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 self-regulation strategies, assertive communication and problem solving skills.

• Small Groups: Groups of students with similar interests may be invited to meet for "Lunch Bunch" 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.  

• SchooLinks:  SchooLinks is a college and career readiness platform that has been adopted by JISD to assist students with career exploration and post-secondary planning.

• Schoolwide Awareness Campaigns:  We participate in national awareness campaigns that support the objectives of the JRMS 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 might 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 Guardian'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 JISD 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. 

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. 

• High 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: CIS positions professional Site Coordinators inside schools to assess student needs. After identifying challenges students face in class or at home, CIS coordinates with community partners to bring outside resources inside schools to address immediate necessities like food or clothing to more complex needs like supportive guidance or emotional support.  Contact our CIS site coordinator for more information.

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

CONSULTATION

• An essential key to success is communication and connection between all members of a student's world.  School counselors help build and support this ongoing collaboration by conferencing with staff and families.  Please do not 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.