ROLE OF THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR

As we envision it, there are nine functions of the school counselor that cut across grade levels and the ethnic and economic aspects of the environment.

1. Academic Improvement and Planning – includes selection of courses, placement into appropriate courses and programs, attendance improvement, study skills development.

2. Personal/Social Growth – includes work with students’ self-esteem, communication skills, decision making and relationship skills as well as peacemaking, prejudice reduction and compassion.

3. Transitional Services – includes orientation for students as they move from grade to grade as well as from school building to school building.

4. Parent Support – includes individual conferences and group meetings with parents centered on the academic and personal growth of their children as well as the referral of students and parents to appropriate specialists.

5. Teacher Support – includes assisting teachers in enhancing the learning capabilities of students entrusted to their care.

6. Career/Life Planning – includes increasing students’ awareness of the career and educational planning process as well as for individual careers themselves, and instilling in them the values and attitudes necessary for becoming a successful contributor to their families and to society.

7. Creation of Developmental Counseling Program – includes attention to many of the aspects listed above, that is, personal growth, relationship growth, career planning and self-esteem building delivered through individual and group sessions.

8. Pursue Continuous Professional Growth – includes membership in local, state and national counselor associations as well as participation in workshops and conferences that will enhance the knowledge and skills of the school counselor.

9. Contribute to the Effective Operation of the school – includes involvement with the life of the school beyond the walls of the guidance office, i.e., participation in committees with various staff members and lending a hand to the general day to day well-being of the school environment.

Counseling services are available for each student in the school, and you can approach a counselor with any question or problem. Students wishing to visit a counselor should contact the secretary in the Counseling Office to schedule an appointment.

Extra Help

All teachers are available at scheduled times before or after school for extra help. Seek extra help from your teachers if you do not understand an assignment, if the work is difficult, or if you have been absent and have missed assignments. Your parent should know when you are staying after school for extra help. The extra help schedule will be posted on the school website in September.

Library-Media Center

In addition to classroom use of the LMC, students are permitted to use the media center during Study Hall (with the permission of the Study Hall or classroom teacher) and before and after school, as scheduled.

Honors Level Classes

Criteria for entrance to Honors level classes include one of the following:

Final subject area unweighted grade of 93 or better

-or-

Performance Level 4 on New York State program tests for two of the previous three years for which scores are available

-and-

Final subject area unweighted grade of 88 or better plus teacher’s recommendation

Criteria for continuation in Honors level classes include:

Final unweighted grade of 90 or better;

-or-

Final unweighted grade of 85 or better and teacher’s recommendation.

Appeals

Should a student fail to meet the eligibility criteria, a parent may appeal to the appropriate subject area director, who will make the final academic placement decision. Appeals must be made as soon as possible and not later than the second weekend in July.

Special Education

This program includes resource room, speech and language services, integrated and self-contained classes, and other support as needed.

Academic Intervention Services/Response to Intervention

This program is provided for students who need some additional support to enhance success in the core courses (English, math, science, social studies). These services are intended to assist students who are identified as being at-risk of not achieving the Next Generation Learning Standards in English Language Arts and mathematics; NYS Framework for Social Studies; and the New York State Science Learning Standards, or who are at-risk of not meeting the designated performance levels on State assessments.

The AIS and RtI addresses impediments to learning, and includes services in areas such as counseling, attendance, and study skills.