DOUGLASS

Welcome to Sisk Middle School!  My name is Zoey Biechler (beek-ler) and I am the school counselor at Sisk Middle School.  I am happy to be a part of your child's education this year.  My role is to identify and address student needs that will ultimately formulate into academic and personal success. As a school counselor, my main goal is to advocate for students to ensure they have a positive and successful middle school experience.  

The best way to contact me is via email (zbiechler@usd396.net) or by phone (316-747-3331). 

Mondays - Fridays 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Class Schedule (Beginning Sept):

6^th Grade— Biweekly on Tuesdays

7^th Grade— Biweekly on Wednesdays

8^th Grade— Biweekly on Wednesdays

ELL— 8^th hour on Wednesdays

What will students be learning in the counseling classroom?

6^th Grade— Social Emotional Development

7^th Grade— Academic Development

8^th Grade— Career Development 

This year there are many exciting programs and activities that are coordinated through the middle school counseling office. Listed below are the activities, tests and programs for grades 6-8. 

During the school year, students are encouraged to participate in activities both in and out of the classroom.  Here are some of the programs that I can help facilitate for your child. 

Watchdogs and Watchpups Program:  
A program that pairs a high school student with a middle school or elementary aged child.  The Watchdog is a screened and recommended high school student that develops a trusting and safe friendship with a younger aged student.  Homework help, listening, playing games, and being an encouraging and supportive person is the strength of this program.  They meet one time per week during the school day.  

Pawsitively Purple:
Pawsitively Purple is a field trip incentive for middle school students. In order to go on the field trip, students must have no zeros or missing assignments, no unexcused tardies or unexcused absences, less than 3 days of excused absences, get all of their independent reading points completed, and have no office/discipline referrals. Each quarter begins a clean slate and a new chance to work towards Pawsitively Purple! The requirements focus on hard work, responsibility, and essential future employability skills. 

Circle of Friends:  
Pairing middle school aged peers together for friendship support and getting to know other students while in middle school.  We meet one time per nine weeks. 

Students With Honors:  
Academic and Character recognition.  Students that meet the academic criteria have the oppportunity to apply to this program.  Teacher selection is based upon the qualities of character that the student exhibited the previous school year. Students that are selected will be given the opportunity to work all of the MS home concession stands.  

Student Social/Emotional Small Groups:  
Grief, Divorce/Separation, Anxiety, Friendship, and Academic Improvement are some areas of focus.

NWEA: http://www.nwea.org
Students will take the NWEA measures of academic progress in the areas of reading, language usage, mathematics, and science in the fall and spring.  Scores will be analyzed by the teaching staff to develop guided lessons, interventions and goals for students.  Individual student reports will be available to parents during parent teacher conferences. 

Meet LaCrosse! Our 3 year old facility Dog from KSDS

LaCross is a Golden Retriever that is Facility Dog for the Douglass Schools.  He works with the counselors to model appropriate behavior, teach positive interactions, have a calming effect and provide unconditional love.