CHRISTOPHER FARMS GUIDANCE PROGRAM A Developmental Program: * Designed for ALL students * Integrated with the total school program * Committed to helping children reach their full potential * Aimed at encouraging the children's academic and social growth at each stage of development COUNSELORS ARE HERE FOR YOU! Elementary counselors can make a difference in the lives of children by: * Teaching positive attitudes toward school * Helping students develop effective study habits * Assisting in reducing anxiety * Teaching personal responsibility for choices * Helping improve communication skills * Giving tools for effective decision making Elementary counselors strive to educate the TOTAL child through: * Classroom Guidance : The counselor fosters students' academic, social, and career development through a planned, developmental program of learning experiences and activities. * Counseling: The counselor meets with students individually and in small groups, when requested, to help them resolve or cope with problems and/or developmental concerns. The counselor also sees parents individually and in groups regarding how they may best help their children. * Consulting: The counselor works with parents, teachers, administrators, and specialists to share information and ideas which help in making decisions concerning strategies and interventions for students. Additional Assistance Provided To: Parents: *Establish goals for their children and strategies to attain them *Motivate their children to academic success *Identify and understand resources available when special needs are indicated *Provide community counseling services information Teachers: *Share resources *Present developmental guidance lessons throughout the year *Conduct small group activities to address specific concerns of students *Understand and meet individual needs of students Administrators *Coordinate school-wide programs to enhance self-concept, promote career education, and meet specific needs of school population *Establish Guidance Advisory Committee to develop and evaluate the annual guidance plan