Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs About the School Counseling Program

Q: What is the role of the elementary school counselor?

A:School counselors are certified/licensed educators who improve student success for ALL students by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program.  Counselors in a school setting promote and enhance the learning process by implementing an evidence-based school counseling program in alignment with the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model. As a member of the education team, counselors help every student achieve academic success, navigate personal and social development and plan for meaningful careers. Counselors work together with parents, students, educators, and community professionals to ensure success in learning and preparation to take on life’s challenges. (Retrieved from https://www.pleasantonusd.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=301224&type=d&pREC_ID=708737)

Q: What types of services does the school counselor provide?

A: The role of the school counselor is to support the academic success for all students, and thus offers the following support services to achieve this goal:

• • Classroom Guidance Curriculum: This consists of classroom lessons to promote knowledge, attitude and skills through instruction in the academic achievement, career development and personal/social growth domains.

  • Small Group Counseling Sessions:  Sessions are short term, typically lasting 8-12 weeks, and meet once a week for about 30 minutes per session to cover a variety of topics.

  • Individual Student Meetings:  This is short-term or for occasional check-ins as school counselors do not provide therapy.  If more support or long-term support is needed the school counselor is able to assist families and students in accessing services outside of school counseling.

  • Referrals for long-term support (for students and/or families)

  • Crisis Counseling:  This is provided to students and families who are facing emergency situations.  It is typically short-term and temporary. If further support is needed a referral to an appropriate resource will be made.

  • Collaboration/Consultation: This is offered to parents/guardians, teachers, administrators and the community to further student success.

  • Advocacy for Students: This includes attending student focused meetings such as SSTs, 504 Plan Meetings, IEPs, SIPs and other similar meetings.

  • Data Analysis: Analyzing, sharing and using student and counseling program data to identify student issues, needs and challenges in order to support the academic achievement for all students.

Q: How does a student get referred for counseling services/support?

A: If you would like to refer a student for counseling support, please complete the “Request for Counseling Support” google form.  It will automatically be sent to the school counselor.

Q:  What happens if a student needs to see the counselor, but it is during a time when the counselor is not on campus or is unavailable?

A:   There are specific drop-in times for students to come speak to the school counselor on their own built into the school counselor’s schedule (during recess and lunch times).  If the student is unable to come at this time, the school counselor is unavailable due to meetings or not being on campus, or it is an urgent or pressing matter, the referring party (typically the teacher, parent/guardian, or other school staff member working with the student) can complete a counseling referral form (if it seems like ongoing services might be needed) or email the counselor (if it is for a check-in regarding an urgent matter) at: djacobus@pleasantonusd.net  

Q:  What is confidentiality and what are the limitations?

A:  As counseling is based on a trusting relationship between the counselor and students, every effort is made to keep the information shared by students confidential.  However, there are limits to confidentiality and a legal and ethical responsibility to divulge information to appropriate parties. Because services are provided to minor children in a school setting, information may be shared with school personnel, such as your child’s teacher and/or administrators who work with your child, on a “need to know basis.”  This is to ensure that your child is receiving the most appropriate support from the school team. The following summarizes the limits to confidentiality:

• 1. If the student reveals information about harm to themselves or another person.

  2. If the student reveals information about abuse.

  3. If the counselor’s records are subpoenaed by the courts.

Q: What is the benefit of school-based small group counseling for students?

A: Group counseling is a positive way for students who share common difficulties to learn from one another, as well as the group facilitator, in a safe environment.  Sessions focus on assisting children in exploring and expressing feelings, problem solving, goal setting, making good choices, acquiring coping skills, and enhancing self-esteem.  Communication about information and strategies learned in the group setting is also sent to parents and teachers of students in the group so there is consistency with learning across all settings.

Q:  What types of issues do the small group counseling sessions address?

A:  Groups are formed based on student and school need, so group offerings can vary from year to year as well even change during the current school year.  Some of the common issues that groups are formed to address, but not limited to, are:

• • Emotional Regulation

  • Anger Management

  • Managing Anxiety

  • Friendship (making friends and keeping friends)

  • Social Skills

  • Self-Esteem

  • Impulsivity/Self-Control

  • Grief and Loss

  • Family Changes

  • Conflict Mediation

Q:  What curriculum is used for small group counseling?

A:  A variety of curriculum is used to address student issues.  Some of the more common ones used for small group counseling are:

• • The Anxiety Workbook for Kids: Take Charge of Fears & Worries Using the Gift of Imagination by Robin Alter and Crystal Clarke

  • We Thinkers! Social Explorers Curriculum by Michelle Garcia Winner

  • We Thinkers! Social Problem Solvers Curriculum by  Michelle Garcia Winner

  • Social Thinking and Me: Kids’ Guidebook to Social Emotional Learning by Linda Murphy & Michelle Garcia Winner

  • Superflex: A Superhero Social Thinking Curriculum by Michelle Garcia winner and Stephanie Madrigal

  • You are a Social Detective: Explaining Social Thinking to Kids by Michelle Garcia Winner and Pamela Crooke

  • The Zones of Regulation by Leah M. Kuypers

  • Kimochis by Ellen Pritchard Dodge, Charlotte Rice & Diann Grimm

  • Girls In Real Life Situations by Shannon Trice-Black & Julia V. Taylor

  • What to Do When You Worry Too Much by Dawn Huebner

Q: If a student misses their group or meeting time, how is that missed counseling time made up?

A: Small group counseling lasts for 8-12 weeks (depending on the group), and groups meet once a week for about 30 minutes per session.  If at the end of that time a student should need further support next steps will be discussed with teachers and parents. If a session is missed (due to meetings, holidays, or counselor absences) then the group will continue where they left off the week prior.  No information or time/weeks will be missed or skipped.

Q: How do I schedule a classroom guidance lesson (outside of the district’s Counseling Master Plan Guidance Lessons), observation or consultation time with the school counselor?

A: There will be a sign-up sheet sent out to teachers and staff bi-monthly with open days and times to sign-up for these support services offered by the counselor.  Typically these times will be scheduled for Fridays since the counselor alternates between school sites on Fridays. If the days or times listed do not work with your schedule or you are needing something other than what is listed, please email the school counselor at djacobus@pleasantonusd.net to work out other possible options.

Q:  What is the Counseling Master Plan, and how is it dispersed in the elementary school setting?

A:  During the 2013-14 school year, in alignment with the implementation of the Common Core standards, all Pleasanton Unified School District Counselors began developing the counseling master plan.  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.  Counselors will facilitate grade level classroom-based lessons that are developmental in nature and results-orientated. Using a proactive approach, the Counseling Master Plan will provide consistency in the delivery of the school counseling curriculum within elementary, middle and high school levels. Parents and guardians are key partners in this program.  Communication with parents, along with follow up opportunities at home will be provided with each lesson. The lessons that are presented according to grade levels are linked here in the Tentative Counseling Master Plan Calendar.

Q: How do I contact the school counselor?

A: The best way to get in contact with the counselor is through email at: djacobus@pleasantonusd.net.  If it is an urgent matter you can contact the main office at your school site directly.

Alisal: (925) 426-4200

Q: What other resources or options are available to help my student?

A: There are more resources to support parents, students and teachers that can be found on the following websites:

• • The School Counselor’s website at: https://sites.google.com/a/pleasantonusd.net/school-counselor-ms-jacobus/

  • The School Counseling page of PUSD’s website at: https://www.pleasantonusd.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=301224&type=d&pREC_ID=708737

  • The School Social Workers’ page of PUSD’s website at: at:https://www.pleasantonusd.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=301224&type=d&pREC_ID=1064938