The School Counselor provides services that aspire to promote academic, personal, social and career development for all children.
GUIDANCE CURRICULUM
The counselor will meet directly with students in their classrooms, once every two weeks, to help develop their educational potential through skill-based lessons. These action-based, age appropriate activities assist in developing essential life skills including:
- August- What is a Counselor?/How to Request to See Me
- September- Listening/Communication Skills
- October- Bullying
- November- Conflict Resolution
- December- Personal Safety (good touch/bad touch)
- January- Career Development
- February- Test Anxiety (grades 3-5); Feelings (grades PK-2)
- March- Team Building
- April- Testing Month- lessons may be limited due to testing, but will focus on reducing anxiety/ways to calm down
- May- Cliques/Self-Esteem
The timing of the lessons is subject to change, depending on the immediate needs of the classroom, or on the grade level. However, the topics will all be covered during the year. Please feel free to ask questions about any part of the guidance curriculum.
RESPONSIVE SERVICES
The counselor will intervene on behalf of students whose personal concerns or problems put their educational development at risk. Individual crisis counseling is limited to one to three meetings with the counselor.
INDIVIDUAL PLANNING
The counselor will assist students with goal setting, behavioral support programs, and transition activities.
SYSTEM SUPPORT
The counselor will support the efforts of teachers, staff, parents and the community in promoting academic, personal, social and career development. Parent and teacher consultations are provided by appointment.
ACADEMIC AND THERAPEUTIC REFERRALS
The counselor will assist in the referral process of students to appropriate support programs and services provided both within the school setting and to outside agencies. Requests for therapeutic referrals must be made by the parent.
CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY
All student information is kept in confidence in accordance to educational code. All counseling records are considered school records and are subject to legal requirements. Disclosures of abuse and/or imminent danger to self or others are reported to the appropriate agency in accordance with the law. Situations jeopardizing student safety including incidents of abuse, imminent danger of self or others, bullying and sexual harassment are reported to the campus administrator in accordance with school policy.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q: How does a parent or student contact the school counselor?
A: Students can obtain a self-referral form from the classroom teacher. Parents can call the counseling office to request an appointment for themselves or for the student. Teachers and parents can obtain a referral form from the counselor. Hard copies of the referral form are in the main building lounge and soft copies are located on the shared drive for Oak Hill.
Q: Is information shared with the counselor also shared with teachers?
A: Personal information shared with the counselor is not shared with the classroom teacher unless permission to share the information is granted by the student or the parent. Academic information applicable to classroom performance will be shared with the professional educator.
Q:Are parents notified when a student visits the counselor?
A: Parent notification depends on the purpose of the student’s visit. Parents are notified and must give permission for students to participate in support groups. For behavioral support incentives and quick care meetings, parents are typically not alerted. However, issues can arise during these meetings that may merit parental notification.
Q: Can the counselor provide therapy for my child?
A: Counselors provide support not therapy. The counselor will provide therapeutic referrals at the parent’s request.