Ferguson Elementary School Advisory Council Meeting 11.16.16 Counseling Department

Sherry Ferguson Third, fourth, & Fifth grades Originally from Duluth, Ga. Attended Gwinnett County Public Schools K-12th Grade. Graduated from Duluth High School. Bachelor’s Degree- In Business Administration from The University of Georgia. Master’s Degree- In Guidance and Counseling from The University of West Georgia. Specialist’s Degree- In Professional School Counseling from The University of Georgia. Elementary School Counselor- 6 years. This is my 7th year at Ferguson Elementary and my 8th year in Education.

Lauren Danish KK, first, & second grades Grew up in Roswell, GA B.S. in Psychology from Georgia Tech M.Ed. in Professional School Counseling from UGA This is my second year as a School Counselor and my first year at Ferguson Elementary.

Fes counseling mission statement The mission of the Ferguson Elementary School Counseling Department is to provide all students with equal access to comprehensive and developmentally appropriate counseling services which promote equity in achievement. Students will be taught to treat others with fairness, justice and respect in order to be successful world–class citizen and future leaders. Students will focus on their academic, career, and personal/social growth which promotes the well-being of the whole child. Ferguson Elementary students will acquire the academic knowledge and skills through differentiate instruction to be successful lifelong learners. Through a partnership with students, educators, parents, and community members our students will be college and career ready and able to complete in a global economy.

FES Counseling Vision Statement Through participation in the Ferguson Elementary comprehensive counseling program students are ready and equipped to face college and career opportunities. They are life-long learners, problem solvers, critical thinkers, trailblazers, and advocates. In addition, they maintain cultural awareness of their self and others, contribute to society in meaningful ways, and strive toward a better world. Our students are world class citizens.

FES Counseling Philosophy All students can learn, achieve and be successful. All students have worth and should be treated with dignity and respect. All students should have access to core curriculum lessons and counseling services. Professional school counselors work as advocates to remove barriers to learning. All students have the right to participate in a developmentally appropriate comprehensive school counseling program. The professional school counselors will advocate for all students. The school counseling program should be designed and delivered by a certified professional school counselor. The counseling program will be planned, evaluated and refined according to school wide data and a result based evaluation system. Ferguson school counselors abide by the American School Counseling Association. Ferguson Elementary Professional school counselors develop student leaders who have a passion for lifelong learning and are college and career ready. Ferguson school counselors participate in meaningful staff development at the local, district, state, and/or national levels in order to maintain their skills Parents play an integral role in their child’s education and should be included in all educational decisions. Professional school counselors collaborate with all members of faculty, staff to ensure student success.

Asca Model Overview The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) has collaborated to create a National Model for School Counseling Programs to connect school counseling with current educational reform movements that emphasize student achievement and success.

ASCA National Model

Core curriculum domains GCPS Standards and Competencies aligned with the American School Counseling Association’s Standards and Competencies Three Domains Academic Personal/Social (Life Skills) Career

Core Curriculum Units Ferguson Month Core Curriculum Unit Topic August Counselor Introduction/Listening and Following Directions (Academic Domain) September Attendance (Personal/Social Domain) October Conflict Resolution (Personal/Social Domain) November Personal Safety (Personal/Social Domain ) December Gratitude (Personal/Social Domain) January Careers (Careers Domain) February March Study Skills/Test Taking Strategies(Academic Domain) April Friendship and Diversity (Personal/Social Domain) May Transition (Academic Domain, Personal/Social)

Core Curriculum Units Danish Rotation Core Curriculum Unit Topic 1 Counselor Introduction/Feelings (Personal/Social Domain) 2 Listening/Following Directions (Academic Domain) 3 Tattling (Personal/Social Domain) 4 Attendance (Academic & Personal/Social Domains) 5 Friendship (Personal/Social Domain) 6 Conflict Resolution (Personal/Social Domain) 7 Career: Overview (Career Domain) 8 Self-Esteem & Diversity (Personal/Social Domain) 9 Personal Safety (Personal/Social Domain) 10 Careers (Career Domain) 11&12 Gratitude (Personal/Social Domain) Lessons completed in Fall Semester Specials Rotation

Counseling responsibilities Short Term Individual Counseling Teaching Core Curriculum Lessons Small Group Counseling Parent Consultation Teacher Consultation SST (Student Support Team) RTI (Response to Intervention) Family Assistance Leadership Team Members Crisis Intervention SARC Attendance Meetings with Social Worker After School Events and Title 1 Evening Events School Wide Attendance Car Rider and Bus Duty

Individual counselor responsibilities Sherry Ferguson President of Dartha B. Ferguson Foundation PBIS Coach PBIS Kids Club Sponsor Care Team Sponsor BASE Attendance Program and Behavior Morning Check-ins Holiday Help Coordinator No Place for Hate Coordinator Food Bags Local School Coordinator Principal’s Elite Club Sponsor Lauren Danish Dream Makers (Mentoring) Coordinator PBIS Committee Member Care Team Sponsor School Wide Attendance Coordinator BASE Attendance Program and Behavior Morning Check-ins ES Peer Leadership Conference Committee

School Counseling Program Goals (2016-2017) Program Goal #1: Attendance By May 24, 2017, the number of Hispanic students (32) who accrued 15 or more absences will decrease by 10%. Program Goal #2: Behavior By May 24, 2017, the number of African American students (34) with discipline referrals will decrease by 10%. Program Goal #3: Academics By May 24, 2017, the number of 4th and 5th grade students who made a D or U semester average in Math will improve their math grade by at least one letter grade.

Standards & Competencies Goal: Academic Development: Academic Achievement, Educational Attainment and Lifelong Learning Standard 1.A. Acquire the attitudes, knowledge, and skills that contribute to school success and learning across the life span. Standard 1.B. Complete school with the academic preparation essential to choose from a wide range of post-secondary education and career options. Standard 1.C. Make plans for successful transition and attainment of educational and career goals. Goal: Career Development: Awareness, Exploration, and Planning Standard 2.A. Acquire skills to investigate the world of work in relation to knowledge of self and to make informed career decisions. Standard 2.B. Employ strategies to achieve future career goals with success and satisfaction. Standard 2.C. Understand the relationship between personal qualities, education, training, and the world of work. Goal: Life Skills: Personal and Social Development Standard 3.A. Acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and interpersonal skills to understand and respect self and others. Standard 3.B. Make decisions, set goals, and take necessary action to achieve goals. Standard 3.C. Develop safety and survival skills. Competencies for each grade level tie back to one or more of the standards

Counseling Department Data 2015-2016 & 2016-2017

School Wide Data 2016-2017 Ethnicity or Group Number (Percentage) Hispanic 518 (57.7%) Black 286 (31.8%) Asian/Pacific Islander 45 (5.0%) White 27 (3.0%) Multiracial 22 (2.4%) American Indian/Alaskan Native 0 (0%) Total 898 Free/Reduced Lunch 783 (85%) ESOL 442 (48%) Special Education 86 (9%) School Based Gifted 57 (6%)

Counseling Department Data 2015-2016 Students Served in Small Group 120 SARC Meetings Held 8 Referrals within GCPS Systems 30 DFACS Referrals 21

Counseling Department data 2014-2015 vs 2015-2016

Counseling Department data 2014-2015 vs 2015-2016

Counseling department time 2015-2016 Time Breakdown

Counselors’ indirect time 2015-2016

Counselors’ Direct Time 2015-2016

Individual Counseling By topic 2015-2016

Groups by Topic 2015-2016

Core Curriculum Lesson By Topic

Counselor Department Time 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, & 2016

Attendance Data 2015-2016

Total Absences 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, & 2016

Department Programs

PBIS Positive Behavior Intervention and Support Operational PBIS for 2012-2013, 2013-2014, 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school years. Daily announcements on morning news show Encouraging positive behavior choices PBIS Kids Club Daily lesson which include video and literature lessons. Weekly recognition including VIP breakfast, guest reader, gym party, extra recess, just dance party, art party, freeze pops, popcorn, and holiday store) Presenting at state PBIS Conference in November. Presented at county counselor meeting March 2016

Care Team Provides: Groceries Clothes Shoes Referrals to Outside Agencies Funded by: Donations from Dartha B. Ferguson Foundation

PBIS Pep Rally

Great Days of Service Canned Food Drive sponsored by Principal’s Elite Club Decorated Boxes Created Signs Counted Cans Collected 418 cans this year Donated items to the Duluth Co-Op

Dartha B. Ferguson Foundation Foundation is covered by an executive board of 9 members including the Ferguson Elementary Principal and a Ferguson Elementary Parent. Donated to Ferguson Elementary Care Team. Purchased 118 books for Ferguson Elementary Library during 2015-2016 for a total of 714 books over six year period. Sponsored Trick or Treat Night(over 700 people attended) Purchased School Supplies for students. Donated to Teacher Appreciation Luncheon. Donated to Fifth Grade Celebration and Fun Day. Donated to PBIS Sponsored Daddy Daughter Dance (over 200 girls attended) Awarded $802.93 worth of teacher grants to fifth grade celebration and purchased table for inspired area.

Counseling Website Counselor Profiles Program Information Upcoming Events ASCA Competencies GCPS Crosswalk Tool Contact Information

Dream Makers Mentoring Program Referrals Mentors Program Teachers Counselors SST Process Mentors Community Members Staff Members Program Mentors meet with students on a weekly basis for 20-30 minutes

No Place for hate Program Officially recognized as a No Place for Hate school in 2012-2013, 2013-2014, 2014-2015, and 2015-2016 Student Council helping to develop NPFH projects. Aligns with PBIS as we create a bully-free environment Held a No Place For Hate Week in February. School Wide banner signed by all students and staff. School Wide Art Lesson on bullying lessons taught during Art Special. Project ideas for 2016-2017?

No Place for Hate Project

Food Bags and Giving Tree “Nothing But the Truth” organization delivers 20food bags each week. McKinney-Vento Act list students receive first priority 7 families will receive holiday gift help through a partnership with Dartha B. Ferguson Foundation and Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church. Families will receive Thanksgiving food help through a partnership with local church.

Attendance SARC meetings are held with the Social Worker for all students with attendance concerns. Counselors meet twice a month with Social Worker to review attendance concerns. BASE Group: Be At School Every Day-Students who missed 15 more days of school during 2014-2015 school year check in with Ms. Ferguson and Ms. Danish each morning. Individual attendance rewards handed out at quarterly awards days.

Principal’s Elite Club 20 fifth graders meet with Ms. Ferguson and Mrs. Mitchell twice a month to study leadership and participate in school and community service projects. Sponsored Great Days of Service Can Food Drive. Field Trip to the Georgia Capital in January Field Trip to Georgia Gwinnett College in March.

Questions & Suggestions

Next Meeting May 10, 2017

Thank you Thank you for all your help and input as we improve and implement a comprehensive counseling program for the students of Ferguson Elementary.