School Counselor - High School

School Counselor

The School Counselor participates in the planning and implementation of the guidance and counseling program in relation to the needs of the students being served. The School Counselor improves the learning community by providing consultation, coordination, referral and delivery of support services which help students with appropriate academic, emotional, behavioral and social development.

Essential duties and responsibilities include:

• Curriculum support, where appropriate.
• Assists students with academic, emotional, social and/or behavioral problems.
• Shows concern for the total needs of the student (educational, social and personal) while encouraging maximum growth and development.
• Consults and coordinates with parents, teachers, support staff, administration and local agencies which may provide support to student and their families.
• Provides parents with accurate, comprehensive and relevant information in a caring and objective manner.
• Works with all staff (instructional and non) to enhance understanding of all aspects of the student's development and its impact on learning.
• Teaches age appropriate coping and conflict resolution skills to students, when needed.
• Diligently works with parents, students and staff to help students set and achieve defined goals.
• Assists students in understanding consequences for actions of self and others.
• Aides students in dealing with various family crises (e.g., separation, divorce, death, neglect, abuse, addiction, etc.)
• Provides assistance to students in the development of self-esteem, as well as understanding the school environment and what is expected of them.
• Collaborates with staff in the coordination of individualized educational and/or behavioral plans for students which may or may not include special education services.
• Maintains detailed, thorough records regarding student's areas of concern, improvement and provides regular, relevant updates to parents, staff, administration and/or community agencies as appropriate.
• To guide and counsel individuals and groups of students through the development of educational and career plans, which may include:
• Meeting with students whose names appear on the low grade list for each marking period and, if appropriate, formulating a plan of action for success involving the student and the parent;
• Planning and/or promoting programs which enhance the academic, social or emotional growth of students, opportunities for student enrichment and/or remediation, scholarship opportunities and parent informational programs;
• Meeting with students as assigned and mailing updates on their promotion to the next grade/level status to their parents;
• Working with students who have discipline, attendance and academic problems and are referred by teachers, parents or administrators;
• Assuring that appropriate, accurate information is maintained in each student's permanent, cumulative record;
• Making necessary schedule changes for individual students that are both appropriate for their abilities and aligned with their educational and career plans.
• Organizing and promoting standardized assessment opportunities and interpreting test results to students and/or parents on request;
• To facilitate small groups for individual students with identified, common needs
• To consult with and serve as a resource for students, staff and parents regarding developmental needs of students, which may include:
• Identification and referral of students for Child Study Meetings;
• Active participation in Special Education meetings
• Conference with individual students who have experienced a death in the family or serious illness and notification of their teachers.
• Work with teachers to better help them understand students with physical or emotional challenges.
• To refer students and parents/guardians to appropriate school and community resources;
• To participate in, coordinate, conduct activities which contribute to the effective implementation of the middle school component of the K-12 guidance curriculum;
• To evaluate and revise the building guidance and counseling program;
  To assist in the development of a District Assessment Program and the interpretation of testing and assessment results related to career guidance; and
• To continue personal professional growth and development.

High School Specific Responsibilities:

• Planning and/or promoting programs which enhance the academic, social or emotional growth of students, e.g., Curriculum Fair, Career Fair, Underclass Honors Assembly & Senior Honors Program, Graduation, opportunities for student enrichment and/or remediation, scholarship opportunities and parent informational programs;
• Meeting with seniors once each semester and mailing updates on their graduation status to their parents;
• Insuring that students are aware of requirements for graduation and college admission, as well as any NCAA requirements that may be necessary for athletic participation;
• Helping students develop post-secondary educational plans in accordance with their interests, abilities…