One of the primary functions of the school counselor is to ensure that each student is acknowledged and respected as an individual. Counselors encourage students to reach their full potential by serving as student advocates, providing support and increasing the opportunity for students to succeed in the classroom. Comprehensive services to students are delivered through a developmentally appropriate program including classroom guidance, individual counseling and group counseling.

Good question! Counseling is a process where some students receive assistance from school professionals who assist them to overcome emotional and social problems or concerns which may interfere with learning. For example, if your parents are divorcing and you are having a difficult time concentrating in class you might like to speak with your counselor. If several students have the same concern around the same time, your counselor may meet with all of you on a weekly basis to work together. This is called small group counseling. Guidance is a process of regular assistance that all students receive from parents, teachers, school counselors, and others to assist them in making appropriate educational and career choices.

Guidance is when your school counselor visits your classroom to teach you about: *being a good friend *problem solving *being a good student *identifying and understanding feelings *dealing with bullies

If your last name begins with the letter A - J, your school counselor is Mr. Weaver. His office is located in the counseling suite across from the main office. If your last name begins with the letter K - Z, your counselor is Mrs. Thompson. Her office is in the Media Center. If you would like to speak with the counselor who is not assigned to you, you are welcome to do that! We switch students quite often and it does not hurt our feelings if you would prefer to see someone else.

If you need to see your counselor, you may stop by the counseling office to write your counselor a note. Your counselor will most likely call you out of your connections class within a day or so. Your teacher can also send you to see me. Sometimes your parents will ask me to talk with you. Of course, if you have an emergency we will be glad to see you right away.

Yes we do! School counselors follow the ASCA National Standards for Students. ASCA stands for American School Counselor Association. ASCA has content standards for student academic, career, and personal/social development.

Academic Development

Standard A: Students will acquire the attitudes, knowledge and skills that contribute to effective learning in school and across the life span.

Standard B: Students will complete school with the academic preparation essential to choose from a wide range of substantial post-secondary options, including college.

Career Development

Standard A: Students will acquire the skills to investigate the world of work in relation to knowledge of self and to make informed career decisions.

Standard B: Students will employ strategies to achieve future career goals with success and satisfaction.

Standard C: Students will understand the relationship between personal qualities, education, training and the world of work.

Personal/Social Development

Standard A: Students will acquire the knowledge, attitudes and interpersonal skills to help them understand and respect self and others.

Standard B: Students will make decisions, set goals and take necessary action to achieve goals.

Standard C: Students will understand safety and survival skills.

YOU BET!!! WE ARE RED HOT!!

School counselors believe that each person has the right to privacy and thereby the right to expect the counselor-student relationship to comply with all laws, policies and ethical standards pertaining to confidentiality in the school setting.

In other words, what you tell us is private, unless you are going to hurt yourself, someone else, or someone is hurting you. 

We will inform your parent/guardian of our role with emphasis on the confidential nature of the counselor-student relationship.  However, we understand that working with minor children in a school setting sometimes requires us to collaborate with your parent/guardian.