The Counseling Curriculum at Wesley Matthews Elementary School is designed
to provide assistance and support to all students in the form of classroom
guidance presentations, small group counseling, and individual counseling.
CLASSROOM PRESENTATIONS
During the school year, the counselor makes classroom presentations on
enhancing learning and study skills, self-esteem, personal and social
skills, study habits, conflict resolution strategies and self-confidence.
SMALL GROUP COUNSELING
Small group counseling may be recommended by the classroom teacher, the
administration, or the counselor. Students who are earning below average
grades in reading, language arts or math may need to attend some sessions.
Counseling sessions usually take place once a week (half-hour) for a 2-4
week period. During small group counseling sessions, we engage in
activities to strengthen the students' learning and study skills, self-
confidence, and positive attitude toward school.
INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING
Individual counseling may be recommended by the teacher, an
administrator, a parent, the counselor, or a student's self-referral.
Counseling sessions may take place one or more times according to child's
needs. Activities are geared to strengthen a student's academic
performance, self-esteem, self-confidence, study skills, conflict solving
strategies and appropriate school behaviors as needed.
THE REFERRAL PROCESS
A parent may speak to the classroom teacher or to the office to request that
the child sees the counselor. Many times teachers or administrators make
referrals. Also students may request to see the counselor. After a referral
or request, an appointment is scheduled with the student.
A parent may also request an appointment with the school counselor by
calling (305) 222-8150. Please leave a message with the secretary with your
name, numbers and best time to reach you. The counselor will return the
phone call as soon as possible. If the situation cannot be resolved by phone,
a conference at school will be scheduled..
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A CHILD MIGHT NEED OR MAY BENEFIT FROM COUNSELING...if there seems to be a
problem with:
1. Behavior that interferes with a child’s ability to learn or make friends.
2. Excessive anger, uncontrollable emotions, sadness, or fears.
3. Behavior that is immature for the child’s age.
4. Physical symptoms, which have no medical cause.
5. Preoccupation with sexual behaviors or identity issues.
6. Talking about not wanting to live.
7. Self-harming incident or repeated incidents of self-harm.
8. Being bullied at school, on the way to or from school.
9. Bullying/violent behaviors are frequently displayed.
10. Difficulty in adjusting to common family changes.
11. Experiencing trauma such as: abuse, abandonment, and domestic violence
including witnessing it through seeing or hearing violent incidents;
separation and divorce.
12. Death or the loss of a family member or pet, chronic illness,
hospitalization, moving away, or a painful experience. Events that may seem
insignificant to you may be very significant to a child.
These are only a few of the reasons. If it is behavior that seems “not
normal” then let’s get together and talk.
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El Programa de Consejería Escolar...
...esta diseñado para dar ayuda a todos los estudiantes a través de
presentaciones en las clases, sesiones en grupos pequeños y consejería
individual. El propósito del programa es ofrecer información a los
estudiantes y proveer actividades para el enriquecimiento de destrezas que
ayuden a mejorar su aprovechamiento académico, auto-estima y auto-confianza,
socialización, hábitos de estudio y resolución de conflictos.
Los estudiantes pueden ser recomendados por sus maestros, sus padres, sus
compañeros de clase, o por sí mismos para participar en algunas actividades
de consejería. Los padres pueden llamar al colegio al (305) 222-8150 para
conversar con una consejera.
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Why Elementary School Counselors?
(Information adapted from the American School Counselor Association Website)
Elementary school years set the tone for developing the knowledge, attitudes
and skills necessary for children to become healthy, competent and confident
learners.
Through a comprehensive developmental school counseling program,
counselors work as a team with the school staff, parents and the community
to create a caring climate and atmosphere. By providing education,
prevention, early identification and intervention, school counselors can
help all children achieve academic success.
Elementary school counselors are professional educators with a mental health
perspective who understand and respond to the challenges presented by
today’s diverse student population.
Elementary school counselors don’t work in isolation; rather they are
integral to the total educational program. They provide proactive leadership
that engages all stakeholders in the delivery of programs and services to
help students achieve school success.
Professional school counselors align with the school’s mission to support
the academic achievement of all students as they prepare for the ever-
changing world of the 21st century. This mission is accomplished through the
design, development, implementation and evaluation of a comprehensive,
developmental and systematic school counseling program.
The American School Counselor Association's National Standards in the
academic, career, and personal/social domains are the foundation for this
work. The ASCA National Model: A Framework For School Counseling Programs
(ASCA, 2002), with its data-driven and results-based focus, serves as a
guide for today’s school counselor who is uniquely trained to implement this
program.
Elementary School Counselors Implement the Counseling Program by Providing:
School Guidance Curriculum
1. Academic support, including organizational, study and test-taking skills
2. Goal setting and decision-making
3. Career awareness, exploration and planning
4. Education on understanding self and others
5. Peer relationships, coping strategies and effective social skills
6. Communication, problem-solving and conflict resolution
7. Substance abuse education
8. Multicultural/diversity awareness
Individual Student Planning
1. Academic planning
2. Goal setting/decision- making
3. Education on understanding of self, including strengths and weaknesses
4. Transition plans
Responsive Services
1. Individual and small-group counseling
2. Individual/family/school crisis intervention
3. Conflict resolution
4. Consultation/collaboration
5. Referrals
System Support
1. Professional development
2. Consultation, collaboration and teaming
3. Program management and operation
Elementary School Counselors Collaborate with:
1. Parents
Parent education
Communication/networking
Academic planning
One-on-one parent conferencing
Interpretation of assessment results
Transition to Middle School
2. Teachers
Classroom guidance activities
Academic support, including learning style assessment and education to help
students succeed academically
Classroom speakers
At-risk student identification and implementation of interventions to
enhance success
3. Administrators
School climate
Behavioral management plans
School-wide needs assessments
Student data and results
Student assistance team building
4. Students
Peer Mediation education
Personal/Social support
Academic support
School climate
Leadership development
Community Awareness
Crisis interventions
Referrals
Support groups
Career education
Health education
