Counseling and Student Services

The mission of North Garner Middle School Counseling and Student Services Department is to provide a comprehensive counseling program that addresses the academic, career, and social development of all students. The counseling staff is committed to improving the academic achievement of all students.

• School Counselors provide a comprehensive school counseling program that improves student achievement and enhances the academic, career and personal/social development of all students. The comprehensive school counseling program is delivered through classroom lessons, individual student planning sessions, and individual and group counseling. School counselors collaborate with parents, teachers, administrators and other school staff to promote student success. School counselors also provide leadership and advocacy to promote equity and access to opportunities and rigorous educational experiences for all students. 
• Vision - Program addresses local needs, coordinates services with student services provided by other school and community personnel, works with administrative staff and other school personnel to accomplish program goals and objectives.
• School Psychologists are specially trained and licensed to provide a wide variety of services that help students succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. In collaboration with educators, parents/guardians, and other mental health professionals, school psychologists strive not only to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments for all students, but also to strengthen connections between home and school. Utilizing leadership, advocacy, and collaboration, school psychologists promote overall academic success by providing services that enhance the student, school, home, and community partnerships and alleviate barriers to learning. In WCPSS, most school psychologists serve two schools.
• School Nurse manages and coordinates the school’s health services program based on requirements established by school division policies, procedures, and protocols, and by local, state and national regulations and statutes. The employee identifies and treats health disorders among students and provides instruction in the maintenance of good health and disease prevention. The employee must evaluate the physical conditions of students and refer students to appropriate resources as needed.
• Speech Pathologist identifies students with communication disabilities; planning and implementing appropriate treatment to minimize adverse impact on student success; recommending treatment plans; and providing direction to all involved.
• School Social Workers are trained and licensed professionals that provide a link between the home, school and community through support services that positively impact the development of the whole child. School Social Workers engage the school, family, teachers, and/or community in a problem solving process to promote positive change and eliminate barriers to learning. School Social Workers receive referrals from the community, parents, school staff and students when students display poor attendance, failing grades, effects of family crisis, emotional and behavioral concerns. School Social Workers can support parents by helping parents understand their child’s developmental and educational needs; providing access to school and community resources; helping navigate special education services; obtaining mental health services; and providing services for homeless families. 
• Academically or Intellectually Gifted (AIG) at the middle school level, involves screening and placement for students. Teachers and/or parents may nominate students for the AIG Program during the first or second semester screening window. Students may be identified for services in language arts, mathematics, or in both areas.  Students in Wake County Public School System are identified using a state–approved model that includes not only aptitude and achievement test scores, but also other indicators of giftedness such as classroom behaviors, performance, interest, and motivation. Students who meet the criteria for AIG services are identified according to their level of need: moderate; strong; or very strong for services. Students who qualify for the AIG program are served through differentiated strategies designed to provide challenges and appropriate instruction in language arts classes and/or in mathematics courses.