Winfield Middle School
Counseling and Guidance Program


The WMS Counseling and Guidance Program involves a proactive approach that includes the following:  

A guidance curriculum that is presented through classroom or group activities and provides students with assistance in:

  • Understanding self and others
  • Becoming a life-long learner
  • Decision making skills
  • Goal setting
  • Study skills
  • Understanding school to work relationships
  • Career exploration
  • Safety and survival skills

Individual student planning to assist students with test interpretation, academic achievement, and personal and career development.  This component may be delivered in a group or individually with a student or parent.

Responsive services that includes personal student counseling, agency referral, consultation with parents, teachers and other professionals, support groups and problem solving, classroom guidance.

System support that includes indirect guidance management activities that maintain and enhance the total guidance program.  This component includes consultation with staff and administrators, In-service education & support, professional development, and student support teams.

What is not part of the counseling and guidance program?
A big challenge for counseling and guidance programs at most schools is to dispel the myths associated with school counselors.  For example, school counselors

  • are not who “bad” students are sent to as a “last resort” because of disruptive problems. Students whose behavior violates school rules are handled by the principal or assistant principal.  Students who choose to be disruptive may be referred to the counselor by the principal or by a teacher to provide an opportunity to brainstorm and problem-solve other options to get students’ needs met. However, such sessions are not disciplinary.
  • are not psychoanalysts who probe into dysfunctional mental or emotional issues. If students have serious problems that are not resolved through short-term problem-solving, parents may be encouraged to seek outside counseling services.

How are students referred for counseling, mediation or problem-solving sessions:
• Self referral
• Included by another student in a request for help in resolving a problem
• Referral by teacher, principal, parent, or guardian
Why might my child be going to the counselor?
The majority of students who seek the counselor’s help desire to understand or resolve a dispute they are having with a peer. Regardless of age, some of the most difficult and challenging aspects of life regard how to relate to and communicate with other individuals. The social dimension of school is tremendously important for middle school students. Some issues students may struggle with are: 

  • Building and maintaining friendships
  • Transitioning out of a friendship
  • Interacting with peers who have different views than they do
  • Feeling manipulated, hurt, or being teased
  • Making sense of and maneuvering social hierarchies and alliances

Such issues are confusing and difficult for adolescents to deal with constructively. Students sometimes need assistance in learning how to speak assertively but in a non-combative manner or in learning how to listen to someone else’s viewpoint without erupting in anger. The school counselor provides students with a nonjudgmental ear in a supportive and caring environment and encourages them to discuss issues or problems that are contributing negatively to their success. The counselor assists students in learning how to develop genuine, mutually supportive relationships and how to effectively resolve their problems by practicing their thinking and communicative skills.
Implementation of the guidance curriculum is achieved through a partnership between the counselor, faculty, administrators, and parents.  Through this partnership, WMS desires to provide all students with the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to help them become responsible, successful learners. 
All personal information shared with a school counselor is confidential unless it involves:

1.  Harming Self or Others
2.  Abuse or Neglect

In these situations, counselors are required by law to report this information to parents and/or the appropriate agencies.

 

Kitty Brasher, Counselor
kbrasher@winfield.k12.al.us
487-6901

.Middle Years Publication (May 2010)
Working Together for School Success

.Middle Years Publication (April 2010)
Working Together for School Success

Middle Years Publication (March 2010)
Working Together for School Success

Middle Years Publication (February 2010)
Working Together for School Success

Middle Years Publication (January 2010)
Working Together for School Success