Comprehensive School Counseling Program

Sope Creek Elementary School

2010-11

Jennifer Frederick, MS, Sara Jane Lombardi, MA, Claire Murphy, Ed.S,

I. Foundation of the Professional School Counseling Program

Beliefs and Philosophy

The counselors of Sope Creek Elementary School believe:

· All students have dignity and worth

· All students can learn

· All students can be productive members of society

· All students have the right to participate in a developmentally appropriate school counseling program

· All students’ ethnic, cultural, racial, sexual, and developmental differences and special needs are considered in planning and implementing the school counseling program

· All students benefit from a strong home/school partnership

· All students benefit from primary prevention

The comprehensive school counseling program has as its foundation the American School Counselor Association National Model and

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· Be based on specified goals and developmental standards and competencies for all students in grades K-5

· Mirror the Cobb County School District and Sope Creek Elementary School Strategic Plans

· Be planned and coordinated by the counselors in partnership with other Sope Creek faculty, parent and community representatives

· Utilize a variety of resources

· Use data to drive program development, and evaluation, and to drive intentional guidance activities

· Be evaluated by a building administrator on specific goals, performance standards and competencies

· Actively involve counselors to monitor student achievement outcomes

All counselors at Sope Creek Elementary School will:

· Abide by the professional school counseling ethics as advocated by the American School Counselor Association and the Georgia Professional Standards Commission

· Participate in professional development activities essential to maintaining a comprehensive school counseling program

· Take leadership roles in the school

Mission of the Cobb County School District

The Cobb County School District guarantees a quality educational program for all students in a challenging, secure environment. In every school and every classroom, the focus is on helping each student achieve and become prepared for the world ahead. That goal is supported by the district’s efforts to recognize and build leaders within its schools, responsible stewardship of fiscal resources and the relationships built through open, cooperative communication.

Mission of the Cobb County School District Professional School Counseling Program

The mission of the Cobb County Professional School Counseling Program is to assist students in overcoming barriers that impede learning. The goal of Cobb County Professional School Counselors is to implement a standards-based comprehensive school counseling program that:

· Includes a curriculum addressing the needs of all students in the domains of academic, personal/social, and career development

· Provides specialized interventions based on identified student needs

· Assists students in acquiring appropriate attitudes, knowledge, and communication skills to promote healthy relationships

· Enhances the ability of students to identify and utilize the appropriate resources needed for post-secondary success

· Creates positive relationships with students fostering personal growth, service to others, and academic achievement

· Advocates for all students encouraging them to develop to their fullest potential

· Encourages counselors to consult and collaborate with other educators, parents, and community on behalf of all students.

The Mission of the Sope Creek Elementary School

The mission of Sope Creek Elementary School is to develop a professional learning community where all stakeholders foster collaboration and build trust to achieve common goals, through the implementation of the Highly Effective Teaching Model.

The Mission of the Sope Creek Elementary School Professional School Counseling Program

In alignment with the missions of the Cobb County School District, the Cobb County School District Professional School Counseling Department, and Sope Creek Elementary School, the Sope Creek Elementary Professional School Counselors will provide a comprehensive, developmental counseling program addressing the academic, career and personal/social development of all students. School counselors are professional school advocates who provide support to maximize student potential and academic achievement, and provide directed assistance to those students experiencing barriers to academic success. In collaboration with other educators, parents or guardians, and the community, school counselors facilitate the support system to ensure all students in Sope Creek Elementary School have access to and are prepared with the knowledge and skills to contribute at the highest level as productive members of a diverse society.

Domains

The Sope Creek Elementary School counseling program facilitates student development in three broad domains: academic, career, personal, and social.

Counseling Program Goals for 2010-11

The Sope Creek Elementary School Strategic Plan states there is an achievement gap among certain subgroups. In addition, third and fifth grades are pivotal years and considered gateways to grade advancement. The counselors will target at risk third and fifth grade students with counseling interventions to improve reading and math achievement, attendance, and study habit grades.

Counseling Interventions for At-Risk Students in Third and Fifth Grades

Counselors will deliver intentional guidance to at-risk third and fifth graders. These interventions will include individual student planning, group study skills, and mentoring.

II. Delivery System

Guidance Curriculum

· Direct and sequential developmental lessons in each classroom or in small groups

· Weekly or bi-weekly schedule

· Measurable competencies/performance standards in each domain (academic, career, personal/social) for each grade level

· Counseling goals aligned with school and district goals: improve reading and math achievement and attendance in at-risk third and fifth grade students;

· Individual Student Planning

· Goal setting

· Learning about personal aptitudes

· Developing future educational and career plans

· Assistance with educational transitions

Responsive Services

· Activities to meet students’ immediate needs

· Individual counseling

· Small group counseling

· Parent/teacher consultation

· Resource location

· Referrals

· School interventions

· Peer mediation

· Highly Effective Teaching

· Team Building

System Support

· Establish, maintain and evaluate the total school counseling program

· Professional development

· Collaboration

· Align counseling program with goals of Highly Effective Teaching Model

· Teaming/cluster groups

· Program management based on comprehensive and thorough management agreements with administrators

III. Management Systems

The total school counseling program will be managed by:

· Management agreements

· Counselor Advisory Committee

· Use of data

· Action plans

· Log of time management

· Published calendars

· Blog

IV. Accountability

· Program goals results reports (process, perception, and results data)

· Single subject research projects

· Pre and post tests to analyze effectiveness of programs

· Student, parent, teacher needs assessments and program evaluations

· Results sharing with all stakeholders

· School counselor performance standards evaluation

· Program audits

V. Themes

Leadership

· Membership on the School Key Strategic Plan team

· Membership on Key Data and Assessment team

· Membership on Building Leadership Team

· Membership in Cobb School Counselor Association

· Membership in Georgia School Counselor Association

· Membership in Cobb County School District Counselor Advisory Team

· Provide rigorous academic preparation for all students

· Identify at-risk students and develop programs to close achievement gaps

Advocacy

· Represent students’ needs at Response to Intervention Tiers 2 and 3

· Remove barriers to learning by addressing economic needs, truancy, tardiness, and families in transition

· Examine test data for information about subgroups

· Encourage teachers to have translators at conferences

· Promote equity for all students

Collaboration

· Work with all stakeholders inside and outside of school system

· Team building with cross grade level groups of teachers

· Collect and analyze data to identify needed changes in the educational program

· Build a sense of community within the school by recognizing and appreciating the contributions of other professionals

· Provide resources to parents and guardians

· Facilitate Response to Intervention meetings (RTI)

Systemic Change

· Use data to advocate for every student

· Examine policies and procedures to ensure equity and access to a rigorous curriculum

VI. Classroom Guidance Themes

· Responsibility (First Nine Weeks)

· Relationships (Second Nine Weeks)

· Leadership (Third Nine Weeks)

· Career Development,Citizenship and Transition (Fourth Nine Weeks)

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