News Detail
Daisies in the Middle
A Safe Place to Land: Supporting the Whole Girl
Middle School is full of opportunities to grow, connect, stumble, learn, and try again. Friendships evolve, expectations increase, emotions can feel bigger, and girls begin developing greater independence and confidence in who they are. As the Middle School Counselor, my role is to support the whole girl throughout these important years, with the goal of helping every student feel connected, supported, and empowered.
For students, my office is a safe place to land. Sometimes a girl needs help navigating a friendship or finding a sense of belonging. Other times, she may be managing stress, big emotions, confidence, or simply trying to figure out how to handle a difficult situation. Counseling can provide a space to pause, develop coping skills, practice self-advocacy, and consider what to do next.
Supporting our girls is a partnership. Parents are always welcome to reach out for developmental guidance, a sounding board, collaborative problem-solving, or help connecting with additional resources. I also work closely with teachers, advisors, and our Guidance Team so that we can support each student from a whole-child perspective.
Counseling reaches beyond my office as well. Through social-emotional learning and our shared commitment to Hockaday’s Four Cornerstones of Character, Courtesy, Scholarship, and Athletics, we are helping girls develop the skills they need not only to navigate Middle School, but also to grow into confident, thoughtful, and resilient young people.
Supporting Girls in Their Digital World Part of supporting the whole girl means helping students navigate the digital world with confidence, character, and good judgment. Through our partnership with The Social Institute (TSI), students engage in age-appropriate conversations about technology, social media, A.I., and healthy decision-making, while families have access to practical resources through TSI’s Family Toolkit. The Toolkit includes platform guides, conversation starters, and other resources designed to support, not prescribe, each family’s approach and values. Families can activate their free account using Hockaday’s school code: 1567DE34F80720.
Please remember, you don’t have to wait until there is a concern to reach out. I’m always happy to listen, collaborate, and support you and your daughter throughout her Middle School journey.
Warmly,
Sheri Hall Middle School Counselor
shall@hockaday.org
The Hockaday School
Within the private school community, The Hockaday School is an independent college-preparatory day school for girls from grades PK–12 located in Dallas, Texas. Students realize their limitless potential through challenging academic curricula, arts, athletics, and extracurricular programs so that they are inspired to lead lives of purpose and impact.
The Hockaday School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its educational, admissions, financial aid, athletic, and other policies and programs.
The Hockaday School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its educational, admissions, financial aid, athletic, and other policies and programs.