Jamesville-Dewitt Central School District > Departments and Services > Counseling Services > Comprehensive School Counseling Plan

Comprehensive School Counseling Plan

Foundation/Management | Delivery/Accountability

Please click here to view a PDF version of the Comprehensive School Counseling Plan.

Introduction

School District Description

Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District is a mid-sized, suburban school district located in Central New York. The district includes three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. There are approximately 2,900 students enrolled in the Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District.

Board of Education Vision & Mission Statements and District Goals

The Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District has an uncompromising commitment to excellence in preparing students to achieve and succeed, to respect themselves and others, and to practice life-long learning in an ever-changing, richly diverse global society. We take responsibility for providing a challenging education experience in a safe and nurturing environment. We dedicate ourselves to the academic, artistic, social, emotional and physical development of each student.

Foundation/Management

NYSED Regulation Part 100.2(j)

Guidance programs and comprehensive developmental school counseling/guidance programs.

  1. Guidance programs for public schools for school years prior to the 2019-2020 school year and for non-public schools.

    Public Schools. Each school district shall have a guidance program for all students.

    1. In grades K-6, the program shall be designed in coordination with the teaching staff to prepare students to participate effectively in their current and future educational programs, to help students who exhibit any attendance, academic, behavioral or adjustment problems, to educate students concerning avoidance of child sexual abuse, and to encourage parental involvement.
    2. In grades 7-12, the guidance program shall include the following activities or services:
      1. an annual review of each student’s educational progress and career plans, with such reviews to be conducted with each student individually or with small groups by personnel certified or licensed as school counselors;
      2. instruction at each grade level to help students learn about various careers and about career planning skills conducted by personnel certified or licensed as school counselors, or by classroom teachers in cooperation with school counselors;
      3. other advisory and individual or group counseling assistance to enable students to benefit from the curriculum, to help students develop and implement postsecondary education and career plans, to help students who exhibit any attendance, academic, behavioral or adjustment problems and to encourage parental involvement, provided that advisory assistance shall be provided by teachers or counselors, or by certified teaching assistants under the supervision of counselors or teachers, and that such individual or group counseling assistance shall be provided by certified or licensed school counselors or by certified or licensed school psychologists or certified or licensed school social workers in cooperation with school counselors; and
      4. the services of personnel certified or licensed as school counselors.
    3. Each school district shall develop a district plan with sets forth the manner in which the district shall comply with the requirements of this subdivision. The City School District of the City of New York shall submit a separate plan for each community school district, for the High School Division and for the Special Education Division. Such plan shall be filed in the district offices and shall be available for review by any individual. The plan shall present program objectives, which describe expectations of what students will learn from the program; activities to accomplish the objectives; specification of staff members and other resources assigned to accomplish the objectives; and provisions for the annual assessment of program results. The plan shall be reviewed annually by the school districts, and revisions shall be made as necessary.

School Counseling Program Vision, Mission & Goals

Counseling Department Mission Statement

In support of the District’s commitment to excellence for all students, the Counseling Program or Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District strives to promote and support a holistic development of the student in all aspects, including: academic, career, personal and social development. In union with the faculty, parents and the community, the J-D Counseling program seeks to prepare its students for success in a diverse and ever-changing world.

Our Beliefs

We believe that:

  1. Students, family, school, and community all share the responsibility for education.
  2. Learning is a lifelong process for each and every individual.
  3. All students benefit from purposeful evaluation, development, and improvement of educational programs.
  4. Trust, fairness, and respect should permeate every relationship.
  5. A physically safe, socially and emotionally supportive and educationally challenging environment that respects and values the diversity of our school community is essential to learning.
  6. Self confidence, self respect and self discipline are the result of personal growth, development and achievement.
  7. A wide range of educational experiences that focus on creativity, critical thinking, communication and collaboration are essential to prepare students for the future.
  8. Open, honest and effective communication results in strong relationships among students, staff, home and community.
  9. School counselors have an integral role to play in fostering a community that nurtures students’ academic, emotional and social growth.
  10. School counselors provide important opportunities for students to explore their developing interests and understanding of themselves.

9-12 Comprehensive School Counseling Program Objectives

To provide comprehensive academic, career and personal/social counseling services for all students.

To evaluate student progress and encourage each student to pursue appropriate programs commensurate with his/her abilities, aptitudes and interests; and to develop a schedule of coursework that support progress toward NYS Diploma requirements.

To inform parents/guardians of student progress and include them in appropriate counseling related services.

To provide a foundation for lifelong learning by promoting college and career readiness.

To provide counseling to students at each grade level.

To provide consultation services to teachers, student support personnel, parents and administration in understanding and meeting the individual needs of students.

To maintain a working relationship with all community agencies involved with our students.

To support students with special needs.

To deliver effective communication to the school community.

Student Standards

ASCA Student Mindsets/Behaviors (replaces ASCA Student Competency Standards)

Mindset Standards:

  1. Belief in development of whole self
  2. Self-confidence in ability to succeed
  3. Sense of belonging in the school environment
  4. Understanding that post-secondary education life-long learning
  5. Belief in using abilities to their fullest to achieve high quality results and outcomes
  6. Positive attitude towards work and learning

Behavior Standards – Learning Strategies:

  1. Demonstrate critical thinking skills to make informed decisions
  2. Demonstrate creativity
  3. Use time-management, organizational and study skills
  4. Apply self-motivation and self-direction to learning
  5. Apply media and technology skills
  6. Set high standards of quality
  7. Identify long- and short-term academic, career and social/emotional goals
  8. Actively engage in challenging coursework
  9. Gather evidence and consider multiple perspectives to make informed decisions
  10. Participate in enrichment and extracurricular activities

Behavior Standards – Self-Management Skills:

  1. Demonstrate ability to assume responsibility
  2. Demonstrate self-discipline and self-control
  3. Demonstrate ability to work independently
  4. Demonstrate ability to delay immediate gratification for long-term rewards
  5. Demonstrate perseverance to achieve long- and short-term goals
  6. Demonstrate ability to overcome barriers to learning
  7. Demonstrate effective coping skills when faced with a problem
  8. Demonstrate the ability to balance school, home and community activities
  9. Demonstrate personal safety skills
  10. Demonstrate ability to manage transitions and ability to adapt

Behavior Standards – Social Skills:

  1. Use effective oral and written communication skills and listening skills
  2. Create positive and supportive relationships with other students
  3. Create relationships with adults that support success
  4. Demonstrate empathy
  5. Demonstrate ethical decision making and social responsibility
  6. Use effective collaboration and cooperation skills
  7. Use leadership and teamwork skills to work effectively in diverse teams
  8. Demonstrate advocacy skills and ability to assert self, when necessary
  9. Demonstrate social maturity and behavior appropriate to the situation and environment

(Source: ASCA Mindsets and Behaviors for Student Success)

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Delivery/Accountability: School Counseling Program Map

Annual Review of each student’s educational program and career plans

  • Grade 9
    • Program Activity or Service: Freshman Transition – visit to JDMS
    • Program Objective: To review and discuss the 9th grade academic program so that students can make informed decisions about course selections for 9th grade.
    • Timeline: February
    • Staff & Resources: School Counselors, Department Chairpersons, and Student Mentors
    • Assessment: Feedback from 8th grade team
  • Grade 9 – 11
    • Program Activity or Service: Annual Academic Review
    • Program Objective: To review academic, career, and personal goals with each student. To assist students with course selections for the upcoming calendar year to align with these goals.
    • Timeline: February – March
    • Staff & Resources: School Counselors
    • Assessment: Program enrollment
  • Grade 9 – 11
    • Program Activity or Service: CSE/PST Meetings
    • Program Objective: To be sure students’ needs are being met in the classroom in conjunction with NYS graduation standards
    • Timeline: September-June
    • Staff & Resources: School Counselors, in consultation with SPED teachers, School Psychologist, Regular ED, Teachers, and families
    • Assessment: Program enrollment, teacher and parent feedback, and progress reports/report cards
  • Grade 10
    • Program Activity or Service: Career Planning Meetings
    • Program Objective: Encourage students to evaluate their goals and interests and translate that into potential career pathways
    • Timeline: Spring
    • Staff & Resources: School Counselors, in collaboration with classroom teachers and online programs
    • Assessment: Feedback and program enrollment
  • Grade 11
    • Program Activity or Service: Scheduling/College and Career Planning
    • Program Objective: Strategy for 12th grade schedule preparation. Occurs after researching what colleges look for on transcripts
    • Timeline: February-June
    • Staff & Resources: School Counselor
    • Assessment: Meet with ever student one-on-one
  • Grade 12
    • Program Activity or Service: Meet individually with each senior
    • Program Objective: To assist with decisions about college to apply; college application preparation including review and proofreading of college application essays; navigating the nuts and bolts of the college application process and software; evaluating college choices and financial aid packages after students have received college decisions; transition to college
    • Timeline: September-May
    • Staff & Resources: School Counselors
    • Assessment: Senior Destination Report

Instruction at each grade level to help students learn about various careers and about career planning skills

  • Grade 9
    • Program Activity or Service: Freshman Seminar
    • Program Objective: To review and discuss careers and career planning
    • Timeline: March/April
    • Staff & Resources: School Counselors
    • Assessment: Feedback from students and enrollment in programs/courses
  • Grade 10
    • Program Activity or Service: BOCES visit
    • Program Objective: To provide students with an opportunity to learn more about the Career and Technical Education programs offered through BOCES
    • Timeline: February/March
    • Staff & Resources: School Counselors, in consultation with parents, teachers, and psychologist
    • Assessment: Enrollment in programs
  • Grade 12
    • Program Activity or Service: Senior Post Secondary Planning Workshops
    • Program Objective: Small group in Social Studies classes
    • Timeline: September
    • Staff & Resources: School Counselors
    • Assessment: Senior Destination Report
  • Grade 12
    • Program Activity or Service: Coordinated college admissions representative meetings with students
    • Program Objective: To help students learn more about careers and career planning
    • Timeline: September-May
    • Staff & Resources: School Counselors
    • Assessment: Senior Destination Report
  • Grade 12
    • Program Activity or Service: Individual meetings with students planning to enter the workforce, military service or pursuing alternative post secondary options (i.e. gap year) out of high school
    • Program Objective: To assist these students in developing and implementing their plans
    • Timeline: September-June
    • Staff & Resources: School Counselors
    • Assessment: Senior Destination Report

To enable students to benefit from the curriculum

  • Grade 9
    • Program Activity or Service: Freshman Seminar
    • Program Objective: To assist incoming 9th graders to develop academic goals and study skills, and to provide them with an understanding of how to utilize academic resources in the high school (i.e. School Library)
    • Timeline: 15-20 meetings throughout the year
    • Staff & Resources: School Counselors and School Librarian
    • Assessment: Feedback from students, progress reports and report cards
  • Grade 9
    • Program Activity or Service: Freshman Seminar
    • Program Objective: To provide students with direct instruction on information literacy to assist them in benefiting from the curriculum
    • Timeline: 15-20 meetings throughout the year
    • Staff & Resources: School Counselors and School Librarian
    • Assessment: Feedback from students, progress reports and report cards
  • Grade 9 -12
    • Program Activity or Service: Student Support Team
    • Program Objective: To provide support services to those students identified by counselors, teachers, and/or parents as potentially needing additional services
    • Timeline: September-June
    • Staff & Resources: SST Chair along with support of School Counselor, School Psychologist, and Reg. Ed. Teacher
    • Assessment: Program enrollment, teacher and parent feedback, and progress reports/report cards
  • Grade 9 – 12
    • Program Activity or Service: CSE/PST Meetings
    • Program Objective: To be sure students’ needs are being met in the classroom in conjunction with NYS graduation standards
    • Timeline: September-June
    • Staff & Resources: School Counselors, in consultation with SPED teachers, School Psychologist, Regular Ed teachers, and families
    • Assessment: Program enrollment, teacher and parent feedback, and progress reports/report cards
  • Grade 12
    • Program Activity or Service: Senior Post Secondary Planning Workshops
    • Program Objective: Small group in Social Studies classes
    • Timeline: September
    • Staff & Resources: School Counselors
    • Assessment: Senior Destination Report

To help students develop and implement post secondary education and career plans

  • Grade 9
    • Program Activity or Service: Freshman Seminar
    • Program Objective: To help students to develop and implement post secondary education and career plans. Seminars specifically focus on academic planning and career planning
    • Timeline: February-April
    • Staff & Resources: School Counselors
    • Assessment: Enrollment in programs
  • Grade 10
    • Program Activity or Service: BOCES visit
    • Program Objective: To provide students with an opportunity to learn more about the Career Technical Education programs offered through BOCES
    • Timeline: February/March
    • Staff & Resources: School Counselors, in consultation with parents, teachers, and psychologist
    • Assessment: Enrollment in programs
  • Grade 10
    • Program Activity or Service: Career Planning Meetings
    • Program Objective: Encourage students to evaluate their goals and interests and translate that into potential career pathways
    • Timeline: Spring
    • Staff & Resources: School Counselors, in collaboration with classroom teachers and online programs
    • Assessment: Survey and feedback
  • Grade 11
    • Program Activity or Service: Pre-PSAT Planning, PSAT Administration
    • Program Objective: College planning, initial progress for standardized testing
    • Timeline: September-October
    • Staff & Resources: School Counselors
    • Assessment: Scores: % of class that takes PSAT
  • Grade 11
    • Program Activity or Service: PSAT Score Delivery & Explanation
    • Program Objective: To help students to understand their PSAT scores and to develop a testing plan and test preparation plan
    • Timeline: December
    • Staff & Resources: School Counselors
    • Assessment: % of class that takes SAT or ACT exams
  • Grade 11
    • Program Activity or Service: College Fairs
    • Program Objective: To educate students on the college admission requirements, careers interests, good fits, college costs, size and location of schools
    • Timeline: September-May
    • Staff & Resources: School Counselors
    • Assessment: Percentage of students attending organized college fairs
  • Grade 12
    • Program Activity or Service: Coordinated college admissions representative meetings with students
    • Program Objective: To help students learn more about careers and career planning
    • Timeline: September-May
    • Staff & Resources: School Counselors
    • Assessment: Senior Destination Report
  • Grade 12
    • Program Activity or Service: Senior Post Secondary Planning Workshops
    • Program Objective: Small group in Social Studies classes
    • Timeline: September
    • Staff & Resources: School Counselors
    • Assessment: Senior Destination Report
  • Grade 12
    • Program Activity or Service: Financial Aid and Post Secondary Planning Night for Parents and Seniors
    • Program Objective: To educate parents about Financial Aid and to guide them through the Post Secondary planning process
    • Timeline: September
    • Staff & Resources: School Counselors
    • Assessment: Senior Destination Report and parent feedback
  • Grade 11 -12
    • Program Activity or Service: Co-Sponsored Eastside College Night
    • Program Objective: To educate students and parents learn more about career choices and colleges
    • Timeline: October
    • Staff & Resources: School Counselors
    • Assessment: Senior Destination Report and parent feedback

To help students who exhibit attendance, academic, behavioral, or adjustment problems and to encourage parental involvement

  • Grade 8 – 9
    • Program Activity or Service: Curriculum Night for Parents of 8th Grade Students
    • Program Objective: To involve parents/guardians in the education of students
    • Timeline: February
    • Staff & Resources: School Counselors, Administrators, Department Chairpersons
    • Assessment: Survey and feedback from parents
  • Grade 9
    • Program Activity or Service: Freshman Transition – visit to JDMS
    • Program Objective: To ease 8th graders anxiety about transitioning to JDHS by having current high school students answer their questions
    • Timeline: February
    • Staff & Resources: School Counselors, Department Chairpersons, and Student Mentors
    • Assessment: Feedback from 8th grade team
  • Grade 9
    • Program Activity or Service: Freshman Tour Day
    • Program Objective: To assist with the transition to JDHS
    • Timeline: August
    • Staff & Resources: School Counselors, Administrators, and Student Mentors
    • Assessment: Feedback from students in Freshman Seminar
  • Grade 9
    • Program Activity or Service: Freshman Seminar
    • Program Objective: To assist incoming 9th graders with the transition from JDMS to JDHS. Specific seminars focus on communication skills, personal choices, appreciating differences, and stress management
    • Timeline: October-January
    • Staff & Resources: School Counselors, Administrators, Social Worker, and School Psychologist
    • Assessment: Survey and feedback from student groups, referrals, feedback from parents and teachers
  • Grade 9 – 12
    • Program Activity or Service: Individual meetings with students
    • Program Objective: To help students who are exhibiting attendance, behavioral, or adjustment problems
    • Timeline: September-June
    • Staff & Resources: School Counselors in conjunction with Administrator, School Social Worker, School Psychologist, parents, and teachers
    • Assessment: Attendance, referrals, grades, and staff feedback
  • Grade 9 – 12
    • Program Activity or Service: Student Support Team
    • Program Objective: To provide support services to those students identified by counselors, teachers, and/or parents as potentially needing additional services
    • Timeline: September-June
    • Staff & Resources: SST Chair along with support of School Counselor, School Psychologist, and Reg. Ed. Teacher
    • Assessment: Program enrollment, teacher and parent feedback, and progress reports/report cards
  • Grade 9 – 12
    • Program Activity or Service: CSE/PST Meetings
    • Program Objective: To be sure students’ needs are being met in the classroom in conjunction with NYS graduation standards
    • Timeline: September-June
    • Staff & Resources: School Counselors, in consultation with SPED teachers, School Psychologist, Regular Ed. teachers, and families
    • Assessment: Program enrollment, teacher and parent feedback, and progress reports/report cards
  • Grade 12
    • Program Activity or Service: Financial Aid and Post Secondary Planning Night for Parents and Seniors
    • Program Objective: To promote parent involvement in the Post Secondary planning process
    • Timeline: September
    • Staff & Resources: School Counselors
    • Assessment: Senior Destination Report and parent feedback
  • Grade 11 – 12
    • Program Activity or Service: Co-Sponsored Eastside College Night
    • Program Objective: To promote parent involvement in the Post Secondary planning process
    • Timeline: October
    • Staff & Resources: School Counselors
    • Assessment: Senior Destination Report and parent feedback

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