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Counseling Department

About Us

Welcome to Desert Canyon Middle School! We are so excited to be your Guidance Counselors this year.

What types of things do Counselors talk with students about in counseling?
  • Making and keeping friends
  • Setting goals
  • Teamwork
  • Building self-esteem
  • Making good choices
  • Being responsible
  • Managing strong feelings
  • Conflict resolution
  • Attendance
  • Academic success
  • Character trait education
  • Coping skills

Course Selection

Course selection is underway for the 2025-26 school year!  Students have received course selection forms which can be returned to school.

Mrs. Ross, guidance counselor will be happy to assist if you have any questions: rross@susd.org.

How can parents promote student success?

Parents play a key role in ensuring that their child or adolescent achieves school success. When parents, students, and staff work together, the student will obtain his/her academic goals. Some of the actions that parents can take to promote success at school are:

  • Check ParentVUE on a regular basis to monitor grades/attendance
  • Have your child use their agenda to monitor assignments/homework
  • Set clear behavior expectations and consequences
  • Strive to have your child miss no more than 5 days of school per school year (illness, vacation, etc.)
  • Monitor where your child goes
  • Attend school functions
  • Monitor your child’s cell phone apps, social media, and messaging
  • Encourage your child to seek friends who will be positive influences
  • Try to do something enjoyable with your child at least once a week
  • Communicate with school staff first when there is a concern
  • Encourage your child to talk about school, social activities, and their interests
  • Monitor your child’s choices of TV shows, video games and music
  • Make your child’s attendance a priority by scheduling appointments after school
  • Support school discipline policies
  • Provide a quiet space where your child can study and do homework
  • Have open dialogue with your child about consequences of tobacco, drugs, alcohol, gangs, and violence

Contact Us

480-484-4608

Rebecca Ross
Counselor

Jill Weller
Counselor

We Provide

  • Scheduling of classes
  • Small group counseling
  • Short-term individual counseling
  • Consultation with parents and teachers
  • Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS)
  • Community resource referrals (including resources for longer term therapy services)