Nashua School District

Nashua School District: School Counseling Program

The School Counseling Program, in collaboration with faculty, parents, and the community will ensure the preparation of students to become effective learners, achieve success in school, and develop into contributing members of society. The program will support each student in the academic, career, and personal/social development needed to acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and skills for success in school and throughout life.

In the Nashua School District, the role of the school counselor is to support the K-12 School Counseling Program by facilitating student development in academic, career, and personal/social areas. The school counselor is a trained and certified professional who works with students, administrators, teachers, parents, and the community to promote a safe and successful learning environment. School counselors assist all students within the total educational program to become effective learners, responsible citizens, and contributing members of society. On-going communication and information exchange with parents/guardians are vital to all aspects of the School Counseling Program and is a key part of the counselor's role. Further, school counselors advocate and educate the public as to the role of the professional school counselor.

To help all students to achieve their potential, elementary school counselors foster excellence through their work in the four areas of the School Counseling Program. Counselors coordinate the implementation of the guidance curriculum through classroom lessons to help students in the areas of academic, personal/social, and career development. Individual planning is provided to help students identify their skills, abilities, achievements, and interests through guidance and counseling activities and interpretation of assessments (i.e. NHEIAP). Through responsive services, counselors conduct individual and small group counseling sessions and consult with teachers, administration, school psychologists, school social workers, outside agencies, and social services concerning the welfare of the students. Counselors make referrals for special services for students and families within the school and community. The elementary school counselor provides system support to the school by planning and coordinating activities with school, community, and business resources to support school programs. The counselor provides information on parenting the elementary school child and plays a key role in helping students and parents make the transition to middle school.

The middle school counselor provides a comprehensive School Counseling Program that focuses on the uniqueness of all students. Transition is the key word during this time, and counselors address the physical, psychological, and educational changes that occur as students journey from childhood to adolescence. Middle school counselors assist students with self-understanding; interpersonal, decision-making, conflict resolution skills; and career planning through the guidance curriculum. By gathering information for individual planning regarding a student’s academic and emotional needs, the middle school counselor serves as a consultant to teachers and parents to create a connection between home and school. Responsive services are provided through individual and small group counseling. In the community, the middle school counselor acts as a liaison between school, educational agencies and social services. The counselor also provides system support through collaboration with administration, staff, business, and the community in order to prepare students for the transition to high school.

The high school counselor provides informational services in the areas of education, careers, and personal-social development through the guidance curriculum. Current information on careers and post-secondary opportunities, gathered through networking with schools and the community, is used in individual planning with students to help them prepare for their transition to the post-secondary level. The high school counselor assists in providing interpretation of assessment results to students and parents regarding abilities, achievement, interests, and learning styles. Responsive services are delivered through individual and group counseling sessions, and referrals to community support services are made, when needed. Further, the high school counselor provides system support by coordinating programs and serving as a resource consultant to school personnel, students, parents, and community agencies. Through leadership and collaboration, the high school counselor engages in self and program evaluation.