Morton Elementary School Kerstin Stiffler 2016 - 2017

“Our school counseling department consists of a team of dedicated professionals committed to developing a school climate that is respectful, positive, accepting, and safe for students of all backgrounds. We foster student growth in academic, social/personal, and career development. We work closely with the community to ensure the healthy development of all students. We embrace the diversity of each individual and family. We partner with the community, parents, guardians, administration, faculty, and staff to ensure that our students are given the best opportunity to thrive and become successful citizens. We pride ourselves in having a unique school that is more like a family than an institution.” “Morton Elementary School ” is a second home to our students.

Six Characteristics of an Effective CSCP Holistic: focus on all aspects of the student’s development Systemic: work with all stakeholders to ensure the healthy development of all students Balanced: balance duties of counseling, educating, consultation and collaboration, leadership, and coordination and advocacy Proactive: develop preventative programs to ensure a positive, nurturing and safe school environment Infused into the academic curriculum: the guidance curriculum will be infused in all aspects of the school including academic lessons Reflective: evaluating and reassessing the current program by looking at data and trends. Making changes as needed.

What does it take to make a safe, effective, great school?

Our community is the foundation for building healthy students.

Who can help build an effective CSCP? Community / Stakeholders Students Parents Teachers Administrators Counselors Staff Business Partners Community Agencies

How can we stay informed and on the same page? An Advisory Council Consists of parents, students, teachers, administrators, counselors, community agencies, and business partners Work together towards a common goal to improve our school Use data to develop plans to close achievement gaps Plan together Meet quarterly Review effectiveness of CSCP Use scores from EOGs, Accelerated Reader, ClassScape, and Surveys and other assessments to create a needs assessment and target students in need.

Counselors Collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure the academic, social/personal, and career development of all students Develop programs to promote a positive, safe and respectful school culture. (Bully Free School, Red Ribbon Week, Military Appreciation, Month of the Military Child) Communicate ongoing CSCP progress via a weekly newsletter Use data to address the needs of the students Deliver classroom guidance Host Small groups Individual counseling Host parent workshops, and small groups Host teacher in-services and workshops Serve on the advisory council Attend parent teacher conferences, IEP meetings, Coordinate 504 meetings

Students Participate in comprehensive, whole- group classroom guidance lessons Set a good example for all other students Aid in identifying means to assist struggling students Peer tutoring Attend small groups when needed Attend informal lunch-and-learns with the counselor Advocate for struggling students Serve on the advisory council Seek out counselor when needed

Teachers Work as a team with the counselors Allow counselor to participate in grade level meetings Integrate academic lessons with guidance curriculum Act as mentor to assigned number of students Communicate student needs with counselor Refer at-risk students to the counselor Maximize parental involvement Serve on the advisory council

Parents Have a huge presence in the school Attend informal discussions with the counselors Volunteer as Tutors Eat lunch with students Read books in the classroom Volunteer for school activities Work in the library, lunchroom, workroom, front office Serve on the advisory council

Administrators Act as role models for a positive, respectful school climate. Work with business partners to promote active participation from our community Partner with the counselors in developing a high morale amongst staff Partner with the counselors in implementing programs that foster a culture of respect and embraces diversity. Serve on the Advisory Council

Community Attend School Career fairs Host field trips or factory tours of their businesses Local businesses host roundtables for students to sit with local professionals during lunch to ask questions Offer free or reduced products to the school Give special discount coupons to students on Honor Roll Offer fundraising for the school Offer internships Serve on the Advisory Council

Domains of student development Academic Social/Personal Career All three areas must be addressed in order for students to thrive. Each domain is strengthened by the other domains.

We focus on all domains of student development in order to achieve positive results. Maslow’s Heirarchy shows us that basic needs must be met in order for students to learn.

Our CSCP will follow the National Model Collaborate to create systemic change.

Watch for the following 3 things when talking to your students and report them to your counselor immediately someone is hurting the student the student wants to hurt someone the student wants to hurt him or her self

Where do we start? Complete the Counselor’s beginning of year survey Approach Counselor with any concern, suggestions, ideas you may have Respond to Counselor’s e-mails for surveys and group suggestions Check out the counselor’s website for updated information and links to helpful resources. Read the counselor’s corner in the school newsletter. Promote our bully free school that embraces diversity. Be a role model of respect. Use positive discipline aligned with the PBIS philosophy Have some FUN every day. Sign up for the Advisory Council

Thank you for watching!! Kerstin Stiffler, School Counselor Morton Elementary School