Throughout the school year, the guidance counselor implements activities that build and promote student achievement and positive life skills.

Ongoing activities

• Orientation of new students and parents
• Individual academic advisement conferences for students
• Parent-teacher conferences
• Individual and group counseling to students with social, behavioral and crisis issues
• Bridging the gap between home, school and community
• Providing parents with community resources
• Referrals to community resources and consultation with outside agencies
• Coordinates efforts with other school staff
• Coordinates parent education workshops
• Consultation and referrals: parents, teachers, administrators and community
• Guidance program needs assessment
• Student Individual Graduation Plan development
• Guidance Advisory Council meetings
• Student class scheduling
• Partnering with businesses and educational institutions
• Student Assistance Team meetings
• Student contracts
• Student monitoring, with parent follow-up
• Classroom guidance lessons such as conflict resolution, character education, social skills, and study skills.
• Test coordination and interpretation of tests to provide information about student abilities, achievement, interests and needs
• Coordinate Duke Talent Search - 7th grade
• Overseeing the implementation of the 504 plans
• Incentive/Recognition/Awards program

How does a student see the guidance counselor?

• Appointment made by the counselor
• Self -referral
• Parent referral
• Administrative referral
• Teacher and other staff referral
• Drop-in
• Agency referral

What are the counselor's qualifications?

• Master of arts in school counseling
• Master of social work
• Psychology specialist or Ph.D.
• Kentucky state certification in education counseling, school social work or school psychology.

How do counselors keep up with current issues and trends?

• In-service training sessions
• Workshops and seminars
• Conventions and conferences
• Continuing education trainings
• Regular school and districtwide meetings
• County, state and national association meetings
• Professional journals/books