6^th Grade Counselor

Ashlan Brunello

abrunello@srcs.org

"Hi there! 

This is my fourth year as a school counselor but my first year at Davidson and I'm so excited to be here!

I was born and raised in Red Bluff, CA, a small town north of here. I graduated from The University of Nevada, Reno with my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and later earned my Master of Arts in Counseling from Sonoma State University. After moving to Sonoma County I quickly discovered my love for this area and have been here ever since. In my free time I love hanging out with my family, reading books and going on runs. 

I'm so excited to be at Davidson and can't wait to work with you all!"

"¡Hola! 

¡Este es mi cuarto año como consejera escolar pero mi primer año en Davidson y estoy muy emocionada de estar aquí!

Nací y crecí en Red Bluff, CA, un pequeño pueblo al norte de aquí. Me gradué de la Universidad de Nevada, Reno con mi Licenciatura en Psicología y luego obtuve mi Maestría en Consejería de la Universidad Estatal de Sonoma. Después de mudarme al condado de Sonoma, descubrí rápidamente mi amor por esta área y he estado aquí desde entonces. En mi tiempo libre me encanta salir con mi familia, leer libros y salir a correr. 

¡Estoy muy emocionado de estar en Davidson y no puedo esperar a trabajar con todos ustedes!".

7^th Grade Counselor

Suzy Murray

smurray1@srcs.org

Hi Cougars,

Bring on the 24-25 school year! This is my 1st year at Davidson Middle School and my 10th year as a school counselor.  I grew up in New York State, but moved to California 17 years ago and never looked back. I love everything about NorCal and am thrilled to be a part of the Davidson crew. 

I graduated from the State University of New York with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. I received my master’s degree in Student Affairs and Diversity from Binghamton University and my master’s in Counseling from Sonoma State University. I come from a family of educators so being in a school environment just feels like home to me. 

I live with my partner, our 2 children and our little doggie, Luke, in Sonoma County. Since my kids are still pretty young, we find ourselves spending a lot of time at local playgrounds, walking our dog, and jumping on the trampoline. When I get to do the things I am interested in- you’ll find me watching hockey or soccer, searching for the perfect fried chicken sandwich, and taking road trips to places new to us! 

I look forward to getting to know the 7th graders this year and growing together through our journey at Davidson.

Hola pumas,

¡Que comience el año escolar 24-25! Este es mi primer año en la escuela secundaria Davidson y mi décimo año como consejera escolar.  Crecí en el estado de Nueva York, pero me mudé a California hace 17 años y nunca miré atrás. Me encanta todo acerca de NorCal y estoy encantado de ser parte del equipo de Davidson. 

Me gradué de la Universidad Estatal de Nueva York con una licenciatura en psicología. Recibí mi maestría en Asuntos Estudiantiles y Diversidad de la Universidad de Binghamton y mi maestría en Consejería de la Universidad Estatal de Sonoma. Vengo de una familia de educadores, por lo que estar en un ambiente escolar me hace sentir como en casa. 

Vivo con mi pareja, nuestros 2 hijos y nuestro perrito, Luke, en el condado de Sonoma. Como mis hijos todavía son bastante pequeños, pasamos mucho tiempo en los parques infantiles locales, paseando a nuestro perro y saltando en el trampolín. Cuando pueda hacer las cosas que me interesan, me encontrarás viendo hockey o fútbol, ​​buscando el sándwich de pollo frito perfecto y haciendo viajes por carretera a lugares nuevos para nosotros. 

Espero conocer a los estudiantes de séptimo grado este año y crecer juntos a lo largo de nuestro viaje en Davidson.

8^th Grade Counselor

Chantel Sharp

csharp@srcs.org

I am so excited to be here!

This is my third year of counseling. I am originally from Lincoln, CA which is outside of Sacramento. I graduated from The University of Nevada, Reno with my Bachelors of Science in Human Development and Family Studies. I  graduated with a Master of Arts in Counseling from Brandman University. 

I love sports and being active. In my free time, I am always with family and friends.

I look forward to working together! Go Cougars!

¡Estoy muy emocionada de estar aqui! 

Este es mi tercero año como consejera. Originalmente soy de Lincoln, CA lo cual queda afuera de Sacramento. Me graduade de la Universidad de Nevada, Reno con mi bachiderato en ciencias en el desarrollo humano y estudios familiares. Me he graduado con mi maestria en consejeria de la Universidad Brandaman. 

Amo los deportes y estar activa. En mis dias libres siempre me gusta estar con mi familia y amigos. 

¡Emotionada por trabajar juntos! ¡ Vamos Cougars!

PARENT EDUCATION

SRCS Mental Health and Wellness Parent Resource Page

Substance Abuse Prevention: A Parent's Guide with Bay Area Community Resources TUPE and Being Adept; November 2019

Examining Identity and Standing Up Against Bullying: A Workshop with the Anti-Defamation League; October 2019 (additional information about our Restorative Program)

Community Conversation: Mental Health and Student Wellness; September 2019

Kids and Anxiety: What You Can Do and When to Seek Professional Help; April 2019

Parenting in The Digital Age; March 2019 (additional information about managing screen time)

School Climate: What It Is, Why It Matters, and What YOU Can Do to Help; November 2018

A Caretaker's Guide to Navigating Adolescence; April 2018

ARE YOU APPLYING TO A PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL NEXT YEAR?

Please read the directions carefully on the application packets you receive or download before submitting to DMS

• Have your student fill out a Private School Recommendation Form. 
• Download the Application and Student Records Release Form from the private school you anticipate attending. Follow the directions given to you by the school.  
• Completed all the necessary areas. 
• Submit the completed Student Records Release Form to Ms. Perez in the Main Office a week in advance.
• The Student Record Release form must be signed by the parent. If the form is incomplete it will be returned to the student.
• Include an addressed stamped envelope to the school, Ms. Perez will mail the Student Record Release form and transcripts in the postage paid envelope you provide. If no envelope is provided the Student Records Release form will be returned to the student.  

Counselors will be completing the Letters of Recommendation for your student. The request must be submitted no later than a week in advance of the due date.  

¿Vas a aplicar a una secundaria privada para el próximo año?

Por favor lea cuidadosamente las instrucciones que se encuentran en los paquetes que recibió o que bajo del internet antes de entregar los documentos a DMS.

• Haga que su estudiante complete un formulario de recomendatión de escuela privada.
• Complete todas las áreas necesarias.
• Entregue la forma de liberación del registro del estudiante a la Sra. Perez en la oficina principal con una semana de anticipación. 
• La forma de liberación del registro del estudiante debe estar firmada por padre o madre. Si la forma es entregada incompleta será retornada al estudiante. 
• Incluya un sobre con estampilla y dirigido a la escuela, la Sra. Perez enviara por correo la liberación del registro del estudiante y la historia de calificaciones usando el sobre que usted proporcione. Si el estudiante no proporciona el sobre con la estampilla la forma será regresada al estudiante. 

Los consejeros completarán las Cartas de recomendación para su estudiante. La solicitud debe presentarse a más tardar una semana antes de la fecha límite.

Para obtener ayuda en español, llame al 415-485-2400 X215

COUNSELOR SERVICES

Wellness check-ins. Students are encouraged to self-refer for academic support, organization help, peer conflict, need help problem-solving or managing emotions, or if they need to report something that is concerning. Staff or parents may also request a wellness check.

Brief counseling. Students have the option to work with a school counselor over a six to eight week period to address specific goals such as social problem solving, stress management, motivation and engagement, executive functioning, or increasing self-confidence.

Academic counseling. Students work with a counselor on a bi-weekly, monthly, or semester basis to review academic progress, identify and remedy obstacles, and make action plans for success.

Group counseling. Students may prefer to work in a group setting. We run the various small group Social/Emotional Learning throughout the year: Academic Motivation, Peer Pressure, Building Champions, Communication vs. Confrontation, etc.

Referral to school-based clinical counseling. We are fortunate to have limited availability of clinicians through our partnership with the Community Institute for Psychotherapy and Bay Area Community Resources. Other referrals to local agencies can be given upon request. School-based clinical counseling is facilitated through our Wellness Center. 

Consultations. Counselors are available to meet with caregivers to discuss and collaborate on student success.

Restorative solutions. As part of our commitment to Restorative Practices, any student or staff member can request a restorative circle. If there is a conflict or bullying situation, circles help us get to the heart of the matter and make agreements with the intent to bring harmony to the school community.

Stress management. Students are also encouraged to visit the their counselor when they need a safe space to process difficult emotions, utilize healthy coping tools, or consult with a counselor on a problem.

YOUTH TRANSFORMING JUSTICE 

Davidson Middle School is pleased to continue out partnership with Youth Transforming Justice. DMS’s Peer Team is a group of youth volunteers who have been trained in “motivational interviewing.” In these trainings, they will learn how to ask questions of a respondent that are non-judgemental or confrontational to ensure that the communal support of our youth going through the program is the utmost priority. Peer Team members ask a variety of questions to the respondent beyond details pertaining to the specific incident that brought them to be referred to Peer Solutions. Holistic questions the Peer Team is encouraged to ask the respondent include those involving social, household, school, strengths, and extracurriculars.

The YTJ Peer Solutions process includes: referrals, intake interview, pre-hearing meeting, youth hearing, co-creation of a personalized restorative plan and case management support.

OUR VISION

The SRCS counseling community envisions a counseling program that respects personal identity, cultivates resilience, critical thinking, compassion and self-advocacy in all learners; promoting a successful transition for their future learning and careers as productive members of their school, local and global community. 

Declaración sobre la Visión de Consejería de SRCS  

El departamento de consejería de Las Escuelas de la Ciudad de San Rafael, visualiza un programa de consejería que respete la identidad personal, que cultive la resiliencia, el pensamiento crítico, la compasión y la defensa personal en todos los estudiantes. Un programa que promueva una transición exitosa para el aprendizaje futuro y para sus carreras  como miembros productivos de sus escuelas, y comunidades local y global.

OUR MISSION

Our counseling program committed to developing mindsets and behaviors that foster innovative and determined learners. Our mission is to provide a strength-based, reflective and collaborative approach to education, harnessing a balance of the social, emotional, and academic components that will prepare the next generation for success in their careers, their relationships and their personal wellbeing.

Misión de la Consejería de SRCS: 

El programa de consejería de SRCS está comprometido a desarrollar mentalidades y comportamientos que fomenten a los aprendices innovadores y determinados a que visualicen el crear un mundo mejor. Nuestra misión es proveer un enfoque reflexivo y colaborador en cuanto a educación,  aprovechando el balance entre los componentes académicos, emocionales y sociales que prepararán a la próxima generación para el éxito en sus carreras.  

DEDICATION TO EQUITY

We believe in the importance for advocating for every child by understanding issues of access, equity and educational justice. We strive to help students and families navigate challenging obstacles in societal systems; working as a cultural mediator when necessary; and developing programming that works to close access gaps. Students of all races, genders, sexual orientations, classes, abilities, and spiritual orientations are welcomed and appreciated for their strengths and gifts. We recognize the importance of the family’s belief systems and practice culturally sensitive counseling enhancing our own cultural competence and awareness of social justice issues facing all people.     

Declaración sobre la Diversidad en la Consejería de SRCS  

Nosotros creemos en la importancia de defender cada niño, entendiendo las cuestiones de acceso, equidad, y justicia en la educación. Nosotros nos esforzamos para ayudar a los estudiantes y a las familias  para que naveguen los obstáculos y retos del sistema social. Trabajando como un mediador cultural cuando es necesario y desarrollando programas que funcionen para achicar las brechas entre los que logran y los que no. Los estudiantes de todas las razas, géneros, orientación sexual, clases, habilidades y orientaciones espirituales son bienvenidos y apreciados por su fortaleza y dones. Nosotros creemos en la importancia del sistema de creencias familiares  y practicamos una consejería que es culturalmente sensible, estamos continuamente mejorando nuestra propia competencia cultural y la conciencia sobre justicia social, temas que nos interesan a todas las personas.