Nottingham Elementary School Counseling Program
The Nottingham Elementary Counseling Program is a Recognized American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Model Program (RAMP). The RAMP designation, awarded to schools that align with the criteria set in the ASCA National Model, recognizes schools that are committed to delivering a comprehensive, data-driven school counseling program and an exemplary educational environment. Approximately 4000 schools nationwide have received this honor since the program's inception in 2004. RAMP applications are reviewed by a panel of school counseling professionals.
The primary audience for the "Counselors' Corner" is parents. We want to inform parents about the school counseling program and state our willingness to work as part of a team to maximize the functioning of all Nottingham students. A school counseling program is comprehensive in scope, preventative in design and developmental in nature. The Nottingham counseling program is designed to ensure that every student receives the program benefits. The program focuses on what students should know, understand, and be able to do in 3 areas: academic, career, and personal/social. The majority of the school counselors' time is spent in direct services with students; however, the counselors are available to parents and staff for consultation. We support a safe learning environment and work to safeguard the human rights of all members of the Nottingham community.
What is Counseling?
Counseling is a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education and career goals (American Counseling Association, 2010).
Mission
The Nottingham community is dedicated to the education of the whole child – intellectually, socially, emotionally, culturally and physically. Together, we share the responsibility of helping each child reach his or her potential as a contributing citizen in our rapidly changing global society.
Beliefs
The professional school counselors serving Nottingham Elementary School believe:- All learners can achieve and deserve equitable access to resources and the curriculum
- All learners have the right to participate in the school counseling program
- The program develops student competencies in Kindergarten through grade 5 based on American School Counselor Association (ASCA), Virginia,and Arlington Public Schools’ standards
- All learners’ ethnic,cultural, racial, sexual differences, and special needs are considered in planning and implementing the school counseling program
- All learners K-5 shall have access to a state-certified professional school counselor with a master’s-degree-level (or higher) to deliver the counseling program
Philosophy
The Nottingham Elementary School counseling program should:
- Proactively act as advocates for all learners, including collaborating with parents, school staff,and community representatives for needed systemic change
- Be comprehensive in scope, preventative in design, and developmental in nature
- Lead a collaborative effort to design, implement, assess, and continuously improve the comprehensive data driven school counseling program
- Collaborate with parents/guardians, school staff, and community representatives to promote the academic, career, and personal/social development of all students
- Annually be evaluated in coordination with the district counseling supervisor and site principal on specific goals and student competencies
The Nottingham Elementary School Counselors will:
- Abide by the professional school counseling ethics as advocated by ASCA
- Develop, coordinate,and implement the program in association with other educators, administrators,parents/guardians, and community representatives
- Support teachers,administrators, and parents/guardians so they can be more effective helping students gain the competencies of the counseling program
- Participate in professional development activities including regular supervision, in-service training on multicultural counseling, technology, and program development
- Continuously monitor counseling program and school goals
Confidentiality
Privacy and confidentiality are essential to having an effective school counseling program. Nottingham recognizes the importance of good communication and good working relationships between students, parents, and the school. Therefore, every effort will be made to protect student and parent privacy rights except under certain limited conditions. These conditions generally included safety issues (harm to self and/others), legal issues, and professional responsibilities (see the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors at
www.schoolcounselor.org).
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