School guidance counselors work with parents to create 504 Plans for any student that qualifies. They provide information and eligibility requirements to those requesting it.  When students have a 504 Plan, guidance counselors communicate with teachers to ensure that the plan is being followed. 

If your child is having difficulty succeeding in the classroom, the first thing to do is contact his or her teachers. It may be helpful to set up a conference with them to discuss concerns and talk about ways to address the problem. If your child continues to experience difficulty, you should contact your child’s counselor to discuss your concerns.  Additional student support services may be needed and can be provided to students meeting specific eligibility criteria.

Counselors meet with classes, as needed, to discuss relevant topics such as peer pressure, study skills, calming strategies, career prep, and high school registration.

Counselors meet with students for confidential individual counseling to address academic, personal, and career concerns. Parents and teachers may refer students, but many students come in on their own. By helping students to identify their own personal strengths, we work with students on learning how to make decisions, set goals, overcome obstacles, and cope with challenges.

Transitioning to a new school can be scary. The counselors at Legacy Middle School work with transitioning families throughout the school year in order to ensure a smooth and successful transition from their previous schools.

School counselors can make referrals to both the school social worker and the school psychologist. The school psychologist provides a variety of services including but not limited to: administering and interpreting psychological and educational evaluations; participating in screening programs which identify students with special needs. The school social worker provides a variety of services including but not limited to: crisis intervention; acting as a liaison between school and community agencies. Contact your child’s assigned counselor if you would like additional information.

The STARS (Students Taking a Right Stand)  student assistance program at LMS provides prevention education and intervention services (individual, group, and crisis counseling) for students.  Some of the areas addressed are bullying, substance abuse, violence, and social and emotional issues.  

The STARS Enhanced Student Assistance Program (ESAP) is an in-school mental health treatment program. Our model is person-centered and based on evidence-based therapeutic practices that are responsive to the particular needs of the students. Through ESAP, students in different grades are able to access confidential mental health services on-site in their own school environment, during school hours.

Our LMS STARS Counselor is Ms. Nicole Gannaway.

Our LMS STARS Therapist is Ms. Molly Parker.

Our school psychologist provides a variety of services at our school. She administers and interprets psychological and educational evaluations; develops school-based intervention programs; counsels students, parents, and teachers on educational and mental health issues; acts as a liaison between the school and community agencies; evaluates program effectiveness; provides crisis intervention; and participates in screening programs which identify students with special needs.

The counselors work collaboratively with the STARS counselor to offer small groups for students.  This format uses a psycho-educational model that is student-centered and oriented toward enhancing and developing coping skills.  Some common types of counseling groups deal with divorce, friendship, self-esteem, anger, and grief or loss.  These groups are confidential in nature and require parental permission.  Students may show interest in engaging in a group, or they may be referred by teachers and/or parents.