| Mission Of The Guidance Department
The mission of the Virginia Beach City Public Schools Elementary School
Guidance Program is to partner with parents, community, faculty and staff to
provide a comprehensive, developmental counseling program addressing the
academic, career, and personal/social development of all students thus
preparing them with the knowledge and skills to be productive members of
society.
What are School Counselors?
“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.”
-American School Counselors Association
Your Counseling Program…
- Is preventative in nature
- Is confidential and voluntary
- Addresses the academic, career and personal/social domains
- Encourages better interpersonal relationships
- Promotes positive attitudes and choices
- Helps students feel “safe” so they may concentrate on learning
What Do School Counselors Do?
We are here to help you and your students! Here are some ways we can offer
support:
Individual Counseling: By teacher, parent or student self-referral, we work
with students on anything impeding the learning process.
Small Group Counseling: Also by referral, “Lunch Bunches” are a means of
offering peer support and social skills training.
Classroom Guidance: Monthly and by teacher request, we conduct lessons on
citizenship and prosocial behaviors.
Consultation: We work with teachers and parents to understand and meet each
individual students’ needs.
Coordination: We offer assistance in making use of community resources and
referrals to outside agencies.
Advocacy: We strive to support the rights of each individual child.
Parent/Teacher Inservices: We offer presentations on topics of common
interest or concern by request.
Crisis Management: We offer support during times of trauma affecting
individual students or the entire school community.
Why Elementary School Counselors?
“Elementary school years set the tone for developing the knowledge,
attitudes and skill 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 can
achieve academic success.”
-American School Counselors Association
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