School Counselors

Mae Naron - Grades 5 and 7

Email: Mae Naron

Alexander Iadevaia - Grades 6 and 8

Email: Alexander Iadevaia

What we do:

The School Counselor’s role at Portsmouth Middle School is to assist students in their development, both academically and socially, and are available to:

  • Have contact with students, parents, teachers and administrators 

  • Liaison for Special Education and 504 Team Meetings

  • Coordinate Career Exploration Activities

  • Coordinate standardized testing

  • Coordinate the implementation of Individual Learning Plans for all students in grades 6-8 and assist and monitor social/emotional, career, and academic goal setting within the ILP

  • Monitor students’ grades and tests scores for class placement and educational services

  • Orient and schedule new students to the building

  • Transition students from Elementary to Middle School.  Additionally, we assist with Middle School to High School transition through the course selection process

  • Provide individual counseling on a short term basis

  • Write private school recommendations

Individual Learning Plans

Individual Learning Plans (ILP's) are plans in association with RIDE, that begin in Grade 6 and follow students throughout their entire high school years. In Rhode Island, Individual Learning Plans can help coordinate and ensure all students are engaging in the school's comprehensive counseling system.These plans are a powerful tool because they map out an academic plan for students, based upon individualized student's unique set of interests, academic and career goals, personal needs and graduation requirements. At PMS, the school counselors work with students in grades 6,7,8 to complete tasks that raise self-awareness academically, social-emotionally and assist with mapping out career paths of interest. Lessons are taught to all students in gr 6,7,8 and counselors are available to monitor goal completion and meet with students to discuss possible academic and careers of interest. 

PSD is using a vendor program called Xello which is a comprehensive college and career readiness solution tool that helps districts and schools align student strengths and interests to postsecondary goals, improving student outcomes and connecting learning to life.

You may access your child's ILP through their Google Account. They will be able to open the App and show you the tasks they have completed.

More information can be found at  www.ride.ri.gov

Ways to Help Your Child Have a Great School Year   

1. Create and After School Routine    

2. Keep a Family Calendar

3. Focus on Friendship

4. Look for Quality Activities

5. Spend Some Time at School

6. Create Two-Way Communication

7. Read All Information the School Sends Home

8. Read the Handbook with Your Child and Discuss its Importance

9. Become Familiar with School Professional Staff

10. Develop Healthy Habits-physical health, proper nutrition and enough sleep

11. Enjoy Yourself and Your Child's Middle School Years-They Go By Fast

 Study Skills

1. Take Good Notes by Paying Attention in Class

2. Keep an Organized Notebook for Each Subject

3. Know the Purpose of Each Assignment

4. Ask Questions in Class

 5. REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW! It Can Help You Retain 80% of the Information.

6. Plan a Dedicated Time and Place for Studying Each Day

7. Study for Awhile and Take Short Breaks

8. Don't Cram for Hours the Night Before a Test. Study a Little Bit Each Day