Welcome to the Aspire Counseling Office
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Aspire's Counseling Office provides a variety of counseling and student support services for all students at Aspire Middle School, including individual and small group counseling, disability support, restorative justice, peer mediation, and referrals to important school and community resources.
Parents may contact the front office or Mrs. Vining-Gonzalez directly to schedule appointments. Students may request an appointment by coming to the office to fill out a green appointment request slip.
Guidance Counselor
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Richelle Vining-Gonzalez
rvining-gonzalez@nthurston.k12.wa.us360-412-4730
Office hours (typically): 8 am-3:30 pm
Confidentiality
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School counseling services are generally considered confidential services. However, there are some important exceptions to the general rule of confidentiality. These exceptions include:
- When a parent or student requests that information be shared to help facilitate the educational process at school.
- Any time the parent or student (over 13 years of age) signs a release of information (ROI) to share information between healthcare providers and the school.
- If child abuse or neglect is suspected. In these cases, mandated reporting laws require the counselor to share the suspicion with the police or CPS.
- If a student reports a desire to seriously harm themselves or someone else. In these cases, the counselor is required by law to break confidentiality in an attempt to protect the student and/or others from harm.
- Whenever incidents of bullying, sexual harassment, and dating violence are reported. Most of these fall under Title IX or other federal and state laws as being illegal and requiring administrator interventions.
Frequently Asked Questions
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My student has a conflict with another student. What do we do?
Conflicts are common in middle school. Typically, these issues are minor and easily resolved between the students or with help from Ms. Vining-Gonzalez or Mrs. Crawford. However, if you think your student has experienced harassment, intimidation, or bullying (HIB), please report it immediately so the administrator can take appropriate action. See the HIB Reporting Policy for more details. You can print a copy of the form from that page, or your student can get one from the commons area at school (yellow forms, near the bathrooms).
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My student met with the counselor, does that mean something is wrong?
At Aspire Middle School, the counselor meets with students for a variety of reasons, including help with adjustment to school, transitions to high school, organizational skills, friendships, scholarships, and other activities your student may be interested in. Don’t worry - if something is wrong, the counselor will contact you the same day.
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My student needs a schedule change. Who do I contact?
You may contact Ms. Vining-Gonzalez or Mrs. Crawford if you would like to request a schedule change. Schedule changes may be available if a student is missing a core class, in an incorrect music class, or if a period is missing or doubled. Schedules are not able to be changed for a different enrichment class or lunch period. Thank you for understanding!