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Chalkley Elementary School

EXPLORE

Counseling

Vision Statement

The Chalkley School Counseling Program will support ALL students by engaging them in relevant and innovative activities to build skills and gain knowledge that will help them to achieve to their fullest potential in their education and to be prepared in the future to become productive, capable citizens in our changing world. Our vision is based on the beliefs that:

  • All students can achieve, learn, and be productive members of society

  • All students have the right to equal access to resources and a challenging academic curriculum

  • All students have dignity and worth

  • All students should learn in an environment in which their cultural, racial, ethnic, gender, abilities/disabilities, sexual, spiritual/religious, language, and socio-economic differences are valued and considered in program development

  • All students benefit from a comprehensive, data-driven, and developmentally appropriate school counseling program delivered by a state-certified professional school counselors which includes prevention and intervention services and follows ASCA professional counseling ethics

  • All students benefit from a collaboration between families, schools, and the community

Mission Statement

The Chalkley School Counselors will provide a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate program that addresses the academic, career, and personal/social developmental needs of all students through varied services that provide opportunities for diverse needs, interests, and abilities in a safe, healthy and nurturing environment. The counselors will collaborate with students, staff, families, and the community to assist students in becoming highly educated, healthy, and responsible citizens.

What is a School Counselor?
School counselors are certified/ licensed educators with a minimum of a master’s degree in school counseling, making them uniquely qualified to address all students’ academic, career and social/emotional development needs by designing, implementing, evaluating and enhancing a comprehensive school counseling program that promotes and enhances student success. School counselors are employed in elementary, middle/junior high, and high schools; in district supervisory positions; and counselor education positions.

Copied from the American School Counselor Association website: https://www.schoolcounselor.org/parents-public

Individual Counseling

Individual counseling is available to ALL students in need at the request of the student, parent, or staff member. Students are able to express concerns in a safe environment where problem solving can take place. Individual counseling occurs on an as needed basis. Generally, we do not offer long-term individual counseling at school due to the size of our school. We use our time to reach the needs of more of our students through group counseling and classroom guidance. If you feel your student would benefit from regular individual counseling sessions, you can contact Chesterfield County Mental Health Prevention Services at 804-768-7800.

Group Counseling

Small group counseling is available to ALL students in need, and may be requested by parents, students, or school staff. Parental permission is required. Groups are designed so that students may gather together in a confidential setting to work through an issue that is preventing them from doing their best in school. They have the opportunity to interact and connect with peers, learn and practice skills, provide and receive feedback, and set goals as needed. As school counselors, our goal is to improve the academic success of our students. When forming groups for counseling, students with the greatest need will be given priority for spots in a group. We make the best attempt to get to every student referred.

Group topics include:

  • Study Skills
  • Friendship/Social Skills
  • Strong Feeling/Anger Management
  • Self-Concept
  • Changing Families (Divorce/Incarceration)
  • Grief/Loss

Classroom Guidance

We will teach lessons in the classroom throughout the year. Our goal is to address developmental issues common to ALL elementary school-aged students. We visit each classroom at least one time a month.  Our lessons address topics such as character education, social skills, getting along with others, bullying prevention/intervention, understanding self and others, diversity, goal setting, study skills, career development, and internet safety.

Curriculums include:

  • Boystown Social Skills – taught with Julia Cook books and interactive activities
  • STEP UP – a study skills building classroom guidance unit
  • STAR Conflict Management – a 4 step process to follow to aid in peaceful problem solving with peers
  • CCPS Career Development
  • Promote Respect
  • NetSmartz Internet Safety

Others Roles/Services of Counselors:
Attendance team member – can help problem solve attendance issues
Gifted Education Coordinators – coordinate referrals and identification process

CLASSROOM GUIDANCE LESSONS
Classroom guidance lessons are extremely important in the school setting. Classroom guidance allows a counselor to be proactive in a variety of areas to a large number of students. Guidance lessons are effective and time efficient.

Academic/Educational Domain (K-5)
Personal/Social Development Domain (K-5)
Career Development Domain (K-5)

In assuming these responsibilities, the school counselor strives to:

  • Aid children in academic development
  • Foster more effective learning climates for children
  • Help children develop healthy self-concepts
  • Assist children in developing self-direction
  • Provide opportunities for children to establish good relationships with others
  • Encourage wholesome attitudes toward the world of work and a desire to contribute