ACSS K-12 Counseling Program

Mission Statement

The Aberdeen Catholic Schools Guidance and Counseling Program is dedicated to instilling Catholic values and promoting excellence by nurturing mind, body, and soul.  This program is designed to address the needs of all students by helping them to acquire competencies in personal, academic, and career development domains.  The K-12 developmental program is concerned with all students while recognizing the fact that individuals have needs that will continue to require special attention.  As a result, the comprehensive guidance and counseling program is for all students, with the goal of being proactive as well as responsive.

Philosophy

In an effort to fulfill its mission statement, the Aberdeen Catholic School System provides a guidance and counseling curriculum for all students K-12.  In this curriculum, the guidance program emphasizes the need to develop self-esteem, self-direction, and respect for self and peers, along with social and academic skills.  In order to reach its goal, which is to provide an atmosphere for optimal growth of all students so that each can fulfill their potential, the curriculum also encompasses individual and group counseling and classroom guidance.

The counseling department will provide crisis intervention, consultation, responsive services, referral services, and work collaboratively with parents, teachers, and community resources.  Individual or group counseling shall be provided to all students requesting assistance or by referrals made by other school personnel. Each of these services is provided in order to ensure the safety and maximum personal growth of each student. 

Along with instilling Catholic values and promoting academic excellence by nurturing mind, body, and soul, the counseling department will foster a school atmosphere in which students are empowered to begin to assume responsibility and to take charge of their lives in the areas of personal and social development, academic development, and career development. 

Role of the Counselor

The school counselor is a certified professional educator who assists students, teachers, parents, and administrators.  Three generally recognized helping processes used by the counselor are counseling, consultation, and coordination:  1) Counseling is a complex helping process in which the counselor establishes a trusting and confidential working relationship.  The focus is on problem-solving, decision-making, and discovering personal meaning related to learning and development; 2) Consultation is a cooperative process in which the counselor-consultant assists others to think through problems and to develop skills that make them more effective in working with students; and

3) Coordination is a leadership process in which the counselor helps organize and manage a school’s counseling program and related services.

Guiding Principles

The Aberdeen Catholic Schools Guidance and Counseling Program is carried out in the context of Catholic moral teaching, and:

• Provides a vital link to the total instructional program of a school
• Provides a curriculum for student instruction based primarily upon student needs
• Provides developmental, preventive, and remedial services
• Includes professional development necessary to maintain a quality program
• Contains measurable student competencies which address the skills necessary for each student to function effectively in each life role
• Aims at educational excellence through individual excellence
• Is an integral part of the student’s total educational experience
• Depends on the support and collaboration of administrators, teachers, other school personnel, parents, students, and the community
• Is essential to a student’s personal growth and development and therefore essential to academic success
• Is coordinated and implemented by professionally endorsed school counselors

Program Benefits

Benefits for Students

1. Prepares students for the challenges of the future through personal/social, educational/academic, and career development.
2. Relates the educational program to future success.
3. Facilitates career exploration and development.
4. Broadens knowledge of our changing world.
5. Assures equitable access for educational opportunities.
6. Provides advocacy for students.

Benefits for Parents

1. Prepares children for the challenges of the future.
2. Provides support for parents in advocating for their child’s academic, career, and personal development.
3. Develops a system for their child’s long-range planning and learning.
4. Increases opportunities for parent/school interaction.
5. Enables parents to access school and community resources.

Benefits for Teachers and Administrators

1. Provides for a team effort to address student needs and educational goals.
2. Provides consultation to assist teachers in their guidance role.
3. Integrates school counseling with the academic mission of the school.
4. Assists administration to use school counselors effectively to enhance learning and development for all students.
5. Provides a program structure with specific content.

 Benefits for the Community

1. Increases opportunities for business and industry to participate actively in the total school program.
2. Provides increased opportunity for collaboration among counselors and community.
3. Provides a potential workforce with decision-making skills, pre-employment skills, and increased worker maturity.
4. Creates community awareness and visibility of the school counseling program.
5. Educates the community to the needs of the school and the school to the needs of the community.
6. Enhances economic development through quality preparation of students for the world of work.
7. Aids in the development and maintenance of a spiritually sound young generation.

Program Content

Guidance Curriculum

Guidance curriculum may be delivered via classroom activities, small group activities, or individual activities.  Each activity and delivery method is specifically catered to its audience.  The purpose of guidance curriculum is to provide students with knowledge of growth and development, assist them in acquiring and using life skills, and assist them in making future educational and career plans.  The guidance and counseling curriculum is not limited to being taught in one or two subjects, but is included in as many subjects as possible.  School counselors teach, team teach, or support teachers in delivering program curriculum through activities or units.  The support of the entire school staff is necessary for its successful implementation.  Also critical is that parents be invited to review, provide input, and reinforce what is learned in school at home.  See Appendix A for grades K-6 Guidance Curriculum and Appendix B for grades 7-12 Guidance Curriculum.

Individual Planning

The focus of individual planning activities is on assisting students in developing life and career plans including their skills, aptitudes, and abilities.  The foundation of life and career plans is established during the elementary school years.  Self-concept development, the acquisition of learning skills, interpersonal relationship skills development, decision-making, skill-building, and awareness and beginning exploration of educational and career possibilities are examples of topics that are learned.  These same topics are reinforced during junior high and high school.  New information and experiences enable students to develop and manage their plans. 

Responsive Services

Responsive services consist of activities to meet the immediate needs and concerns of students.  These needs may include counseling, consultation, referral, or information.  These services are most often student initiated.  The purpose of the responsive services component is to intervene on behalf of those students whose immediate personal concerns or problems put their continued personal, career, or academic development at risk.  Although counselors respond to any concerns presented by students, some topics have been identified as having high priority or relevance within the school setting.  Topics of priority may include:

*Severe stress

*Substance abuse

* Challenges at home

*Peer pressure

*Attendance

*Study skills

* Peer relationships

*Academic success

*School attitudes & behavior

*Being new to school

*Issues related to traumatic events

*Career indecision

*College choice

*Death and grief

Systems Support

Systems support consists of activities that establish, maintain and enhance the total school counseling program.  Systems Support may include:

• Professional Development for Counselors
• School Counseling Program Development
• School Improvement Involvement
• Data gathering, documentation, analysis and action planning
• Parent Involvement
• Community Outreach

Balance of Time

In order to carry out a comprehensive guidance and counseling program the following allocation of time is recommended by the ASCA National Model:

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

MIDDLE SCHOOL/JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

HIGH SCHOOL

Section 504

Section 504 is the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that guarantees specific rights in federally funded programs and activities to people who qualify as disabled.  Section 504 states, “No otherwise qualified disabled individual in the United States…shall solely by reason of a disability be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” 

If an educational team suspects a need for student accommodation, a referral should be made, evaluations conducted, and possible eligibility determined by a team knowledgeable about the student.  A Section 504 Accommodation Plan may be put into place in order to ensure that each student is receiving the best possible educational experience.  The Aberdeen Catholic Schools do offer such accommodations for students and the counselors serve as 504/ADA Coordinators.

Adapted from information provided by SD Department of Education and Cultural Affairs, Division of Workforce and Career Preparation, 2002

APPENDIX A

Roncalli Elementary and Primary Counseling Program

K

Introduction to Guidance and Counseling.

¨                Students will learn who the counselor is.

¨                Students will have a better understanding of what the counselor does.

Icebreakers

¨                Students will demonstrate the ability to speak in front of others and begin to demonstrate the ability remember names of other students around them.

What is school about?

¨                Students will learn necessary organizational skills in order to be prepared better for class.

Getting ready for class

¨                Students will master ability to know where they put things as well as what to bring to the classroom as well as what not to bring. 

Following directions

¨                Students will demonstrate the ability to follow directions of adults on the first request. 

¨                Students will understand the importance of following directions and how it pertains to their lives.

All Core Virtues

¨                Students will understand and demonstrate an understanding of all Core Value words. 

1^st Grade

Getting back to school

¨                Overview of class and school rules.

Icebreakers

¨                Students will gain knowledge of self and others.

Self Esteem---Six weeks

¨                Students will learn to better understand self.

¨                Students will gain a better understanding of feelings and how they feel about themselves.

Friendship

¨                Students will learn the importance of friendship and how to approach others that you want to be friends with.

Social Skills

¨                Students will gain a better understanding of age appropriate behaviors.

Hygiene

¨                Students will understand the importance of looking good and demonstrate the ability to display proper hygiene.

Stranger Danger

¨                Students will understand the meaning of stranger danger and how to avoid dangerous situations.

All Core Virtues

¨                Students will understand and demonstrate an understanding of all Core Value words.

2^nd Grade

Getting back to school

¨                Overview of class and school rules.

Icebreakers

¨                Students will gain knowledge of self and others.

Sportsmanship and getting along with others—Six weeks

¨                Students will gain knowledge in teamwork, being better sports and handling losing.

Self Esteem

¨                Students will learn about themselves and their likes and dislikes.

¨                Students will display a better understanding of others and their individuality.

Friendship

¨                Students will understand the importance of being a good friend and maintaining friendships with others.

Social Skills

¨                Students will gain more confidence and knowledge of appropriate behaviors in social settings.

Hygiene

¨                Students will continue their growth and awareness of the importance of hygiene.

Stranger and Touch Review

¨                Students will demonstrate knowledge of situations when strangers are present.

All Core Virtues

¨                Students will understand and demonstrate an understanding of all Core Value words.

3^rd Grade

Getting back to school

¨                Overview of class and school rules.

Icebreakers

¨                Students will learn more about themselves and others in their classroom.

Bullying—Six weeks

¨                Students will demonstrate a knowledge base of what a bully is.

¨                Students will understand how to handle bullying behavior.

Respecting others feelings

¨                Students will learn and display a better understanding of their actions and the effects that they have on other students’ feelings.

Understanding and getting along with others

¨                Students will continue to display

Friendship

¨                Students will identify qualities of a good friend and demonstrate these in their classrooms.

Family Responsibilities

¨                Student will learn the importance of working together to assist a family in running smoothly.

Hygiene

¨                Students will continue to identify the importance hygiene and taking care of their bodies.

Careers

¨                Students will begin to look at careers and identify any of interest to them.

All Core Virtues

¨                Students will understand and demonstrate an understanding of all Core Value words.

4^th Grade

Getting back to school

¨                Overview of class and school rules.

Icebreakers

¨                Students will learn more about themselves and others in their classroom.

Friendship—Six weeks

¨                Students will learn more about being a good friend and display these skills in their classroom.

¨                Students will demonstrate the importance of others feelings and how their actions and choices impact others.

¨                Students will understand and demonstrate the qualities of a good friend.

Getting along with others

¨                Students will identify ways in which they can get along better with others in the classroom and in their families.

Bullying

¨                Students will continue to address bullying issues and learn effective ways to deal with bullies.

Understanding self

¨                Students will continue to look at themselves in address things about themselves they would like to improve or change.

Decision making—good and bad choices

¨                Students will use decision making skills to look at their choices both good and bad.

Organization

¨                Students will demonstrate organizational skills and recognize the importance of these skills in their everyday lives.

Careers

¨                Students will continue to address and look at careers and their interest levels.

All Core Virtues

¨                Students will understand and demonstrate an understanding of all Core Value words.

5^th Grade

Getting back to school

¨                Overview of class and school rules.

Icebreakers

¨                Students will learn more about themselves and others in their classroom.

Growing Healthy—Six weeks

¨                Students will identify ways to keep themselves healthier by looking at the importance of exercise.

¨                Students will learn more about their body and identify the changes that occur during this time.

¨                Students will identify the differences between the male and female body.

“I” messages

¨                Students will use “I” messages to discuss their feelings.

Decision Making

¨                Students will continue to address their decision making and discuss how they come to their decisions.

Bullying

¨                Students will identify bullying tactics and how to handle bullies in and out of school.

Friendship

¨                Students will identify qualities of a good friend and demonstrate their ability to be a good friend.

Careers

¨                Students will continue their exploration of careers and their interest areas.

All Core Virtues

¨                Students will understand and demonstrate an understanding of all Core Value words.

6^th Grade

Getting back to school

¨                Overview of class and school rules.

Icebreakers

¨                Students will learn more about themselves and others in their classroom.

Smoking, Alcohol, Drugs---Six weeks

¨                Students will gain an understanding of the impact that smoking, alcohol and drugs have on their bodies.

¨                Students will develop knowledge of ads and campaigns that lure them to use tobacco and alcohol.

¨                Students will understand the importance of making good and healthy choices.

Friendship

¨                Students will demonstrate their ability to maintain healthy relationships and begin to narrow down things that they want in their friendships.

Hygiene

¨                Students will review growing healthy unit and understand the importance of cleanliness and their body.

Decision making

¨                Students will discuss importance of good and bad choices.

Careers

¨                Students will continue search of careers and learn more about where their interests are.

All Core Virtues

¨                Students will understand and demonstrate an understanding of all Core Value words.

 APPENDIX B

Grade 7

Surf the Web

Students will be able to identify safe websites that can help them plan for their high school experience and beyond. 

Study Habits & Priorities

Students will identify attitudes and behaviors which lead to successful learning.

Bullying

Students will recognize, accept, appreciate, and respect individual differences.

Career Portfolios

Students will develop an awareness of personal abilities, skills, interests, and motivations.

Respect & Conflict Resolution

Students will use effective communication skills and recognize that everyone has rights and responsibilities.

Goal Setting

Students will learn the goal setting process.  Students will identify personal strengths and assets and plan for an application of these strengths in their future.

Teamwork and Cooperation

Students will use effective communication skills and know that communication involves speaking, listening, and nonverbal behavior.    Students will demonstrate cooperative behavior in groups.

Communication

Students will use effective communication skills and know that communication involves speaking, listening, and nonverbal behavior.

Grade 8

Study Habits

Students will apply time management and task management skills.

Career Research & Presentations

Students will understand how school success and academic achievement enhance future career and vocational opportunities.  Students will develop skills to locate, evaluate, and interpret career information.  Students will effectively communicate what they have learned regarding specific careers of interest.

Achievement and Judging Others

Students will demonstrate how abilities and achievement relate to achieving personal, social, educational, and career goals.  Students will recognize, accept, respect, and appreciate individual differences. 

Goal Setting

Students will further their knowledge of the goal setting process.

Self-Esteem & Depression                     

Students will identify resource people in the school and community and how to seek their help.  Students will differentiate between situations requiring peer support and situations requiring adult or professional help.

Listening and Interviewing Skills

Students will use effective communication skills and know that communication involves speaking, listening, and nonverbal behavior.  Students will develop an awareness of personal abilities, skills, interests, and motivations.

Grade 9

Test Taking Skills

Students will identify attitudes and behaviors which lead to successful learning.  Students will apply time management and task management skills.  Students will seek information and support from faculty, staff, family, and peers.

GPA & Learning Style

Students will understand the relationship between classroom performance and success in school.  Students will identify personal strengths and assets.

Decision Making Skills

Students will accept mistakes as essential to the learning process.  Students will take responsibility for their actions and demonstrate dependability, productivity, and initiative related to their own success.

Perceptions

Students will challenge their own preconceived notions of certain populations.  Students will identify and express feelings.  Students will recognize, respect, accept, and appreciate that everyone has differences.

Self Esteem and Goal Setting

Students will further their knowledge of the goal setting process.  Students will demonstrate an awareness of their own strengths and develop ways to work on what they perceive as their own weaknesses.

Career Comparisons Internet Search

Students will use research and information resources to obtain career information.  Students will use the Internet to access career planning information.

Career Information/Classifieds Search

Students will demonstrate an awareness of the education and training needed to achieve career goals.  Students will apply decision-making skills to career planning.

What Scholarship Contributors and Colleges Look For

Students will become aware of the components which are typically necessary to receive scholarships and admittance to post secondary institutions.

Grade 10

PLAN Preparation

Students will learn the purpose of the PLAN test, how its results can be used, and how to best prepare for the test.

Career Fair

Students will learn about the variety of traditional and non-traditional occupations.

Stress and Coping Skills

Students will develop effective coping skills for dealing with problems.  Students will identify alternative solutions to problems.  Students will demonstrate when, where, and how to seek help for solving problems and making decisions. 

Navigating College Brochures and Information

Students will understand college and vocational resources and how to gather information regarding post high school planning.

Career Comparisons Internet Search

Students will use research and information resources to obtain career information.  Students will use the Internet to access career planning information.

Critical Thinking Skills

Students will demonstrate the ability to work independently, as well as the ability to work cooperatively with others.  Students will utilize intrapersonal skills to brainstorm a variety of hypothetical situations.

Goals and Decision Making Skills

Students will further their knowledge of the goal setting process.  Students will develop an awareness of the thought process that should go into successful decision making.

What Scholarship Contributors and Colleges Look For

Students will become aware of the components which are typically necessary to receive scholarships and admittance to post secondary institutions.

Grade 11

ACT/SAT/PSAT Preparation

Students will learn the purpose and basic details of each test, how its results can be used, and how to best prepare for the test.

PSAT Preparation

Students will become knowledgeable of what areas they should focus on for the PSAT.

ASVAB Preparation 

Students will learn the purpose and of the ASVAB, how its results can be used, and how to best prepare for the test.

Post High School Planning

Students will share their post high school plans and devise a checklist of things to accomplish before graduation.

College Fair

Students will receive and record information on their colleges of choice.

Drug Use and Abuse

Students will learn about the physical and emotional dangers of substance abuse. 

Success in the Workplace

Students will understand the consequences of decisions and choices.  Students will understand the relationship between educational achievement and career success.

Organizational Skills/Checklist and Preparation for Senior Year

Students will organize and apply academic information from a variety of sources.  Students will begin to learn what is expected throughout their final semesters of high school.

Online College Search

Students will effectively utilize the Internet to discover information related to the colleges of their choice.

Grade 12

Senior Packets and Important Information

Students will receive information on financial aid, the college application process, and other resources designed to make their transition to college as smooth as possible.

Course Plan/Transcripts/Scholarship Information

Students will receive information on various scholarship opportunities and the application process.  Students will become familiar with their transcripts and develop a finalized plan for their senior year.

Personal Information Sheets/Post High School Plans

Students will develop a document that showcases their academic, social, and athletic achievements to allow for more efficient teacher recommendation process.  Students will create an informational sheet which illustrates their plans for after high school.

Suicide: Resources and Warning Signs

Students will become aware of the effects of suicide, what warning signs to look for, and resources to access related to the topic.

Self-Awareness/Personality Styles

Students will gain a better understanding of their own personalities and the effects it may have upon those around them.  Students will begin to become aware of how to assess the communication styles and behaviors of their peers.

Transitioning  

Students will learn coping skills for managing life events and the move from high school to a post secondary location.

Drug & Alcohol Prevention

In grades 7-10, programs called "LifeSkills and "Project Alert" are implemented.  Jay Lamb, our Prevention Specialist, provides instruction related to drug and alcohol abuse.  Special attention is paid to how drugs affect the body, pressures associated with drug use, consequences of abuse, and alternatives to drug or alcohol use. 

Mr. Lamb also co-facilitates various prevention activities throughout the school on a monthly basis.  Some activities include Red Ribbon Week, Great American Smoke-Out, and drug and alcohol trivia.  He also assists the Junior High Cavalier Club with some of their service activities.