What is School Counseling?

There is strong evidence that elementary schools with comprehensive data-driven school counseling programs display higher academic outcomes compared to schools without such programs.

At AISL, Primary Counseling follows the International and American School Counselor Association (ISCA/ASCA) Model by addressing three critical components to support the whole child's development.

What are the three areas?

Prevention 

• Development of school success skills 

• Pro-active problem-solving strategies 

Intervention

• Responding to whole group challenges and short-term individual needs

Education/Consultation

• Providing resources and guidance to students, parents and staff

How is counseling delivered?

All students at AISL receive counseling services in many different ways.  We are collaborative with parents, teachers, administration and student support but maintain the students confidentiality as well.   

Classroom Counseling Lesson (SEL):  Each grade level in the primary school has a unique socio-emotional development curriculum that is delivered through classroom guidance lessons.  From good character to friendships and school success skills, students progress through elementary school with a good understanding of life skills and problem-solving strategies.  

• Second Step: teacher present Second Step lessons every week or other week.  This program is developmentally appropriate for each grade level.  Teachers send home updates as the lessons are presented.  

• The counselor presents lessons every other week.  It can be based on the Core Value, topic of the month (bullying prevention, mental health awareness, gratitude, kindness, etc).

• Child Protection: with a goal to empower students to recognize unsafe situations, refuse assertively and report these situations to an adult, students are taught developmentally appropriate child protection lessons.  The child protection curriculum, also Second Step, provides a comprehensive approach to support children in staying safe and developing valuable communication skills.  Parents will be notified before each lesson and after it is complete.

• Kelso's choices: an evidence-based program for teaching conflict management for students.  All grade 1 students receive introductory "how to lessons" and the program is reinforced by teachers/ IAs throughout the academic year.

• Core Values: Classroom lessons and discussions on AISL Core expectations.  We have student led assemblies to learn about each Value.  Dress-up days include:

• • • RESPECT- Dress in Yellow 

    • EMPATHY- Dress in blue

    • RESPONSIBILITY- Dress in green 

    • INTEGRITY- Dress in red 

    • COURAGE- Dress in Orange

Small-group counseling:  Group counseling is an opportunity for a small group of students to help each other through the sharing of feelings and experiences in a safe environment.  Counseling groups usually have a theme and help students learn positive coping skills and strategies to handle challenging situations.  Some groups that may be offered this year include anger management, impulse control, social skills, self-esteem, conflict management, and lunch bunch.  All students can request and receive confidential problem-solving counseling support sessions. 

Individual counseling: students are supported with skills to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.  Some themes include impulse control, grief, divorce, friendship, and conflict management.  Individual students can also request to have confidential problem-solving counseling sessions.  Please note that individual counseling services are limited to a short term time frame.  Students who require further support will be referred to an external provider.

As an international school counselor, I follow and implement International School Counselor Association's (ISCA) standards and methods.