School Counseling

The School Counseling Department has three full time, certified counselors. They provide a broad range of opportunities for problem solving and skill development. School counselors address the developmental needs of all students through a comprehensive school counseling program. The program addresses the student’s academic, career and personal/social development.

Our Counselors

The counselors loop with their students. For the 2022-2023 year, the counselors are as follows:

Grade 6 Mr. Paul Santagata, psantagata@wallingfordschools.org, 203-294-3712

Grade 7 Mrs. Susan Hudson, suhudson@wallingfordschools.org, 203-294-3713

Grade 8 Ms. Michelle DiMauro, mdimauro@wallingfordschools.org, 203-294-3711

Secretary Ms. Roudie 203-294-3710

High School Options

Lyman Hall Course Registration Information

Naviance

Throughout the year your child will be working with his/her school counselor to begin planning for their future. All Dag students will utilize Naviance Succeed, an online program that provides students with tools to explore learning styles, career interests and identify goals. We encourage families to explore the Naviance website. Your child can access their Naviance account using their school issued user name and the password that is used to log into the computers at Dag. Please click on the Naviance link to the right.

New Student Registration

Parent Volunteer Opportunities

We are looking for your participation in Career 101. This is a volunteer program designed to give students the opportunity to learn about different jobs and careers. Presenters will meet with a small group of students during their lunch wave for approximately thirty minutes. The goal is to inform students about your career, sharing educational background, how the occupation is connected to the courses students take in middle and high school, and your daily job functions. The hope is to get them excited about the career opportunities available to them.
Please contact the Counseling Department if you are interested.

Resources

The School Counselors appreciate the challenges parents can face raising an adolescent. The counselors encourage you to explore sites provided below.

ADHD

American School Counselor Association

Connecticut Clearinghouse

Life after high school

Resources for traumatic events

Tips for home/school success

Behavioral Health Concerns

Wheeler Clinic Wheeler Clinic in Plainville provides a full continuum of mental health, addiction treatment, prevention/wellness, early childhood development and special education services for children, adolescents, adults, families and the elderly. Call 800-793-3588 or go to their website: http://www.wheelerclinic.org/

Student Success Plans

From the CT State Department of Education Public Act No. 11-135, Section 2(j)

"For the school year commencing July 1, 2012, and each school year thereafter, each local and regional board of education shall create a student success plan for each student enrolled in a public school, beginning in grade six. Such student success plan shall include a student’s career and academic choices in grades six to twelve, inclusive."

In Wallingford, The Student Success Plan (SSP) is a comprehensive, individualized student centered plan that addresses each student’s personal needs and interests supported by school counselors, teachers, staff, parents, administration and the community. The documents below define what SSP components students will be working on at Dag Hammarskjold Middle School.

Grade 6 SSP

Grade 7 SSP

Grade 8 SSP