Overview of Guidance Program at
McDermott Elementary

 

Since children may experience a variety of concerns at different developmental stages, McDermott's Guidance Program offers many services that assist students in acquiring knowledge and skills necessary for healthy development. Through this continuum of services, the Guidance Department recognizes that parents, school personnel and the community each have important roles to play and valuable resources to contribute in assisting students with their development. Guidance and counseling services are offered for all children in grades K-5.

The guidance and counseling program at McDermott Elementary is designed to be preventative as well as developmental.

The counselors at McDermott work with students in three different settings:

1.        Students receive classroom guidance lessons with their whole class approximately once every six school days.

2.         The counselors teach specific skills in small groups of approximately 5-8 students. These groups meet during the school day, for 30 minutes once a week, for approximately five to six sessions.

3.        Individual students are seen by the counselors when they have a concern that may be interfering with their ability to learn or concentrate on school work.

 

An appointment can be made to see the counselor by the student, the student's teacher, or the student's parent.

 

Guidance Classes

 

The student curriculum at McDermott Elementary includes guidance classes with the counselor. Guidance classes are a part of Northside's comprehensive Guidance Program in which the counselors teach children skills to enrich their educational and social lives. These skills are taught to entire classes several times per month. The guidance curriculum is intended to support the objectives of academic instruction and to help children develop their full educational potential through general skills and strategies. Parents are invited to visit the counselors' offices during Open House, or by appointment, to preview the materials that are used. Examples of guidance lesson topics:

Responsible Behavior
Goal Setting
Interpersonal Effectiveness
Drug Awareness/prevention
Self Esteem Development
Conflict Resolution Skills
Communication Skills
Respecting Cultural Heritage and Differences
Decision Making and Problem Solving

Career Awareness