Simpson Middle School Professional School Counselors

2008-09

Mrs. Joy A. Chanin, Ed.S. and Mrs. Antionette Stiggers, Ed.S.

Mission Statement:
The goal of Simpson Middle School's Professional School Counselors is to implement a comprehensive school counseling program that addresses the needs of all students in the domains of academic, personal/social, and career development. Interventions are provided as needed and collaboration with other professionals when warranted. Students are assisted in acquiring appropriate attitudes, knowledge, and communication skills to promote healthy relationships and academic achievements.

Beliefs:

Simpson Middle School’s Professional School Counselors believe:

  • All students have the ability to learn, given the appropriate environment.
  • Emotional well being directly correlates to academic performance.
  • Socialization directly correlates to academic performance.
  • Promote good character.

Philosophy:

  • All students have dignity and worth.
  • All students can be successful learners.
  • The counselors' primary purpose is to advocate for the student.
  • Simpson Middle School’s counseling program is a critical component within the school and is integral to the academic, personal/social, and career development and progress of each student.
  • Parents, teachers, administrators, support specialists, and community providers are valuable assets to the counseling program.
  • Simpson Middle School’s school counseling program is available to all students.
  • The Professional School Counselors at Simpson Middle School are available resources for students, staff, parents and community members.
  • Consultation; collaboration; counseling; individual, classroom and group guidance are all essential components of a successful counseling program.

Strengths of Simpson Middle School Professional School Counseling Department:

  • Individual Counseling
  • Parent Contacts/Conferences
  • Teacher Collaboration
  • Communication
  • Eagle Weekly newsletter
  • Counselors blog
  • Announcements on the Eagle News and on afternoon announcements
  • Bulletin board outside the Professional School Counseling suite
  • Posters/Signs
  • Flyers sent home
  • News and Notes (staff)
  • E-mail
  • Phone calls
  • Conferences
  • Faculty Meetings
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Peer Mediation
  • Referral Services

Weaknesses of Simpson Middle School Professional School Counseling Department:

  • No Guidance Groups;
  • Utilizing a broad approach of Guidance and Counseling skills improve academic achievement;
  • Co-teaching Guidance and Counseling skills in coordination with subject area topics.

Accountability:

  • 100% of the 8th grade students were familiarized with the Cobb County Magnet School programs.
  • 100% of the 8th grade students were taught about:
  • High school requirements for graduation
  • High school extracurricular opportunities
  • Hope Scholarship requirements
  • GPA
  • High school electives
  • High school registration
  • Importance of personal responsibility
  • 100% of the 7th graders were taught about prejudice, harassment, belonging and bullying.
  • 100% of the 7th graders were taught about the importance of making appropriate life choices.
  • 100% of the 6th graders were taught about goal setting and academic responsibility.
  • 100% of all students will have some lessons on [CRCT] test taking skills.
  • One quarter of 8th grade Business classes had an additional lesson on college and career choices.
  • One quarter of 8th grade Business classes had additional critiques about what is needed or appropriate in a job interview.
  • About 30% of 7th grade math classes had additional lessons on bullying, teasing and the opportunity to graph their data based on responses to questions.
  • About 30% of the 7th grade science classes had a lesson on the similarities of interactions between all life organisms and the interactions between themselves as middle school students.
  • All 6th and 8th grade health classes early in October participated in a Safe and Drug Free Schools and Community survey to support the areas of need provided through the Title IV Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Community Program.
  • Every class was given the opportunity to participate in the Humane Society program promoting good citizenship, alternative behaviors, character education, rights and responsibilities, respect, laws, etc. and follow up with a subject area activity.

The Professional School Counselors at Simpson Middle School have also been an integral member of the RTI committee and an active participant in the RTI process. Our counselors officially facilitate Tier 3 meetings and often are instrumental in promoting the RTI process at Tier 1 and Tier 2 levels.

Data Collection:

A student survey was conducted in the fall of 2008. The results of this survey showed that some of the top priorities for students in all three grade levels were:

  • Improve study skills and test taking skills
  • Set goals for myself and carry them out
  • Time management
  • Explore future career choices
  • Get help when I need it

Other sources of data:

  • Student sign in sheet in the Professional School Counselor’s suite;
  • Standardized test grades;
  • End of quarter subject grades
  • Parent phone calls
  • Teacher requests
  • Student requests
  • Parent Conference Week

During Parent Conference Week in January, parents were allowed to complete a form where they asked another teacher to contact them. This was done because the conferencing teacher may not be the subject teacher that a parent may want to question. A surprise outcome of these forms (and additional parent requests) were that five, seventh grade parents requested a group for their child to improve their interpersonal and coping skills.