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WHAT IS THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COUNSELING SERVICES?

The elementary school counseling and guidance program is a part of the total school program and complements learning in the classroom. It is child-centered, preventive, and developmental. The program encourages students' social, emotional, and personal growth at each stage of their development. The purpose of counseling with students, parents, and teachers is to help students maximize their potential. The elementary school counselor also conducts guidance lessons; consults with parents, teachers, and other professionals; and coordinates student services in the school. This counseling and guidance program provides elementary students with assistance in:

• Understanding self and developing a positive self-image.
• Showing respect for the feelings of others.
• Understanding the decision-making process.
• Maintaining effective relationships with peers and adults.
• Developing effective study skills.
• Being prepared to make the transition to the intermediate school.
• Gaining an understanding of the world of work.

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WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COUNSELOR?

• A master's degree
• Virginia state certification as an elementary school guidance counselor.
• Special preparation in the following areas:
  • child growth and development
  • individual counseling skills
  • group counseling and guidance skills
  • communication skills
  • elements of career development
  • educational and psychological measurement
  • theory and practice of counseling including exceptional and culturally diverse children
  • philosophy and principles of guidance
  • research and evaluation
  • elementary school guidance

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HOW DOES THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COUNSELOR WORK?

Counseling is conducted with students and parents individually and in small groups when requested and determined appropriate. It is short-term, voluntary, and confidential. Parental permission is obtained prior to any extended individual or group counseling. Students are seen by the counselor when:

• Parents request and indicate a need and desire that the counselor meet with their children.
• Students request counseling.
• Teachers, administrators, or other school staff refer the student.

Parents are informed of counseling groups for children and adults. Groups counseling sessions for children focus on building self-esteem, learning how to make or keep friends, developing good study habits, improving communication skills, preparing for the intermediate school, and coping with changing family situations. Topics for parent groups include child-rearing concerns, child development, and methods parents may use to help children experience healthy development and success in school.

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WHAT ARE BENEFITS FOR STUDENTS?

The elementary school counselor works directly with students in individual and group counseling sessions as well as in classroom guidance lessons so students may:

• Be successful in school.
• Establish effective study skills.
• Adjust to a new school.
• Develop positive feelings about work, family, and society.
• Build positive feelings towards self and others.
• Develop skills in interacting and communicating with others.
• Cope with change in themselves and their surroundings.
• Identify and accept their own and others' strengths and weaknesses.
• Recognize the causes and effects of their actions.
• Become responsible for their own behavior.
• Receive crisis intervention when necessary.

The guidance counselor helps students become motivated learners and encourages them to discuss concerns with their parents. When students work through their social and emotional issues, with the help of their parents and the counselor, they are able to devote attention and energy to the intellectual tasks at school.

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WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS FOR PARENTS?

The elementary school guidance counselor works with parents through individual consultation, joint consultation with the children's teachers, and parent discussion groups. In these ways the counselor assists parents to:

• Understand their children's progress in school.
• Select strategies to motivate their children.
• Develop realistic goals with their children.
• Become actively involved in their children's school life.
• Understand the educational program K-12.

The counselor may lead parent education and discussion groups and serve as a resource when parents study or discuss child-related issues.

The counselor consults with parents to identify students with special abilities and/or needs. In this capacity the counselor helps parents understand the services available from other school staff such as the school psychologist, social worker, and resource teachers. The counselor helps parents find other professionals within the school system or within the larger community when extra support is needed.

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WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS FOR THE SCHOOL STAFF?

The elementary school guidance counselor is an integral part of the total elementary school program. The counselor observes children; consults with teachers, psychologists, and social workers; gathers and provides resources; conducts classroom guidance lessons; collaborates on classroom intervention; conducts joint parent conferences; reviews and interprets school records; and serves on committees that plan for the individual needs of specific children.

The elementary school guidance counselor helps teachers by:

• Consulting with them concerning children.
• Planning small group and classroom activities to meet specific needs of students.
• Gathering and sharing resources.
• Observing children in the classroom or on the playground.
• Conferencing with parents.
• Reviewing student records and discussing their implications with the teachers and/or parents.
• Coordinating staff efforts to work with individual students.
• Promoting a positive school climate.
• Explaining the academic program K-12.
• The elementary school counselor is a vital resource for the school staff. He or she coordinates and helps implement the staff's efforts to meet the needs of students individually, in small groups of students, and in entire classrooms.

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WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS FOR THE COMMUNITY?

The entire community benefits from the elementary school counseling and guidance program because:

• All students in the entire school system are served.
• A clearly defined curriculum provides information about the program to the community.
• Business, industry, and labor can participate actively in the program.
• A potential work force is provided with decision-making skills and preemployment skills.

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