Counseling Department

Grades 6-12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is School Counseling?

           

Our grades 6-12 counseling program is a sequential, planned program that is both developmental and proactive.  Counseling is the process by which clients are assisted in making decisions and changing behaviors.  Counselors work with students, parents, and community members.  School counselors work to serve all students so that all students are successful in their academic achievement, their personal and social growth, and their career planning.  Counselors serve as advocates for their students as well as collaborative members of the educational team to seek solutions to help each student achieve his/her potential and to promote the academic mission of the school.

 

 

What is the Role of the School Counselor?

 

The role of the school counselor is to support and enhance learning and to serve as the focal point of all the participants involved with the studentÕs education by

 

v    Serving as an advocate for the student

v    Promoting academic success

v    Collaborating with teachers, administrators, parents, school resources, and community opportunities

v    Assisting students with transitional tasks

v    Assisting transfer students in their transition through information and support

v    Providing curriculum planning so that each student is able to meet his/her educational and career goals

v    Coordinating therapeutic and educational services

v    Serving as a liaison to teachers and post secondary institutions

v    Pursuing professional development opportunities


What are the Counseling Services?

 

 

v    Counsel individuals

v    Counsel small groups

v    Teach classroom guidance lessons

v    Confer with parents

v    Consult and collaborate with school personnel and community resources

v    Coordinate services

v    Coordinate and administer testing programs

v    Interpret assessments

v    Teach career education

v    Serve on Child Study, CSE, and PPS committees

v    504 Coordination

v    Coordinate ELL and course scheduling

v    Assist with crisis intervention

v    Serve as a resource for parents

v    Conduct school-wide programs specific to individual schools and/or student needs

v    Coordinate enrollment and orientation services

v    Provide transition services

v    Assist in counseling aspect of discipline

 

 

Student Guidance Goals Grades 6-12

 

Academic Development:

á      To acquire the attitudes, knowledge, skills, and behaviors contributing to life-long learning.

á      To organize and apply academic information from a variety of sources

á      To complete schools with the academic preparation essential to choose from a wide range of post-secondary education, training, and career options

á      To understand how academics are applicable to all aspects of their life: work, home, community

 

Personal/Social Development:

á      To help students acquire the knowledge, attitude, and interpersonal skills so that they understand and respect others

á      To make decisions, set goals, and take necessary action to achieve goals

á      To develop life skills for personal growth

 

 

 

Career Development:

á      To explore the world of work in relation to knowledge of self and to make informed career decisions

á      To develop and investigate strategies to achieve future career goals

á      To understand the relationships among personal qualities, education, and the world of work

 


Grade 6 Counseling Goals

 

 

Counseling theme: Orientation and Transition to Middle School for Students and Parents

 

Through a series of panel discussions, including evening parent meetings for each individual elementary school, counselor visitations to the elementary schools, and fifth grade visitations to the middle school, the counseling program provides a comprehensive overview of the middle school mission statement.  During the school year, counselors conduct classroom activities as well as small group sessions, to begin to familiarize students with the guidance program, and to address topics relevant to their transition to the middle school.


*****

Along with the above stated theme, our counseling program utilizes various counseling services to help students work toward achieving the following goals:

 

Academic Development:

á      Identify attitudes and behaviors that lead to successful learning

á      Develop age appropriate study habits and organizational skills

á      Accept mistakes as essential to the learning process

á      Academic program planning

 

Personal/Social Development:

á      Demonstrate cooperative  behavior in groups

á      Understand that communication involves speaking, listening and non-verbal behavior

á      Distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate behavior

á      Comprehend consequences of decisions and choices

á      Apply conflict resolution to everyday problems

á      Develop coping skills

 

Career Development:

á      Learn how to interact and work cooperatively in teams

á      Learn to make decisions

á      Learn to set goals


Grade 7 Counseling Goals

 

 

Counseling theme:  Empowerment and Self Awareness in Social Relationships Planning for Differentiated Academic Placement

 

      Through a series of workshops and small group sessions utilizing the Empowerment curriculum, including a full-day Wellness Program and an overnight experience at Sharpe Reservation, the counseling department works with students to address topics of self-awareness, empowerment and the power of positive, supportive relationships.  The topic of harassment is addressed in a workshop presented to all seventh grade students.

      In addition, counselors administer standardized testing to all seventh grade students, and those results are interpreted and reviewed, along with academic achievement, to determine academic placement for the eighth grade program.

 

*****

Along with the above stated theme, our counseling program utilizes various counseling services to help students work toward achieving the following goals:

 

Academic Development:

á      Apply time management and task management skills

á      Use communication skills to know when and how to ask for help when needed

á      Understanding the relationship between classroom performance and success in school

á      Academic program planning, including assessment for honors placement

 

Personal/Social Development:

á      Identify values, attitudes and beliefs

á      Identify and discuss changing personal and social roles

á      Identify and recognize changing family roles

á      Recognize and respect individual difference

á      Understand that change is a part of growth

á      Identify and express feelings

á      Practice effective communication skills

 

Career Development:

á      Understand the importance of planning

á      Utilize and task management skills

á      Comprehension of the importance of responsibility, dependability, integrity, teamwork and problem solving

 

 

                       


Grade 8 Counseling Goals

 

 

Counseling theme:  Mapping the future through Self Assessment, High School Planning, and the Introduction to the Process of Career Exploration

 

            Through a series a classroom presentations, utilizing college and career assessment tools, students explore the college and career decision making process by identifying personal goals, work-related values, interests and personality type.

 

*****

Along with the above stated theme, our counseling program utilizes various counseling services to help students work toward achieving the following goals:

 

Academic Development:

á      Knowledge of academic strengths and interests

á      Understand academic requirements in high school and beyond

á      Identify post-secondary options consistent with achievement aptitude and abilities

á      Understand how school success and academic achievement enhance future academic and career opportunities

á      Academic program planning

 

Personal/Social Development:

á      Identify alternative ways of achieving personal goals

á      Demonstrate the ability to set boundaries, rights and personal privacy

á      Learn how to cope with peer pressure

á      Reinforce positive coping skills for dealing with problems

 

Career Development:

á      Identify personal preferences and interests influencing career choice and success

á      Use research and information resources to obtain career information

á      Learn to use the Internet to access career planning information

á      Demonstrate the knowledge of the career planning process

á      Apply decision making skill to career planning, high school course selection and career transition

 


Grade 9 Counseling Goals

 

 

Counseling theme:  Orientation and Transition to High School for Students and Parents

 

            Through a series of group meetings with counselors, students and parents gain a broad overview of high school expectations, academic requirements, and strategies for success.

 

*****

Along with the above stated theme, our counseling program utilizes various counseling services to help students work toward achieving the following goals:

 

Academic Development:

á      Orientation and information for transfer student

á      Orientation to high school and counseling services

á      Identify students in need of Academic Intervention Services

á      Understand high school transcript and graduation requirements

á      Promote awareness and participation in school activities

á      Explore academic enrichment programs

 

Personal/Social Development:

á      Increased self-awareness and self-acceptance

á      Comprehension of and respect for others in order to communicate in appropriate ways

á      Continued development of decision-making and goal-setting skills

á      Development of increased self-control and responsibility

á      Increased cooperative behavior in groups and activities

á      Ability to identify and appropriately express feelings

á      Accountability to self and others

á      Assist students with development of coping skills and resiliency

 

Career Development:

á      Positive attitude toward work and learning

á      Comprehension of the importance of course selection relative to potential career interests

á      Identify personal interests and abilities as it relates to careers


Grade 10 Counseling Goals

 

 

Counseling Theme:  Career Exploration

 

            Through self-analysis and personal exploration, students gain an understanding of their interests, abilities and aptitudes in relation to career choices and post high school plans.

 

*****

Along with the above stated theme, our counseling program utilizes various counseling services to help students work toward achieving the following goals:

 

Academic Development:

á      Identify students in need of Academic Intervention Services

á      Review Diploma requirements

á      Orientation and information for transfer students

á      Curriculum Planning

á      Individual Academic Counseling

á      Credit verification

á      Understand the high school transcript and graduation requirements

á      Orientation to the PSAT

á      Explore academic summer enrichment programs

á      Planning for the future

 

Personal/Social Development:

á      Assist students in developing coping skills and resiliency

á      Increased self-awareness and self-acceptance

á      Comprehension of and respect for others in order to communicate in appropriate ways

á      Continued development of decision making and goal setting skills

á      Development of increased self-control and responsibility

á      Increased cooperative behavior in groups

á      Ability to identify and appropriately express feelings

á      Encouragement of community involvement

á      Accountability to self and others

 

Career Development:

á      Foster a positive attitude towards work and learning

á      Career exploration

á      Comprehension of the importance of course selection relative to technical instruction and career interests

á      Career assessment screening

á      Introduction to opportunities at SWBOCES


Grade 11 Counseling Goals

 

 

Counseling Theme:  Post High School Planning

 

      Through student/parent planning meetings, PSAT review and analysis, evening programs, and individual counseling sessions; students examine personal interests and talents and their implications for life after high school.

 

*****

Along with the above stated theme, our counseling program utilizes various counseling services to help students work toward achieving the following goals:

 

Academic Development:

á       Time management skills

á       Graduation requirements

á       Curriculum planning

á       Individual academic counseling

á       Credit verification

á       College entrance exams and other requirements

á       Junior Future Planning/development of post high school plans

á       Orientation for transfer students

á       Explore academic enrichment programs

á       Test interpretation

á       Financial aid

á       Self efficacy as it relates to post HS choices

á       Comprehensive self assessment (Student Activity Profile)

á       Exploration of college search technology

 

Personal/Social Development:

á       Increased self awareness and self acceptance

á       Continued development of decision making and goal setting skills

á       Development of increased self-control and responsibility

á       Increased cooperative behavior in groups

á       Ability to identify and appropriately express feelings

á       Encouragement of school and community involvement

á       Accountability to self and others

á       Continued development of appropriate communication skills

á       Assist students with development of coping skills and resiliency

 

Career Development:

á       Comprehension of the importance of course selection relative to career interests

á       Career Exploration

á       College Night

á       College/post secondary education information

á       Potential enrollment in technical center program of study

á       Exploration of computer career resources

 

 

Grade 12 Counseling Goals

 

 

Counseling theme:  Continued post high school planning and transition.

 

            Through individual meetings, information sessions, transition programs for both students and parents, the Counseling Department provides a comprehensive post high school planning process.

 

*****

Along with the above stated theme, our counseling program utilizes various counseling services to help students work toward achieving the following goals:

 

 

Academic Development:

á      Identify students in need of AIS

á      Time Management skills

á      Graduation and Diploma requirements

á      Individual academic counseling

á      Credit Verification

á      Review of post secondary plans

á      Exploration of further educational opportunities

á      Scholarship/financial aid exploration

á      Orientation and information for transfer students

á      Awareness of College Entrance Examinations and other requirements

 

Personal/Social Development:

á      Increased self-awareness and self-acceptance

á      Continued development of decision making and goal setting skills

á      Development of increased self-control and responsibility

á      Encouragement of community and school involvement

á      Use of community resources

á      Accountability to self and others

á      Use of appropriate communication skills

á      Development of transitional skills needed for post-secondary success

á      Assist students with development of coping skills and resiliency

 

Career Development:

á      College/Technical school/Military information

á      Potential enrollment in technical center program of study

á      Exploration of computer career resources