Hardyston Middle School Guidance Office
Welcome to the Hardyston Middle School Counselor page. I’m Mrs. Alizah Demczak, and I have served as a counselor for our district since the 2007/2008 school year. As the School Counselor, I am here to support your children with emotional, social, and academic issues.
Middle school is a tough time where students experience rapid physical growth, curiosity about their world and an emerging self-identity. School counselors are uniquely trained in child and adolescent development to best assist students with the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary for academic, social, and emotional development. I work in collaboration with school staff, parents and the local community in order to create an engaging, supportive, and respectful learning environment where our students can explore new interests, develop personal skills, and maximize academic achievement. Parents, teachers, or students can feel free to reach out to me at any time. See below for some important links:
- Help resources:
- New Jersey’s Safe Haven Infant Protection Act
- Safe and Sound will assist children/families involved in domestic abuse situations
- Eating Disorder Hope – Directory of Eating Disorder Centers and Treatment Clinics in NJ
- NJ Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Programs for Adolescents – Directory compiled by Drug Rehab Services (DRS)
- NJ Children’s System of Care / Perform Care – emergency services for children and adolescents actively in crisis
- 2nd Floor Youth Helpline – confidential and anonymous helpline for youth and young adults ages 10 to 24. Talk or text 24/7.
- NJ Children’s System of Care Provider Directory for substance use treatment service providers
- Grief resources:
- The Dougy Center – The National Center for Grieving Children and Families
- OurHouse Grief Support Center – Downloadable PDF resources suitable for all ages
- Academic resources:
- Study Skills Checklist – A resource for students to better understand their study skills
- https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/special-services/504-plan/what-is-a-504-plan – 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.nj.gov/education/assessment/parents/ – The NJSLA (formerly the PARCC) is administered toward the latter part of the school year. The following is a website with information about state testing for parents and guardians:
Mrs. Alizah Demczak
School Counselor, M.S. Ed, LPC
973-832-7000 ext. 2010