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What Does A School Counselor Do?

The school counselor works collaboratively with parents, school professionals, and students to facilitate all students' academic, emotional, and social growth.  It is the counselor's responsibility to identify and remove barriers that may impede academic achievement.

To refer your child for help from the counseling office, please email lbecton@acpsd.net

SCHOOL PHONE:(803) 593-6280

Extension 4

Best Times to Contact: 7:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

https://www.powtoon.com/online-presentation/eM9dgODGfNp/role-of-an-elementary-school-counselor/?mode=movie

 CLASSROOM GUIDANCE LESSONS

All PreK-5th students at Gloverville Elementary have the opportunity to meet with their school counselor during classroom guidance lessons twice a month.  These sessions focus on a specific issue that could negatively impact learning and/or social development and were designed around the American School Counselor Association Mindsets and Behaviors Model.

Some of the topics covered in these lessons are the following:

• Middle School Transitions
• Anger
• Divorce
• Bullying Awareness/Prevention
• Kindness
• Personal Body Safety
• Self-Esteem
• Career Awareness
• Self-Control/Self-Regulation
• Internet Safety
• Empathy
• Identifying Feelings
• Friendship
• Growing Up Boys/Girls (5th grade only)
• Growing Up Girls (4th grade girls)

INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING

Students at Gloverville Elementary are able to meet one-on-one with the school counselor to discuss issues that are affecting their academic success.  In order to see the counselor, students may fill out a "Let's Talk" request form OR teachers/parents/other school staff members may refer students.  The "Let's Talk" forms are available outside of the counseling office and also in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classrooms after the first classroom guidance sessions.   School counselors use play therapy techniques such as drawing, games, sandbox, Legos, etc as a way to discuss school counseling goals as outlined by the American School Counselor Association.  This includes helping students reach their academic, personal, social, and career potential.

SMALL GROUPS

These groups are designed for students who are underperforming in their academics.  Students who have lower than average test scores or grades and who also are not receiving other services from ESOL or special education.  These groups are intended to advise students in their academics by covering topics related to school success.  Topics may include, but are not limited to the following:  stress management, goal setting, organization, motivation, learning styles, listening, etc.  In order for a student to participate in a small group, permission must be obtained by the parents.  Most groups have 4-6 participants and are held during recess time one day each week.  During group time, a variety of instructional techniques and strategies are used such as the following:  follow directions, drawing, role-playing, visualization, game play, practice, and independent activities. Groups meet in the fall and in the spring for 8-10 sessions, approximately 30 minutes.

Other small groups are designed for students experiencing common concerns such as friendship, family changes, grief/loss, managing frustration and stress, self management, etc.  The counselor chooses to implement these groups when common themes emerge and an indicated need.  When the presenting concerns interfere with school success, learning, or academic performance, the counselor will choose to implement these groups for a period of 6-8 weeks for 20-30 minutes, depending on the grade level.

Lunch Bunch

Friendship, conflict, new student issues and other minor, peer-related concerns are often handled during the student's lunch time or recess.  Depending on the issue and the number of students involved, the counselor may determine that a "lunch bunch" meeting is necessary.

Role of School Counselors

School counselors provide services to students, parents, school staff and the community in the following areas:

Direct Student Services:
Direct services are in-person interactions between school counselors and students and include the following:

School counseling core curriculum: This curriculum consists of structured lessons designed to help students attain the desired competencies and to provide all students with the knowledge, attitudes and skills appropriate for their developmental level. The school counseling core curriculum is delivered throughout the school’s overall curriculum and is systematically presented by school counselors in collaboration with other professional educators in K-12 classroom and group activities.

Individual student planning: School counselors coordinate ongoing systemic activities designed to assist students in establishing personal goals and developing future plans.

Responsive services: Responsive services are activities designed to meet students’ immediate needs and concerns. Responsive services may include counseling in individual or small-group settings or crisis response.

Indirect Student Services:
Indirect services are provided on behalf of students as a result of the school counselors’ interactions with others including referrals for additional assistance, consultation and collaboration with parents, teachers, other educators and community organizations.

(Copied from www.schoolcounselor.org - https://www.schoolcounselor.org/school-counselors-members/asca-national-model/delivery)

Sponsored Programs:

Volunteer Coordinator

If you are interested in volunteering at Gloverville Elementary, please complete a volunteer application which you can access from the link below or request from your child's teacher, the front office staff, or contact me directly.  Once received, all volunteers are screened through our district's Hall Pass security system.  Upon approval, you will receive an email from me with a link to our Gloverville Volunteer Training. 

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Watch DOGS (Dads of Great Students) - Volunteer Program for Fathers and Father Figures

WatchDOGS program kickokff is held each year in the fall.  If you are interesting in becoming a WatchDOGS volunteer, please contact me to complete a volunteer application, Hall Pass security system approval, volunteer training and request a date to volunteer for the program.

Community Outreach

          - Backpack Program through Golden Harvest Food Bank

Student Ambassador Program

* This program is for 5th graders only and will rotate every nine weeks.  5th grade students will have an opportunity to complete an application in order to be considered for the Student Ambassador Program.

Student 2 Student Program (S2S Program)

Established in 2004, Student 2 Student® (S2S™) is a student program that brings military and civilian students together to welcome new students, create a positive environment, support academic excellence, and ease transitions (www.militarychild.org). 

Although S2S began as a high school program, it has expanded to the lower grade levels.  The S2S program started at Gloverville during the 2020-2021 school year.  Each year the classroom teacher nominates one student in their class to serve as the S2S Representative.  The S2S Representative assists with new students in their classroom as well as participating in service opportunities throughout the year.