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As school counselors, we are here to meet the immediate needs of our students. We will be providing a comprehensive and preventative school counseling program that is designed to educate all students in life skills that are necessary for social and academic success.  We will spend most of our time conducting Classroom Guidance Lessons, Individual Counseling, and Small Group Counseling.  Through these opportunities, we hope to assist students with their academic, personal/social, and career development in order for them to reach their highest potential.  Below is a snapshot of our day-to-day activities.

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Classroom Guidance

We visit every classroom on a regular basis to teach lessons that encourage personal/social development, academic development, and career awareness.  Some of the guidance topics we will be covering this year include: Study/Academic Skills, Bullying, Conflict Resolution, Responsibility, Career Awareness, and Speak Up, Be Safe (body safety program).

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Small Group Counseling

We offer small group counseling during the school year for students that have similar needs.  These groups provide a unique setting to discuss topics such as Divorce, Grief & Loss, Anger Control, and Peer Relations.  Small group counseling is by parent referral.  More information will be sent home soon.

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Individual Counseling

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There are times when students may need to see the school counselor on an individual basis. Parents or teachers may refer a student to see us or the student may ask to speak with us directly.

 

   
Individual counseling is private and confidential unless the child discloses that he/she is being hurt, is hurting someone else, or wants to hurt him/herself. In these cases, we are legally required to report the information to the appropriate people/agencies.  Otherwise, we respect your child’s right to privacy.  If there’s something that we think you (parent/guardian) need to know, we will definitely contact you.  Additionally, school counseling services ARE NOT part of a student's permanent record. 

To clarify our role, school counselors are not therapists. We are trained to work with students briefly, using a Solution Focused approach. Typically, we may work with a child on an individual basis, usually, one to four sessions and 15 to 20 minutes at a time. 

There are five main steps we follow:

1. Identify the problem to be addressed.

2. Identify the desired change or goal related to the problem.

3. Encourage the student to recall times he has been successful in solving similar problems.

4. Encourage the student to identify his strengths or "what worked" in that situation.

5. Help the student develop and carry out a plan of action

Due to the large number of students we serve and the other duties we perform as school counselors, we are unable to provide mental health therapy or commit to seeing children on a long-term basis.  If we feel that a student may benefit from further counseling services, or parents request services beyond what we can offer at the school, we provide parents information on resources available in the community.

 

 

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School Counselor Video

(click on the picture to watch)