Counseling Services
Guidance Curriculum
Counselors provide developmental, comprehensive guidance program content in a systematic way to all students K-12. The purpose is to aid in student awareness, skill development and application of skills needed in everyday life.
- Classroom lessons are delivered in the regular education elementary classrooms, focusing on pro-social skills and career decision-making skills.
- Classroom career lessons at the middle school and high school levels focus on the skills needed to choose careers, apply for jobs, and participate in the workplace.
- Various programs and activities surround and support the guidance curriculum at all levels including but not limited to: preventative groups, recognition programs, transition programs, and parent meetings.
- The components of the guidance curriculum are directly tied to the Pennsylvania Career Standards and approved by the school board in fall 2007.
Responsive Services
Parents, teachers and students consult regularly with school counselors to address academic, personal, social and career issues. The purpose is prevention and intervention, fostering resiliency.
- Brief counseling with students is provided at all levels, based on parent, staff, or student request.
- Referral services are provided for students and families to outside agencies and in-school agency services.
- Consultation regarding risk assessment for suicide, threats, and violent behaviors is provided.
- Student mediation services are provided.
- Counselors coordinate responsive groups for students needing various targeted interventions.
- Counselors serve as members of the emergency response team and the SAP team, and provide crisis counseling to individuals and small groups of students.
Individual Student Planning
Counselors assist students and parents in development of academic and career plans. The purpose is to aid in individual student academic and occupational planning, decision-making, goal setting, and preparing for academic transitions.
- Counselors assist students in developing a career plan, interest and skills inventories and post-secondary planning.
- Counselors facilitate course selection appropriate to student needs.
- Counselors coordinate development of a K-12 educational plan/portfolio through the use of data analysis
- Counselors function as part of a team to coordinate and plan for individual student needs.
- Counselors are an integral member of the following teams: IEP, 504, GIEP
System Support
Counselors are an integral part of the school system contributing to program development, staff development and school-wide services.
- Counselors participate in and provide professional development trainings.
- Serve on departmental, district level and community committees and advisory councils.
- Counselors use data to advocate systematic change or to reduce barriers to student learning.
- Counselors consult with staff, parents, and community to enhance student success.
- Counselors serve as liaisons between community programs and the school.