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Welcome to OVMS Counseling!
Office Hours: 7:30am - 3:30pm, School Counselors' Hours: 7:40am - 3:05pm
Phone: 856-582-5353, Fax 856-589-0197
Note: For crisis, use our district Community Resources ListSchool CounselorsOur school counselors have Master's Degrees and are professionally trained in the three domains of school counseling: academic success, college and career readiness, and social/emotional development. Click here for the American School Counselor Association description of the middle school counselor. Under Multi-Tiered System of Supports, direct counseling services include: school-wide activities, classroom lessons, individual planning or counseling, group counseling sessions, referral to resources.Student Assistance Coordinator (SAC)The SAC is an additional school counseling department personnel to assist students with substance abuse prevention/intervention strategies and programs including Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Under Multi-Tiered System of Supports, direct SAC services include: school-wide activities, classroom lessons, individual or group sessions, referral to resources. According to the Federal Regulation (42 CFR Part 2), the SAC cannot disclose confidential student information related to substance abuse without the permission of the student. Click here for the Association of the Student Assistance Professionals of New Jersey role.Department Vision/MissionThe District School Counseling Department's Vision/Mission is Building Better People by helping all students achieve school success and plan for their future.
All About Our Staff!
School Counselor Assignments
Assigned by grade level, students stay with the same school counselor all three years of their middle school experience. We do not honor counselor requests from students or parents. See the most current listing below and feel free to contact your counselor at any time for assistance.
Phone: 856-589-5176 Ext. 5620
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Mrs. Rebecca Burr, School Counseling Secretary
Mrs. Burr joined the OVMS School Counseling Office as their secretary in August 2018, and before that worked in the Central Administration Office for 6 years. She is extremely excited to be a part of the amazing counseling team and looks forward to getting to know and work for both the students and staff of Orchard Valley!
Phone: 856-582-5353 Ext. 5621
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
BA, Art Education - Rowan University MA, Counseling in Education Setting - Rowan University Certification: Art Teacher, School Counselor, Supervisor, Director of School Counseling Services, Principal
Mr. Daniel Jedwabny, 6th Grade School Counselor
Mr. Jedwabny is looking forward to meeting the OVMS Class of 2023 and helping them take advantage of all that Orchard Valley has to offer.
Mr. Jedwabny been a School Counselor at OVMS since 2011. Mr. Jedwabny is involved with many organizations and committees, such as the I&RS Team, the 504 Committee, and the Gloucester County Professional Middle School Counselors Association. Prior to joining the school counseling department, he was an Art teacher at OVMS for ten years. Mr. Jedwabny is the 8th grade class co-advisor, and advises the OV Flag Football and Indoor Soccer programs.
In addition to being a certified School Counselor, Mr. Jedwabny holds New Jersey certificates of Art Teacher, Supervisor, Principal, and Director of School Counseling Services. Mr. Jedwabny is a proud graduate of Rowan University (’01,’08) and Wilmington University (’12). He has been honored as OVMS Teacher of the Year in 2011, GCPMSCA Middle School Counselor of the year in 2017, and NJSCA Gloucester County School Counselor of the year in 2018.
Mr. Jedwabny enjoys rooting for Philadelphia sports teams, watching movies, creating artwork, working on projects around the house, and spending time with his family and friends.
Phone: 856-582-5353 Ext. 5623
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
BA, Psychology and Childhood Studies - Rutgers University MA, Counseling in Educational Settings - Rowan University Certification: School Counselor
Ms. Natalie Marakowski, 7th Grade School Counselor
Ms. Marakowski joined the OVMS staff in 2016. Prior to joining the staff at OVMS, Ms. Marakowski held the position of Middle School Counselor in Delanco Township, NJ. She serves on the OVMS I&RS team and 504 committee. She also is a member of the District School Safety & Climate Team and District Crisis Counseling Repsonse Team. Ms. Marakowski is a member of the Gloucester County Professional Middle School Counselors Association and the New Jersey School Counseling Association.
Ms. Marakowski has a Master of Arts degree in Counseling in Educational Settings from Rowan University and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Childhood Studies from Rutgers University. She holds the certificate of K-12 School Counselor. Ms. Marakowski is currently continuing her education at Rowan University to receive her Student Assitance Coordinator (SAC) certification.
In her spare time, Ms. Marakowski enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, reading, and loves to relax at the beach during the summer.
Ms. Marakowski is so excited to start a new school year with your 7th grade students. Ms. Marakowski looks forward to providing support as he or she navigates middle school over the next two more years!
Students: Book a virtual counseling appointmnet with me here!
Phone: 856-582-5353 Ext. 5624
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
BA, Psychology - University of Maryland MA, Art Therapy - Marywood University MEd, School Counseling - Wilmington University Certification: School Counselor
Mrs. Pauline Kolodzey, 8th Grade School Counselor
Mrs. Kolodzey joined the OVMS in 2015. Prior to becoming part of the OVMS team, Mrs. Kolodzey was a Child and Adolescent Therapist at NewPoint Behavioral Health Care, a School Counselor at Wedgwood Elementary, and a School Counselor at Caroline Reutter School. She serves on the OVMS I&RS team, 504 committee, and is a member of the Gloucester County Professional Middle School Counselors Association.
Mrs. Kolodzey holds a M.A. in Art Therapy, a M.Ed. in School Counseling. In addition to being a certified School Counselor, she is also a Registered Art Therapist.
Mrs. Kolodzey enjoys running, snowboarding, drawing, going to the beach, and spending time with her family.
Phone: 856-582-5353 Ext. 5602
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
BA, Psychology - Glassboro State College MA, Psychoeducational Processes - Temple University EdS - Marriage and Family Therapy Certification: SAC
Mr. Thomas Woodson, SAC
Mr. Woodson joined Washington Township School District in 2005. He is currently the Student Assistance Coordinator (SAC) at OVMS. Prior to joining the OVMS staff, Mr. Woodson was Program Director at Penn Recovery Systems in Philadelphia, Director of Clinical School Programs at TRIS, Special Services Counselor at Highland High School, and Substance Awareness Coordinator and Coordinator of Adult Evening Programming for Burlington Township School District.
Mr. Woodson holds a Masters Degree in Psycho-Educational Proccesses from Temple University, a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Glassboro State College. He is currently a candidate for a Doctorate in Education. Mr. Woodson is also a certified Substance Awareness Coordinator and holds an Ed.S in Marriage and Family Therapy.