Classroom Guidance is a developmental program of standards-based lessons designed to foster students’ academic, career, and personal/social development. Classes are preventative and empower students with self-knowledge, coping strategies and life skills that will assist them in becoming problem solvers, collaborative workers and responsible citizens. Classroom guidance topics include bullying, career cruising, sexual harassment, and other topics determined by building needs.
Small Group Counseling is needs-based and usually meets weekly for 6-8, forty-five-minute sessions. Group members have an opportunity to learn from each other, share ideas, give and receive feedback, and develop confidence and leadership. The sessions are structured with objectives and planned lessons/activities to promote attainment of knowledge and skills. Students can self-refer or are recommended by teachers or parents. Group topics have included friendship, new student, divorce/separation, study/organizational skills, grief and loss. Parents are notified by letter if students have been invited or referred to participate in small groups. Teachers are consulted regarding scheduling that is least disruptive to classroom learning.
Individual Counseling is available to students on a short-term basis. Individual counseling is a one-to-one meeting to discuss a problem or topic of interest. Sometimes one, brief session resolves the matter. Friendship issues, difficulty in the classroom, on the playground, or on the bus, conflict, new student orientation, difficulty coming to school, anger management and anxiety, are possible concerns brought to the counselor. Parents may request that the counselor meet with their child, students may self-refer, or teachers, administrators, or other school staff may refer the student. Referrals to outside therapists are available upon request if students could benefit from more long-term counseling.
Consultation School counselors often serve as a consultant for parents/guardians, as well as school staff members. Counselors have access to a variety of resources for parents and staff members to use when working with students. Consultation with the school counselor is provided for parents to learn about their childs progress in school and/or assist in areas that may be a concern. Together with parents and school staff, counselors are partners with the common goal of success for all children.