PUSD Counseling Master Plan

During the 2013-14 school year, in alignment with the implementation of the Common Core standards, all Pleasanton Unified School District Counselors began developing a Counseling Master Plan (CMP).  The Counseling Master Plan moves school counseling from a responsive service provided for some students to a program for every student.  This plan focuses on three main content areas that promote behaviors that enhance the learning process: College and Career, Personal/Social, and Academic. The goal is to help all students improve academic achievement, navigate personal and social development, and plan for successful post-secondary education and careers.  

PUSD elementary counselors developed a Master Counseling Plan that aligns with the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) national model for school counseling framework. Our Counseling Master Plan includes three lessons per grade level that address three ASCA domains: School to Career, Academic Success, and Social & Emotional Learning.  A parent communication letter will always be sent home to let you know when I have visited your child's classroom. The home communication letter will include information about what was taught, along with some follow-up steps that may be helpful to implement at home.  During the first few weeks of school I will visit every classroom  Tk-5th to introduce myself and tell them a little bit about me and my role at Vintage Hills.  

Here are the various lesson topics presented by grade level under the PUSD Counseling Mater Plan:  

  TK:  Friendship, Feelings, and Listening & Focus

Kinder:  Whole Body Listening, Feelings & Introduction to Coping Skills, Introduction to Growth Mindset, and Body & People Safety

1st:   Self Control, Positive Self Talk & Affirmations, and Growth Mindset

2nd:  Teamwork & Importance of Rules, Managing Big Emotions, and Perseverance

3rd:  Conflict Resolution, Understanding The Brain Stress Response, and Flexible Thinking

4th:  Learning Styles, Coping Skills, and Executive Functioning Skills

5th:  Career/Job Search, Confidence & Self Acceptance, and Skills for Academic Success

School-Wide & Individualized Classroom Presentations

In addition to the Counseling Master Plan lessons mentioned above, I also do something I call School-Wide Presentations or Individualized Classroom Presentations. These lessons can be customized based on grade level needs, in response to specific classroom issues, or aligned with the PUSD character traits.  Below are some  examples of school-wide and individualized classroom lessons I have done:   

• Goal Setting

• Honesty & Integrity

• Kindness

• Respect

• Grit 

• Gratitude

• Email Etiquette

• Tattle vs Reporting

• Joking vs. Teasing

• Bullying vs. Annoying