Elementary / Middle School Counselor's Survival Guide

John J. (Jack) Schmidt, Ed.D., is professor emeritus of Counselor Education at East Carolina University. He is the author or coauthor of more than a dozen books, including Making and Keeping Friends: Ready-to-Use Lessons, Stories, and Activities for Building Relationships.

• About This Book ixAbout the Author xiAcknowledgments xiiiIntroduction 11 What, Who, and How of Your School Counseling Program 5Describing the Program 7Choosing a Language 7Leading the Charge 10Focusing on a Comprehensive Program 11Adapting the ASCA National Model and Other Approaches 14Advocating for All Students 15Seeking Input 16Winning Support 16Sharing Ownership 20Defining What You Do: A Glossary of Responsive Services 22Identifying Responsive Services 22Communicating Your Role 24Chapter 1 Scenarios1.1 Why Are Counselors in Schools? 51.2 Role Identity 6Chapter 1 Worksheets1.1 Program Assessment Scale 131.2 Facility Checklist for a School Counseling Center 19Chapter 1 Exhibits1.1 The School Counseling Program and the School Counselor 91.2 Comparison of Traditional and Comprehensive Programs 121.3 Advisory Committee Volunteers/Advisory Committee Form 212 Developing Your Role and Creating An Identity 27Determining Who Does What 28Creating a Counselor Identity 31Advertising the Program 31Promoting Yourself 33Balancing Time 35Setting Priorities 35Establishing a Schedule 36Using Resources 38Chapter 2 Scenario2.1 Is There a Problem? 27Chapter 2 Worksheets2.1 Time-Balance Worksheet 372.2 Schedule Worksheet 39Chapter 2 Exhibits2.1 Ten Keys to Implementing a Comprehensive Program 282.2 Friendship Week Assignments 292.3 School Counseling Brochure 322.4 Sample Time-Balance Sheet 352.5 Sample Schedule 382.6 Sample Master Schedule for a Middle School Counseling Program 403 Setting Sail and Staying Afloat 41Planning 42Assessing the Program 42Organizing the Program 47Evaluating Services 54Coordinating 59Receiving Referrals 63Scheduling Services 63Keeping Records 65Following Up 66Organizing a Peer Helper Program 66Using Volunteers 67Orienting Students, Parents, and Teachers 67Helping with School Transitions 67Coordinating a Teacher Advisement Program 68Using Technology 68Chapter 3 Scenario3.1 You’ve Got It Good! 41Chapter 3 Worksheets3.1 Primary Student Needs Assessment 443.2 Middle School Parent Needs Assessment 453.3 Teacher Needs Assessment 463.4 School Climate Survey 483.5 Annual Planning Sheet 503.6 Middle School Counselor Monthly Report 553.7 Group Counseling Evaluation 573.8 Teacher Form for Individual Counseling Evaluation 583.9 Student Evaluation of a Middle School Counseling Program 603.10 Parent Evaluation Form 613.11 Teacher Evaluation Form 623.12 Teacher Referral Form 64Chapter 3 Exhibit3.1 Sample Case Card 65Chapter 3 Figures3.1 Elementary School Counseling Center 513.2 Middle School Counseling Center 523.3 Inaccessible Counseling Center 533.4 Accessible Counseling Center 544 Identifying Responsive Services 71Counseling 72Individual Counseling 72Brief Counseling 76Group Counseling 78Parent and Teacher Counseling 81Your Philosophy and Effectiveness as a Counselor 83Consulting 86Consulting About Situations 86Providing Information 88Delivering Instruction 89Delivering Classroom Guidance 94Appraising 96Testing 97Observing 99Interviewing 101Reviewing Records 101Chapter 4 Scenarios4.1 School Anxiety 714.2 Girls’ Bathroom 86Chapter 4 Worksheets4.1 Teacher Survey for Group Counseling 804.2 Information Request 904.3 Teacher In-Service Survey 924.4 Sample Classroom Guidance Evaluation Form 954.5 Learning Objectives Summary 984.6 Student Observation Notes 100Chapter 4 Exhibits4.1 Interviewing Children 754.2 Seven Steps to Brief Counseling 774.3 Group Pass to the Counselor’s Office 794.4 Counselor’s Checklist for Group Counseling 824.5 Ten Ground Rules for Participating in Group Counseling 824.6 Questions About Your Counseling Services 854.7 Ten Ideas for Leading Successful Presentations 93Chapter 4 Figure4.1 Counselor-Teacher Consulting Relationship 875 Integrating A School Counseling Program With The Curriculum 103Affective Education: Integration and Infusion 105Guidance: Everyone’s Responsibility 106Planning Guidance Integration 107Locating Resources 107Presenting Guidance Lessons and Activities 108Character Education 109Homework 109Educational Planning and Placement 110Test Results and Improved Instruction 112Teachers and Testing 113Students and Testing 114Parents and Testing 115Career Development 117A Lifetime of Learning Through Positive Behavior 118Chapter 5 Scenarios5.1 Classroom Behavior 1035.2 Test Results 112Chapter 5 Worksheet5.1 Parent Survey of the School’s Testing Program 116Chapter 5 Exhibit5.1 The Edinburgh Middle School Continuing Progress Award 1126 Reaching Out To Diverse Populations 121General Guidelines 122Exceptional Children 127IDEA and Section 504 128Approaches with Exceptional Students 129Consulting with Parents of Exceptional Children 133English Language Learners (ELL) 134Culturally Diverse Populations 136Celebration of Cultures 138Guidance and Counseling Services 138Chapter 6 Scenarios6.1 Struggling Student 1216.2 Differences 136Chapter 6 Worksheets6.1 Student Services Record 1236.2 School and Community Specialists 1256.3 Assessing Your Cultural Encapsulation 1266.4 Token Economy Agreement 1326.5 A Multicultural Checklist 1377 Preparing For Crisis Intervention 141Definition and Description of a Crisis 143Characteristics of Crises 143Types of Crises 143A Crisis Team and Plan 144Factors to Consider 144The Crisis Team 146The Crisis Plan 147General Guidelines 147Specific Procedures 149Staff Development 150Preventive Activities and Programs 152Classroom Guidance 152Developmental Counseling 152Peer Helper Programs 153Parent Education Programs 153Safety Education 153Crisis Counseling 154Assessment 155Plan of Action 155Follow-Up and Evaluation 156After Trauma or Tragedy 157Chapter 7 Scenario7.1 Bus Accident 141Chapter 7 Worksheet7.1 Crisis In-Service Survey 151Chapter 7 Exhibits7.1 Checklist of Crisis Guidelines 1487.2 Communication with Superintendent’s Office 1498 Selecting Responsive Services To Address Students’ Concerns 159Bullying 160Cyberbullying 163Divorce 163After-School Child Care 167Loneliness 168Relocation 169Stress 170Underachievement 171Technology 174Chapter 8 Scenario8.1 Head Slapper 159Chapter 8 Exhibits8.1 Monitoring Student Assertiveness and Coping Skills 1628.2 Sample Postcard for Student Transfers 1708.3 Sample Student Contract 1739 Responding To Critical Concerns 177Child Depression and Suicide 178Self-Injury 183Child Abuse 184Chronic and Terminal Illness 186Substance Abuse 187Intervention 188Prevention 191Loss 192Poverty 194Violence 194School Phobia 195Chapter 9 Scenario9.1 Socioeconomic Disparities 177Chapter 9 Exhibits9.1 Child and Adolescent Motives and Behaviors Associated with Suicide Attempts 1799.2 Additional Adolescent Motives and Behaviors Associated with Suicide Attempts 1809.3 Questions to Ask Suicidal Students 1819.4 Self-Protection Agreement 1839.5 Indicators of a Family Drug- or Alcohol-Related Problem 1889.6 Indicators of Possible Drug or Alcohol Use 1909.7 Middle School Drug and Alcohol Assessment 19110 Belonging and Being With The School 199Establishing Relationships 200Relating Personally 202Being Visible 202Being Invisible 205Relating Professionally 206Seeking Input 206Sharing Information 208Following Up 209Facilitating Support Groups 209Leading Staff Development 210Promoting Positive Discipline 211Being With Versus Doing To 214Chapter 10 Scenario10.1 Ongoing Challenges 199Chapter 10 Worksheet10.1 Workshop Evaluation Form 212Chapter 10 Exhibit10.1 Behavior Management Plan 21311 Involving Significant Others 217Knowledge of Family and Community 218Interview Students 218Review Cumulative Records 219Orient Parents 221Visit Homes 221Assess Parent Needs 221Communication and Information 222Special Events 222Worksite Visits 222Test Reports 223Parent Conferences 223Letters and Communiqu´es 225PTA and PTO Presentations 227Volunteers 229Parent Education Programs 230Discussion Groups 230Commercial Programs 232Program Planning 233Chapter 11 Scenario11.1 Parental Involvement 217Chapter 11 Worksheets11.1 Cumulative Record Survey 22011.2 Volunteer Application Form 23111.3 Parent Education Evaluation 235Chapter 11 Exhibits11.1 My Family and Me 21911.2 Progress Letter to Parent 22611.3 Memo to Parents 22712 Playing According To The Rules 237Legal Considerations and Resources 238School Principal 238Counseling Supervisor 239School Board 240Professional Associations 241Ethical Considerations 241Responsibilities to Students 242Responsibilities to Parents 242Responsibilities to Colleagues and Professional Associates 243Responsibilities to the School and Community 244Responsibilities to Yourself 245Responsibilities to the Profession 245Responsibilities to Maintain Ethical Standards 246General Guidelines for Ethical Practice 247Advertising Your Services 248Knowing When You’ve Gone Far Enough 252Understanding Volunteerism in Counseling 252Following Through 253Understanding Your Values 254Informing Parents 254Seeking Assistance from Others 254Caring for Yourself 255Chapter 12 Scenario12.1 Therapeutic Counseling 237Chapter 12 Worksheet12.1 Ethical Decision-Making Checklist 256Chapter 12 Exhibits12.1 Four Key Questions 24712.2 ASCA School Counselor Competencies 24913 Helping Yourself To Help Others 257Self-Assessment 258Personal Caring 260Physical Well-Being 262Emotional Well-Being 263Social Well-Being 266Professional Caring 267Intellectual Development 267Counselor Competence 268Conclusion 271Chapter 13 Scenario13.1 Self-Health and Performance 257Chapter 13 Worksheet13.1 Personal and Professional Goals 261Resources 273Bibliography 273Web Sites 278Index 281