Counselors Corner

August 2015
As we have jump into a new school year at OGMS, we would like to
take a minute to first introduce ourselves and let you know a little bit
about what our professional school counseling program is all about!
Mrs. Mary Brannen, the 6th grade counselor, is excited to be starting
her third year at OGMS after moving with her husband, David, and
puppy, Louie, to Tucson from Omaha, NE in the summer of 2013. She
started her career in the classroom as a 4th grade teacher before
moving into an elementary counseling position with Omaha Public
Schools. Mrs. Brannen holds a bachelors degree in Elementary
Education and a masters degree in School Counseling from the
University of NE. She loves to play volleyball, hike the many trails of
Tucson, and is enjoying all that comes with being a NEW mom to
Hendrik Francis.
Mrs. Caryl Altman, the 7th and 8th grade counselor is delighted to join
the Orange Gove family as she begins her 22nd year in CFSD as a
middle school counselor. Caryl began her career with a degree in
Elementary Education, then soon after pursued a Masters degree in
School Counseling. She has enjoyed opportunities teaching and
counseling children of all ages, but nothing is more rewarding than
supporting and guiding the unique challenges of the middle school
child! Away from school, Caryls favorite activities are experimenting
with new recipes, traveling to colder climates, spoiling the dog and her
two cats, and, most of all, being mom to her three grown children.
She is so excited to make meaningful connections with my new
students as we begin the new year!
As your OGMS counselors, we are committed to advocacy,
collaboration with students, school staff, families, and community
resources to empower ALL students to reach their highest potential.
Our program includes brief counseling, small group counseling, and
classroom support to encompass the domains of personal/social,
academics, and career. If you should need support, please do not
hesitate to contact us. We truly feel we have the best job in the world
working with the best kids in the world.
This year, we will also be running the Panther Den at lunch on
Wednesdays and would love your support with any game
donations you can contribute. They do not need to be new, so if

your family has a game that is collecting dust, send it our way
and we will put it to good use.
We can be reached though the front office at 209-8201 or by
email at mbrannen@cfsd16.org or caltman@cfsd16.org.
We are proud of the many accomplishments already happening
on our campus and are excited to grow with your students as we
rock through another school year.