A school counselor/social worker is an educator trained in school counseling/social work, just as other educators are trained in math, science, or English. Our goal at the elementary level is to develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive school counseling program designed to meet the needs of ALL students.
There are a number of services that a school counselor/social worker may provide. The following list is a snapshot about what we do:
Individual Counseling: Assistance provided to some students who may need help to overcome social and/or personal problems that interfere with learning.
Group Counseling: A support group for students who share a common concern.
Social Emotional Learning (SEL): Assistance provided to all students to succeed and interact with their peers. These lessons are taught in the classroom a various times through out the year depending on your child's grade level.
Student Advocacy: Tasks to create an environment that encourages high achievement for all students.
Collaboration: Activities to connect parents and families with resources in the community and consultation with parents and other staff to help meet the needs of students at home and in the classroom.
The rules of confidentiality for counselors/social workers are very different from those of teachers. Confidentiality is important to maintain a trusting relationship with students. Confidentiality is maintained in accordance with the American School Counseling Association Code of Ethics. Information is never disclosed to other staff members, parents, or students unless permission is granted. If a student discloses information deemed crucial to a child's safety or well-being, the student is informed that his/her parents must be notified.