Richard H. O'Rourke Middle School
173 Lakehill Road
Burnt Hills, NY 12027
Principal Donald Germain
(518) 399-9141, ext. 4000
Academic Programs
Alumni
BH-BL A to Z Index
Board of Education
Cafeteria
Calendars
Community Info
District Overview
Feedback
Job Openings
Libraries
Publications & Forms
Sports
Staff Directory
Transportation
 
BH-BL SCHOOLS
BH-BL High School
O'Rourke Middle School
Charlton Heights Elementary
Pashley Elementary
Stevens Elementary

shortcut link to main page content District Home  |   School Home  |   Search Our Site
O'Rourke Middle School  
Counseling Center
The mission of the O’Rourke Middle School Counseling Center is to work cooperatively with students, school personnel, parents, and the community to help students make desirable educational, personal, and social decisions.
 

Counseling Center Staff
All Counseling Center staff can be reached by calling 399-9141, extension 4040.  Or, to send an email, click on one of the names below.

Guidance Counselors: Pupils are assigned a counselor based on the first letters of the pupil's last name.

Lynn Kaminsky

Kevin DeBonis

Anthony Chirico

Grade 6: A-Har Grade 6: Has-O Grade 6: P-Z
Grade 7: A-FL Grade 7: Fm-Mz Grade 7: N-Z
Grade 8: A-Fe Grade 8: Ff-Mc Grade 8: Md-Z


Secretary:  Judy Doepel
Counselor Aide:  Julie Behrens 
Social Workers:  Nancy Hyde
Psychologists: George Nevulis & John Parisella


Roles of Middle School  Guidance Counselors
The early adolescent years are a time of great change and discovery for boys and girls. Guidance counselors can help students
 
improve their study habits,
 
develop their educational and career goals,
 
handle difficulties with friends or family, and
 
connect with other support systems as needed.

Counselors promote personal development through individual and group counseling sessions, help students transition from grade to grade, and meet with parents upon request to discuss academic or social concerns relative to their middle school child. Counselors also help pupils with a myriad of issues from keeping up with their homework to conflict resolution.

Parents are welcome to call the Counseling Center (399-9141, ext. 4040) to learn more or speak to their child's counselor.

 

Recommended Websites for Middle School Parents
There are hundreds of resources on the internet that Middle School parents could find helpful. Here are a few that we recommend:
 

  www.girlshealth.gov  A very girl- and parent-friendly website from the U.S. Department of Health that covers many topics from drugs and bullying to illness and nutrition. A good starting point for a parent-daughter chat on difficult topics.

  www.4parents.gov  Similar to the above site but equally relevant to boys and girls. Includes conversation starters and lots of tips on talking to your teen or pre-teen.
 
www.allkidsgrieve.org/home.html  A resource for helping children deal with grief from many types of loss including divorce.
 

Middle School
QUICK VIEW

Building Council

Counseling Center

Courses Overview

Daily Schedule
Fine Arts
General Information
Library
Lunch Menu
Nurse
PTA
Staff Directory & Classroom Links

Student Activities

Student Handbook &
Code of Conduct (pdf)
Student Spotlight
 
 
 
 
This page is maintained according to the BH-BL Web Guidelines by Nancy Harrigan  (518) 399-9141, ext. 4001.  © 2005 Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District. All rights reserved. Produced in cooperation with the Capital Region BOCES Communications Service.  The BH-BL Central Schools is not responsible for the facts or opinions contained on any linked websites.