May 22, 2013
Shenendehowa's Elementary counselors are an
integral part of each school's learning team and work to support the
District's Values and Beliefs (understanding how and why students
learn) as well as the District Mission:
To work continuously and in partnership with the community to ensure
that all students develop and demonstrate the knowledge, skills,
abilities, and character needed to live useful, productive and
rewarding lives.
Shenendehowa’s elementary counselors provide a developmental and
preventive program that promotes student learning by supporting the
positive personal, social and emotional growth of all students.
Through individual and group counseling, classroom lessons,
consultation and collaboration, the counselors work with students,
staff, parents and community resources to promote student adjustment
and academic success. Working closely with building principals, the
counselors advocate for students through the following activities:
Counseling…meeting
with students individually or in small groups to help them resolve
or cope with problems or concerns that interfere with learning.
Large Group Guidance…collaborating with classroom teachers to
present lessons and activities that meet students’ developmental
needs and address specific classroom issues.
Consultation…working with parents, teachers, administrators, and
other professionals to plan and implement strategies and programs to
help students be successful in school.
Collaboration…helping organize and manage programs and services to
meet student needs within the school…serving as a liaison between
the school and community agencies to assist parents in obtaining
needed services.
Professional Development…maintaining and furthering skills and
knowledge through courses, workshops and professional reading.
Shenendehowa’s school counselors are Masters level graduates of
accredited counseling programs and are certified by the New York
State Education Department as School Counselors K-12.
Provide direct individual counseling or
coaching for students with a range of academic, personal or
behavioral needs as well as those experiencing crisis situations
Support and monitor academic progress and performance
Facilitate groups to address developmental needs: e.g.,
friendship/peer
relations, assertiveness/social skills, organization/study skills,
and stress management
Facilitate support groups to help students cope with and adjust to
change and transitions in their lives: e.g., moving, family changes
and bereavement
Present classroom lessons on preventive/developmental topics or in
response to specific classroom issues as needed/requested by teacher
Assist with new student orientation and adjustment
Support students involved in the child protective process
Participate in the kindergarten orientation process
Coordinate student safety programs:
--2nd grade Empowering Children to Stay
Safe
--4th grade Helping Children Manage Their
Anger
Facilitate transfer of student information between schools
Support/coordinate student mentoring programs
Encourage students to identify their strengths and interests as well
as develop good work habits and responsibility
Consult and problem solve with teachers,
support staff and administrators about student learning and
behavior needs as well as classroom environment
Collaborate on classroom lessons and parent conferences
Develop and/or facilitate staff training and workshop
opportunities
Serve on Instructional Support and/or Child
Study teams
Participate as needed in the district or building special education
process
Support the process of enrichment/acceleration as needed
Assist class list development process
Serve on Safe Schools or Crisis Intervention teams
Promote and participate in building-wide character education
programs and initiatives that foster a positive learning environment
and a climate of tolerance, such as:
-Character Counts
-B.E.S.T. (Building Esteem in Students
Today)
-C.A.R.E. Team (Citizenship,
Accountability, Responsibility, Ethics)
-Peace Teams/Peaceable Schools
-Morning Program
-D.A.R.E. (Drug
Abuse Resistance Education)
Communicate with K-12 counselors regarding student expectations,
academic growth and adjustment
Meet with parents regarding school and
developmental concerns
Support families experiencing crisis situations
Provide parenting and mental health resource materials
Refer families to professional services and community agencies or
programs as needed
Collaborate with district Family Resource Coordinator
Coordinate community resources for families in need
Connect with families new to the school or the district
Plan and facilitate parenting workshops/programs
Disseminate parenting information
Consult and collaborate with community agencies:
-CAPTAIN Youth and
Family Services (Phone Friend’s Homework Helpline, Peace Camp,
Family Assistance Program, and Family Life Advisory Committee)
-Family and Children’s Services of
Albany (SSTARS Family Counseling Program)
-Saratoga Center for the Family (student
safety and anger management programs)
-Saratoga County Children’s Services
(child protective and preventive services)
-Southern Saratoga County Chamber of
Commerce (Chamber Angels)
