School Counselors

The Beaufort County School District utilizes the South Carolina Comprehensive and Developmental Guidance and Counseling Program Model to promote and enhance the learning process and facilitate student development in three broad areas: Learning to Live (personal/social development), Learning to Learn (academic development), and Earning to Work (career development).

School counselors help students build bright futures.

Meet Ms. Birkett

I love working at Bluffton Middle School as I have the privilege of serving others each day. At any given moment, I could be found scheduling classes, meeting with parents, listening to a student in distress, sharing skills with a small group of students, assisting teachers, or even watching the chaos at the lockers each day! Please reach out to me if I can help you in any way.

Ms. Birkett, 7th Grade Counselor | Lead School Counselor
deborah.birkett@beaufort.k12.sc.us

Meet Mrs. Jacobs

My name is Gina Jacobs, and I am the sixth grade school counselor for Bluffton Middle School. I am from Atlanta, Georgia, but I have lived in the Low Country for 22 years now with my husband and three children all now out of the house! I was an elementary school counselor for seven years before starting here at Bluffton Middle when it first opened 12 years ago. I love our area, and I love to work with middle schoolers!

Mrs. Gina Jacobs, 6th Grade Counselor
gina.jacobs@beaufort.k12.sc.us

Meet Mr. Perry

I have worked for Beaufort County Schools for 5 years, before coming to Bluffton Middle School I worked as a Behavior Management Specialist. As the eight grade counselor I will be with students conducting small group counseling, individual counseling, individual graduation planning and scheduling to assist the needs of students at Bluffton Middle School.

Mr. John Perry, 8th Grade Counselor
john.perry@beaufort.k12.sc.us

Resources

Counselor Tasks

At Bluffton Middle School the counselors perform many tasks on a daily basis…

Classroom guidance for whole group instruction
Small groups for skill building
Individual counseling for students in crisis
Conflict resolution between students
Career building activities
Lunch groups
Individual Graduation Plans with 8^th graders
Advocating for students in IEP, 504 or team meetings
Talking with parents
Scheduling activities that include determining student class level, seeking teacher input and placing students in classes
Transition planning from 5^th to 6^th grade and from 8^th to 9^th grade

Anti-Bullying

There are many warning signs that may indicate that someone is affected by bullying—either being bullied or bullying others. Recognizing the warning signs is an important first step in taking action against bullying. These warning signs can also point to other issues or problems, such as depression or substance abuse.

Students can always report inappropriate behavior on social media, bullying, harassment, or other concerns in person to the school counselor or a trusted adult or use the STOPit form.

For more information on the BCSD bullying prevention and reporting policies head here.

Anxiety and Depression

Although fears and worries are typical in children, persistent or extreme forms of fear and sadness could be due to anxiety or depression. Occasionally being sad or feeling hopeless is a part of every child’s life. However, some children feel sad or uninterested in things that they used to enjoy, or feel helpless or hopeless in situations they are able to change.

https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/depression.html

https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/mental-health/index.htm

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