Elementary Guidance: A Good Way to

Grow

What Is Guidance Class?

Students in 1st-5th grade in the Chippewa Falls Elementary Schools participate in 16 developmental guidance classes or four units of four, 30 minute classes per year. Kindergartens participate in 480 minutes of guidance class. The guidance classes are intended to support and complement the efforts of the classroom teacher. Classroom teachers are asked to remain in the room. The goal of teaching these skills and giving information is to prevent problems before they begin. Individual activities focus upon the following competencies:

1. Life-Long Learning

2. People Skills including Managing Conflict

3. Wellness and Resiliency

5. Understanding Diversity

6. Planning for our Future

4. Respect for Self and Others

Guidance Competencies

What Are Small Groups?

Small groups are offered to provide additional services to children with common needs or concerns. Groups will meet during Guidance time during the months of November/December, February and March. Group size is usually between 3 and 8 children. Additional groups can be scheduled as time permits.

Types of Groups Include:

1. Friendship, self-esteem

2. Separated or divorced parents

3. Alcohol and drug information

4. Peer Issues

5. Anger/Feelings

6. Other groups as needs arise

– If you have any questions, feel free to contact your school counselor.

Who Do Elementary School Counselors Work With...

Counselors Work With:

– Boys and Girls– Parents– Staff– Buildings

How do Students see the Counselor?

• They ask their teacher or the counselor

• A parent refers a student

• A staff member refers a student

• A collaboration team refers a student

• The Counselor determines the needs

Elementary Counselors Help Boys and Girls

– Individually and in groups with their concerns, plans, goals, and achievements.

– Understand themselves and others to strengthen cooperation and interactions.

– Establish and maintain healthy relationships with others.

– Learn decision making and interpersonal skills.

– Gain optimum benefit from their school experience.

– Counselors do not work as therapists or do long-term counseling.

– Counselors cannot a “fix” a child until s/he is ready, but they can be always be a caring adult.

Elementary Counselors Help Parents

– Learn about their child's growth and development.– Individually, to appreciate their child's abilities,

challenges, and progress in school.– Encourage a home atmosphere for emotional

security and personal growth.– Participate in parent education groups to further

enhance parent-child relationships.– Increase knowledge and skills by sharing

information.– Learn about resources available in the community

including therapists and other health agencies.

Elementary Counselors Help Staff

• Learn background information about students in their care.

• Discover resources for individual or groups of students.

• Utilize collaboration and Special Education Referral Processes.

Elementary Counselors Help Buildings

• Coordinate Mentor Program

• Liaison to After-School Tutoring

• Liaison to Explorers

• Facilitate Bus Buddy Program

Counselors Work to Promote Growth In:

– Understanding of self and confidence in daily interactions.

– Positive attitudes toward self, family and community– Communication skills in relationships with peers,

family, neighbors, and school staff– Motivation for success in school and community

activities.– Decision making skills involving exploration of

alternatives and realization of consequences– Career awareness for future planning– Emotionally healthy school learning climate– Cooperation between home and school.– Community resource programs for students, family

and school personnel.

School Counseling Intern Students

• Already have a bachelor’s degree

• Are finishing a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling and/or School Psychology

• Need a well-rounded school counseling experience to prepare for their future careers

• Are closely supervised and dialogue regularly with the cooperating counselor