Role of School Counselor

Loudoun County Public School Counselors

Helping Students Succeed in School:

Counselors Help Students Learn

Each school of Loudoun County Public Schools has a school guidance and counseling program. Licensed counselors are responsible for the organization and management of guidance programs in schools.

Counselors work with students, parents, teachers, and administrators to help students succeed in school and prepare for meaningful, productive living. Guidance programs are child-centered, developmental, and preventive, and encourage students' academic, social/emotional, and career awareness at each stage of their development.

Guidance services are inclusive and respectful of differences in gender, religion, ethnicity, race, ability and handicapping condition.

What are the objectives of the Guidance and Counseling Program?

All elementary school counselors in Loudoun County are required to teach the following objectives from the three major domains: academic development, career development and personal/social development from the "Standards for School Counseling Programs in Virginia Public Schools."

Kindergarten

Academic

Understand the expectations of the educational environment
Use appropriate communication skills to ask for help when needed
Work cooperatively in small and large groups towards a common goal

Career

Demonstrate goal setting

Personal/Social

Demonstrate good manners and respectful behavior towards others

First Grade

Academic

Understand the importance of individual effort, hard work and persistence
Use appropriate communication skills to ask for help when needed
Work cooperatively in small and large groups towards a common goal

Career

Understand the concept of job and career
Understand the importance of teamwork in working towards a common goal

Personal/Social

Understand how to make and keep friends and work cooperatively with others
Identify resource people in the school and community and understand how to seek their help

Second Grade

Academic

Demonstrate individual initiative and a positive interest in learning
Use appropriate communication skills to ask for help when needed
Work cooperatively in small and large groups towards a common goal

Career

Understand that behaviors such as punctuality, courtesy, proper dress and proper language are essential to current and future success

Personal/Social

Exhibit the principles of character, including honesty, trustworthiness, respect for the rights and property of others, respect for rules and laws, taking responsibility for one's own actions, fairness, caring and citizenship

Third Grade

Academic

Use appropriate communication skills to ask for help when needed
Work cooperatively in small and large groups towards a common goal

Career

Understand the relationship of individual effort, hard work and persistence to achievement

Personal/Social

Understand that Americans are one people of many diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds and national origins who are united as Americans by common customs and traditions
Understand the importance of short term and long term goals

Fourth Grade

Academic

Demonstrate time management and organizational skills
Apply study skills necessary for academic achievement

Career

Recognize the benefits of both individual initiative and teamwork
Identify hobbies and interests

Personal/Social

Understand decision making and problem solving strategies

Fifth Grade

Academic

Recognize personal strengths and weaknesses related to learning
Understand the choices, options, and requirements of the middle school environments

Career

Recognize that the changing workplace requires lifelong learning
Identify career choices through exploration

Personal/Social

Understand change as a part of growth
Identify the emotional and physical dangers of substance use and abuse
Use strategies for managing peer pressure

What Does a School Counselor Do?

Counsels with students individually and/or in groups
Responds to student needs in crises situations
Orients students to new school settings
Participates actively in the referral process of students to special programs and/or services
Analyzes test results to provide information about abilities, achievement, interests and needs
Coordinates efforts with other school specialists
Conducts conferences with parents
Facilitates parent discussion groups
Adheres to ethical and legal standards

How is a student referred to the school counselor?

Self-referral
Teacher, administrator or staff referral
Parent referral
Counselor observation

Why do parents contact a school counselor?

Academic achievement
New school registration, orientation and transition
Test interpretation
Special needs of students
Student crises situations
Family transitions

Lincoln Elementary School

Bullying Prevention and Education

The Counselor's Role

LCPS & Community Resources