Who is my school counselor?
How do I make an appointment with them?
For the 2020-2021 School Year:  

8th graders: Ms. Jenny Butler 

jbutler@ohsd.net 360-279-5507

7th graders: Ms. Jennifer DePrey 

jdeprey@ohsd.net 360-279-5506

For quick questions, the fastest way to get help is to email or call us. We can also meet with students for longer meetings if they need support or want to talk. When you are learning from home, request a time to meet with us by clicking on the links. When you are learning at school, come visit us during lunch, or ask your teacher if you may come see us during class with a pass. We also have counselor visit requests on our doors; when you return one of these, we will schedule a time to meet with you. 

Students have the same school counselor for both years they are at NWMS. 

What Groups are Happening This Quarter? 

To join a group, you will need to join your counselor's google classroom. Email your counselor if you would like to join a group.

Lunch groups meet during lunch time (11:15-11:45) and are an opportunity to socialize and connect with other students.  

• 8th Grade Lunch Group meets Mondays and Wednesdays during lunch time. 
• 7th Grade Lunch Group meets Tuesdays and Thursdays during lunch time. 

Friendship Group will meet on Thursdays at 1:30pm from October 8th - November 12th. This group for 7th and 8th graders is an oppertunity to meet new people, learn some friendship skills, and have some fun with other students!   

School Counseling at North Whidbey

When you need to talk to someone, your school counselor is a great place to start! 

Your NWMS Counselors are here to help you with academic achievement, personal/social development, and career exploration. School counselors work with teachers, principals, and other school staff to help you become successful, responsible students. Counselors also partner with parents and the community to help student needs to be met. 

We are available to listen and help problem-solve, as well as to provide encouragement and support.

How can your school counselor help you? 

• academic support and scheduling
• organizational, study, and test-taking skills
• understanding yourself and others
• regulating emotions
• building coping strategies 
• friendships, relationships, and social skills
• communication, problem-solving, decision-making, and conflict resolution
• career awareness, exploration, and planning
• substance abuse education
• multicultural and diversity awareness
• deployment and military family support
• grief and loss
• violence prevention
• anxiety, stress, anger, depression 
• referrals to other services

Meet Our NWMS Counselors! 

Jenny Butler - 8th Grade  (Class of 2025) 

Ms. Butler graduated from the University of Nebraska with a degree in international relations. She taught conversational English in Japan for two years and toured Asia.  After working for several businesses, Ms. Butler decided to make a career change. She earned a master's in school counseling from Seattle Pacific University. Ms. Butler enjoys working with middle school students and says they have an energy and perspective on life that is refreshing. In her free time, she enjoys mountain biking, hiking, backpacking, fishing and swimming.     

Jennifer DePrey - 7th Grade (Class of 2026)

Ms. DePrey has a Master's degree in counseling from Seattle University and a bachelor's degree in Human Services from Western Washington University. She loves working with middle school students, to help them find their passions, learn about themselves and the world around them, build good academic habits, and grow into life-long learners. Before coming to North Whidbey Middle School, Ms. DePrey worked with high school students in Oak Harbor. Outside of school, Ms. DePrey loves to read, travel, spend time with her friends and family, and listen to or make music.