Partnering for Success

1. Partnering for Success By Cyndi McCrea School Counselor Evergreen Mill Elementary November 7, 2007

2. Guidance Programs • Child-centered, developmental and preventive • Guidance services are inclusive and respectful of differences in gender, religion, ethnicity, race, ability, handicapping condition, and age.

3. Counselors "ACE" it for student success:Advocate, Collaborate, Empower! • Advocate for policies and practices that enhance the academic, career, and personal/social development of all students • Collaborate among educators, parents or guardians, and the community to provide leadership which helps facilitate a safe, supportive and challenging learning environment. • Empower students with the confidence to work cooperatively and respectfully with others, to achieve academic success, and to become responsible, critical thinkers and productive citizens of an ever-changing society.

4. A, B, C’s • Academic • Behavioral (Personal/Social) • Career

5. Academic • School expectations • How to ask for help when needed • Cooperative work in small and large groups • Individual effort, hard work, and persistence • Initiative and positive attitude • Time management and organizational skills • Study skills • Recognize personal strengths and weaknesses • Middle school preparation

6. Behavior (Personal/Social) • Good manners and respectful behavior towards others • How to to make and keep friends • Identify resource people in the school and community and understand how to seek their help • Character traits • Diversity awareness • Short and long term goals • Decision making and problem solving strategies • Understand change as a part of growth • Identify the emotional and physical dangers of substance use and abuse • Peer pressure strategies

7. Careers • Goal setting • Understand the concept of job and career • Teamwork and working towards a common goal • Understand that behaviors such as punctuality, courtesy, proper dress and proper language are essential to current and future success • Individual effort, hard work and persistence to achievement • Individual initiative and teamwork • Identify hobbies and interests • Recognize that the changing workplace requires lifelong learning • Career exploration • Paws in Jobland • Virginia View

8. Guidance • Lesson every two weeks. • Meet Loudoun Guidance Objectives • Incorporate grade level Standards of Learning • Consult with teachers for additional topics relevant to individual classes

9. Small Group Counseling • STAR Lunches • Focus on character traits • One meeting per student • Student requests • During grade level lunch time • Topical Small Groups • 4 -8 weeks, 30 minutes per week • Scheduled during lunch or beginning/end of the day (work with teachers for best times) • Focus on specific topics such as friendship skills, study skills, feelings, problem solving • Parent permission required

10. Individual Counseling • Talk About Its • One time • Student requests • Usually short term problem solving – friends, study strategies, feelings • Goal: student generated solutions • Individual Counseling • Weekly; 15-20 minutes • Parent permission • Help student be successful at school, not “therapy”

11. Consultations • Teachers • Strategies for classroom and individuals • Coordinate times and schedules • Plan lessons • Parents • Information about student that might impact their day • Meet with teacher to create plans for success • Provide outside referrals, if needed

12. More Information • Guidance Website • Newsletters • Email • Cyndi.McCrea@loudoun.k12.va.us • Ellen.Koch@loudoun.k12.va.us • Phone (571)252-2902