined in Georgia law, of a
student by another student is strictly prohibited. Such prohibition shall
be included in the Student Code of Conduct for all schools within the school
system.
Bullying is defined as follows: An act which occurs on school property, on
school vehicles, at school bus stops, or at school related functions or
activities, or by use of data or software that is accessed through a
computer, computer system, computer network, or other electronic technology
of a local school system, that is:
1. Any willful attempt or threat to inflict injury on another person,
when accompanied by an apparent present ability to do so;
2. Any intentional display of force such as would give the victim
reason to fear or expect immediate bodily harm; or
3. Any intentional written, verbal, or physical act, which a
reasonable person would perceive as being intended to threaten, harass, or
intimidate, that:
a. Causes another person substantial physical harm within
the meaning of Code Section 16-5-23.1 or visible bodily harm as such term is
defined in Code Section 16-5-23.1;
b. Has the effect of substantially interfering with a
student's education;
c. Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates
an intimidating or threatening educational environment; or
d. Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly
operation of the school.
Procedures may be developed at each school encouraging a teacher or other
school employee, student, parent, guardian, or other person who has control
or charge of a student, either anonymously or in the person's name, at the
person's option, to report or otherwise provide information on bullying
activity. Any teacher or other school employee who, in the exercise of his
or her personal judgment and discretion, believes he or she has reliable
information that would lead a reasonable person to suspect that someone is a
target of bulling is encouraged to immediately report it to the school
principal. Any report will be appropriately investigated by the
administration based on the nature of the complaint in a timely manner to
determine whether bullying has occurred, whether there are other procedures
related to illegal harassment or discrimination that should be implemented
and what other steps should be taken. Any report of retaliation for
reporting bullying will also be investigated and addressed as called for in
this policy and in accordance with school procedures.
Acts of bullying shall be punished by a range of consequences through the
progressive discipline process, as stated in the Code of Conduct. However,
upon a finding by the disciplinary hearing officer, panel or tribunal that a
student in grades 6-12 has committed the offense of bullying for the third
time in a school year, the student shall be assigned to an alternative
school.
Upon a finding by a school administrator that a student has committed an act
of bullying or is a victim of bullying, the administrator or designee shall
notify the parent, guardian, or other person having control or charge of the
student by telephone call or through written notice, which may be done
electronically.
Students and parents will be notified of the prohibition against bullying
and the penalties for violating the prohibition by posting information at
each school and by including such information in the student/parent
handbooks.
NOA bullying presentation
Community Resources
Contact information is available if you are in need or interested in
any of the following community resources:
Youth Services,
Transportation,
Parenting,
Housing,
Emergency Assistance,
Educational Resources,
Abuse and Neglect,
Counseling,
Clothing,
Food, and
Substance Abuse and Treatment
Helpful Websites
www.gacollege411.org
www.mychildsfuture.org
www.teachersandfamilies.com
www.goodcharacter.com
www.chooserespect.org
www.stopbullyingnow.org
www.thehealingplaceinfo.org
www.reachout.com
www.bullyinginfo.org