Philosophy of Guidance and Counseling
God
has endowed each person with intrinsic value, uniqueness and
capacity for growth. The Guidance Department counselors believe
that their function is to assist each student to achieve optimum
potential according to the person’s abilities, interests and
goals.
Goals
and Objectives of the Guidance Program
A.
To provide needed services to all students
- To
help the student develop a better understanding and appreciation
of self, individual abilities and relationships with others.
-
To
encourage the student to establish worthy educational and
vocational goals and to make plans to realize these goals.
-
To
assist the student in bridging the gap between elementary school
and high school, between high school and college.
- To
inform students of course requirements, graduation requirements
and college admissions requirements.
-
To
provide information on college majors, characteristics of
various colleges and financial aid for colleges.
B. To
utilize community resources in helping students solve problems,
further their education, and make realistic plans for the
future.
Individual Counseling/Guidance
Each student should have a minimum of one counseling session per
semester with his or her guidance counselor. Some students,
however, may need more frequent counseling sessions and are
encouraged to sign up to meet with the counselor. Although
there are many reasons for individual counseling, some areas of
concern are the following:
-
To
assist students to achieve wholeness, integration, and autonomy.
-
To
address educational, personal and/or social issues.
-
To
motivate students in achieving short and long range goals in
education.
-
To
counsel students who struggle academically and suggest
remediation.
-
To
assist with course selection and student scheduling.
Group
Counseling/Guidance
Small groups of students may meet periodically with a
counselor. Group counseling may be conducted to improve
communication, to get to know students better, or to discuss
common problems and concerns. Group counseling sessions are
scheduled as needed and conducted by a member of the counseling
department and a peer counselor.
School-Wide Guidance Department
Events
A.
Looking Ahead to College (September)
B.
College Fair (September)
C.
College & Coffee
D.
College Kickoff (January)
Specific Counseling Issues at
Each Grade Level
Freshman Year
A.
Transition to high school
B.
Introduction to the Counseling Department
C.
Academic expectations
D.
Developing good study habits
E.
Involvement in athletics and extracurricular activities
F.
Community Service
G.
Standardized Testing – Preliminary ACT (PLAN), mid-October
Sophomore Year
A.
Developing a competitive academic profile for college
B.
Topics dealing with “sophomore slump” and peer relationships
C.
Setting personal goals
D.
Developing leadership skills
E.
Standardized Testing – PSAT—in mid-October
F.
SAT
II Subject Tests
Junior Year
A.
Coping with stress and pressure
B.
Challenges of relationships
C.
College admission planning and workshops (Spring)
D.
Perseverance with coursework and importance of Junior grades
E.
Standardized Testing – PSAT—in mid-October
F.
Testing plan for ACT &/or SAT
G.
SAT
II Subject Tests in spring
Senior Year
A.
Grad
check
B.
Counseling on the college application process & importance of
deadlines
C.
College representatives visit Chaminade in the first semester
D.
College workshops for Seniors, see Master Calendar
E.
Financial Aid Workshop for students and parents, see Master
Calendar
F.
ACT
or SAT I and SAT II Subject Tests, first semester only
Absence From School
Short Term
Absence (less than three weeks)
During the course of the school year, parents can call the
Guidance Department to request assistance obtaining assignments
and homework for their child while he/she is absent from
school. Efforts are made to provide the parent with the
requested information in the following manner:
A.
It is
suggested that parents contact one of their child’s friends here
at school and obtain the assignments and the class notes.
B.
Check
the Homework Calendar or teacher web sites on the Chaminade web
site.
C.
E-mail the teachers to request missed assignments.
D.
If
the above proves insufficient or ineffective, the Guidance
Secretary will request assignments from the various teachers and
collect the work for the parent to pick up.
Long Term
Absence (more than three weeks)
Absences of three or more weeks are referred to the Academic
Vice Principal.
In cases
where the long term absence is due to a hospitalization
(medical, psychiatric, or drug rehab), the student’s counselor
initiates and maintains ongoing contact with the hospital
teacher in an effort to effect continuity. The counselor acts
as liaison between parents, hospital/therapist, and the school
community.
Student’s
Progress Following Extended Absence
When a student has been absent for an extended period of time,
the counselor should see the student regularly to insure his/her
readjustment to the academic demands. Tutoring and extra help
with respective teachers should be encouraged. The use of the
Student Progress Report at this time is also encouraged.
Child Abuse
Reporting Policy
Child abuse is a reality of our society. Child abuse includes
physical injury which is inflicted on a child by other than
accidental means, emotional maltreatment, sexual exploitation or
assault and child neglect.
The Child
Abuse Reporting Law states that: “…any child care
custodian…who has knowledge of or observes a child in his or her
professional capacity or within the scope of his or her
employment whom he or she reasonably suspects has been the
victim of child abuse shall report the known or suspected
instance of child abuse to a child protective agency
immediately, or as soon as practically possible by telephone and
shall prepare and send a written report thereof within 36 hours
of receiving the information concerning the incident.” For
the purposes of this article, “reasonable suspicion” means that
it is objectively reasonable for a person to entertain such a
suspicion, based upon facts that could cause a reasonable person
in a like position, drawing when appropriate on his or her
training and experience to suspect child abuse.” (Penal Code
#11166)
In a case
where abuse has been suspected and needs reporting, an
administrator, a teacher, or staff person may consult with a
guidance counselor for assistance in making the necessary report
and for possible follow-up with the victim of the abuse. Forms
may be obtained in the Guidance Office. The Child Abuse Hotline
number is 1-800-540-4000.
Harassment
Policy
Counselors are the designated complaint managers for charges of
harassment. The counselor will document the alleged harassment
and will meet with all parties involved. For an explanation of
Chaminade’s harassment policy, refer to page 26 of the Parent
Handbook which is online.
Guidance Bulletin Boards
There
are several bulletin boards in the hallway outside the Guidance
Office maintained by the College Counselors:
Guidance
Center Bulletin Boards:
The bulletin boards in the hallway outside of the Guidance
Office are used to display information of importance to
students. These boards provide college application information,
college representative visits, area college visits, college open
house programs, and summer opportunity programs.
Scholarship
Board:
The bulletin board immediately outside of the Guidance Office
provides the latest information in scholarship opportunities
that are available to students. Current scholarship information
may also be found online in Family Connection by Naviance. |
