The district shall provide a guidance program to support students and staff in the pursuit of academic achievement.  In general, the Board expects counseling and guidance staff to:

1.         Foster a welcoming environment and encourage positive connections with students.

2.          Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with students.

3.          Work with students and their families to resolve concerns whenever possible and appropriate.

4.          Educate students as appropriate of the responsibilities staff have for reporting incidents.

5.          Use their professional judgement, in consultation with administrators and/or the school attorney where appropriate, while observing legal mandatory reporting obligations.

School Counseling/Guidance Program

The district’s counseling/guidance program shall, for all students in grades 6-12, ensure access to a certified school counselor, prepare students’ to participate effectively in their current and future educational programs, and address college and career success and academic and social/emotional standards.  In grades k-5, students will have access to a counselor or social worker or school psychologist who will work collaboratively with a certified school counselor to develop the student's current and future educational programs and address social/emotional standards. The program shall include the following:

1.          For students in grades K-5, the program shall be co-designed by a certified school counselor in coordination with the teaching staff and appropriate pupil personnel service providers to prepare students to participate effectively in their educational programs, providing college and career information, assisting students with challenges to academic success, such as attendance or behavioral concerns, and making referrals to appropriate professionals for more targeted supports;

2.          For students in grades 6-12, certified school counselors shall provide annual individual progress review plans, reflecting each student’s educational progress and career plans, and, for students with disabilities, consistent with their individualized education programs;

3.          Core curriculum instruction by certified school counselors to address student college and career success, academic skills, and social/emotional development;

4.          Direct student services, including but not limited to responsive services, crisis response,  group and individual counseling, appraisal, assessment and advisement to enable students to benefit from the curriculum, assisting students to develop and implement postsecondary education and career plans, assisting students who exhibit attendance, academic, behavioral or adjustment concerns, and encouraging parental involvement; and

5.          Indirect student services such as consultation, collaboration, leadership, advocacy, and   teaming, and referrals to appropriately licensed or certified professionals.

School Counseling/Guidance Plans

            A certified school counselor shall develop or direct the development of both district-wide and building-level comprehensive developmental school counseling/guidance plans.  Such plans shall be updated annually, and shall be made available for review at the district offices and posted on the district website.

            The plans shall include objectives and activities for the counseling/guidance programs, planning for the program’s development and maintenance, school counseling curriculum, professional development planning, methods to evaluate the program based on data analysis of program results, and an assessment of resources necessary to support positive student outcomes.

            Each plan shall also address the preparation of an annual report on the guidance program outcomes.  Such report shall include an analysis of all components of the guidance program required by state regulations and summarized above.  This report shall be presented annually to the Board of Education.

 School Counseling/Guidance Program Advisory Council

            The district shall also establish a counseling/guidance advisory council to annually review the district’s school counseling/guidance program plans, and advise on the implementation of the district’s counseling/guidance program.  The council shall include representative stakeholders such as parents, Board members, building and/or district administrators, community-based service providers, teachers, school counselors, school social workers and/or school psychologists.  The council shall meet at least twice a year, and shall submit an annual report to the Board.

Ref:      8 NYCRR §100.2(j)