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What is our “Why” for school counselors?

Our school district is lucky to have a team of helpers called support staff. This includes people like school counselors, social workers, psychologists, speech therapists, nurses, and occupational or physical therapists. Each of these specialists helps students with different things, like learning, how they feel, and even how their bodies move.

School counselors are like guides. They help students succeed in school by focusing on their personal growth, academics, and future plans. At elementary schools, counselors teach lessons in the classroom about things like bullying, making friends, staying organized, and how to keep trying even when things are tough. The counselor's office is a safe place where students can be themselves and share their feelings freely. Counselors build strong relationships with students, teachers, parents, and the community to create a positive learning environment for everyone. They often become familiar faces, greeting families on their first day of school and introducing them to the school staff and its programs.

When there's a crisis at school, counselors are often the first to help. They work closely with other staff members, like administrators, social workers, and teachers, to support families in need.

If a student is struggling in school or having emotional difficulties, counselors can provide short-term individual or group counseling sessions. These sessions can help students deal with family problems, grief, anxiety, or self-harm. Counselors can also help students get the support they need through the MTSS process, which provides extra help for students facing learning challenges.

School counselors are like listeners, cheerleaders, and advisors. They help students use their skills and achieve their goals. Life can be tough for students today, and counselors help make school a safe and supportive place for everyone, no matter what challenges they face. In a world where showing kindness and caring is so important, counselors are proud to play a key role in supporting students' success.

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Elementary Counselor Services
(roles and responsibilities may vary within each school)

Counseling Services

• Classroom guidance lessons for each grade level. Topics may include: Bully-proofing, Growth Mindsets, Friendship Skills, Team Work, Emotional Regulation, CMAS Preparation, Career Lessons, 5th Graders also receive a Human/Growth Development Lesson.

• Individual and Small Group Counseling (Individual or Small Group Counseling for 6 to 8 weeks) Topics may include Emotional Regulation, Friendship Skills, Grief/Loss, “Looking Like a Learner” for Kindergartners).

Responsive Services

• Respond to as needed counseling (referred by parents or staff)
• Provide counseling support for crisis situations (ie. grief/loss, escalated behaviors, difficult family issues)
• Assist in Suicide and Threat Assessments
• Consult with staff/parents and assist in behavior management for consistent student escalated behaviors
• Refer individual students and families to district and/or community resources (i.e. school supplies, food, shelter, holiday support)

Coordinating School Programs/Services

• Facilitate Student Leadership Groups that promote positive districtwide initiatives
• Kidpower Presentations (Safety and Confidence skills)
• Coordination of Peer Mediation/Mentoring programs
• Coordination Positive Behavior Intervention Systems (PBIS) and No Place For Hate programs
• Coordination of special events (i.e. Kidpower Classes, Career Day, Red Ribbon Activities)
• Collaborate with staff on district and school committees 
• 504 Case Managers (assisting in the 504 referral process, 504 paperwork, facilitating meetings)
• Assist in the Special Education Process
• Provide supports within the Special Education process

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Parent Tips for The Elementary Level

Communicate

• Frequently check in with your child and maintain open lines of communication. Focus on good things (i.e. celebrate successes, recognize positive school relationships), and address tough things and brainstorm how the child can take responsibility for challenges and ask for staff support.
• When there are classroom concerns or when you have questions about school, contact your child’s teacher. The teacher will have more information about instruction, academic strategies, homework issues, and peer issues.
• With consistent social/emotional concerns, contact the counselor for more classroom and/or home strategies.
• Support good homework, study habits and structure. Children thrive on routines. Having a set time for homework, breaks, play time, and consistent bedtime teaches children to take responsibility and it helps them make positive choices.

Encourage Reading Everyday

• Reading aloud introduces children to new words and helps them to recognize letters and sounds. Children who are read to more often are better prepared for school and are likely to pick up reading skills more quickly. Also, children develop empathy and communication skills through reading. 

Let them Make Mistakes

• Setbacks are natural. Children can learn through their mistakes. It is okay to own up to negative behaviors and for them to accept natural consequences. That is how our children learn and grow.

Get Involved

• Keep up with correspondence from teachers via Remind for school activities and events. Each school has various ways (i.e. PTO, Holiday Events, Fundraisers) families can support the school throughout the school year. 

Monitor Screen Time

• Establish clear rules and set limits with the amount of screen time (i.e. video games, cell phones, TV). Create tech-free zones or times (i.e. during meal times, close to bedtime). Monitor online or any social media for older students. Social media interaction is not recommended at the elementary age due to potential risks of cyberbullying and developmentally inappropriate material. 

Visit our Family Resources webpage on the WSD3 website for help with food, clothing, housing, mental health, military, and other services. 

Most Common Elementary Resources:

• The District Grocery Store for food support- Contact the Counselor to sign up for a time slot
• The SEWT (Social Emotional Wellness Team) for free short term therapy within the school-Contact the Counselor, Social Worker for a referral
• For crisis support: http://coloradocrisisservices.org/
• Peak View Behavioral Health (719) 444-8484
• Kidpower- https://kidpowercs.org/- teaches children safety and confidence skills
• Friends of the Children-https://friendscoloradosprings.org/ - For mentoring students starting from Kindergarten age until 12th grade.

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Junior High Counseling Services

Counseling Services:

• Counseling individual students
• Providing support for families in need 
• Assisting in threat assessments 
• Completing suicide assessments
• Managing crisis situations and supporting students
• Presenting and teaching about suicide prevention
• Mediating conflicts

Academics and Coordination: 

• Scheduling all classes for 5th to 6th grade students and all junior high students
• Coordinating scheduling for 8th grade students transitioning to high school
• Managing 504 plans
• Acting as SPED Designee
• Scheduling and supporting Center for Success 
• Collaborating with interventionist for RtI/MTSS
• Teaching relevant classes to teachers and staff
• Overseeing New Student Registration
• Going to all elementary schools to distribute scheduling information
• Building the master schedule
• Coordinating the Back to School Event
• Organizing the Award Assembly at the end of the year
• Supporting and promoting the AVID program
• Scheduling and facilitating parent conferences
• Assisting students with grades, extra help, and teacher issues

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Parent Tips for the Junior Highs:  

• We do not recommend social media use for 6th graders. At this age, many students may not be emotionally prepared to navigate the potential for judgment, criticism, and online drama. Instead of focusing on social media, encourage your 6th graders to explore other creative outlets like drawing, music, sports, or joining clubs. These activities can foster valuable social skills and build self-esteem in a healthier way.
• Check the Infinite Campus (IC) Parent Portal frequently to keep up with grades, test/quiz scores, or missing homework. It’s also where you can update your contact information.
• Important information will be emailed directly to you or through Remind.
• Realize that this is an emotional time.  Students at this age cry, isolate themselves, get anxious, seem sad, and lash out.  We, as counselors, understand that and will support them all we can.  If there is something serious (suicidal ideation, self injury, etc), we will contact you.
• Email teachers if you have concerns. They do not have phones in their rooms, so it’s easier for them to respond to you over email.  
• Reach out for help to teachers, counselors, or administrators if you have concerns about your child.  

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High School Counseling Services 

• Help students find their passion, discover career pathways, and create a plan to achieve goals/career :
  • College/Career -
    • Meet with students
      • ICAP - Individual Career and Academic Plans
      • Discuss pathways focused on their interests
    • Assist with possible pathways:
      • Military
      • Workforce
      • Institutions of Higher Learning: College, Trade Schools, etc.
    • Provide opportunities for students to explore their interests such as college representative visits, military recruiter visits, field trips to college and career fairs.
    • Help families understand the college process such as applications, deadlines, financial aid, etc.
• Graduation Requirements - ensure students have necessary requirements to graduate:
  • Through schedule and course placement
  • Through testing assessments to meet CDE competency requirements
  • Track credits for each student
  • Graduation Plan for seniors
  • Conversations with all students about credits and graduation timelines
• Work with staff to help students be successful 
  • Parent/Teacher conferences
  • MTSS/RTI process
  • 504 eligibility and yearly reviews 
  • SPED meetings/Designee
  • Advocate for student needs
  • Coordinate and communicate needs or issues
• Student Success:
  • Collaborate with students to address challenges that may hinder their academic progress, such as providing guidance on organization, time management, and study skills.
  • Help students understand graduation requirements
  • Monitor grades, especially seniors, through IC and meet with students to determine and address any potential issues
• Student safety - mental, emotional and physical
  • Counsel individual students
  • Provide support for families in need 
  • Assist with threat assessments 
  • Complete suicide assessments
  • Manage crisis situations and support students
  • Present and teach about suicide prevention
  • Mediate conflicts
  • Work with school nurse for physical needs
  • SABERS followup
  • Train staff on child abuse and reporting
  • Suicide prevention training for staff and students
• Provide a welcoming environment and safe place
  • Assist with student orientations
  • Create a safe space in counseling offices where students can regulate and calm themselves
  • Open and inviting environment for staff
  • Run programs such as Peer Tutoring, Peer Mediation, Sources of Strength, No Place for Hate
• Student Recognition 
  • Senior Awards
  • Student recognition boards
  • Social Media
  • Newsletters with student achievements
• Active participation on District Committees: Graduation Task Force, Counselor Committees, EIP, etc

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Parent Tips for High School:

• Help students build healthy habits: study, sleep, nutrition
• Help students build resilience
• Help students build work ethic
• Monitor social media and digital devices so they are not a distraction to education. 
• Help students learn how to create routines and create a calendar that allows them to prioritize important tasks. 
• Help students and parents work through challenges rather than “give up”
• Teach students and parents how to use IC for missing assignments and grades
• Encourage parents and students to communicate with teachers in regards to challenges and needs.
• Provide resources and information about setting boundaries and limits with emotional and physical well being