Counseling Team

Our work is guided by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) standards and fully aligned with our district’s mission to ensure every child succeeds—no matter their background or abilities.

Counseling Services

🤝 Services We Offer at JMS

Here’s how our counseling team supports students and families:

1. Individual Counseling

Private, one-on-one conversations to talk through:

Personal challenges
School stress or anxiety
Family changes
Friendships and peer issues

2. Small Group Counseling

Supportive small groups that focus on:

Managing emotions
Building friendships
Handling conflict in positive ways

3. Conflict Resolution

Helping students learn how to:

Solve problems peacefully
Use communication skills
Build empathy and understanding

4. Career Cafés
Fun, informal sessions where students:

Meet professionals from different fields
Explore future career paths
Ask questions and dream big!

5. Student Ambassadors
Leadership opportunities for students who:

Welcome new classmates
Represent JMS at events
Lead by example and build community

🎯 Why It Matters

Everything we do in the counseling office connects back to our district's goals:

✅ Thriving Students – We help students build the confidence and tools they need to succeed
✅ Affirming & Empowering Communities – We welcome and celebrate every student’s identity and experience
✅ Equitable, Transformative Resources – We provide support tailored to each student’s unique needs

🧭 Our Promise

We believe in:

Equity – Fair access to support for every student
Excellence – High expectations with heart
Family & Community – We partner with you every step of the way
Wellness – Supporting the whole child: mind, body, and spirit

Registration

https://www.k12albemarle.org/for-families/student-registration/online-registration-forms

Resources

Student and Family Resources

The materials and the activity described herein, are not sponsored or endorsed by Albemarle County Public Schools.

Please research all local and national resources prior to use.

General Virginia Resource Search

Bridge2ResourcesVA: Search and connect to support: financial assistance, food pantries, medical care, and other free or reduced-cost help starts here.

Crisis Resources

For urgent safety concerns, call 911 immediately.

	National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Provides 24/7 free and confidential support, prevention, and resources. 1-800-273-8255
	Region Ten Emergency Services Local crisis services provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. 434-972-1800 or 1-866-694-1605
	ReadyKids Teen Hotline Teens can call to share their concerns. Parents, guardians, and concerned adults can call to consult about a teen in crisis. 434-972-7233

Charlottesville Area Resources

	Albemarle County Department of Social Services: Provides services for Albemarle County residents, including Protective & Support Services; Education, Prevention & Early Intervention Programs; Employment & Child Care Services; and Benefit Programs.
	Charlottesville Department of Social Services: Provides benefits for low income families and families in need and programs to prevent child and adult abuse and neglect.
	Thomas Jefferson Health District: Provides health services to residents of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, and other neighboring counties.
	United Way of Charlottesville: Provides countless resources for Charlottesville area families.
	Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry: Provides food assistance to families and individuals in need in Charlottesville and surrounding communities
	Region Ten: Provides a variety of services for children, adults and families, including Therapeutic Day Treatment services at school, outpatient counseling, and case management. Please see their website for a full list of services and to receive support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
	ReadyKids: Provides counseling, family support, and early learning programs.
	Sheila Johnson Center: Provides telehealth, assessments and learning services to area youth.
	UVA Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: Provides comprehensive child psychiatric evaluations, medication management services, and 24/7 emergency on call coverage for their patients.
	Side by Side: Provides counseling, youth support groups, a youth support line, and support for LGBTQ+ youth and those who care about them.
	UVA Teen Health Clinic: Provides general and specific health care services for teens, and also has a transgender clinic.
	SARA (Sexual Assault Resource Agency): Provides free services to all survivors, including a 24 hour hotline.
	Piedmont Recreational Education Program (PREP): Provides families of students with disabilities or special needs with resources and support. PREP also has a monthly newsletter you can subscribe to.
	Albemarle County Parks and Recreation: Information on sports, summer programs, and camps.
	Computers 4 Kids: Provides mentoring and learning through technology.

8-9 Transition

2025-26 High School Transition Information

Important Dates:

Registration Information Night and Curriculum Fair @ AHS: Dec 12th 2024 5:30-7:00

Counselor visits classrooms and students visit CATECH and Center one 12/16-17

Parent Portal - Open for Family and student requests 12/12-1/10 - How to enter courses in PowerSchool

Family/Student meetings to review course requests: Jan-February.

- EL Registration Night for 8th grade Spanish speaking students and families - 5:30-7 pm at Journey

Deadline for ALL course changes: Thursday, March 27th,2025

If you have any questions, please contact Clayton Ver Planck. (8th Grade School Counselor)

REGISTRATION PROCESS:

Teachers will discuss course level recommendations with students in December. These recommendations will be entered and viewable through Parent Portal. Parents and students will be able to register for 9th grade courses using Parent Portal. The Portal will be open for class registration in December. Mrs. Ver Planck will meet with students during classroom guidance sessions in December to ensure that students have correctly signed up for classes.

Forms for Parents/Students:

SchoolLinks- Direct link to the schoolinks website
How to use SchoolLinks
Program of Studies - provides descriptions for all courses offered at AHS as well as graduation requirements - update the link
High School Math Course Sequencing Information
AHS Online Course Registration Directions - PowerSchool
AVID 9 Application - Due date is February 7th,2025
9th Grade - AHS Course Offerings List
9th Grade Course Worksheet

9th Grade Course Registration Timeline

Date	School	Activity	Time
November 14	zoom	Community Lab School Information Sessions	5:30-6:30 p.m.
December 10	zoom	Community Lab School Information Sessions	2:00-3:00 p.m.
December 10	JMS	AHS counselors and World Language lead present to 8th graders at Journey Middle School	9:10-9:45 a.m.
December 12	AHS	Family and Curriculum Showcase Night for all Rising 9th Graders	6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
December 12	AHS	Portal opens for core and elective selection for 8th Graders
December 16-20	JMS	8th grade Course Registration Lessons 8th Grade field trips to CATEC and Center I
January 10	AHS	AHS Portal closes for student selection
January 15	zoom	Community Lab School Information Sessions	10:00-11:00 a.m.
January 16-19	JMS	NCLC AHS Registrations
January & February	JMS	Family & Student Registration Meetings
February 20	zoom	Community Lab School Information Sessions	6:00-7:00 p.m.
February 28	SchoolLinks	Scholars Studio interest forms are due. These are completed in SchooLinks.
March 10	JMS	Letter sent to 8th grade parents confirming course selection
March 30	JMS/AHS	All class selections and changes must be made by the last Friday in March

5-6 Transition

Dear Jaguar Families,

Greetings! Attached you will find your child’s course requests for the 2025-26 school year. You will see both core classes and exploratory classes. It’s important to know that this is not your child’s schedule, this is only a list of requested classes. Schedules are not finalized until August.

All classes in 6th grade are unleveled with the exception of Compacted Math 6 (M02036CP). This class covers the 6-8 curriculum and students are projected to take Algebra 1 in 7th grade.

Please review the attached course requests and notify Mrs. Ver Planck by March 7, 2025 if you need to make changes or have questions.

Respectfully,

Ashby Johnson, Principal, ajohnson@k12albemarle.org
Clayton Ver Planck, Counselor, cvplanck@k12albemarle.org

Our Schools

Counseling