STUDENT LIFE
SCHOOL COUNSELING & GUIDANCE Counseling and guidance are integral parts of the instructional program at Smitha Middle School. Counselors work with students in one of three settings: First, a student may speak to a counselor regarding an issue. Second, in small group sessions, the counselor may facilitate a discussion group with six to twelve students. Groups may focus on topics such as friendship, being new to the school or area, coping with stress, conflict resolution, peer pressure, family changes, coping with loss, etc. Third, counselors may work with students in the classroom with activities such as test taking skills, bullying, and career information. Counselors may arrange and participate in parent / teacher conferences. Students who want to make an appointment with a counselor may fill out an“ Appointment to See the Counselor” form. Students must have a pass from their teacher to see a counselor.
PE Locker Room All PE students will utilize the locker rooms to change for PE class. Students will be held liable for any damage to the locker room including the restroom stalls. The school is not responsible for the loss of personal items.
• During PE, students must be in accordance with the Smitha dress code policy.
• Students are required to wear sneakers or tennis shoes. No crocs, foam runners, slides / flip flops.
CLINIC / MEDICATION The clinic is open from 9:15 a. m.- 4:00 p. m. and is closed 30 minutes for lunch daily. An official Medical Authorization form( English) or( Spanish) must be signed by a parent / guardian or physician before medications, either prescription or over-thecounter, can be administered by the nurse. The school does not supply medication. The District has strict policies regarding medication. If a student takes medication during school hours, then the following procedures must be followed:
1. Prescription medication cannot be transported on the Cobb County School Bus. The prescription must be transported to and from school by the parent or guardian and given to the school nurse for safekeeping and monitoring.
2. All medications must be brought to the clinic in the original containers labeled with student’ s name and be accompanied by a Medical Authorization form. Students may keep cough drops and over the counter medication( i. e., Advil, Tylenol, aspirin, antacids and throat lozenges) with them if the parent has completed an Over-the-Counter Medication form( English) or( Spanish) which is the kept on the file in the clinic. The student should also keep a copy of the form with them.
3. Inhalers, EpiPens, Seizure medications must be accompanied by Action Plans from their physicians.
4. Parents of students who take medication daily must complete a Medical Authorization form. These forms may be obtained in the front office or the clinic.
Medications, as well as over-the-counter items such as Tylenol, Advil, etc., may not be shared between students.
7