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Glen Ridge Public Schools
GRHS
Grades 9-12 School Counseling Curriculum
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
-Nelson Mandela
Curriculum Committee
Lindsey Deptula
Joe Mazzarella
Vivian Petrosino
Curriculum Developed
Sep 2015 – Aug 2016
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Glen Ridge Public Schools
School Counseling Department
Table of Contents
Section Pages
FOUNDATION
Mission Statement 3
Technology 4
Role of the School Counselor 5
Benefits of a Comprehensive School Counseling in Glen Ridge 6
DELIVERY
School Counseling Template 7
Academic Development 8-9
Career Development 10-11
Personal/Social Development 12-13
MANAGEMENT
Curriculum Pacing Chart 14-18
Parent Presentations 19
ACCOUNTABILITY
Using Data 20-21
Resources 22
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Glen Ridge Public Schools
Mission Statement
The mission of the Glen Ridge School Counseling Program is to provide a comprehensive, developmental program to promote lifelong learning
and enhance student success. As advocates for students, allies with teachers, and liaisons with parents, the purpose of the school counseling
program is to provide all students with the skills that optimize their academic, career, and personal/social development needed to become
responsible citizens in a global society. In doing so, the Glen Ridge School Counseling Program recognizes the uniqueness and personal worth of
each student, and strives to provide equity of access to a supportive safe learning environment for every student. We value the importance of
programming that promotes education, prevention, and intervention with a focus on student success outcomes.
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Use of Technology
Use technology to effectively disseminate information and analyze results
Inform the community regarding updates in the school counseling department
Acquire knowledge of basic computer literacy skills, internet resources and software that are related to school counseling
Facilitate students’ access to internet resources related to career information and the college planning process
Maintain confidentiality of student information
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Role of the School Counselor
Services
Identify goals of the school counseling program and the resources needed to carry out those goals
Provide individual or group counseling, classroom guidance lessons, consultation services, career and academic advising, and systemic
support
Leadership
Ensure that every student gains access to rigorous academic preparation that will lead to greater opportunity and increased academic
achievement
Promote student success by closing achievement gaps wherever found
Collaborate with teachers, administration, and other community stakeholders to influence system-wide changes and implement school
reforms
Advocacy
Monitor the academic, personal/social, and career needs of every student
Embrace diversity and advocate for acceptance and tolerance in race, ethnic background, economic status, abilities, and lifestyle choices
Collaboration and Teaming
Collaborate with all school staff and community stakeholders to work toward the success of every student
Foster a community within the school that encourages all staff to contribute to the education of every student
Engage all stakeholders in the implementation of the school counseling program
Data Informed Practice
Analyze, and interpret data to identify needs of students
Work collaboratively with building administrators and faculty to identify any achievement gaps
Monitor student attendance and classroom performance
Demonstrate accountability for how the school counseling program positively impacts student achievement
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Benefits of Comprehensive School Counseling in Glen Ridge
Bulleted below are examples of how district stakeholders benefit from the implementation of a comprehensive and developmental counseling program:
Students
Receive individual student planning, and responsive services
Benefit from proactive strategies and responsive interventions to minimize and eliminate education barriers
Gain multiple opportunities to develop skills in the three counseling domains: academic, personal/social, and career
Faculty
Foster collaborative and positive relationships with school counselors, students, parents, and colleagues
Welcome classroom support in order to improve student achievement
Administration
Receive support from school counselors as a critical leader in the educational process
Collect data to strengthen school climate and student performance/achievement
Encourage participation in professional development opportunities
Parents and Guardians
Attend educational and informational sessions
Communicate with teachers, school counselors, and administrators
Obtain access to available school and community resources
Community
Partners with school stakeholders
Offers helpful resources
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GLEN RIDGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
School Counseling Template
SUGGESTED TIME ALLOTMENT
CONTENT
Throughout School Year
Personal/Social Development
Throughout School Year
Academic Development
Throughout School Year
Career Development
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GLEN RIDGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Personal/Social Development
Students will acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and interpersonal skills to help them understand and respect self
and others
Knowledge Skills ASCA CCC
Provide individual short term counseling services to students and parents
Build upon positive character traits
Develop a broad range of interest and abilities
Understand how effort and persistence positively affect learning
Students will make decisions, set goals, and take necessary action to achieve goals
Develop resiliency skills
Interact positively with others
Conflict resolution with peers
Demonstrate dependability, productivity, and initiative
PS: A1 PS: A2
2.1-2.4 9.1 9.3
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Knowledge Skills ASCA CCC
Identify personal values, attitudes, and beliefs
Understand changes as a part of growth
Recognize, accept, respect, and appreciate individual differences
Recognize, accept, and appreciate ethnic and cultural diversity
Identify and express feelings
Understand the need for self-control and how to practice it
Distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate behaviors
Learn how to communicate effectively with others
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GLEN RIDGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Academic Development
Students will understand the relationship of academics to the world of work, life at home, and in the community
Students will acquire the attitudes, knowledge, and skills that contribute to effective learning in schools and across the life
span
Knowledge Skills ASCA CCC
Take pride in work and achievement
Identify attitudes and behaviors which lead to successful learning
Display a positive interest in learning
Accept mistakes as essential to the learning process
Develop academic self-concept
Apply time management and task management skills
Develop skills to advocate for self
Know when and how to ask for help
Work both independently and cooperatively
A: A1 A: A2 A: A3 A: B1 A: B2 A: C1
9.1 9.3
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Knowledge Skills ASCA CCC
Find new academic interests
Understand the relationship between classroom performance and success in school, and how both impact future
Realize how establishing challenging academic goals will help create a strong foundation for future career success
Connect academic interests with career and college exploration
Balance school, studies, extracurricular activities, leisure time, and family life
Opt for a rigorous course load that helps to develop strong work ethic
A: A1 A: A2 A: A3 A: B1 A: B2 A: C1
9.1 9.3
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GLEN RIDGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Career Development
Students will acquire the skills to investigate the world of work in relation to knowledge of self and make informed
career decisions
Students will understand the relationship between personal qualities, education, training, and the world of work
Knowledge Skills ASCA CCC
Discover the variety of traditional and nontraditional occupations
Understand how to make education decisions
Determine how to set challenging and realistic goals
Learn about the right and responsibilities of employers and employees
Understand the importance of responsibility, dependability, and puncuality
Learn to locate, evaluate, and interpret career information
Learn how to write and evaluate a resume
Apply decision-making skills to career planning, course selection, and career transition
Maintain a career-planning portfolio
C: A1 C: A2 C: B1 C: B2 C: C1 C:C2
9.2 9.3 9.4
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Knowledge Skills ASCA CCC
Develop hobbies and vocational interests
Demonstrate knowledge of the career planning process
Value that work is an important and satisfying means of expression
Understand the importance of equity and access in career choice
Select course work that is related to career interest
Use research and information resources to obtain career information
Learn to use conflict management skills with peers and adults
Apply academic and employment readiness skills in work-based learning situations such as internships, shadowing, and/or mentoring experience
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High School Pacing Chart: 9th Grade
Month Service Description ASCA Spring of 8
th Grade Scheduling Meet with 8
th grade students and parents to
schedule 9th
grade year and discuss graduation requirements
A.B2
“At Risk” Consultation Meet with middle school counselor, child study team, and administration regarding incoming “at
risk” students
A.B1
September 9th
Grade Breakfast Presentation for parents of 9th
grade students A.A3
Naviance Students meet with counselors and setup Naviance account
C.C2
November End of 1st
marking period review
Meet with students to review academic progress, and adjustment to the new school year
A.A3
January End of semester one review
Meet with students to review academic progress A.A3
March Scheduling Meet with students to schedule courses for 10th
grade; begin to discuss post high school plans.
Review of graduation requirements
A.A3
March/April Schedule Modifications Review teacher level recommendations, and make appropriate adjustments based on waiver requests
A.A3
June Move-up Day Students follow schedule for the following year, meet teachers, and receive summer assignments
A.A3
June Summer School Provide information for students who have failed a course or are looking to advance course levels
A.A3
On-going throughout school
year
Individual Student Meetings
Continual individual student meetings to discuss academic and social/emotional issues as needed
A.A1 PS.A1
On-going throughout school
year
I&RS Monthly meetings to develop strategies for students with “at risk” situations
A.B1
On-going throughout school
year
ESS Meetings as needed to discuss current progress and potential referrals for students in the ESS program
A.B1
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High School Pacing Chart: 10th Grade
Month Service Description ASCA September Scheduling
Adjustments Respond to requests for schedule changes and review summer school completions to ensure
students are taking correct courses
A.B2
PSAT Preparation Inform students and parents that PSAT will be given in October to all sophomores
A.A3
10th
Grade Breakfast Presentation to parents on expectations and timelines for sophomore year
A.B2
December/January PSAT Results Meet with students to review initial PSAT results A.A3
College Planning Workshop
“Getting from where you are to where you want to be” presented by Peter Van Buskirk
A.B2
January Naviance Students meet with counselors to begin to format resume/explore Naviance further
C.C2
March Scheduling Meet with students to schedule 11th
grade courses and begin to have more in-depth conversation about
post high school plans. Review of graduation requirements.
A.A3
March/April Schedule Modifications Review teacher, CST level recommendations and make appropriate adjustments based on waiver
requests.
A.A3
June Summer School Provide information for students who have failed a course or are looking to advance course levels
A.A3
On-going throughout school
year
Individual Student Meetings
Continual individual student meetings to discuss academic and social/emotional issues as needed
A.A1 PS.A1
On-going throughout school
year
I&RS Monthly meetings to develop strategies for students with “at risk” situations
A.B1
On-going throughout school
year
ESS Meetings as needed to discuss current progress and potential referrals for students in the ESS program
A.B1
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High School Pacing Chart: 11th Grade
Month Service Description ASCA September Scheduling
Adjustments Respond to requests for schedule changes and review summer school completions to ensure
students are taking correct courses
A.B2
PSAT Preparation Inform junior students and parents that PSAT will be given in October to all juniors
A.A3
Junior Parent Breakfast Hold presentation for all 11th
grade students and parents to review upcoming school year. Discussion
of SAT’s, ACT’s, college visitations, application process, and review of graduation requirements.
A.B2
November Financial Aid Workshop Financial aid speaker presents information on FAFSA and other financial aid opportunities to students and
parents
A.B2
NCAA Presentation NCAA representative presents to students and parents on NCAA guidelines
A.B2
December PSAT Results Meet with students to review initial PSAT results A.A3
SAT/ACT Registration Inform students to register for Spring SAT/ACT dates A.A3
College Planning Workshop
“Admissions Game” presented by Peter Van Buskirk A.B2
January Naviance Students meet with counselors to begin to continue to format resume, perform college search, add
prospective colleges to account
C.C2
Post High School Planning Conferences
Meet with students and parents to discuss SAT/ACT, college essay, applications, and college visits.
Review Naviance scattergrams for students to get a realistic feel for what colleges are looking for in an applicant. Encourage students to fill out Common Application and write essays during the summer before September of senior year. Help students
gather information about specific college admissions rerquirements, such as SAT Subject area tests
A.B2
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March Scheduling Meet with students to schedule 12th
grade courses. Review of graduation requirements.
A.A3
March/April Schedule Modifications Review teacher, CST level recommendations and make appropriate adjustments based on waiver
requests.
A.A3
Letters of Recommendation
Encourage students to reach out to teachers they would like to write their college letters of
recommendations. Ask students and parents to complete “brag sheets” for counselor letter of
recommendation
A.A3
PARCC PARCC Testing begins A.A3
May AP Testing AP Testing begins A.A3
June Summer School Provide information for students who have failed a course or are looking to advance course levels
A.A3
Application & Essay Reminder
Remind students to begin Common Application/individual college applications, along
with writing college essays over the summer
A.A3
On-going throughout school
year
Individual Student Meetings
Continual individual student meetings to discuss academic and social/emotional issues as needed
A.A1 PS.A1
On-going throughout school
year
I&RS Monthly meetings to develop strategies for students with “at risk” situations
A.B1
On-going throughout school
year
ESS Meetings as needed to discuss current progress and potential referrals for students in the ESS program
A.B1
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High School Pacing Chart: 12th Grade
Month Service Description ASCA September Scheduling
Adjustments Respond to requests for schedule changes and review summer school completions to ensure
students are taking correct courses
A.B2
12th
Grade Breakfast Presentation for parents regarding the application process and what counselors need in order to help
process applications
A.B2
SAT/ACT Registration Inform any students who have not taken either the SAT or ACT or plan to retake the test, to do so prior
to application deadlines
A.A3
SAT Subject Tests Remind students to register for any subject area tests that may be recommended or required for any
colleges to which students may be applying
A.A3
Counselor Recommendation
Letters
Develop and write letters of recommendations for all seniors applying to college
A.A3
Sep - Jan Application Process & Planning
Meet with students to discuss final list of schools, help with any questions, process transcripts, letters of rec, and school profile after student applications
are submitted
A.B2
February Midyear Reports Send out midyear reports to all colleges via Naviance A.A3
May AP Testing AP Testing begins A.A3
May/June Senior Exit Interviews Receive final decision on student’s post high school plans/college students will be attending
A.B2
On-going throughout school
year
Individual Student Meetings
Continual individual student meetings to discuss academic and social/emotional issues as needed
A.A1 PS.A1
On-going throughout school
year
I&RS Monthly meetings to develop strategies for students with “at risk” situations
A.B1
On-going throughout school
year
ESS Meetings as needed to discuss current progress and potential referrals for students in the ESS program
A.B1
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SAMPLE PRESENTATIONS
Provided by GRHS School Counseling Department
Month Service Description
September 9th
& 10th
Grade Parent Breakfast Welcome/introduction to 9th
grade families. Timeline & expectations for 10
th grade
11th
Grade Parent Breakfast Discussion of SATs, ACTs , college visitations, application process, alternative high school plans, and review of graduation requirements
12th
Grade Parent Breakfast Workshop for parents explaining the application process and what counselors require in order to help process applications
October College Fair Representatives from over 50 colleges visit
November Financial Aid Night Information on the financial aid process and filing the FAFSA/CSS Profile
NCAA Night Recruiting process, eligibility information, and registering for the NCAA eligibility center
December “Getting from where you are, to where you want to be” with Peter
Van Buskirk
“College Admissions Game” with Peter Van Buskirk
February 8th
Grade Parent Night Opportunity for 9th
grade parents to get an overview on various GRHS policies
June Scholarship Awards Awards ceremony presenting local scholarships to GRHS graduates
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Using Data
To evaluate the program and demonstrate accountability, school counselors must collect and use data that link the program to both
student achievement and school improvement. This includes data collection as well as data evaluation.
GRHS school counselors monitor student progress toward achieving the ASCA National Standards. Counselors deliver strategies to
support every student’s academic, career, and personal/social development. Progress is assessed by analyzing student achievement data and
achievement-related data, monitoring through self-reports, grades, teacher comments, and assessment data.
Collections include, but are not limited to:
Demographic Data: Ethnicity, language, socioeconomics, free/reduced lunch eligibility, special education placements
Academic Data: Test scores, dropout rates, promotions/retentions, patterns in grades, percent of students with failing grades,
course enrollment patterns, career plans, graduation rates
Climate Data: Discipline referrals, attendance rates, participation in afterschool and extracurricular activities
The GRHS school counseling program uses a data-driven philosophy to affect change within the school system. GRHS school counselors
are knowledgeable in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data. School Counselors monitor student progress through collection of
various types of data:
Process Data: School counselors may present the number of students seen individually, in a group setting, or in the classroom
Perception Data: Gathered from student and/or parent surveys
Results Data: Answers the question “so what?” and provides evidence that student competency is affected by course-taking
patters, knowledge attainment, attendance, behavior, and academic achievement
School Improvement Data: Present an overall picture of student needs, accomplishments, and progress. Analyzing the results of
an effective school counseling program is an important step in the accountability process. All stakeholders will have a deeper
understanding of the contributions of the GRHS school counseling program as a result. It is essential to our school’s mission for
counselors to demonstrate a willingness to be accountable for impacting critical data
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Through the use of data, GRHS school counselors answer the question, “How are students different because of what we do?”
Ways in which our school counseling department is able to collect data:
Harassment Intimidation & Bullying (HIB) Incidents
Adjustments academically, socially, extra-curricular to high school
Identifying long and short term goals
Discipline referrals
Parent Workshops (12th, 11th, and 9th/10th grade breakfasts, financial aid night, NCAA night)
SAT, ACT, PARCC, and AP registration
Junior conferences (do students understand the application process?)
Ways in which we gather our data:
Pre/post surveys at workshop presentations
Naviance college searches
Skyward reports (grades, attendance)
Pre/post junior conference surveys
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Resources
American School Counselor Association. (2003). American school counselor association national model: A framework for school counseling
programs. Alexandria, VA.
American School Counselor Association. (2005). American school counselor association national model: A framework for school counseling
programs. 2nd edition Alexandria, VA.
Gysbers, N.C., & Henderson, P. (2006). Developing and managing your school guidance program (4th ed.). Alexandria, V.A: American Counseling
Association.
Dahir, C. & Stone, C. (2009). School counselor accountability: the path to social justice and systemic change. Journal of Counseling and
Development. V. 87
Educational Viewpoints. (2013). The Journal of New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association (NJPSA).
New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards for 21st Century Life and Careers. Life and Career Education in the 21st Century.
South Brunswick School District (2013). Parent Guide to School Counseling Program Guide. South Brunswick, NJ.
Tri-County Directors of Guidance. SGO’s and assessments.