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RHAM Middle School

Home of the Raptors

School Counseling

School Counseling Department

Middle School Counselors are the link between students, teachers, parents, school administrators and the support staff in the school.  At RHAM MS, counselors are assigned to students by academic teams and attend the team meetings on a regular basis - often 2-3 times per week.  
 
School counselors work with students to engage them in academics and school athletics and activities and provide counseling to students as they grow into adolescents and head toward the high school years.
 
Middle school is a whole new experience for students and their parents, and we encourage parents to communicate with teachers and counselors on any issue, at any time.  Often, information from parents is the most important piece in helping students succeed and in helping teachers understand their students better.

Meet the Counselors

Kathleen Mathews

School Counselor 860-228-9423 X4712

Madison La­Flam

School Counselor 860-228-9423 X4713

Alicia Gove

School Counselor 860-228-9423 X4710

Additional Support Staff

Holly Bebyn

School Psychologist 860-228-9423 X4708

Deirdre Dandan

School Social Worker 860-228-9423 x 4709

Karen Bogdan

AHM Student Support Services Counselor 860-228-9423 x 4707

Dr. Bethany Castillo

School Psychologist 860-228-9423 x 4711

Melissa Kjellquist

Administrative Assistant 860-228-9423 X4704

Student Resources

Week of Wellness Tips on How to Get a Better Night Sleep Healthy Activities

2025-2026 MS Guide to Programs 

Alternative High School Fair
Each year the School Counselor's host representatives from high schools where RHAM students have a choice of applying to. Below is list of schools that were represented this year with links to their websites:

At this program 8th graders had the opportunity to watch brief videos about each of these schools. You can check out the videos by clicking here.
If your child plans to apply to a high school other than RHAM High it is helpful for their School Counselor to be informed, so we can help guide them through the application process. Additional materials for some of these schools can be found in Guidance.

 

Learn More About RHAM High School Elective Course Offerings
To learn more about the Career and Technical Educational course offerings at RHAM High School click here to watch a video.
To learn more about the Music and Arts course offerings at RHAM High School click here to watch a video.

 

Learn More About RHAM High School Graduation Requirement 
For the graduating class of 2027 and thereafter 25 credits are required in various categories in order to graduate from RHAM High School.
Click here to view RHAM High School's credit requirements.

 

Class Registration and Course Descriptions
Course Selection: The course selection portal for electives and World Language is scheduled to open on February 19. Students' English, math, science, social studies, and PE requests will be entered for them.

*Selecting or requesting a course in the portal doesn’t guarantee placement in the course. School counselors will work with students if their schedules have unfilled requests.

Here is the remaining timeline for the course selection process:

  • February 19 – February 27 Students/parents select electives - PowerSchool Portal
  • March 2 – March 13 MS School counselors meet with students to complete requests

Click here for detailed instructions on how to register for RHAM HS course.
Click here to view the RHAM High School Educational Opportunities, which gives detailed course descriptions and requirements of courses offered at RHAM High School.

Naviance is a software program that is utilized in grades 7-12 and enables each student to create their own Student Succeess Plans, research and explore career choices, and complete Learning Style Inventories.  Counselors in the middle school provide in class lessons to all students to orient them to Naviance and begin to access its many resources. At the high school, juniors and seniors are able to research and learn about any college or university program and create their lists of schools they may be thinking about and schools they are applying to.  Details about each school are provided and updated annually. Counselors at the high school utilize Naviance to continue guiding student goals and plans and in the senior year, Naviance is the tool through which all teacher recommendations, transcripts and supporting materials are electronically sent to programs of higher education.

Each student has an assigned log on code.  Parents use this code to log on and explore the website.  Often, the school counseling department will use Naviance to communicate with parents via email.

Please ask your child to share their log on information and click on this link to gain access.

Parent Resources

  • AHM Youth & Family Services, Inc.: Their mission is to help provide mental and positive youth development services that assist children, young people, and their families in creating a supportive and caring environment, for them to reach their maximum potential as members of society.  Check out their website for the various programs and services they have to offer.
  • Hebron Interfaith Human Services: HIHS is dedicated to serving the needs of Hebron and surrounding communities through their client choice food pantry, weekend food backpack for Hebron students, support for RHAM Raptors Food Pantry at the middle and high schools, guidance with fuel assistance, and help with holiday meals and gifts. They are located at 26 Pendleton Drive, Hebron.
  • Marlborough Food Bank, Inc.: The Marlborough Food Bank, Inc is a volunteer organization that provides food assistance and clothing to individuals in need in the local community. They a partner agency with Connecticut Food Share, the statewide food service provider. Check their website for eligibility requirements.  
  • Andover Food Pantry: The Andover Food Pantry is located in the Historic Meeting House on the property of the First Congregational Church at 359 Route 6. Parking lot located on Long Hill Road between the church and Public Library. 
  • Connecticut Foodshare: Connecticut Foodshare supports individuals and families – from one end of the state to the other – by addressing root causes, creating long-term solutions, and distributing nutritious food through local partner programs in an effort to alleviate hunger. Click here to view their Mobile Food Pantry schedule.
  • Mobile Crisis Intervention Services (211): Mental health crisis intervention services are provided by teams of mental health workers (psychiatrists, RN’s, MSW’s, psychologists, psychiatric technicians) who intervene in situations where an individual’s mental or emotional condition results in behavior which constitutes an imminent danger to him or herself or to another. Mobile crisis teams visit people in their homes or community sites, and others meet clients in clinics or hospital emergency rooms. Psychiatric emergency rooms and mental health facilities can provide crisis services to people in crisis who can travel or get help with transportation to a facility.   In the event a parent is concerned about their child self-harming or if they are currently self -harming, a parent or the child can dial 211 to get assistance anytime of day or night.
  • National Suicide Prevention Hotline (988): The 988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States. We're committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness.  Families and students can call or text 988 for support.
  • Sexual Assault Crisis Center: The Sexual Assault Crisis Center is a private, non-profit agency offering free and confidential, comprehensive services to victims of sexual assault and abuse. SACCEC is a member  of the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence, the statewide coalition of sexual assault crisis agencies. 
  • Walden Behavioral Care-Eating Disorder Treatment Clinic: Walden Behavioral Care welcomes individuals of all genders in our day and evening programs and offer a variety of specialized eating disorder programs unique to the region including programming specific to co-occurring trauma and co-occurring substance use. In fact, we are the only eating disorder program utilizing Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) with individuals who have experienced trauma. Family-Based Therapy is the focal point of our adolescent treatment program and is designed to give parents an active and positive role in helping their child to reduce disordered eating behaviors, restore weight and resume proper adolescent development.  
  • Urgent Crisis Centers: Urgent Crisis Centers are now available to families of children who are experiencing a behavioral health crisis but do not require emergency department level of care. Licensed and funded by DCF, the centers function as walk-in clinics, providing youths and their families with immediate access to resources while they are experiencing a behavioral health crisis, such as thoughts of suicide or self-injury, feelings of depression or anxiety, out-of-control behaviors; substance misuse, etc. The centers are aimed at diverting youths and their families from making visits to emergency rooms to address behavioral health crises.
  • Common Sense Media

  • Top 10 Free Mental Health Apps for Teens

Should you have concerns that your child self-harming or if they are self-harming and your unsure where to take them for services, below is a useful chart to help make that decision.  Remember that 211 and 988 are also available 24/7.

 

Throughout the year, School Counselors teach lessons utilizing Naviance and Second Step, which is a social emotional learning program. Classes that are typically taught during the school year are list on this page below.

Grade 7

 

Grade 8

  • 2025-2026 MS Guide to Programs 

  • Alternative High School Fair
    Each year the School Counselor's host representatives from high schools where RHAM students have a choice of applying to. Below is list of schools that were represented this year with links to their websites:

    At this program 8th graders had the opportunity to watch brief videos about each of these schools. You can check out the videos by clicking here.
    If your child plans to apply to a high school other than RHAM High it is helpful for their School Counselor to be informed, so we can help guide them through the application process. Additional materials for some of these schools can be found in Guidance.

     

    Learn More About RHAM High School Elective Course Offerings
    To learn more about the Career and Technical Educational course offerings at RHAM High School click here to watch a video.
    To learn more about the Music and Arts course offerings at RHAM High School click here to watch a video.

     

    Learn More About RHAM High School Graduation Requirement 
    For the graduating class of 2027 and thereafter 25 credits are required in various categories in order to graduate from RHAM High School.
    Click here to view RHAM High School's credit requirements.

     

    Class Registration and Course Descriptions
    Course Selection: The course selection portal for electives and World Language is scheduled to open on February 19. Students' English, math, science, social studies, and PE requests will be entered for them.

    *Selecting or requesting a course in the portal doesn’t guarantee placement in the course. School counselors will work with students if their schedules have unfilled requests.

    Here is the remaining timeline for the course selection process:

    • February 19 – February 27 Students/parents select electives - PowerSchool Portal
    • March 2 – March 13 MS School counselors meet with students to complete requests

    Click here for detailed instructions on how to register for RHAM HS course.
    Click here to view the RHAM High School Educational Opportunities, which gives detailed course descriptions and requirements of courses offered at RHAM High School.

  • Naviance is a software program that is utilized in grades 7-12 and enables each student to create their own Student Succeess Plans, research and explore career choices, and complete Learning Style Inventories.  Counselors in the middle school provide in class lessons to all students to orient them to Naviance and begin to access its many resources. At the high school, juniors and seniors are able to research and learn about any college or university program and create their lists of schools they may be thinking about and schools they are applying to.  Details about each school are provided and updated annually. Counselors at the high school utilize Naviance to continue guiding student goals and plans and in the senior year, Naviance is the tool through which all teacher recommendations, transcripts and supporting materials are electronically sent to programs of higher education.

    Each student has an assigned log on code.  Parents use this code to log on and explore the website.  Often, the school counseling department will use Naviance to communicate with parents via email.

    Please ask your child to share their log on information and click on this link to gain access.

  • Parent Resources

    • AHM Youth & Family Services, Inc.: Their mission is to help provide mental and positive youth development services that assist children, young people, and their families in creating a supportive and caring environment, for them to reach their maximum potential as members of society.  Check out their website for the various programs and services they have to offer.
    • Hebron Interfaith Human Services: HIHS is dedicated to serving the needs of Hebron and surrounding communities through their client choice food pantry, weekend food backpack for Hebron students, support for RHAM Raptors Food Pantry at the middle and high schools, guidance with fuel assistance, and help with holiday meals and gifts. They are located at 26 Pendleton Drive, Hebron.
    • Marlborough Food Bank, Inc.: The Marlborough Food Bank, Inc is a volunteer organization that provides food assistance and clothing to individuals in need in the local community. They a partner agency with Connecticut Food Share, the statewide food service provider. Check their website for eligibility requirements.  
    • Andover Food Pantry: The Andover Food Pantry is located in the Historic Meeting House on the property of the First Congregational Church at 359 Route 6. Parking lot located on Long Hill Road between the church and Public Library. 
    • Connecticut Foodshare: Connecticut Foodshare supports individuals and families – from one end of the state to the other – by addressing root causes, creating long-term solutions, and distributing nutritious food through local partner programs in an effort to alleviate hunger. Click here to view their Mobile Food Pantry schedule.
    • Mobile Crisis Intervention Services (211): Mental health crisis intervention services are provided by teams of mental health workers (psychiatrists, RN’s, MSW’s, psychologists, psychiatric technicians) who intervene in situations where an individual’s mental or emotional condition results in behavior which constitutes an imminent danger to him or herself or to another. Mobile crisis teams visit people in their homes or community sites, and others meet clients in clinics or hospital emergency rooms. Psychiatric emergency rooms and mental health facilities can provide crisis services to people in crisis who can travel or get help with transportation to a facility.   In the event a parent is concerned about their child self-harming or if they are currently self -harming, a parent or the child can dial 211 to get assistance anytime of day or night.
    • National Suicide Prevention Hotline (988): The 988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States. We're committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness.  Families and students can call or text 988 for support.
    • Sexual Assault Crisis Center: The Sexual Assault Crisis Center is a private, non-profit agency offering free and confidential, comprehensive services to victims of sexual assault and abuse. SACCEC is a member  of the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence, the statewide coalition of sexual assault crisis agencies. 
    • Walden Behavioral Care-Eating Disorder Treatment Clinic: Walden Behavioral Care welcomes individuals of all genders in our day and evening programs and offer a variety of specialized eating disorder programs unique to the region including programming specific to co-occurring trauma and co-occurring substance use. In fact, we are the only eating disorder program utilizing Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) with individuals who have experienced trauma. Family-Based Therapy is the focal point of our adolescent treatment program and is designed to give parents an active and positive role in helping their child to reduce disordered eating behaviors, restore weight and resume proper adolescent development.  
    • Urgent Crisis Centers: Urgent Crisis Centers are now available to families of children who are experiencing a behavioral health crisis but do not require emergency department level of care. Licensed and funded by DCF, the centers function as walk-in clinics, providing youths and their families with immediate access to resources while they are experiencing a behavioral health crisis, such as thoughts of suicide or self-injury, feelings of depression or anxiety, out-of-control behaviors; substance misuse, etc. The centers are aimed at diverting youths and their families from making visits to emergency rooms to address behavioral health crises.
    • Common Sense Media

    • Top 10 Free Mental Health Apps for Teens

    Should you have concerns that your child self-harming or if they are self-harming and your unsure where to take them for services, below is a useful chart to help make that decision.  Remember that 211 and 988 are also available 24/7.

     

  • Throughout the year, School Counselors teach lessons utilizing Naviance and Second Step, which is a social emotional learning program. Classes that are typically taught during the school year are list on this page below.

    Grade 7

     

    Grade 8