COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL COUNSELING
Counseling Lessons
Counseling lessons will be scheduled for all grade levels. The delivery method will depend on the topic and teacher input. Students learn best when they are able to practice a learned skill multiple times; therefore, the most effective classroom counseling sessions are done collaboratively with the teacher. This way the teacher can further extend the information learned in the remaining parts of the unit of study. It is also best for students when the lessons are engaging, fun, creative, and can easily be integrated into a reading lesson, language arts lesson, social studies lesson, or hands-on experience, like a field trip. However, there are some lessons that are appropriate on their own. For example, personal safety and bullying lessons are not often integrated into another subject because of the serious matter involved. Although they are taught separately, teachers continue to follow the school wide policy on safety and bullying.
Counseling lessons will be scheduled for all grade levels. The delivery method will depend on the topic and teacher input. Students learn best when they are able to practice a learned skill multiple times; therefore, the most effective classroom counseling sessions are done collaboratively with the teacher. This way the teacher can further extend the information learned in the remaining parts of the unit of study. It is also best for students when the lessons are engaging, fun, creative, and can easily be integrated into a reading lesson, language arts lesson, social studies lesson, or hands-on experience, like a field trip. However, there are some lessons that are appropriate on their own. For example, personal safety and bullying lessons are not often integrated into another subject because of the serious matter involved. Although they are taught separately, teachers continue to follow the school wide policy on safety and bullying.
Small Group Counseling
Many students have social, emotional, or academic barriers that may get in the way of learning. For these students parents, school counselors, teachers, social workers, school psychologists, or administrators may refer them to a small group with the school counselor. If the group is appropriate for the student, a permission form is sent home to be signed by a parent. Once the group has been formed students will participate in meetings with the counselor each week until the end of the group. Groups such as Family Changes and Self-Esteem usually meet 4-6 times; however, academic and attendance groups may meet for a semester or longer. The topics of the small groups are determined through needs assessment. The school counselor has a special group entitled Lunch Bunch for students who want to participate but do not appear to need a more structured group. These groups do not require parent permission and rarely meet more than once or twice. The Lunch Bunch activities are based on friendship skills and self-concept.
Individual Sessions
Students are referred to the school counselor for one- on -one support. Usually the students require more intensive help and a small group is not appropriate for the problem. Normally, the parents are involved in the decision, if the student has been referred as a result of the Student Support Team reccomendations. Some reasons why the student may need individual help are behavior, death of parent or close relative, personal safety concern, or anything that may interfere with the student's success in school. There is no permission form for this service; however, if a parent is uncomfortable with the counselor speaking with the student, the parent may schedule a meeting to discuss a possible solution.
Consultation
Parents, teachers, social workers, psychologists, counselors, and administrators often consult with the school counselor on student concerns. Their goal is to find strategies that will help the student be successful in school. School counselors are professionals that have been trained to assist with behavior, parenting, and school success. They also have resources available, to suggest, when the child's problem is outside of the realm of school.
Many students have social, emotional, or academic barriers that may get in the way of learning. For these students parents, school counselors, teachers, social workers, school psychologists, or administrators may refer them to a small group with the school counselor. If the group is appropriate for the student, a permission form is sent home to be signed by a parent. Once the group has been formed students will participate in meetings with the counselor each week until the end of the group. Groups such as Family Changes and Self-Esteem usually meet 4-6 times; however, academic and attendance groups may meet for a semester or longer. The topics of the small groups are determined through needs assessment. The school counselor has a special group entitled Lunch Bunch for students who want to participate but do not appear to need a more structured group. These groups do not require parent permission and rarely meet more than once or twice. The Lunch Bunch activities are based on friendship skills and self-concept.
Individual Sessions
Students are referred to the school counselor for one- on -one support. Usually the students require more intensive help and a small group is not appropriate for the problem. Normally, the parents are involved in the decision, if the student has been referred as a result of the Student Support Team reccomendations. Some reasons why the student may need individual help are behavior, death of parent or close relative, personal safety concern, or anything that may interfere with the student's success in school. There is no permission form for this service; however, if a parent is uncomfortable with the counselor speaking with the student, the parent may schedule a meeting to discuss a possible solution.
Consultation
Parents, teachers, social workers, psychologists, counselors, and administrators often consult with the school counselor on student concerns. Their goal is to find strategies that will help the student be successful in school. School counselors are professionals that have been trained to assist with behavior, parenting, and school success. They also have resources available, to suggest, when the child's problem is outside of the realm of school.