We set out to promote a positive school culture through varied programmings that align with AVID's keys to success model and ASCA National School Counseling Model for a comprehensive school counseling program (American School Counseling Association).

Middle School Counselors Implement the School Counseling Program by Providing:

School Guidance Curriculum

Academic skills support
Organizational, study and test-taking skills
Education in understanding self and others
Coping strategies
Peer relationships and effective social skills
Communication, problem-solving, decision-making and conflict resolution
Career awareness, exploration and planning
Substance abuse education
Multicultural/diversity awareness

Individual Student Planning

Goal-setting/decision- making
Academic planning
Career planning
Education in understanding of self, including strengths and weaknesses
Transition planning

Responsive Services

Individual and small group counseling
Individual/family/school crisis intervention
Peer facilitation
Consultation/collaboration
Referrals

System Support

Professional development
Consultation, collaboration and teaming
Program management and operation

REQUEST TO SEE COUNSELOR

Middle School Counselors Collaborate With:

Parents
Parent information night
Communication/networking
Academic planning programs
Parent and family education
One-on-one parent conferencing
Assessment results interpretation
Resource referrals
College/career exploration

Teachers
Career portfolio development
Assistance with students’ academic plans
Classroom guidance activities on study skills, career development, etc.
Academic support, learning style assessment and education to help students succeed academically
Classroom career speakers
At-risk student identification and implementation of interventions to enhance success
Parent communication/education

Administrators
School climate
Behavioral management plans
School-wide needs assessment
Student data and results
Student assistance team building
Leadership

Students
Peer education
Peer support
Academic support
School climate
Leadership development

Community
Job shadowing, service learning
Crisis interventions
Referrals
Parenting classes
Support groups
Career education

Group Counseling

Academic Skills Group- Note taking, organization, study skills! Learn all about it and how to apply it! These groups cater to students that need to learn basic skills for academic achievement.

Binder Blitz Lunch Group- Every Tuesday, during student lunch, starting October 2nd. Walk in group for students needing a space to organized their binders and clean out those backpacks. Counselors will shows strategies on how to complete these tasks and keep clean binder and backpack continuously. Students must receive a pass from teacher to attend. Group meets in the Media Center student cafe area. Students are welcome to bring their lunch!

Social Skills Group- These groups cater to students needing help managing emotions and behaviors, and students who would benefit from learning how to interact in social settings.

*Specialized Groups- These groups are formed based on current school data and student needs assessments. We partner with local organization as well to provide therapeutic groups that are based on student and family needs for that year.

Classroom Guidance

Every month counselors delivery classroom guidance lessons geared towards personal/social development, academic & career development, and/or character education.

Classroom Guidance Topic for Month of January: Social Intelligence

Individual Counsleing

Meeting with School Counselors . Students are able to meet with their school counselor during the school day regarding any issue or concern they may have. Typical reasons to meet: Family or friend conflict, organization & study help, assistance with speaking to teacher, summer programs/camp information, etc. The best time to meet with the school counselor is during lunch to avoid missing valuable class time. However students can see the school counselor during class time if they get permission from their teachers. Students must come to guidance with a pass from their teacher.

Therapy with El Futuro. We are fortunate to have a partnership with El Futuro, a local organization that provides bi-lingual mental health services to our students and families in need of indepth counseling. El Futuro provide sessions at ALS during the school day and in the evening after school by appointment. The clinicians are bilingual and available to all students, but primarily work with our Spanish speaking families. They see families with or without health insurance.

Therapy with RHA Behavioral Services. We are fortunate to have a partnership with RHA Behavioral Services, a local organization that provides therapy sessions for our students in need of indepth counseling. RHA Behavioral Services provides session s at ALS during the school day and in the evening after school by appointment. The clinician is available to all students and families who have health insurance.