Counselor's Office

About the Counseling Department

Welcome to the Middle School Counseling Center. We are excited to be here to support students, families, and teachers. As certified school counselors we are available to provide 1:1 counseling or group counseling to students who have difficulties that may include:

Changes in behavior
Academic concerns
Social concerns

We also help coordinate support programs - this includes referrals to groups, physicians, or counselors. We will come to the classroom to address specific problems or to provide affective activities.

Remember our doors are always open to students, parents, and staff.

Middle School Counseling Center

801 Wood Street

Harrisburg, PA 17109

Phone: 717-657-5125 Option 2

Fax: 717-657-9841

For other assistance please contact the
Guidance Office Secretary:

Ms. Nicole Detwiler

Phone: 717.657.5125 Option 2

Fax: 717.657.9841

Our Counselors

MR. PATRICK LEISTER

Hello! I am the School Counselor at STMS for student with last names A-K. I am very excited to aid your learner in overcoming the obstacles that may come our way in this 2023-24 school year. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Susquehanna University and a Master of Education Degree in Secondary School Counseling from Shippensburg University. I look forward to supporting and encouraging your learner’s Academic, Career, and Social/Emotional development.

School Counselor, Building Homeless Liaison

Middle School

pleister@hannasd.org

Click to request a meeting with Mr. Leister

MrS. RACHEL HALL-JENKINS

Hello!

I am the School Counselor at STMS for students with last names L-Z. I attended Penn State University where I received my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. I then transitioned to Lancaster Bible College where I received a Master’s in Marriage and Family Counseling and School Counseling. I am very excited to work with the amazing students here at STMS. I look forward to meeting and working with you to provide the best support to our students at STMS.

Please contact me with any questions or concerns.

School Counselor

Middle School

rhall-jenkins@hannasd.org

717-657-5125 ext. 30201

COVID-19 Resources

Student COVID-19 Resources

Tips for how to make the most of this time

Develop a daily schedule/routine
- Consider waking up at your normal time everyday just as if you were in school
Take the time to clean and organize your room/space
- Clean out your book bag
- Get rid of old papers
- Organize the papers you need to keep
Make sure you have your supplies ready
- Pencils, pens, erasers, paper
- Charge your laptop
- Review information from previous lessons
- Check out Teacher Pages for information and updates from your teachers!
Be helpful around the house
- Clean up after yourself
- Help your parents/guardians around the house
- Spend time with a younger sibling – color, sing a song, read a book
- Set the table, help prepare a meal or desert
Get some exercise
- Stretch
- Check out free exercise or dance videos on the internet
- Walk up and down the stairs a few times
Have Fun
- Do something you enjoy
- Be Creative

Resource	Description
Ideas for Fun Activities	Click here for a list of activities you can do to have some safe fun during the school closures! Information provided by Keystone Human Services.
Online Activities and Enrichment	Click here for a list of fun online activities including virtual museum tours and other interesting virtual activities! Information provided by Keystone Human Services.
Self Care Tips during Social Distancing	Keystone Human Services put together a list of self-care tips to do during social distancing.

RESOURCES FOR PARENTS

Resource	Description
Talking to Children about Change	This link provided by the National Association of School Psychologists provides information about guiding children through this period of change.
Dauphin County Special Edition Mental Health TidBit	This resource provides information for families about managing mental health during this time.
Age-Appropriate Discussions with Learners	This link from the CDC provides parents with suggestions for having age-appropriate conversations with their children.
Coping with the Crisis and Stress	The CDC shares about ways to cope with the current crisis and stress during the school closures for both adults and students.
#HomeTogether Resources from PA Family Alliance	The PA Family Alliance has compiled over 200 different resources from different organizations who have stepped up to help families work through these times of change.
PA State Police Community Awareness Bulletin on App Safety	The PA State Police Community Awareness Bulletin provides information and guidance on cyber safety and apps.

Drug & Alcohol Resources

We want to provide the community of STMS with additional support and resources. Please browse the resources below, which includes both websites and downloadable resources (booklets, information pages, etc.). If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the counselors for additional support, Student Assistance Program (SAP) referrals, or other questions. We are here to support you and your student(s).

Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Presentation
NIDA for Teens This website provides a plethora of information regarding all types of drug use and abuse. Under the tab entitled "Drug Facts" you can find specific information regarding Prescription and Over-the-Counter Drug misuse and abuse. It also includes interactive games and videos about drug information. More clinical information regarding drug use, misuse, and abuse can be found at NIDA, the National Institute from In light of Abuse.
Over-the-Counter and Prescription Drug Abuse This is a PDF from the Arkansas Children's Hospital regarding the dangers of OTC and Prescription Drug use and abuse.
Not My Kid Organization This website is a PDF that focuses on conversation starters regarding drug use, drug paraphernalia, and provides pictures of current drug paraphernalia trends.
Facts for Families: Peer Pressure This website is provided by the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. It provides tips for parents on how to talk to their child about peer pressure and avoiding the pressure to give into drugs. Additional helpful links can be found within the website.
A Parent's Guide to Raising Drug-Free Teens This booklet is provided by Prevention First who works to make communities drug free. This downloadable booklet provides information on identifying drugs, getting the facts about drugs, and creating a drug free zone at home. It also provides additional websites and resources.
Worrying about your child and drugs can seem unnecessary or paranoid. But if the best defense is a strong offense, then it makes sense to prepare now. Learn how to identify, intervene and help your kids by checking out the "Straight Talk" for parents is a resource http://straighttalkforparents.org
Dauphin County Commission on Drugs and Alcohol regularly conducts educational groups for middle school children. If you are interested in getting information about their programs, you can call 635-2254 or check out the web site. This is a resource that can be accessed through STMS student assistance team (SAT) or independently. SAT can help you to access a variety of services for you and your child. http://www.dauphincounty.org/human-services/drug-and-alcohol/

Grief & Loss Resources

The Caring place is a wonderful resource for families who are dealing with the loss of a loved one. We encourage you to get in touch with them or check out their website, here.

Other resources include:

Camp Dragonfly is a program offered by Pinnacle Health Hospice. They offer weekend camps for children ages 6-12 and 13-15 years old who have experienced the death of a family member. These camps ar fee of charge but you must register early. if you would like more information, contact your child's counselor.

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