What is a School Counselor?

As a school counselor, I am an educator trained in school counseling, just as other educators are trained in math, science, or language arts. My goal is to develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive school counseling program designed to meet the needs of ALL students.

Vision Statement

The vision of the Woodside School Counseling program is that all students can learn personal, social, and leadership skills to develop into responsible citizens and have successful careers.

Mission Statement

The mission of Woodside’s School Counseling Program is to provide a comprehensive school counseling program as an essential part of education for all students at all levels. The program facilitates student development in the personal/social, academic, and career domains. It promotes leadership, responsible citizenship and lifelong learning.

Beliefs

The Woodside School Counseling program operates with the following beliefs:

• School counseling is an essential educational program.
• The program is aligned with the ASCA national model, is data-driven and built on evidence-based best practices.
• Curriculum is based on the assessed needs of all students at all educational levels.
• Equitable programs are provided for individuals inclusive of all gender, race, citizenship status, learning ability, and language.
• Measurable student competencies are essential and consistent with each developmental level.
• The program increases understanding of personal strengths and interests and their relationships to high school, college, career, and life readiness.
• Increases understanding of social issues such as diversity, equity, harassment, drug/alcohol abuse, and other issues in the educational and work setting, and in the community.
• Collaboration with the entire school community and the community at large are essential.
• Professional development is required to maintain quality programs.
• The program must be continuously evaluated and refined through systemic planning, designing, implementation, and data review.
• Professional school counselors adhere to the ASCA Professional Code of Ethics.

Counseling Services

Classroom Guidance

Instruction provided to all students to help them succeed and interact with their peers.  Lessons are taught in the classroom every week in kindergarten and every other week in grades 1-5.

Group Counseling

A support group for students who share a common concern. Parent permission is required to participate.

Individual Counseling

Assistance is provided to some students who may need help to overcome social and/or personal problems that interfere with learning. Parent permission is required to participate in on-going, short-term individual counseling.

Collaboration

Activities to connect families with resources in the community and consultation with parents and other staff to help meet the needs of students at home and in the classroom.

How can a student see the counselor?

• Student self-referral
• Staff referral
• Parent referral

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is important to maintain a trusting relationship with students.  Information must be disclosed in the cases of harm to self or others.  Generally, information is not disclosed to other staff members, parents, or students unless permission is granted.  If a student discloses information deemed crucial to a child's safety or well-being, the student is informed that his/her parents must be notified.

Anne Jensen

Woodside Elementary School Counselor