Elementary+Guidance

So what exactly does an K-8 Guidance Counselor do at the school and for students?
 * __School Counseling Program__**

Parents/Guardians //should not// be alarmed if their children say they have seen or spoke to the guidance counselor today at school. Students are never in trouble when they see me and I am here to help **all** students! All of these services are aimed at helping children learn and develop to their highest potential.


 * Observe students in many different environments at the school (classroom, recess, etc.) and use this information to develop appropriate individual interventions and programs.
 * Involved in the coordination and implementation of school and state-wide standardized assessments.
 * Understand, evaluate and interpret academic performance data.
 * Support and am involved in the implementation of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program.
 * Provide assistance with new and transitioning students.
 * Provide school-related, short-term counseling and coordinate with outside agencies for additional support.
 * Provide support to the faculty and staff in the creation of Functional Behavior Assessments as well as behavior interventions in the classroom.
 * Collaborate with parents/guardians, students, and staff to assist students with educational, career, and life planning as well as teaching the fundamentals of career exploration and research.
 * Teaching guidance lessons as appropriate developmental topics to specific grade levels.
 * My role here at the school is to provide an educational purpose of assisting children with learning by cooperating with teachers in order to offer a broad range of services for students to succeed.
 * My goal as a guidance counselor is to help children achieve in school and in life.
 * Please note: I am //not// a disciplinarian and I am //not// a replacement for therapy.[[image:bearcreekguidance/counselorsoffice1.gif width="210" height="276"]]

==The American School Counselor's Association (ASCA) provides a wonderful literature about [|The Role of the School Counselor] as well as the purpose of elementary guidance counseling in [|Why Elementary School Counselors]==