The Role of the Elementary Guidance Counselor
As stated in the handbook, The “guidance counselor serves the normal developmental social and adjustment needs of the student population and families. The counselors work with classes, small groups, and individual students on a short term basis, and are available to help with referrals for students and families who may need more intensive services. Typical guidance issues include friendships, conflict resolution, self esteem, maintaining appropriate school behavior, dealing with loss, and junior high orientation.
School-wide programs involving students:
ï School Core Values/School Code of Conduct
ï Peace Path ‚Ä a conflict resolution tool
ï School Meetings/Community Gatherings
ï Mix It Up at Lunch Day ‚Ä Nationally recognized program held each year in November.
ï No Name Calling Week ‚Ä Nationally recognized event celebrated a week in January.
Counseling & Support Services:
ï Individual Counseling : on an as needed basis, either once a week or as daily check-ins.
ï Lunch Bunches/Social skills groups: small groups of students gathering to practice specific social skills or to address a particular issue.
ï Classroom Guidance: social/emotional or character related classes either taught by the guidance counselor or in collaboration with classroom teachers.
ï Transitioning activities for 5th grade going to Middle School.
ï Teacher Assistance Teams: Meetings in which teachers look at student needs and work together to identify teaching strategies.
ï 504s: a regular education plan for students with medical diagnosis which interfere with students ability to learn.
Curricula/Programs by Teachers & Guidance:
ï Responsive Classroom: an approach to teaching, discipline, and promoting a classroom community; some faculty trained, components done in most classrooms
ï Open Circle: a social competency program; components done in some classes
Collaboration/Consultation
ï Between schools: 4th & 5th Career Day, Camp Social, transition activities, Wellness Committee
ï With Teachers: co-teaching, offering in-class student support on an as needed basis
ï With parents: PTO, conferences, on-going as needed, through newsletters and our websites.
ï With outside resources ‚Äì bringing enrichment programs in, working with outside therapists and community organizations
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