The main goal of our counseling program is to help students get the most out of their education at Stone Valley and enjoy themselves at the same time. 

Sometimes students find it hard to concentrate in class because the class might be too hard or too easy, a misunderstanding with a teacher or friends, being teased by other students or a family issue. If a student is finding it hard to concentrate in class, it is appropriate for them to see Mrs. Hunter, our counselor. She will be glad to be a listener and help students learn strategies to deal with their situations so they can be at their best in the classroom. Mrs. Hunter meets with students individually and in groups. Students can request to see her by filling out a form in the office. All information you or your child tells the counselor is confidential, except if she feels someone's health or safety is in danger.

Stone Valley has a "New Student Buddy Program" for students enrolling during the school year. New students are paired up with a student who is usually in a few of the same classes as the new student. The "buddy" gives the new student a tour, shows them where all their classes are and usually eats lunch with them for a couple of days until they can make friends on their own. If your daughter/son would like to be a "buddy" for a new student, please have them see Mrs. Hunter.

Stone Valley is grateful to have an intern counselor from the Discovery Counseling Center each year to assist Mrs. Hunter in seeing students individually and in groups. Discovery Counseling Center also offers a free 14 week program called Creating Lasting Family Connections. The goal of the program is to help families improve communication, improve student self-esteem and social skills and help students make informed and meaningful decisions based upon an accurate appraisal of their personal goals and abilities as they relate to situations they experience while attending middle school. The weekly student groups are held after school on Wednesdays from 2:05 - 4:05 pm. The weekly parent groups are held Wednesday nights from 7- 9 pm at Diablo Vista Middle School.

If a student is struggling in school and different strategies have been tried to help the student without success, a student can be referred to a Student Success Team Meeting. Mrs. Hunter will be glad to set up an SST after receiving a referral form. The team members consist of the school counselor, school psychologist, and the student's teachers and parents. We discuss the student's strengths, everyone's concerns for the student, strategies that have already been tried to help the student and then come up with new ideas for helping the student. Whether the student attends the meeting or not is done on an individual basis. Referring a student for a special education assessment may be one of the outcomes of a SST Meeting. 

Mrs. Hunter can give referrals to students and parents regarding academic support i.e., study hall, Saturday math workshops, lists of tutors, student anchor program and offer academic support counseling. Community resource referrals like the Discovery Counseling Center are available also. If you have any questions or are interested in any of these counseling services, please contact Mrs. Hunter at 855-5817.