Our School Counseling Program is designed to enhance students’ academic, career, and social-emotional development and support district educational goals.

 

Massena School Counselors place primary emphasis on student, faculty, family, and community relationships.

We seek to create a trauma-informed, inclusive school climate that celebrates diversity,
considers each individual’s unique background, and helps all students achieve their personal best.

 

The Massena Central School counseling department is designed to provide the services of
certified NYS school counselors to all students grades K-12. At all grades, counselors work closely with
other school personnel, parents and a variety of outside agencies to provide as broad a range of student
support services as possible.

Programs and yearly calendars at all three levels (K-6, 7-8, 9-12) are designed to provide
information to, review the progress of and map the educational plans for each student. The specific form
of the service may include direct one-on-one contact, small group instruction, support groups and the
teacher consultant model. Counseling, both mandated and need-specific, as well as crisis intervention,
also occupies a significant portion of the counselor's schedule. As appropriate and regardless of the
nature of the service, counselors maintain communication with and encourage the involvement of all
interested parties including parents, teachers, administrators and other student support professionals.

 

The following pages describe the primary program objectives and plans for the Massena Central
School counseling department, as well as desired outcomes and method of assessment for each objective.
This document is intended to be neither inclusive nor restrictive in its scope, but rather is intended as a
general and flexible statement of departmental goals and philosophy.

 

 

1) Create and annually update Guidance Planning Handbook for grades 9-12
2) Provide general and specific career, educational and other guidance related information via
classroom discussion, small group sessions, evening programs, field trips and speakers to grades
9-12 students
3) Meet yearly in individual or small groups to update academic progress, and review four year
plan for all students 9-12
4) Schedule, administer and interpret standardized tests ( PSAT, SAT, ACT - gr. 11; SAT, ACT,
SAT II - gr. 12, ASVAB gr. 11 - 12)
5) Coordinate and sponsor field trips such as college fairs, college and vocational visits for grade
12 students
6) Assist with orientation programs for grade 9
7) Create and coordinate peer tutoring networks for students in grades 9-12
8) Provide written scholarship information regarding available opportunities to students in grade 12
9) Prepare and distribute written materials to students in grades 11-12 regarding careers, post
secondary options, timelines, etc.
10) Familiarize students individually or in small groups with guidance resource materials,
including computer-assisted searches, college handbooks, military literature, interest inventories
and career information
11) Coordinate large-group programming related to students’ social and emotional development
(ie Learn to Lead, Link Crew, Point Break, Advisory, etc…)
12) Utilize newsletters, local radio stations, newspaper, social media, and school announcements
to publicize guidance information
13) Assist in coordination of Job Fair in spring for grades 10-12

 

B. Counseling – we will provide students in the Massena Central School District with individual or
group opportunities which enable them to benefit from curricular choices, which assist in the formulation
of appropriate action strategies, and which promote effective coping skills. Many of these strategies are
similar at all grade levels, varying as is age-appropriate.

*1) Identify and meet with students who are not succeeding based upon poor attendance, grades
or other indicators, and plan appropriate interventions
*2) Explore choices and the implications of those choices with emphasis on the relationship of
abilities, goals and interests
*3) Assist students in developing decision-making skills
*4) Provide crisis counseling and behavioral intervention services for students in need including
referrals from other school professionals and outside service providers
*5) Provide counseling for students with special needs grades K-6

*6) Assist students with decision-making, self-regulation and coping skills with regard to
adjustment
7) Provide educational support group programming for students in need of selective interventions
8) Collaborate with community partners to educate students regarding child sexual abuse and
anti-violence education

*1) Identify and meet with students who are having difficulty based upon attendance, grades and
other indicators of academic progress, and plan appropriate interventions
*2) Begin the exploration of educational choices and the implication of those choices with
emphasis on the relationship of abilities, goals and interests.
3) Provide crisis counseling and behavioral intervention services for students in need, including
referrals from other school professionals and parents.
4) Provide counseling for students with specific needs.
5) Assist students with decision-making, self-regulation and coping skills with regard to
adjustment
*6) Provide mediation counseling for students in conflict.
7) Held office hours via google meet for remote students

1) Identify and meet with students who are not succeeding based upon poor attendance, grades or
other indicators of academic underachievement grades 9-12, and apply appropriate interventions
2) Explore in detail educational choices and the implications of those choices with emphasis on
the relationship of abilities, goals and performances
3) Assist students in developing a framework for post secondary planning moving each
year to more specific goals as appropriate to the student and grade level
4) Schedule individual sessions with grade 12 to evaluate, formulate and assist with post high
school plans
5) Provide crisis counseling and behavioral intervention services for students in need
including referrals from other school professionals
6) Provide counseling for students with special needs grades 9-12
7) Assist students with decision-making, self-regulation and coping skills in regard to adjustment

 

C. Parental Involvement - parents in the Massena Central School district will be provided information
regarding student performance and behavior, educational and career options and will be encouraged to
actively participate with school counselors and their child in the planning and decision-making process.

 

*1) Utilize newsletters, school media, radio announcements, newspapers and school
announcements to publicize counseling information
*2) Contact parents to schedule and facilitate conferences regarding academic and personal

issues
*3) Inform and consult parents regarding student performance, attendance and behavior
4) Participate in programs such as curriculum night with appropriate materials for parents.
*5) Provide parents with local service provider resources, when needed.
6) Make positive connections through home visits.

 

1) Utilize newsletters, school media, radio announcements, newspapers, email, social media and
school announcements to publicize guidance information and to highlight student opportunities.
*2) Provide written information to parents regarding student progress, educational opportunities,
and school related programs.
*3) Participate in programs such as curriculum night and orientation programs with appropriate
materials for parents.
4) Call parents to schedule and facilitate conferences regarding academic and personal issues.
5) Inform and consult parents regarding strategies regarding student performance, attendance and
behavior.6) Made home visits in an attempt to reach parents/students

 

Strategies 9-12
1) Utilize newsletters, social media, radio announcements, newspapers, school announcements,
Google Classroom to publicize guidance information and to highlight student opportunities
2) Provide written information to parents regarding student progress, educational opportunities,
college and scholarship data, occupational and career information and school related programs
3) Participate in programs such as curriculum night, financial aid night, Open House and
orientation programs with materials for parents appropriate to each grade level
4) Call parents to schedule and facilitate conferences regarding academic and personal issues
5) Inform and consult parents regarding student performance, attendance and behavior
6) Assist the development of a planned program of study for students’ transition from
8th to 9th grade.
D. Annual Review, Planning and Appraisal - counselors in the Massena Central School District will
meet individually with each student each year in order to evaluate, assess performance and progress
toward student academic, career, and personal objectives through the use of Individual Progress Reports
(IPR).

Strategies K-5
*1) meet individually and in small groups(when necessary) to review student progress
*2) consult with teachers and outside agencies to review student progress

Strategy 6
*Meet individually with each 6th grader to initiate individual career and academic planning

 

Strategies 7-8
1) Meet with 7th grade students to further academic and career planning, and with 8th grade
students to build schedules for 9th grade and to discuss high school requirements.
2) Verify and finalize all course selections for accuracy and completeness
3) Contact parents as needed regarding course selection and academic progress.
*4) Maintain current folders, IPRs, and cumulative records for all students.
5) Oversee student programming as a liaison between students, parents and school professionals.

Strategies 9-12
1) Annually meet with individual students and in small groups as appropriate for the purpose of
reviewing credits and planning coursework for the next year including summer school registration
if necessary (grades 9-12)
2) Meet individually with students in grade 12 to review progress toward graduation and to
discuss coursework in relation to post high school goals
3) Verify and finalize all course selections for accuracy and completeness (grades 9-12)
4) Maintain current folders, IPRs, and cumulative records for all students.
5) Conduct research activities including graduate follow-up, senior class plans, student activities
and academic trends
6) Oversee student programming as a liaison between students, parents and school professionals

 

E. Support Services and Consultation - counselors in the Massena Central School district will provide
the appropriate services to support, facilitate and coordinate a student's ability to utilize the resources
available in the school district.

Strategies K-6
*1) Coordinate and facilitate the flow of information between teachers, parents and outside
agencies
*2) Provide administrators and teachers with relevant student information necessary for planning
appropriate programs and services
*3) Represent student's and district's interests to groups such as CSE, probation, treatment
facilities, social services
*4) Act as resource agents to teachers, parents and administrators
*5) Ensure that students enrolled in full day alternative settings receive all services provided to
students enrolled in regular school settings.
*6) Delivered food to families without transportation.
*7) Increased home visits.

 

Strategies 7-8
*1) Coordinate and facilitate the flow of information between students, teachers and tutors if
appropriate in the event of absences, illness or injury

2) Provide administrators and teachers with relevant student information necessary for planning
appropriate programs and services
*3) Schedule and facilitate parent, teacher, student conferences
*4) Collect information and coordinate the efforts of parents, teachers and students in the
selection of appropriate academic programming
5) Represent student's and district's interests to groups such as CSE, probation, treatment
facilities, college admissions personnel, social services.
*6) Identify and select students for various enrichment activities such as PATS, STEP, Upward
Bound, and Horizons.
7) Act as resource agents to teachers, parents and administrators
8) Assist in tracking students in need of academic support services
*9) Identify and select students to be matched with adult mentors from the community.
10) Assist in the generation and refinement of the master schedule for the upcoming school year.
11) Advise and register appropriate students for summer school
*12) Ensure that students enrolled in full day alternative settings receive all services provided to
students enrolled in regular school settings.
*13) Delivered food and school supplies to families without transportation.
*14) Increased home visits

 

Strategies 9-12
1) Coordinate and facilitate the flow of information between students, teachers and tutors if
appropriate in the event of absences, illness or injury
2) Provide administrators and teachers with relevant student information necessary for planning
appropriate programs and services
3) Collect, compile, evaluate and submit college applications for seniors
4) Schedule and facilitate parent, teacher, student conferences
5) Collect information and coordinate the efforts of parents, teachers and students in the selection
of appropriate academic programming
6) Represent student's and district's interests to groups such as CSE, Instructional Support Team,
Rapid Response Committee, probation, treatment facilities, college admissions personnel, social
services and college scholarship committees
7) Identify and select students for various enrichment activities such as Link Crew, Learn To
Lead, Boys and Girls State, and a host of leadership conferences for grades 10-12
8) Act as resource agents to teachers, parents and administrators
9) Assist in tracking students in need of academic support services, including summer school
10) Creation and refinement of master schedule for upcoming year.
11) Creation of June (and January if needed) exam schedule of each school year.
12) Review students at weekly Attendance and quarterly MTSS meetings and plan appropriate
interventions
13) Collaborate with community partners (Rapid Response Team) to meet the needs of students
and families
14) Counselors hold membership on School Climate Committees at the building and district
levels and work actively to create and promote a positive school climate.

Assessment of the impact of counseling services is as varied and individualized as the services
themselves. Success of a particular program or effort may not always be empirically evaluated with any
degree of accuracy nor are we always able to determine impact immediately. Ours is a service which is
both subjective and long-term in its impact.
In the case of information dissemination, goals have been met if:
A) parents and students have access to the relevant data which is available and pertinent to any
particular circumstance
B) data is provided in clear and understandable terms
C) information is presented in a timely and comprehensive fashion
D) the material provided facilitates and enhances student performance and opportunity
Successful counseling efforts may in many cases, be judged by the criteria stated above with these
additions:
A) Did the counseling enhance the student's ability to utilize the information and resources
available in order to facilitate the decision-making process?
B) Do students express a feeling of comfort and acceptance within the counseling process?
C) Did counseling efforts directly or indirectly lead to improved performance or perceived sense
of success?
Strategies for parental involvement would appear to be successful if:
A) an open flow of information and ideas exists between the counselor as a representative of the
district and the parent
B) parents express comfort with their relationship with the school counselor
C) parents understand their role in ownership of their child's educational growth
Annual planning and review should ensure that:
A) the goals stated above are and continue to be appropriate
B) the strategies specified for each goal appear appropriate and effective
C) student records are maintained clearly and accurately
D) student progress toward stated goals is as successful as is reasonably possible
E) state and local mandates are being met

A. Pupil Counseling (personal, educational, vocational)

1) Schedule and carry out individual and/or group counseling sessions to ensure personal contact
each year with students.
2) Focus efforts on creating a safe and accepting climate in the Guidance Resource Center and
school building.
3) Counsel pupils referred by other professionals in the school.
4) Counsel potential dropouts and pupils experiencing academic failure based on report card
marks.
5) Counsel pupils concerning relationships of abilities, goals and performance.
6) Assist students in decision-making with examination of all appropriate options and
alternatives, both in and out of school.
7) Provide ongoing counseling for pupils with special needs.
8) Assist pupils in developing self-discipline and coping skills.
9) Schedule individual sessions with all seniors to evaluate and assist with post-high school
plans.
10) Provide crisis counseling and intervention for students in need.

B. Disseminating Information
1) Utilize Google Classroom, newsletters, social media, email, newspaper and school
announcements to publicize guidance information.
2) Provide guidance related information through classroom discussions, group sessions, evening
programs, field trips and utilization of community resource speakers.
3) Familiarize students with Guidance software and reference material - to include Guidance
Direct, etc.
4) Disseminate information to include: college and scholarship data, occupational and career
information, testing, local educational opportunities, and information regarding special school
programs and courses.
5) Provide administrators and teachers with relevant information about individual pupils that is
needed for planning and providing appropriate school programs.

 

C. Program Planning
1) Coordinate the efforts of individual pupils, parents and teachers in selecting an appropriate
academic program.
2) Utilizing group guidance techniques, with individual followups, counselor will register pupils
for courses each year. Preliminary registration will be completed in early spring, revisions to be
made through the end of the school year.
3) Complete necessary materials for programming including computer scheduling.
4) Develop a planned program of study for each pupil. The program will be outlined on a "plan
Sheet."
5) Solicit and consider teacher recommendations regarding course selection and level of study.
Final decisions rest with parents.
6) Oversee student programming process, making appropriate modification where necessary.
7) Provide social placement or scheduling for those pupils with unique needs within the available
educational setting.

8) When new pupils enter the school, the counselor will schedule the pupil in the appropriate
program to meet his educational needs.

D. Data Collecting and Pupil Appraisal
1) Maintain guidance folders and cumulative record cards on each pupil.
2) Assist administration in planning, administration, and interpreting standardized tests.
3) Solicit teacher assistance in collecting data regarding pupils to be utilized in writing
recommendations to colleges, potential employers, and armed services representatives.
4) Complete transcript information and write recommendations and forward same to proper
agencies when requested.
5) Assist in limited research activities including followup of graduates, assessing curricular
needs, senior class plans, pupil eligibility for selected scholarships, and job opportunities.
6) Articulate pupil needs/requests to the administration and serve as pupil-parent advocate.
7) Account for each pupil's program of study by ensuring that appropriate courses and units and
recorded and current.
8) At the end of each marking period, counselor may review report card marks in order to
counsel those pupils experiencing academic difficulty
9) At the beginning of each year and throughout the year, as referred, the counselor will become
aware of students who have special academic needs.
10) Assess pupil educational-personal development for the purpose of establishing eligibility for
appropriate scholarships and awards.
11) Collect data regarding scholarship winners, college acceptances, and other information
pertinent to each class.

 

E. Consulting
1) Through group and individual contacts counselor will assist parents in understanding growth
and academic progress of their children.
2) Act as resource to teachers in presenting, diagnosing, and remediating pupil problems
affecting pupil classroom performance.
3) Provide administration with information regarding pupil needs, and developmental data when
requested.
4) Arrange case conferences involving parents-teachers-administrator-counselor-probation
officers, social services representatives, school psychologist, etc. as appropriate in order to
discuss pupils' academic problems.
5) Act as consultant to community human service agencies on matters of human growth and
development.
6) Represent school as contact person with outside agencies including college admissions
personnel, armed services representatives, BOCES personnel, employment service workers, and
scholarship selection committee.
7) Serve on school and community committees that study the educational-vocational needs of
pupils.
8) Consult with department chairpersons and administrators in curriculum planning.
9) Refer pupils, in accordance with established procedures, to other pupil personnel services,

other staff members, and to out-of-school resources.
10) Meet with the school Committee on Special Education when applicable.

F. Professional Development
1). Participate in professional enrichment experiences each year for the purpose of keeping
current. Examples include:

a) Financial Aid workshops (ACT, CEEB)
b) Workshops on college admissions (SUNY & Private)
c) Programs for pupils with special needs.
d) SED, Bureau of Guidance Regional Workshops
e) BOCES meetings for counselors
f) I.B. Workshops
g) Counseling skills/knowledge updating workshops
h) Trainings on trauma-informed practices
2). Participate in college and industrial visitation to establish first hand contacts with personnel
and "on site" experiences.
3). Review contemporary guidance literature as it applies to the effective delivery of services to
Massena's pupils.
4). Share information and skills gleaned from meetings and workshops with other members of
the guidance department.