Counselor's Corner
Welcome to the 2024–2025 School Year at Kennedy Middle School!
Hello! My name is Mrs. Gloria Castellano, and along with Mrs. Jessica Elizondo, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to support your child this year. It’s an honor to partner with you in helping your child grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
At Kennedy, we believe that collaboration between school counselors, support staff, and families plays a vital role in students' success. Together, we can help students develop their academic potential, personal and social skills, and career awareness. Through classroom lessons, group activities, individual counseling, and school-wide initiatives, we strive to reach and support every student.
Our classroom guidance program emphasizes eight key character traits: respect, responsibility, kindness, integrity, courage, good judgment, perseverance, and self-discipline. We also incorporate career development to help students make connections between their current learning and future career possibilities.
While we are not equipped for long-term counseling, we are here to assist in the short term and can connect families with outside resources when needed. We regularly meet with students experiencing challenges or needing extra support, particularly around behavior management. Tools like behavior charts help students focus on building positive habits and celebrating their strengths.
In group counseling, we address specific student needs such as coping with divorce, grief and loss, improving peer relationships, managing anger, and understanding the importance of regular attendance. These groups provide a safe space where students realize they are not alone and can learn and grow together.
We look forward to a great year of supporting your child’s development and success!
Warm regards,
Mrs. Gloria Castellano
6th Grade Counselor A-L
8th Grade Counselor
Mrs. Jessica Elizondo
6th Grade Counselor M-Z
7th Grade Counselor