School Counselor's Role

Marjorie Sutton, School CounselorRH Dana Elementary

Some people wonder… What do school

counselors DO?

School Counseling Programs Are About

RESULTS!

How are students different as a result of the school

counseling program?

General Goals of theSchool Counseling Program

Support the school’s academic mission Ensure equity and access for every

studentProvide personal/social support for

students, family, and staff

School Counselors Affect Change In Students:

Knowledge

Skills

Attitude

Attendance

Behavior

Academic Achievement

AQUIRE IMPROVE

Research shows that school counselors are effective in:

Improving academic achievementDecreasing inappropriate behaviors

Preventing school violence Reducing bullying Classroom disturbances

Increasing productive on-task behaviorsPreventing student suicidesPreventing students from dropping out

More research shows they are…Enhancing students’ career developmentTeaching conflict management Having better relationships with teachersIncreasing positive attitudes toward schoolBelieving education is important to their

future

CUSD Elementary Counselors

3-year Grant, 5 counselors Specific Requirements

50 identified (indiv, group, goals) Life Skills (classroom guidance) Parent education Crisis intervention Meet w/parents Continuing Education

Goals Reduce student/counselor ratio Reduce # of discipline referrals & suspensions Increase attendance Increase scores on state/district tests

ASCA National Model

ASCA National Model

How School Counselors Spend their Time Individual Counseling Group Counseling Consulting & Collaborating w/Teachers, Parents,

Administrators, Students, other Counselors Build Relationships Crisis Situations Conflict Mediation Classroom guidance Parent Education Referrals Maintain Confidentiality

ConfidentialitConfidentiality!y!ConfidentialitConfidentiality!y!ConfidentialitConfidentiality!y!

So how do I send a student to the counselor?

ELEMENTARY COUNSELING REFERRAL FORM (Confidential information) Date: _______________ Student’s name: __________________________________ Grade: __________ Teacher’s name: __________________________________ Have you had a discussion with the student’s parent(s) regarding this referral? ____ Yes ____ No If yes, what was their reaction/comment? _____________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ Student’s Present Functioning (as you perceive it) ____ Above ____ Below ____ Average Attention span ______________________________ Self-image _________________________________ Attitude toward authority _____________________ Peer relationships ___________________________ Group work ________________________________ Completes assignments _______________________ Follows rules _______________________________ Please check (if appropriate) ____ Aggressive ____ Personable ____ Engaging ____ Assertive ____ Shy ____ Ambitious ____ Noncompliant ____ Independent ____ Impulsive ____ Social ____ Depressed ____ Preoccupied ____ Confident ____ Avoidant ____

Friendly ____ Motivated ____ Withdrawn____ Distractible ____ Argumentative ____ Other_____________ Special skills, talents, competencies, interests the student has: ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Reason for referral (based on your observations): ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ What interventions have you tried? ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________

I provide safe environment to ALL students to allow them to reach their full potential (personally & academically)

Seeing the counselor should NEVER be a negative experience/punishment

Your relationship with your students is very strong…USE THAT!