K-12 School Counseling Program

Vision: To implement a comprehensive school counseling program that enriches the lives of students of Milnor Public Schools and Sundale Colony academically, and supports social-emotional and career development.

Mission: To provide all students with the opportunity to be challenged by thought provoking, goal establishing, motivating curriculum. Through collaboration with administration, school personnel, and parents, students will be encouraged to build their own legacy as they discover and build on their personal strengths.

Meet Your Counselor

I am Darci Weber, the K-12 school counselor at Milnor Public School and Sundale Colony School. I am hired through the Southeast Region Career and Technical Center and am located in Milnor at the schools. Being a part of the center allows our students the opportunity to take vo-tech and CTE classes the center offers.

I graduated high school from Milnor in 2008 and in 2011 with my bachelor’s degree in social work from MSUM. After graduation I worked briefly at an inpatient psychiatric hospital and then spent about 10 years working in child welfare. In 2022, I graduated from UND with my master’s degree in social work and worked as a school-based mental health therapist and intensive in-home family therapist. When the opportunity to become the school counselor in Milnor arose, I couldn't help but jump at it as being a school counselor has been a dream of mine for quite some time. The summer of 2025, I completed my master’s degree for school counseling through the University of Mary. I am so grateful for this opportunity and have loved every minute of being the school counselor for Milnor.

If you need anything, please do not hesitate to contact me. My email and school phone number are listed above.

Meet Zoe
Zoe

Meet Zoe:

Our school therapy dog is Zoe, a three-year-old mini-Bernedoodle. She belongs to the Larson family (Chris, Jordaan, Brayden, and especially Hadley!). Zoe is as close to hypoallergenic as a dog can be—she doesn’t shed much, making her a great fit for a school setting. She has a calm, loving temperament and especially enjoys being around kids.

Mrs. Weber will serve as Zoe’s primary handler, and Zoe will spend most of her time in her office, assisting with 1-1’s. On days Mrs. Weber is gone, Dr. Larson will be Zoe’s handler.

Training & Certification:

To ensure safety and professionalism, we’ve partnered with Pet Partners, a nationally recognized organization that certifies therapy animal teams. On August 28th, Zoe and Dr. Larson passed their official assessment with outstanding marks, and on September 17th, Zoe and Mrs. Weber passed their official assessment also with outstanding marks. This certification, along with coverage through our North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund, ensures that MPS is fully supported and insured for this program.

Allergies & Comfort:

We understand not everyone is comfortable around dogs. Zoe will never be forced on any student. If your child has allergies, fears, or concerns, we will respect that and make accommodations. Zoe will also be regularly groomed to minimize allergens

Why a Therapy Dog?:

Mrs. Wittich shares:

“Our students are learning to recognize, manage, and regulate their emotions. At times, this can be difficult. Therapy dogs provide valuable support by offering a calming presence. This helps students settle their minds and bodies, making it easier for them to regain control and for adults to guide them in healthy ways.”

Mrs. Weber adds:

“A therapy dog can help provide emotional support, improve mental health, encourage positive behavior, and support social skills development. Zoe can offer comfort to students experiencing stress, anxiety, or sadness, while also promoting kindness, patience, and responsibility.”