Elementary School Comprehensive Counseling & Guidance By Kahina Parrish

Personal and developmental challenges impact academic achievement. “Today’s young people are living in an exciting time, with an increasingly diverse society, new technologies and expanding opportunities. To help ensure that they are prepared to become the next generation of parents, workers, leaders and citizens, every student needs support, guidance and opportunities... “ “Toward a Blueprint for Youth: Making Positive Youth Development a National Priority,” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services cited on ASCA website Why Elementary School Counselors?

Mission May Elementary Provide a safe, kind and responsible environment that allows every child to learn and grow as they master grade level skills and achieve high levels of academic excellence School Counselor Provide a safe and successful environment socially, emotionally, academically and physically Be a student advocate Help students become college and career ready Goal is to reach 100% of students

Individual Planning Education on understanding of self, including strengths and weaknesses Academic planning Goal setting/decision-making 504

Responsive Services Individual and small-group counseling Individual/family, school crisis intervention Conflict resolution Consultation/collaboration – Parents, teachers, students, admin Referrals

System Support Program management and operation Fair share responsibilities Professional development Serve on committees Consultation, collaboration and teaming – Parents, teachers, administrators, students

Guidance Curriculum Academic support including organizational, study and test-taking skills Career awareness, exploration & planning Understanding self & others Peer relationships, coping & social skills Goal setting & decision making Problem solving & conflict resolution Multicultural/diversity awareness

Philosophy A school counseling program is – Comprehensive in scope – Preventative in design – Developmental in nature – Student centered – Conducted in collaboration – Driven by data – An integral part of the total education program