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What does a school counselor do?
In high school, a school counselor:
Ø Assists with academic planning.
Ø Counsels children individually and/or in groups.
Ø Teaches guidance lessons in classrooms.
Ø Processes interventions and referrals for students.
Ø Consults with parents and teachers.
Ø Conducts parent workshops and training.
Ø Refers and links students with school and community resources (school wide and/or outside agencies).
Ø Adheres to ethical and legal standards in the performance of all of the above mentioned duties.
How can a student contact the school counselor?
Ø Student self-referral
Ø Teacher, staff, parent or administrative referral
Ø Counselor identification or referral
Ø Peer identification or referral
What happens in individual and/or group counseling?
In individual and/or group counseling children:
Ø Learn how to cope with difficult and/or unchangeable events.
Ø Build self-esteem and confidence.
Ø Receive the opportunity to share their feelings and concerns.
Ø Develop problem-solving ability and decision making skills.
Ø Receives academic guidance.
Overall, the goal is to empower students with the skills to be successful inside and outside of school.
What topics are taught during classroom guidance lessons?
Ø Student orientation (meeting the counselor)
Ø Student handbook (school rules)
Ø Anti-victimization
Ø Anti-harassment/No bullying
Ø Career/Postsecondary Education
Ø Suicide Prevention
Ø Dual Credit
Ø Wellness
Please contact your child’s counselor if you have any concerns about your child including and not limited to the following:
1. Classroom performance or behavior
2. Sudden change in your child’s behavior. (depressed, sad, angry…)
3. Family changes (moving, death, divorce or separation)
4. Interpreting test results