School Counseling

• Master's degree from an approved college/university program in school counseling.
• Two years of successful full-time teaching or relevant work experience in guidance and counseling.
• Licensed by the Virginia Department of Education.

Students may be referred to the counselor by parents, teachers, administrators, or peers, or they may self-refer.

No student is required to participate in any guidance and counseling program to which the parents of that student object. Parents may choose to limit participation in any or all guidance and counseling services at any time by sending a letter to the school principal or by completing a guidance form available at the school.

• Assists students in their educational, career, personal, and social development.
• Helps students resolve problems which interfere with learning.
• Facilitates educational and career planning.
• Increases knowledge of self and others.
• Supports students with specific needs.
• Offers crisis intervention and prevention.

• Facilitates a home/school partnership in fostering school success.
• Provides support for parents regarding their child/s educational development.
• Shares information with parents to help clarify and/or solve student and/or school-related problems.
• Protects the privacy of information shared by parents and students
• Assists parents in refining parenting skills.
• Coordinates school/community services regarding specific needs of students.

Materials used in the School Counseling Program are available for parental review in each school. Parents may schedule an appointment with the school counselor for this purpose.

• Provide an appropriate study environment at home.
• Establish fair and reasonable expectations.
• Take time to listen to your child.
• Maintain communication with teachers, counselors, and other school personnel.
• Participate in school activities.
• Help your child establish realistic career and educational goals.
• Celebrate your child's successes and recognize that mistakes or failures can be turned into positive experiences.

A Master's Degree level counselor provides brief solution-focused problem solving, support and engagement to military youth and their families here at Plaza Middle School. Services are kept confidential and center on concerns such as communication, social skills, deployments, separation adjustment, behavioral concerns, fear, grief and loss. Contact your school counselor for more information.