Overview of our School Counseling Program

Elementary & Middle School Students’ Developmental Needs

The elementary years are a time when students begin to develop their academic self-concept and their feelings of competence and confidence as learners. They are beginning to develop decision-making, communication and life skills, as well as character values. It is also a time when students develop and acquire attitudes toward school, self, peers, social groups and family. Comprehensive developmental school counseling programs provide education, prevention and intervention services, which are integrated into all aspects of children’s lives. Early identification and intervention of children’s academic and personal/social needs is essential in removing barriers to learning and in promoting academic achievement. The knowledge, attitudes and skills that students acquire in the areas of academic, career and personal/social development during these elementary years serve as the foundation for future success.

School Counselors implement the Counseling Program by providing the following:

Social, Emotional, Learning and Awareness

• Bullying prevention and awareness
• Career awareness, exploration and planning
• Character Education
• Communication, problem-solving and conflict resolution
• Education on understanding self and others, including peer relationships, coping strategies and effective social skills
• Multicultural/diversity awareness

Individual Student Planning and Assistance

• Academic planning and support
• Crisis Interventions
• Education on understanding of self, including strengths and weaknesses
• Goal setting/decision-making
• Transition plans

Responsive Services

• Conflict resolution
• Consultation/collaboration with administration, faculty and parents
• Individual/family/school crisis intervention
• Individual and small-group counseling
• Referrals to other school and community resources

System Support

• Consultation, collaboration and teaming
• Program management, operation and outreach, and professional development

Meeting the Challenge

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.

School Counselors and the School Community; Working Collaboratively with all Stakeholders

Parents

• Academic and career planning 
• Communication/Networking (School newsletter, Doughnuts with Dads, Muffins with Moms, etc.) 
• Interpretation of assessment results
• One-on-one parent conferencing; facilitate parent/teacher conferences 
• Parent education and presentations (Bullying Prevention, Homework Help, etc.)

Teachers

• Academic support to help students succeed academically 
• At-risk student identification and implementation of interventions to enhance success
• Classroom guidance activities and lessons
• Faculty presentations on counseling initiatives (Bullying Prevention, Academic and Career Plan, etc.)

Administrators

• Child Study/IEP Teams
• School climate 
• School-wide needs assessments
• Student data and results (School Improvement Plan, etc.)
• Student recognition programs 

Students

• Academic support
• Bullying Prevention 
• Career education (Academic and Career Plan Curriculum)
• Community service/ Service learning
• Crisis interventions
• Leadership development (NJHS - Mentors, Patrols, Peer Mediation)
• Peer education 
• Peer support (Mentors) 
• School climate 
• Small groups (Anger Management, Changing Families, Friendship, Grief, Self-Esteem, Social Skills, Study Skills)