Middle School Guidance Office
Please join my Google Classrooms to find information related to your child’s grade level:
5th Grade Google Classroom code – 2ptihky
6th Grade Google Classroom code – fvwl4ml
7th Grade Google Classroom code – murjdbm
8th Grade Google Classroom code – ya2oqyz
Hello and welcome to a new school year! My name is Larissa Potosnak and I am thrilled to be the school counselor here at Hardyston Middle School. This is going to be a fun year filled with learning, growing, and lots of new adventures!
To give you a little background information about myself, I have a BA in Psychology with a minor in Education from West Chester University and an MA in School Counseling from Montclair State University. Before coming to Hardyston, I worked in several school districts as a long-term substitute school counselor at both the elementary and middle school level. I began working in Hardyston full-time during the 2017-2018 school year.
As the school counselor, I am here to ensure that your child receives the necessary assistance to achieve academic success, social growth, and personal discovery. Communication with parents, teachers, and administrators in order to work as a team is important to help students be successful. Parents and teachers may refer students to individual or group counseling. Students are always welcome to stop by my office, especially during lunch or flex. If I am not available, they may fill out a “Counselor Request” form located outside of my office and place it in my mailbox. I meet with students to address any issues or concerns which may include stress at home or at school, peer conflict, anxiety, organization, and any issue concerning the student. I also meet with students during lunch in a small group setting for topics such as changing families (divorce/separation), new students/friendships, study skills/organization, and social skills. I am also running the Anti-Bullying Club for grades 6-8 which will consist of a group of students who want to make a positive impact in our school. The plan is for students to become empowered to serve as role models to others and to find ways to spread positivity throughout the school.
Other school counselor responsibilities include the following:
- Facilitating Intervention and Referral Services
- Coordinating and managing 504 plans
- Serving as the Anti Bullying Specialist
- Coordinating State Testing
- Organizing school-wide events such as Week of Respect, Red Ribbon Week, Kindness Week, etc.
- Implementing character education
Please feel free to contact me for further information or for any concerns you may have. I look forward to assisting you and your child during their middle school career!
Larissa Potosnak
School Counselor
Hardyston Middle School
973-823-7000 x2010