McHarg Counseling

VDOE Counseling Standards

What is it?

Students with access to school counselors and comprehensive school counseling programs are more likely to achieve academically and behaviorally; particularly students in high-poverty schools (Lapan, Gysbers, Bragg, & Pierce, 2012)

School counseling programs support the Standards of Learning by providing guidance to students in their academic, career, and social-emotional development. School counselors collaborate with parents, teachers, administrators and others to promote learning and help students establish and achieve their education, career, and personal goals. School counselors provide leadership to ensure that students benefit from effective strategies and services aligned with the Standards for School Counseling Programs in Virginia Public Schools. The standards are organized by grade level under the following goals:

Academic Development – Students will acquire the academic preparation essential to choose from a variety of educational, training, and employment options upon completion of secondary school.
Career Development – Students will investigate the world of work in order to make informed career decisions.
Social/Emotional – Students will acquire an understanding of, and respect for, self and others, and the skills to be responsible citizens.

How we do it:

The counselor addresses these standards in classroom guidance lessons. The counselor uses a variety of picture books to explore academic, career, and emotional topics. Julia Cook's collection is used frequently, including titles such as My Mouth is a Volcano, A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue, and How to be a Verb.

Additionally, the counselor meets students in small groups and individually to explore their emotions and utilize tools to experience success in school. The counselor reinforces the Zones of Regulation curriculum (see Social Emotional Learning) in classroom guidance and in one on one counseling. Using personal inventories, students explore their interests and strengths while identifying potential careers related to those areas.

How you can help!

Help your child name his or her feelings and validate their experience. For ideas on what to say, try listening to Dr. Becky's Podcast.

Model healthy ways to calm down for your child when you are upset. Your child has been taught how to do a Starfish breath in classroom guidance. It is an easy, quick tool to use at home the next time you find yourself frustrated. For example, you might say something like, "Oh no! I broke a cup. Ugh! I'm so frustrated. I'm going to do a starfish breath to calm down."

Notice and validate your child's interests. When possibly, draw connections to careers. For example, if you see your child enjoys animals, you might talk with him or her about becoming a veterinarian.

Starfish Breathing: Helping Children With Emotional Regulation | Project Play Therapy NashvilleEach of us uses strategies everyday to help manage feelings of worry, frustration, or anxiety. But for children who experience challenges with regulating emotions, it can be helpful to teach them strategies they can use on their own. One of the most effective strategies to help your child manage emotional regulation are deep breathing exercises. […]

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