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What does a school counselor do?
- School counselors work collaboratively with administrators, teachers, and parents to promote and enhance the learning process. Through individual, small group, and classroom guidance, the counselor works to help students focus on academic, personal, and social development.
How do students receive counseling services?
- Referrals are made by teachers, administrators or other school staff. Counseling is often requested by students themselves. Parents can also request and indicate a need for their child to meet with the counselor.
- Parental permission is requested for ongoing meetings.
Benefits for students may include:
- Improved academic success
- Development of positive feelings towards self, school, family, and peers
- Improved social interactions
- Identifying and accepting strengths and weaknesses of self and others
- Learning to become responsible for one's actions
Lunch Groups
- The CHANGES lunch group encompasses all types of topics from divorce, family substance abuse, social skills, peer relationships, shyness, being new to the school, etc. There are also students who join the group just to join the group!
- The groups generally meet weekly during lunch periods. (Sometimes groups alternate weeks depending on number of groups and the schedule.) Due to time constraints, there are generally no structured activities. The students do develop a bond over time and create a safe environment to share and gain support from their peers.
- Information about the groups is sent home at the beginning of the school year, and groups are created within the first couple of weeks of school. Students are welcome to join, though, throughout the school year.
Individual Counseling
- There are occasions when a student benefits from individual counseling. The reasons vary, and the counseling may occur throughout the school year or just on an as needed basis until the student feels comfortable dealing with the issue.