E.R. Hughes Counseling

New Hartford Central School’s counseling program is designed to meet the needs of students’ academic, social/emotional, and career growth. School counselors are professionals who serve as student advocates and collaborate with families, school social workers, teachers, other educators, and outside resources.

Working in conjunction with these interested parties, school counselors facilitate the acquisition of knowledge and skill sets necessary for students to become productive and contributing members of society.

School Social Workers Provide:

School social workers provide unique knowledge and skill sets to the school system and the student services team. The goal of a school social worker is to effectively assist students in identifying and problem-solving those non-academic barriers that negatively impact a student’s scholastic functioning and success. School Social Workers are licensed mental health providers who are specially trained to:

• Provide individual and group counseling/therapy
• Assess and assist students with mental health needs 
• Provide crisis intervention 
• Develop intervention strategies to increase academic engagement and motivation, 
• Assist with conflict resolution and anger management
• Promote the development of positive social interaction and communication skills 
• Assist students with understanding and accepting themselves and others. 
• Consult and intervene on school avoidance behaviors and/or students’ transition and adjustment to the school environment
• Develop and provide behavioral interventions both at school and in the home
• Coordinate a team approach to intervention that includes the student, their families, school personnel, and administration.
• Advocate for student’s rights and provide confidentiality for those utilizing school social work services
• Link individuals with community-based resources and referrals and coordinate treatment planning
• Assess students suspected of substance abuse issues, eating disorders, and thoughts of self-harm
• Prevent bullying/discriminatory behavior by promoting a positive and accepting school culture and climate
• Participate in Committee of Special Education process and developing Individualized Education Plans for students receiving special education accommodations

All services are confidential and individualized to meet the needs of each student & family.

Crisis Support

Please utilize these community contacts if you are in need of crisis support during after school hours:

Mobile Crisis Assessment Team

(315) 732-6228 

New Hartford Police Department

(315) 724-7111

Lunch Bunch

We are pleased to announce that our school will be offering small group counseling opportunities to students in grades 1-6. Lunch Bunch will provide students with an opportunity to share ideas and practice skills not always possible in the classroom. These groups will focus on common concerns and provide mutual support through talking, learning, and sharing. Students are selected for participation in these groups through teacher/social worker input, observation, referral, and parental requests.

These groups will take place during lunch time and will meet minimally once per month. Students will still attend recess, but will be in the group for their entire lunch period. The location of this group is to be determined based on group sizes. On Lunch Bunch days, the location of the group will be shared during morning announcements.

Please note that these groups are intended for students who need some additional support, and are not a replacement for counseling services. Students can decide for themselves if they wish to attend Lunch Bunch once they enroll. However, a signed parent permission slip is required to enroll in the program.

As always, if you have any questions about the program, please do not hesitate to reach Hannah Mickle, LMSW via email or by phone. 

E.R. Hughes Links