GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT

Philosophy

The Guidance Department at Patterson High School provides guidance and counseling services to all students from the time they enter the high school until graduation. Some students return for post-high school guidance. Guidance supports the academic component of the high school through a series of both planned and informal activities designed to assist students to understand themselves better, to cope with the normal problems associated with growing up; and to become contributing citizens. The goal of the guidance process is to meet the individual needs of each student and to help students achieve a productive high school experience. Guidance services are designed to help students with their academically, career exploration, college access and college readiness, and personal/social development.

High school years are full of excitement, frustration, disappointment, and hope. It is a time students begin to discover what the future holds for them. With a comprehensive developmental counseling program, students can receive accurate information, concrete experiences, and successful planning to take the steps necessary to become a productive and contributing member of society. Together, professional school counselors, parents, and the community can provide the most effective support for young people.

From grades nine through twelve, the school counselor advises and counsels students about the selection of courses, relationships with teachers and other significant adults, relationships with peers, extra-curricular involvement and career and post-high school plans. Helping students to cope with pressures, tensions, and the day-to-day problems of growing up in a complex, multi-faceted society is an integral part of the guidance department's functions. High school guidance and counseling provides a relationship that exists between a student and his or her counselor, the one adult at school who will play a continued and key role during the duration of the student's high school life.

School counselors serve a liaison function on behalf of the students. They facilitate discussion between school and home, teacher and student, school and college, school and employer, and other students. Getting to know the student well and understanding the student's aptitudes, abilities, and aspirations help the counselor carry out this important function. The continuity of this personal student/counselor relationship and the value of trust and caring are at the heart of all guidance activities and services.

School counselors assist in maintaining the students' transcript record. A permanent record card and a student cumulative folder are kept in the guidance office. The availability of these records is important in conferences with students and their parents. The official transcript is prepared from the permanent record card and is used to transmit students' academic records to colleges and/or perspective employers, including the military. Information about a student is not released without the permission of the student and parent.

Although much of the guidance and counseling at Patterson High School is done on an individual basis, many planned, structured programs are scheduled to accomplish the objectives of the Guidance Department. Some of these activities involve only students, others involve students and parents, college and employment representatives, or community resources.

High School Counselors Believe:

Young people have dignity and worth as human beings.
Young people need to experience significance in their school and community.
Young people have the ability to succeed and become contributing members of our society.
Young people need guidance and support from school, parents, and community as they seek to find their place in society.
Schools, parents, and communities that communicate and collaborate provide the most effective support to young people.

High School Counselors:

Provide direct counseling services to students individually and in support groups.
Provide education and support services to parents.
Provide consultation services to teachers.
Provide staff in-service.
Facilitate referrals to community support services.
Advise students concerning academic planning.
Provide career guidance to students
Provide career information to parents.
Maintain an up-to-date library of career and postsecondary school information.
Network with post-secondary schools.
Serve on school and community committees addressing the needs of young people.

Services

Some of the specific counseling services provided at the high school level are as follows:
Assist new students and their families

Register new students
Interpret transcript/records
Explain graduation requirements
Schedule appropriate classes
Encourage involvement in extracurricular activities/community service opportunities
Provide athletic eligibility information
Share responsibilities for testing
Assist with HSA
Organize/administer PSAT
Coordinate/administrate SAT
Coordinate/proctor AP exams
Interpret testing results and communicate those to students and parents
Counsel family about courses of action available to student

Collect pertinent information from parents, teachers, school records, etc.
Chair meetings and/or attend as student advocate
Assist students with future plans
Complete private school applications and recommendations
Teach students to use computer software for career/college searches
Acquaint parents with college process at Junior/Senior Parent College Planning Nights
Develop contacts with colleges, vocational schools and businesses
Provide an opportunity for students to meet with representatives of colleges, vocational schools, businesses and the military
Assist student-athletes who wish to participate in college athletics
Complete secondary school reports and college recommendations
Refer students and families to appropriate sources for financial assistance in higher education
Responsible for Scholarships
Assist at Financial Aid Night
Complete National Merit Scholarship Program applications and recommendations
Supervise/coordinate various special programs, including:

Crisis Management

Crisis Response Team

National Honor Society

Act as liaison between home/school and student/parent/staff
Attend IEPs Meetings
Provide forms for weekly progress reports
Provide crisis counseling and support to family and make appropriate referrals if necessary
Act as liaison for vocational/technical and alternative schools
Provide up-to-date information in the field of guidance and counseling
Attend presentations and conferences offered by colleges, professional organizations and state agencies
Review current research, studies and policies in journals and on the Internet
Confer with colleagues at weekly meetings
Participate in professional development

Community Services