About the School Counseling Program

Guidance Lessons

Guidance lessons are an integral part of the elementary/intermediate school counseling program and important to every students' academic success. One of the most effective ways for school counselors to help prevent academic problems is by discussing self-esteem issues such as peer relationships, stress, or dealing with feelings and emotions in large group guidance lessons in the classroom. The lessons are preventative in nature, designed to reach all students, and are taught in the classroom regularly by the counselor.

To learn more details about the specific curricula and programs used in the guidance lessons, please view the section 'Curricula and Programs'.

Small Group Counseling

The purpose of small group counseling is to complement and enhance students' learning by improving their perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors. Small group counseling provides a safe setting where children, along with their peers, can increase their self awareness and improve their cooperation and communication skills. The children can learn from each other. Ultimately the goal of small group counseling is to prevent problems in the future by teaching children new skills. Every child can benefit from participation in a small group. Students can be invited to join a group by parent request, teacher or counselor suggestion, or by the students themselves.

Students must have parent permission to participate in a small groups. Letters describing what the group process is all about, with a permission slip enclosed, are sent to parents.  Students must return the permission form before they can participate in a small group.

Individual Counseling

Elementary/Intermediate school counselors are available to meet individually with a student in circumstances when a student's educational success is being impacted. The school counselor spends time working with individual students to improve their social skills, discuss feelings, and to empower problem solving methods.

School counselors assist ALL children. While a counselor cannot provide on-going counseling, it may be appropriate for a student to receive short-term individual counseling. When more attention and intervention is required, school counselors can act as a referral agent for parents to access counseling services within the community.

Collaborate with Teachers and Staff

Both teachers and counselors have similar goals: the educational success of each student. So, it is important that school counselors collaborate with teachers and administrators to promote student learning. If a student is having problems in a classroom, school counselors will join together with teachers to come up with some practical strategies which will remove educational barriers and enhance the learning environment of that student.

Consult with Parents

Parents and school counselors speak with each other to help the child/student on a variety of issues such as new school registration and transition, special needs, family transitions, and crisis situations. Studies have shown that children have greater academic achievement when their parents are involved in their education. Parental involvement is critical to helping a child be a successful student. Both parents and counselors can share information with each other to help meet the needs of the student. Additionally, school counselors can help put parents in touch with community resources, if the need arises.  

Community Resources

School counselors can provide short-term individual counseling for students, but when more intervention is required, they can coordinate referrals to community agencies.  Below is a list of local mental health agencies and other social service providers. If these agencies do not meet your needs, please contact the school counselor, who has a longer, more comprehensive list of social service providers.

Curricula and Programs

National Standards  The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) is an organization that supports school counselors' efforts to help students in their academic, personal/social, and career development. ASCA has developed national standards for all students, which define the knowledge or skills students should acquire from the result of participating in a school counseling program. The guidance lessons taught in the classrooms are organized and influenced with these national standards in mind. 

Academic Development

Students will acquire the attitudes, knowledge, and skills contributing to effective learning in school and across the lifespan. 
Students will complete school with the academic preparation essential to choose from a wide range of substantial post-secondary options, including college. 
Students will understand the relationship of academics to the world of work and to life at home and in the community.

Career Development

Students will acquire the skills to investigate the world of work in relation to knowledge of self and to make informed career decisions. 
Students will employ strategies to achieve future career goals with success and satisfaction. 
Students will understand the relationship between personal qualities, education, training, and the world of work.

Personal / Social Development

Students will acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and interpersonal skills to help them understand and respect self and others.   

Students will make decisions, set goals, and take necessary action to achieve goals.  

Students will understand safety and survival skills.