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Rio Tierra Junior High

Your Neighborhood 7-8 School

Rio Tierra Junior High

Your Neighborhood 7-8 School

Counseling

A Message From Mrs. Juarros

A Message From Mrs. Juarros

Hello Rio Tierra Families!  
I am Mrs. Juarros, the school counselor.  My job here at Rio Tierra is to provide support to students in the areas of academics, social & emotional health, and college & career exploration.  I am also here to support parents by providing resources.  Please check out the multiple counseling webpages for lots of student and parent resources.  If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me by calling the school and dialing extension 24085.  You can also email me at leah.juarros@trusd.net. 
 
 
twin rivers school district vision

twin rivers school district vision

As a school counselor in Twin Rivers School District I share the district's vision of a "future where every student graduates with confidence and purpose, equipped with the self-awareness, educational insight, and career readiness to excel in a dynamic world.  All students are empowered to reach their fullest potential and become proactive contributors to society".
asca Vision 

asca Vision 

As a member of the American School Counseling Association my professional vision mirrors that of ASCA  which is "to implement a school counseling program aligned with the ASCA National Model that enhances every student’s academic success; college-, career- and life-readiness; and social/emotional development and acting as an integral  part of Rio Tierra's mission".
Bulletin boards with school logo and clipboards
Counseling Resources Available

Counseling Resources Available

Academic Counseling

Students who are struggling academically in one or more classes may need additional support.  You can refer your student to our PBIS Tier 2 Intervention Team.  They will conduct a review of your student's grades, attendance, and behavior as well as collect other data to determine if interventions are needed.  Please click on the link below to request academic support for your student.
 
 
Academics-What to look for and how to support your student
 
 

EmpowerU Resiliency Counseling

Twin Rivers School District has partnered with EmpowerU Education to provide Resiliency counseling using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and theraputic coaching methodologies.  Students are able to access short 15-20 minute lessons that discuss topics such as: 
-Using My Strengths
-Taking Charge of My Goals
-Managing Stress
-Levels of Friendship
Students also have the opportunity to check in with their EmpowerU coach as well as the option to do a lesson while in the counseling office or Wellness Center.  Our School Counselor Mrs. Juarros has access to a dashboard where she can communicate with each student's EmpowerU coach.
*Parent Permission via email is needed.  Please email Mrs. Juarros to grant your student permission or to get more information.
 

Counseling (Short-Term & Solution Focused)

Everyone needs a little extra emotional support at some point.  If you or your parent think you could benefit from gaining some tools and strategies through short-term counseling you or your parent can request counseling with Mrs. Juarros.
 

Counseling with CSUS Counseling Interns Program

Rio Tierra is lucky to be able to partner with Dr. Cisneros at Sacramento State University.  Dr. Cisneros, a former Twin Rivers District School Counselor, comes to Rio Tierra every Wednesday and brings six of his top interns who are at the end of their college journey and are about to become school counselors.  The interns provide group and individual counseling to students in our new (still being developed) Wellness Center.  Since we only have one school counselor, this allows more students to get the support they need.

Therapy (Long-Term)

Twin Rivers School District and Rio Tierra have partnered with Sacramento County Office of Education to be able to have a full-time Mental Health Therapist on campus 5 days a week.  Mr. Pantoga is a licensed therapist who can provide long-term therapy for students right here on campus at no charge to families.  He can bill MediCal and other insurances but regardless of insurance coverage, there is no co-pay, his services are still 100% free.
 

Referrals to Outside Agencies

The counseling office is also able to make referrals to outside agencies that may be able to provide more support when needed.  
 
-Care Solace Referral: The team can make a referral to Care Solace who will help you navigate insurance and make an appointment with a provider for you.  
 
-ACCESS Referal: The team can make an ACCESS referral that goes through a county agency that will connect student's and their families to long-term, intensive services including mental health and behavioral.  (MediCal Only)
 
SELF REFERRALS
-Care Solace Self Referral for counseling, and/or substance abuse treatment if you do not want the counseling team to make a referral use this link for a self referral.
-HearYou low fee, online counseling services at a flat rate of $85 for 50 minutes.

Restorative Conferences

If you are a student and need help solving an issue with another student you can request a restorative conference.  In a restorative conference you and the other student get to share your perspectives in a facillitated conversation with Mrs. Juarros and Ms. Kerr.  
 
 
 

Wellness Center

Rio Tierra is the first Jr High and the second school to have a wellness center.  The Wellness Center is currently being developed with a plan to serve students and parents.  For now, our CSUS School Counseling Interns work in the Wellness Center every Wednesday.  Be sure to check back as we continue to grow this program for new wellness opportunities.
resources below for immediate help 

resources below for immediate help 



Call 988 for the US National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or text HOME to 741-741




pioneers speak up

pioneers speak up


SEE-If you see someone being bullied on campus, social media, or over text

SAY-Tell someone, a teacher, counselor, administrator, adult, or a friend

DO-Take action by supporting the student & making a statement



what is bullying & how to report it

what is bullying & how to report it

Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behavior that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power, or perceived power, over one or more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening.
What bullying is not
  • single episodes of social rejection or dislike
  • single episode acts of nastiness or spite
  • random acts of aggression or intimidation
  • mutual arguments, disagreements or fights.
These actions can cause great distress. However, they do not fit the definition of bullying and they’re not examples of bullying unless someone is deliberately and repeatedly doing them.  BUT you should still report it to me, Administration, or a teacher so we can prevent issues in the future.
 
Bullying can happen in person or online, via various digital platforms and devices and it can be obvious (overt) or hidden (covert). Bullying behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time (for example, through sharing of digital records).
 
If you believe that you or someone you know is being bullied fill out a suspected bully report form by clicking the button below.  You can fill it out online by downloading the form or print it and fill it out.  When completed, turn it in to me, Mr. Sinor, Ms. Kerr, or Mrs. Powell.  If you need help filling one out you can come by my office.  REMEMBER-Reporting makes you an advocate for yourself and for other students who may be having the same experience you are.  
Requests & Reporting

Requests & Reporting

I Need Adult Help Working Out a Problem with a Student/Teacher

If you need help working out a problem with another student or even a teacher or staff member a restorative conference might be the solution.  A restorative conference provides a safe place for two people to be able to be heard while two adults help guide the conversation.  If you would like to request help, click the link below and fill out the google form it goes to Mrs. Juarros and is confidential.
 

I Need to Report Bullying

To file a bully report with the district click the link below.  This will take you to a form that you will need to print and fill out.