What do school counselors do?

School Counselors HELP!

School counselors help students, parents, teachers, and community members.

Services:

*Academic, Career, and Personal Social Individual and Small Group Counseling

*Career Awareness, Exploration and Planning Services

*Academic Course Selection Advising and Scheduling

*Mediation and Conflict Resolution

*School Crisis Intervention Services

*Collaboration and Coordination with Community Services

*Coordination of School Wide Events

*Advocate for students in IEP, Child Study, and SIT meetings.

*Assist in Coordination of Testing

Classroom Guidance:

Each month every PK-5 classroom gets a visit from the counselor for 30 minutes to talk about a variety of topics including conflict management, empathy, getting along with others, career awareness, and more. Middle Grades student receive Classroom Guidance once per quarter to discuss career awareness, academic planning, among other important topics.

In Grades 6-8, classrooms are visited once per quarter (4 times a year) to provide lessons on academic and career planning, bullying, handling conflict, and more.

Small Group Counseling

Some services are provided in small groups which we schedule at a time during the school day that is most convenient for the child and his or her teacher. Many groups are scheduled during lunch time so that students don't have to miss instructional time. Parent permission is required for students to attend these groups.

Some group possibilities include:

* Friendship and Peer Relationships * Organizational and Study Skills

* Anger Control and Management * Family Changes/Divorce

* Self Control and School Success * Military Deployment

* Self Concept * Feelings and Self-expression

Individual Counseling

Your counselor is available to meet with students individually . Students may write a note and give it to their teacher if they would like to talk. Teachers and parents also may call and refer a child who may need individual attention.

Ways to see counselor individually:

1. Students may write a note requesting an appointment.

2. Teachers may refer a child by emailing, calling, or filling out an online referral.

3. Parents may call 268-3510 to refer your child or talk with their counselor.

Here are some reasons a student might want to talk to the Counselor:

* "I'm getting picked on and I don't know what to do."

*"School is hard. I just don't get it and I need help!"

* "My friends are ignoring me and I don't know why."

* "I hate coming to school because I'm always in trouble!"

* "I'm new to this school, and I'm feeling nervous!"

* "No one likes me and I don't fit in here."

* "I'm sad because my grandmother just died."

* "I had an argument with my friend at lunch. Can you help us work it out?"

Mediation

If you are having an argument or conflict with another student and would like assistance working it out peacefully, please let your teacher know. Your counselor can meet with you at an appropriate time and calmly help you find a solution to the conflict.

Later in the year, we hope to train peer mediators to help assist students with conflicts that arise. If you are a good listener and enjoy helping others, this may be something you would be interested in. Please look for more information to come later in the year.