Programs & Services

School Counseling Direct Services:

INSTRUCTION

• Classroom Guidance: Counselors present lessons in classrooms and may provide materials and support for teachers.  Topics are chosen based on American School Counseling Association (ASCA) mindsets and behavioral standards in addition to Texas Education Agency (TEA) and Jarrell ISD guidelines. In addition to goal setting and career awareness, an emphasis is placed on feelings management, assertive communication skills and problem solving.

• Core Essential Values:  This character education program utilizes monthly value words (or Big Ideas) and a simple application to help focus on developing internal competencies in order to influence outward behaviors. In other words, “Ideas that grow inside you to change the world around you.”  (Printable Flyer)

• Yoga 4 Classrooms:  This Jarrell Education Foundation grant funded "Mindfulness and Movement" project provides training and materials for implementation. The Yoga 4 Classrooms vision is for every school to be a mindful community in which all students can learn, thrive, and become compassionate citizens empowered to strengthen the well-being of the world. 

• Catch My Breath:  Health and social consequences of e-cigarettes and vaping are covered, and students are encouraged to use this information to make good choices as they move into middle school and beyond.  The CATCH My Breath program is an evidence-based curriculum developed through the University of Texas School of Public Health.

• Small Groups: Groups of children with similar interests may be invited to meet for "Lunch Bunch" one time a week at the discretion of the counselor. During this time, students will interact with the counselor and one another through fun counseling activities that promote positive social skills and interaction.  

• Schoolwide Awareness Campaigns:  See the links at the bottom of this page for more information about selected national awareness campaigns that support the objectives of the DCES school counseling program.

• Parent/Staff Education:  School counselors regularly share information on counseling related topics through staff trainings, school newsletters, parent events, etc.

COUNSELING

• Quick Check-Ins: We will check-in or check-up on a student. This can be a one time meeting or check-in on a weekly basis for up to 3 weeks. We will visit with the student for 5-15 minutes. If there is a problem or particular need, we will make an appointment with the student to visit for a longer session.

• Limited Individual Sessions: We offer short-term counseling to assist students in need.  We can meet with a student for up to 30 minutes a week for a maximum of three weeks. (Referrals to long-term support are available at caregiver's request.) Individual counseling is a responsive service in which the counselor seeks to meet students' immediate needs and concerns and is offered throughout the school year to students in a confidential setting.  

• Restorative Circles:  We can conduct restorative circles to assist groups of students (and others) to communicate better, develop more positive relationships and solve problems.

• Crisis Intervention:  We implement interventions based on district protocols for a variety of crisis situations to help ensure the safety and well-being of students.

 Any staff member or administrator may refer a student for assistance by using electronic staff counselor contact forms. Students may request to see the counselor by asking their teacher to submit a counselor contact form. The parent/guardian of a child may also request counseling assistance through their child's teacher or by contacting a school counselor directly through email, by phone or through the electronic parent/guardian counselor contact form. (See staff page). 

APPRAISAL AND ADVISEMENT

• Orientation:  Counselors work to help ensure students and families feel welcome at our school by providing information about various school programs, services and traditions.

• Placement/Special Programs:  Counselors assist with the interpretation of assessment data and may be involved with decisions regarding placement and interventions for individual students. 

• Middle School Transitions: Counselors facilitate the transition from elementary to middle school by coordinating and implementing a variety of activities including career awareness, study skills, course selection, etc.

School Counseling Indirect Services:

COLLABORATION 

• Campus/District Entities:  Counselors regularly meet with district and campus colleagues to review topics of concern and to plan for various activities and events that address needs of students, families and staff. 

• Communities In Schools: At CIS, we amplify the power of each student's potential by connecting them to caring adults and community resources designed to help them succeed.  We're by their side every day, supporting them in ways that go beyond the classroom.  And, across communities, we knit together a powerful network of partners including businesses, volunteers, social service agencies, healthcare providers, and educators that help them stay focused today, so they can go further tomorrow.  Contact our CIS site coordinator for more information. (See staff page).

• Community Mentors: As a way to involve our community to help our DCES Cougars succeed, caring adult mentors come in once a week to play games and build relationships with their mentees.  Our adult mentors are all vetted and background checked.  (Please note that mentees are chosen by staff and spaces are very limited.) 

• Clinical Therapy Services:  On-campus clinical therapy services may be offered on a very limited basis.  Contact your child's school counselor for details. (See staff page.)

• Education Connection:  Focused in Grade 3, adult mentors read with students to help strengthen literacy skills.

• Ft. Cavazos Adopt-A-School Program:  Through this partnership intended to nurture the intellectual, emotional, social and physical growth of children  the greater Fort Hood area, soldiers can be on hand for a variety of activities and events at DCES throughout the year. 

CONSULTATION

• An essential key to success is communication and connection between all members of a child's world.  School counselors help build and support this ongoing collaboration by conferencing with staff and families.  Please do not ever hesitate to reach out.  We have various resources to offer or can just be a listening ear.

REFERRALS

• School counselors help connect students and families with school-based and community resources to address a variety of student needs and issues.

Confidentiality:

We respect the right to confidentiality of students, teachers, parents and staff.  If you are seeking information, we will let you know what we can and cannot share. Disclosures of abuse, sexual harassment, bullying and/or imminent danger to self or to others are reported to the appropriate agency and/or campus administrator in accordance with school policy and the law.