Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
What is the role of a school counselor?
Elementary school counselors foster the developmental, academic, and personal growth of their students. They work in a variety of settings providing students with individual and group counseling services, as well as serving to facilitate integrative guidance lessons in the classroom. Students who wish to discuss concerns may be referred to the school counselor. Some of the issues a counselor may address are often related to social issues with peers, stressful situations within the family setting (divorce and/or substance abuse), death, or academic progress. Often times, students expect counselors to solve problems. This is not always possible. Instead, counselors can help students work through their problems and select viable solutions for the problems. As children grow, they will experience a series of physical, intellectual, and emotional changes. The role of an school counselor is to aid children in making these changes as smoothly as possible. To do this, the counselor works collaboratively with all those involved in the educational process - teachers, parents, administrators, and special service personnel including the school nurse and the school psychologist.Back to Top
What is the basis of the sixth grade coursework?
The sixth grade is a unique time in which students consolidate the skills of elementary school and prepare for middle school. Sixth graders have core subjects � Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, and ELA (English Language Arts). Sixth grade students also participate in exploratories (or specials) such as Computer Science, Physical Education, Music, and Art.Back to Top
What is the focus of a sixth grade guidance program?
The sixth grade guidance program devotes time to strengthening the academic and social skills of the sixth graders. The program promotes leadership and focuses on fostering positive peer relationships. There is a strong push to motivate students to plan for their future and consider what they are doing to prepare for the up coming years.Back to Top
How can a school counselor help support parents?
Parents can request a meeting with the school counselor as needed to help maintain an open line of communication with school personnel. School counselors often act as advocates for each child in school meetings such as Learning Improvement Team meetings (LITs), Committee on Special Education meetings (CSEs), and during parent/teacher conferences.Back to Top
How is elementary school counseling different?
At the elementary level, counselors may spend more time observing younger students during classroom and play activities. At all levels, School Counselors may confer with teachers and parents to evaluate the student's strengths, problems, or special needs. At the elementary level, counselors do less vocational and academc counseling, and focus more on student's emotional needs. Middle level counseling places an emphasis on developing social skills and student interests.Back to Top
Can a school counselor solve my problem?
It is not always possible for a school counselor to solve problems for students or parents. However, counselors can help students and their families to select a possible solution to the problem. Furthermore, counselors can continue to offer support until the problem has been resolved.Back to Top
How are students referred to see the school counselor?
Students are referred to the counselor through self-referrals, school faculty and staff, other students, parents, administrators, or the school nurse.Back to Top
Can a student's schedule be changed?
Students' schedule changes may be done on an as needed basis. However, changes to student schedules must be done with the least possible disruption to existing class structure and only with the approval of building administration.Back to Top
How does a counselor work with a student?
Counselors often work with students in a group setting to provide group counseling or mediation to those students sharing a common issue or concern. Group counseling session provide a safe place where students can share their feelings and receive support. Counselors may also work with students on a 1:1 basis.Back to Top
Home instuction may be provided to students facing health issues or physical impairments that will result in the child's absence from school for an elongated period of time. The request for this service must be supported by documentation from a licensed physician.Back to Top
How does a school counselor assess a child's needs?
Answer #11 (blank)Back to Top
Confidentiality is the non-disclosure of certain information shared with the school counselor to another person.Back to Top
How can I help my child understand that seeing the counselor can be helpful?
Sometimes describing the school counselor as someone who helps others is the best approach to take when trying to encourage a child's understanding of the role of the school coubnselor. School counselors can help students with a varsity of issues such as: 1. When students have a fight with a friend. 2. When a child is not feeling happy or feels lonely. 3. When a child finds school hard. 4. When a child has had their feelings hurt by a peer or by thier teacher. 5. If a child has been hit or physically mistreated. 6. If a child is being bullied. 7. If a child is repeatedly getting in trouble.Back to Top
This is a document filed with the county court system indicating that there is a Person In Need of Supervision.Back to Top