The School Counseling Program of LCMS is dedicated to:

• Providing students with comprehensive counseling and guidance services focused on academic, career, and social/emotional development.

• Meeting individual needs of students resulting in an understanding of self and others.

• Creating a supportive Learning Community where students are able to reach their innate potential as vibrant members of society.

School Counseling Philosophy

The School Counselors of Louisa County Public Schools believe:

• All students have the ability to achieve.

• All students have the right to be part of the school counseling program. All students’ needs, abilities, learning styles, goals, and interests are considered when developing and implementing the school counseling program.

The Louisa County Public Schools comprehensive school counseling program should:

• • • Reflect the ASCA National Standards and the Standards for School Counseling Programs in Virginia Public Schools.

    • Be based on the three domains: academic, career and personal/social counseling.

    • Be planned and coordinated by the school counseling staff in coordination with other school personnel.

    • Utilize community resources to deliver programs.

    • Use data to drive program development and evaluation.

    • Be evaluated by a counseling supervisor on specified goals and agreed upon student competencies.

    • Actively involve counseling team members and other school personnel to monitor students’ results.

All school counselors in the Louisa County Public School System:

• • • Abide by the professional school counseling ethics as advocated by the American School Counseling Association.

    • Participate in professional development activities essential to maintaining a quality school counseling program.

School counselors, specifically middle school counselors, are essential supportive figures in students' lives, helping them navigate through the complexities and challenges of adolescence over the next few years. We are uniquely trained in child and adolescent development, learning strategies, self-management, and social skills. We implement a comprehensive school counseling program that teaches students the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary for academic, career, and social/ emotional development. Our program is essential for students to achieve optimal person growth, acquire positive social skills and values, set informed career goals, and to realize their full academic potential to become productive, contributing members of our world community.

We work on providing students with a proactive program that engages students and includes leadership, advocacy, and collaboration with school staff, administration, and community/ family members in the delivery of various programs and activities focusing on student success and achievement. We also collaborate with teachers and parents/ guardians on early identification and intervention of children's academics and social/ emotional needs, which is essential in removing barriers to learning and developing skills and behaviors critical for academic success.

Middle school counselors hold a master's degree and a state certification in K through 12 school counseling. Maintaining these certifications include ongoing professional development to stay update with any educational reforms and challenges that our current student population might be facing. Professional memberships with national/ state-level organizations enhances our knowledge base and effectiveness.

(information taken from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/Careers-Roles/WhyMiddle.pdf)

Reasons to refer your student to your school counselor:

• You have concerns regarding their attitude and motivation with school

• You have concerns regarding their overall academic growth

• You have concerns regarding the relationships with their peers at school

• You have concerns with their social/ emotional development

• You have concerns with their reactions to changes within their home environment or within the family system that might affect their learning at school

How to refer your student to their school counselor:

• students may self-refer to their school counselor by submitting a "Counselor Request Form" student counselor request link (located on our home page)

• A teacher or staff member may consult with your student's school counselor regarding any concern

• Parent or guardian may directly reach out to your student's school counselor, either through their phone contact or email address

**If it is apparent that your student is in need of more long-term support, your school counselor will provide you with outside counseling referrals**

• School Counselors are also a resource to connect families with other services/providers

6th Grade

• Middle School Transition

• School Success Skills

• Career Clusters

• Introduction to Career Plans

7th grade

• School Success Skills

• Self Awareness

• Academic Career Planning

8th grade

• High School Transition

• Blue Ridge Governor's School Application Process

• Career Exploration

• Academic Career Planning

• Reality Store