The role of the school counselor is to ensure that students and faculty are productive in their work at St. Luke School. The purpose of the counseling program is to promote and enhance the learning process through the use of a developmentally comprehensive guidance and counseling program for ALL students in grades kindergarten through eight. The program is: Developmental - expands and changes with students' age and circumstances Proactive - Prepares students for expected situations Preventative - Helps students acquire skills to make wise choices Counseling Responsibilities focus on the three main areas of academic, personal/social and career development. These areas are fostered through five different delivery systems: Advocacy - speaking for students Consulting - problem solving with parents and school staff Preventative Services - facilitating skill development through classroom guidance Responsive Services - Counseling students with academic, personal/social and/or behavioral issues as well as those in crisis situations Student Planning - Assist in the development of school-wide programs to address student needs Specific areas addressed by the school counselor: Classroom Guidance - Lessons are provided in grades kindergarten through eight. The lessons are a regularly scheduled part of the instructional program and are developmental, preventative and proactive. All lessons focus on the three areas mentioned earlier: personal/social development, academic development and career development. Small Group Guidance and Counseling - Counseling support groups for students are offered in the areas of divorce, grief and deployment. Guidance groups are offered in support of students with a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD. Other groups are available on an as needed basis. Groups typically run for six sessions, usually two per week for three weeks with each group session lasting thirty minutes. Group candidates are obtained through parent and teacher recommendation. Only students whose parents give permission will be served through the group process. Individual Counseling - Individual counseling is available at the request of teachers, administrators, parents, or students. The counselor will meet with the student, during the school day, to talk about issues that are important to the child's life at the time, especially as it is related to his/her life at school. The counselor may have one session with the student, or up to ten sessions, depending on the presenting problem. Individual counseling sessions are confidential unless there is evidence that the child is being hurt, that they may hurt themselves or that they may hurt someone else.