Counseling Department

Western Middle School Counseling Department

PURPOSE STATEMENT:

The purpose of the Guidance Department Curriculum at Western Middle School is to help students with the development of academic, career and personal/social skills during the transition years (6-8) between elementary and high school.  The Guidance and Counseling curriculum includes opportunities for students in the area of career planning, knowledge of self and others, and educational development.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

As per the Michigan Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Program, Western Middle School's Guidance Curriculum includes the opportunity for all students to:
 

LEARN TO LIVE
LEARN TO LEARN
LEARN TO WORK

WMS GUIDANCE CURRICULUM 6th GRADE:

New Student Orientation 
Classroom Guidance Lessons: Counselor Introductions, Bullying Prevention
Crisis Intervention
Individual Referrals
Parent/Teacher Consultations
Individual and Group Conflict Resolution
Coordinate Sex Education Program 

WMS GUIDANCE CURRICULUM 7th GRADE

New Student Orientation
Begin Development of EDP - Career Cruising
Topic Groups (Family Adjustment, Grief Groups - as needed)
Crisis Intervention
Individual Referrals
Parent/Teacher Consultations
Individual and Group Conflict Resolution
Coordinate Sex Education Program

WMS GUIDANCE CURRICULUM - 8th GRADE

New Student Orientation
High School Transition Activities
Topic Groups (Family Adjustment, Grief Groups - as needed)
Career Exploration - Visit to Jackson Area Career Center
Continue Development of EDP - Career Cruising
CA-60 Reviews
High School Visitation/Orientation
Crisis Intervention
Individual Referrals
Parent/Teacher Consultation

SUPPLEMENTARY GUIDANCE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

MEAP Test Coordination
MEAP-Access Coordination
Mi-Access Test Coordination
Explore Test Coordination
Team Meetings with Teachers
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Agency and Hospital Referrals
Juvenile Court Liaison
Orientation Programs
Jackson County Intermediate School District Special Education Referrals
Attend IEPs as Necessary
Attend/Help Coordination Student Success Teams as Necessary
Social Services/Agency Liaison
Referrals/Community Resources
Continually Evaluate and Revise WMS Guidance Counseling Program
Pursue Professional Growth
Active Membership of Professional Associations: ASCA
Serve on District's Sex Education Review Committee 
Maintain Reference Library
Coordinate Mobile Dentist
Coordinate Jackson Community College CIP Program
Attend ISD Challenge Day Monthly Luncheon Meetings

CODE OF ETHICS

As counselors, we operate under a Code of Ethics that values confidentiality, fairness, professionalism and trustworthiness. Our goal is to do what is best for students in the areas of academic, personal/social and career development. Our confidentiality, while at the core of what we do, must be broken at times. If we learn that someone is being hurt or is hurting (or planning on hurting) another we are bound by our Code of Ethics to seek outside help.