At Timberlane Middle School, school counselors deal with student concerns through a preventative, as well as a responsive, approach. By being available to assist students with their academic, social-emotional, and life skills development, school counselors support the mission of the Hopewell Valley Regional School District.

Our counselors for the 2023-2024 school year are:

• Grade 6: Terri Stimmler, ext 4125, terristimmler@hvrsd.org

• Grade 7: Amy Parker, ext 4115, amyparker@hvrsd.org

• Grade 8: Christine D'Avirro, ext. 4116, christinedavirro@hvrsd.org

• SAC: Jodi Capman, ext 4120, jodicapman@hvrsd.org

• Guidance Secretary: Kathy Prassas, ext 4119, kathyprassas@hvrsd.org

HVRSD offers confidential professional services to assist students who are struggling with issues which negatively impact school performance. The Student Assistance Counselor (SAC) works with students and their families to provide a combination of supportive counseling, psychoeducation, assessment, and referral services. 

Timberlane's SAC is Ms. Capman,

CONFIDENTIALITY: According to federal law, any information shared with the SAC is strictly confidential and cannot be shared with anyone without a Release of Information signed by the student. However, there are a few exceptions when the SAC is required to break confidentiality:

• Risk to self, others or property

• Suspicion of abuse or neglect of a minor

• As allowed by court order

This time of year some TMS students may be navigating the process of applying to private schools. While we would love for you all to stay with us here in Hopewell Valley, we also want to support you any way that we can through this process. With this in mind the counseling team has put together some resources to help you with your applications, which can be found HERE. Please be sure to follow these directions to ensure that your applications are complete and submitted on time!

Good luck!

What academic guidance services are available?

School counselors act as liaisons between students, parents, teachers, and child study team members in order to promote positive academic and educational development.

In addition to supporting home and school efforts, the school counselors assist students by:

• fostering positive attitudes towards school, learning, and work

• helping with academic achievement

• encouraging personal responsibility

• facilitating educational planning

• developing career awareness

How is developmental guidance helpful to middle school students?

The developmental guidance program at Timberlane provides students with important life skills and support that is needed during this crucial time in their development.

School counselors are present in the classrooms, in group settings, and in one-on-one sessions to assist students in areas such as:

• problem-solving

• decision making

• conflict resolution

• negotiation

• friendship issues

• stress management

• peer pressure

• transition issues

• study skills / organizational skills

By meeting the developmental needs of young adolescents, students will be better equipped to face the future challenges they will encounter.

What counseling services are available to students?

In order to address the social and emotional needs of young adolescents, the school counseling program offers individual counseling, group counseling, crisis intervention, and resource/referral services.

Groups that may be offered include:

• separation and divorce

• stress management

• peer relationships

• substance abuse

• bereavement

These services are designed to promote increased awareness of self and others, thereby resulting in better decision making and responsible behavior. Participation in these services is voluntary.