If your child is referred to the school counselor, the very word “counseling” may make it sound like a mysterious process. It isn’t! Counseling is a relationship built on Confidentiality and Trust—student trust, parent trust, teacher trust. Adequate information is the foundation of trust—all involved must have information about the limits and processes of counseling.
Elementary school years set the tone for developing the knowledge, attitudes and skill necessary for children to become healthy, competent and confident learners. Middle school students are characterized by rapid physical growth, curiosity about their world and an emerging self-identity. Through a comprehensive developmental school counseling program, school counselors work as a team with the school staff, parents and the community to create a caring, supportive climate and atmosphere whereby children and young adolescents can achieve academic success.
School counselors provide education, prevention, early identification and intervention. Therefore, school counseling programs are essential for students to achieve optimal personal growth, acquire positive social skills and values, set appropriate career goals and realize full academic potential to become productive, contributing members of the world community.
The following information describes the overall process of counseling:
How students are "selected" for counseling: Students may be referred to the School Counselor (SC) for individual and/or small group counseling by their parents or guardians, school faculty and staff, a concerned friend, or themselves. When a referral is received, the SC possibly meets with the student and/or the classroom teacher and/or parent/guardian to determine the next steps.
Who provides the counseling? Counseling is provided by the school counselor, Rachel Wides, or a community partner program facilitator, which will be specified by the school counselor. Rachel Wides has a Master’s degree in Social Work with an emphasis in School Social Work; in addition, Ms. Wides has a State certified School Social Work Professional License.
Counseling for your child is voluntary. It is your choice to consent to or decline counseling for your child.
What counseling for your child will involve: Counseling may include small group or individual sessions. During the sessions, your child and I will work together to help him or her understand the problem, the present and future consequences, develop goals for change and a plan of action for change. A variety of activities will be used, e.g., writing, role-play, art, focused discussions.
Sharing of Information: Trust is the basis for effective counseling. The ethical guidelines of the American School Counselor Association emphasize the importance of confidentiality between school counselors and students at the same time recognizing the rights of parents. As a parent or guardian, you must trust that I will “take good care of” one of your most prized possessions. Your child must know and trust that, what is shared with me will stay with me unless he or she gives me permission to share information, or, as a Mandated Reporter, if I suspect child abuse, if he or she is in danger of hurting himself or herself, or poses a danger to others.
Confidentiality: Trust and confidentiality work together. Counseling records do not become apart of the student’s permanent record except as required by school policy. We may indicate that a student was seen by the school counselor; however, the topics discussed are not included unless required by the school board policy. The requirements of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) are enforced—information will not be released to anyone outside our school without your written permission. I may talk with the classroom teacher about how he or she can help your child in the classroom; however, specific information will not be shared.
Possible outcomes: Through counseling, your child may be taught strategies to help him or her make more effective and healthier decisions, increase the ability to set and reach goals, build better relationships with others, and be more successful in school. We all must realize that changes take time; his or her problem did not develop overnight, nor will it disappear overnight. Counseling will be successful when students, school counselors, teachers, and family members work as partners.
Cost: There is no cost to you for any of the counseling your child receives as a part of Homestake Peak Student Support Program.
Comprehensive Counseling Program Provides:
School Guidance Curriculum:
· Academic skills support
· Organizational, study habits, and test-taking skills
· Education in understanding self and others
· Coping strategies
· Peer relationships and effective social skills
· Bully Prevention and Intervention
· Communication, problem-solving, decision-making and conflict resolution
· Career awareness, exploration and planning
· Substance abuse education
· Multicultural/diversity awareness
Responsive Services:
· Individual and small group counseling
· Individual/family/school crisis intervention
· Conflict resolution
· Peer facilitation
· Consultation/collaboration
· Referral
Individual Student and Academic Planning:
· Goal-setting/decision- making
· Academic planning
· Career planning
· Education in understanding of self, including strengths and weaknesses
· Transition planning
System Support:
· Professional development
· Consultation, collaboration and teaming
· Program management and operation
Elementary school years set the tone for developing the knowledge, attitudes and skill necessary for children to become healthy, competent and confident learners. Middle school students are characterized by rapid physical growth, curiosity about their world and an emerging self-identity. Through a comprehensive developmental school counseling program, school counselors work as a team with the school staff, parents and the community to create a caring, supportive climate and atmosphere whereby children and young adolescents can achieve academic success.
School counselors provide education, prevention, early identification and intervention. Therefore, school counseling programs are essential for students to achieve optimal personal growth, acquire positive social skills and values, set appropriate career goals and realize full academic potential to become productive, contributing members of the world community.
The following information describes the overall process of counseling:
How students are "selected" for counseling: Students may be referred to the School Counselor (SC) for individual and/or small group counseling by their parents or guardians, school faculty and staff, a concerned friend, or themselves. When a referral is received, the SC possibly meets with the student and/or the classroom teacher and/or parent/guardian to determine the next steps.
Who provides the counseling? Counseling is provided by the school counselor, Rachel Wides, or a community partner program facilitator, which will be specified by the school counselor. Rachel Wides has a Master’s degree in Social Work with an emphasis in School Social Work; in addition, Ms. Wides has a State certified School Social Work Professional License.
Counseling for your child is voluntary. It is your choice to consent to or decline counseling for your child.
What counseling for your child will involve: Counseling may include small group or individual sessions. During the sessions, your child and I will work together to help him or her understand the problem, the present and future consequences, develop goals for change and a plan of action for change. A variety of activities will be used, e.g., writing, role-play, art, focused discussions.
Sharing of Information: Trust is the basis for effective counseling. The ethical guidelines of the American School Counselor Association emphasize the importance of confidentiality between school counselors and students at the same time recognizing the rights of parents. As a parent or guardian, you must trust that I will “take good care of” one of your most prized possessions. Your child must know and trust that, what is shared with me will stay with me unless he or she gives me permission to share information, or, as a Mandated Reporter, if I suspect child abuse, if he or she is in danger of hurting himself or herself, or poses a danger to others.
Confidentiality: Trust and confidentiality work together. Counseling records do not become apart of the student’s permanent record except as required by school policy. We may indicate that a student was seen by the school counselor; however, the topics discussed are not included unless required by the school board policy. The requirements of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) are enforced—information will not be released to anyone outside our school without your written permission. I may talk with the classroom teacher about how he or she can help your child in the classroom; however, specific information will not be shared.
Possible outcomes: Through counseling, your child may be taught strategies to help him or her make more effective and healthier decisions, increase the ability to set and reach goals, build better relationships with others, and be more successful in school. We all must realize that changes take time; his or her problem did not develop overnight, nor will it disappear overnight. Counseling will be successful when students, school counselors, teachers, and family members work as partners.
Cost: There is no cost to you for any of the counseling your child receives as a part of Homestake Peak Student Support Program.
Comprehensive Counseling Program Provides:
School Guidance Curriculum:
· Academic skills support
· Organizational, study habits, and test-taking skills
· Education in understanding self and others
· Coping strategies
· Peer relationships and effective social skills
· Bully Prevention and Intervention
· Communication, problem-solving, decision-making and conflict resolution
· Career awareness, exploration and planning
· Substance abuse education
· Multicultural/diversity awareness
Responsive Services:
· Individual and small group counseling
· Individual/family/school crisis intervention
· Conflict resolution
· Peer facilitation
· Consultation/collaboration
· Referral
Individual Student and Academic Planning:
· Goal-setting/decision- making
· Academic planning
· Career planning
· Education in understanding of self, including strengths and weaknesses
· Transition planning
System Support:
· Professional development
· Consultation, collaboration and teaming
· Program management and operation