Hardyston Elementary School Guidance Office
Welcome to the Hardyston Elementary School Counselor page. I’m Mrs. Alizah Demczak, and I have served in this role since the 2007/2008 school year. As the School Counselor, I am here to support your children with emotional, social, and academic issues. Parents, teachers, or students can feel free to reach out to me at any time.
EMOTIONAL
Counseling – I can meet with your child on an as-needed basis to address many of the following issues (when they pertain to difficulty within school), including but not limited to: Managing stress/anxiety, Coping with separation/divorce, Handling change, Conflict resolution, Friendship, Dealing with frustration, Organizational skills
Community Agency Referrals – I serve as a liaison between our Hardyston families and outside community agencies which provide support. I can make referrals to services such as psychologists, outside counseling, therapists, shelters, bereavement programs, and family intervention services.
ACADEMIC
504 Accommodation Plans – A 504 plan offers accommodations to any student who has a medical diagnosis which is impeding his or her ability to succeed academically. A fairly common example of a medical diagnosis that may necessitate a 504 plan is Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). The following is a website explaining 504s in simplified terms: https://www.
Intervention & Referral Services (I&RS) – When a teacher is concerned about a student, he or she may make a referral to the I&RS team. A meeting is then held with the goal of defining interventions a teacher can use within the classroom in order to help the student succeed.
State Testing – The NJSLA (formerly the PARCC) is administered toward the latter part of the school year to grades 3 and 4. The following is a website with information about state testing for parents and guardians: https://www.nj.
SOCIAL
Second Step – Second Step is a program rooted in social-emotional learning (SEL) that helps transform schools into supportive, successful learning environments uniquely equipped to encourage children to thrive. More than just a classroom curriculum, Second Step’s holistic approach helps create a more empathetic society by providing education professionals, families, and the larger community with tools to enable them to take an active role in the social-emotional growth and safety of today’s children. This important program is administered by the teachers in the classrooms year-round. Be on the lookout for Second Step parent communications!
Student of the Month – Our student of the month program is designed to recognize students who display outstanding character each month. Teachers nominate students who are then honored at our pep rallies and Board of Education meetings.
Guidance Updates – I will be providing parents with guidance newsletters each month where you will be provided with information on character education, school climate campaigns, state testing, fundraisers, general advice, and more.
Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act – I currently act as the Anti-Bullying Specialist for the Hardyston Elementary School and will investigate reported incidents of Harassment, Intimidation, or Bullying (HIB) upon direction from the Principal.
Here is a link to more HIB information.
Mrs. Alizah Demczak
School Counselor, M.S. Ed, LPC
(973) 823-7000, ext. 8215
[email protected]