Rio Tierra Junior High School

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Counseling

Counseling

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.

School counseling vision

The mission of our school counseling program seeks to promote equity and inclusion while empowering every student to take ownership of their learning. By providing counseling services, programs, and resources, we strive to create a school environment where we support students in academic achievement, emotional intelligence, creating positive relationships, and becoming goal-oriented so that they can be successful in their future academics and careers and contribute to their communities.

School Counseling Vision Statement

The vision of our school counseling program is to foster a comprehensive education in a nurturing environment that prepares all students to graduate high school, equipped to thrive in their future academic and career pursuits. We strive to promote a strength-based, collaborative community that values equal access to the enrichment that school counseling programs provide as we cultivate every student's personal growth towards achievement, regardless of obstacles they may face. As leaders and advocates we are committed to empowering all students through the development of essential skills so that they are confident, responsible, resilient, and successful.

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.

Parent Request for Support

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.

EmpowerU Resiliency Counseling website

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.

Parent Request for Support

Student Request for Support

Student Request for Mental Health Support

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.

Parent Request for Student Support

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.

Request for a Restorative Conference

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.

Be sure to check back for new wellness opportunities as we continue to grow this program.

resources below for immediate help

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

TEXT4 Help Click HERE to go to the TeenLine Website

Call 4 Help 1-800-843-5200 or Click HERE to go to the CA Youth Crisis Line Website

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

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

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.

RESTORATIVE CONFERENCE REQUEST