Student Life

Students at Fort Couch Middle School have the opportunity to participate in a variety of clubs offered during Panther Time. These experiences are not graded and emphasis is placed on good sportsmanship, fair play, creative inquiry, and social and emotional development.  

Fort Couch Middle School offers Orchestra, Band, and Chorus. No previous experience is necessary. Small group lessons and elective offerings are provided for students playing a string or band instrument throughout the school year.  In addition, ensembles meet during Period 8 on designated days. 
 
Fort Couch also offers an extensive Choral Program that provides for students of all abilities and interest levels. Students have the opportunity to study and perform a variety of choral music and participate in smaller vocal groups. 
 

All students have an opportunity to participate in Fort Couch Middle School’s Student Council. At the beginning of the year students submit an application for approval to be a member of the Student Council. 

Under the leadership of Student Council sponsors, representatives participate in school and community service projects throughout the year. Student Council members must be responsible and enthusiastic students who serve as role models for their peers.

The PTSO sponsors school socials throughout the year.  Check the website for the dates.  Socials are from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 

Students must stay at the social until dismissal at 9:00 p.m. unless a parent, or responsible sibling, comes into the school to pick up the student. Socials usually include a D. J., refreshments, and open gymnasium for other activities.

Panther Time and Period 8 are times built into the student day to provide students with remediation and enrichment opportunities as well as time for team activities. Students will utilize FLEX for attendance purposes for both of these periods. 

Fort Family is a school-wide bullying prevention program designed to reduce and prevent bullying throughout the school setting. The program has three main goals:

• reduce existing bullying problems among students
• prevent the development of new bullying problems
• achieve better peer relations at school

School counseling services are designed to help all students discover their own assets, needs, and interests. The curriculum addresses developmental issues faced by adolescents. The course is non-graded. Guidance class, which meets twice in a six-day rotation, gives the counselors an opportunity to meet individual students. Moreover, the counseling program has an open-door policy to satisfy individual and small group needs.

The role of the school counselor is to advocate for students and to serve as the liaison between students, teachers, parents and administration. The school counselor may perform duties such as attending team meetings, teaching classes, intervening in a crisis, coordinating test administration, attending parent conferences, scheduling students, and coordinating S3. The School Counselors for the 2026-2027 School Year are as follows:

• Jessica Alls, 7th grade, Class of 2032  jrobinson@uscsd.k12.pa.us
• Richard Baur, 8th grade, Class of 2031 rbaur@uscsd.k12.pa.us

Various layers of intervention are provided to students based on academic and behavioral needs.  If a student is struggling academically, the classroom teacher will monitor the student to determine appropriate classroom interventions. If data supports the need, a student may receive additional support from the reading specialist or a math resource teacher. Student performance on the PSSA's and classroom performance are just two pieces of data used to determine intervention and instructional decisions. In the event a student needs additional behavioral support, school counselors will work with the classroom teachers to determine appropriate behavioral interventions.

Students under the age of 18 are required to have a work permit if they plan to work after school, during the summer, or through a work-study program.

How to obtain a Work Permit

• Download & complete the application
  The application must be signed by a parent or legal guardian. If a parent or guardian is unavailable to sign, the student may include a notarized statement confirming the information on the application is accurate. This statement must be attached to the application.
  Work Permit Application
   
• Provide Proof of Age: Acceptable documents include:
  • Birth certificate
  • Baptismal certificate
  • Passport
  • Government-issued photo ID
  • Driver’s license
  • (Please note: School records cannot be used to verify age under Pennsylvania law.)
     
• Submit the Application: Email the completed application and proof of age to your child’s school counselor.
   
• Receiving the Permit: Once the counselor has processed the paperwork, the student will be notified by email when the permit is ready. It can then be picked up from the Counseling Office.