Counseling

• All students can learn and should be given the opportunity to do so.
• Learning involves the education of the whole person and is a continuous and lifelong process.
• All students have the right to participate in the school counseling program.
• Learning requires the active participation, mutual respect, and individual accountability of students, teachers, staff, parents, and community stakeholders.
• Diversity is to be respected and appreciated as we foster unity among our students, faculty, staff, and community.
  
  

What does a school counselor do?

Today’s school counselors are vital members of the educational team. School counselors assist students in the areas of academic achievement, personal and social development, career development, and ensuring that students become productive and well-adjusted adults of tomorrow. – American School Counselor Association

Who is a school counselor?

• A Professional who has earned a Master’s Degree in school counseling.
• An Educator who holds state certification in school counseling to include counseling theories and practices, human behavior, career education, individual appraisal, and social/cultural issues. Maintaining certification includes on-going professional development to stay current with education reform and challenges facing today’s students. Professional association membership enhances the school counselor’s knowledge and effectiveness.
• A Specialist who has expertise in age-specific developmental stages of student growth, and the needs, tasks, and student interests related to those stages.

The elementary school years are a time when students begin to develop their academic self-concept and their feelings of competence and confidence as lifelong learners. Students are beginning to develop decision-making, communication, and life skills, as well as character values. Additionally, the elementary school years are a time when students develop and acquire attitudes toward school, self, peers, social groups, and family.

Comprehensive developmental school counseling programs provide education, prevention, and intervention services, which are integrated into all aspects of students’ lives. Early identification and intervention of students’ academic and social/emotional needs is essential in removing barriers to learning and in promoting academic success.

“The knowledge, attitudes, and skills students acquire in the areas of academic, career, and social development during these elementary years serve as the foundation for future success.” _ American School Counseling Association

Individual Counseling

Students can access individual counseling through self-referrals, staff referrals, and/or parent and guardian referrals.
If you would like to discuss individual counseling support for your student, please contact the school counseling department via email or phone.

Group Counseling

Groups will run throughout the school year on a variety of topics based on the needs of students. Group counseling sessions typically run 30-45 minutes in length and meet approximately 5-8 times, total. Groups are powerful and help students realize that other students experience similar challenges. Students listen and learn from one another and gain greater insight as a result. Additionally, groups assist students with developing friendships, social skills, and a sense of community.

*Topics are selected based on student needs and teacher input.

Possible Academic Success Topics: Study Skills, Attention and Focus, Goal Setting
Possible Personal/Social Topics: Grief Counseling, Friendship Skills, Self-Esteem, Self-Control, Changing Families/Divorce, Managing Uncomfortable Emotions

Classroom Lessons

School counselors will visit your student’s classroom throughout the school year to deliver classroom lessons on a variety of topics.

Some topics may include:

• Mindfulness
• Understanding the Brain & Emotions
• Goal Setting and Growth Mindset
• Kindness
• Empathy
• Academic Skills Support
  Peer Relationships and Effective Social Skills
  Career Awareness, Exploration, and Planning
  Test Anxiety

Name Change Request Form

Solicitud de cambio de nombre

District Counseling Website