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Guidance

SCITUATE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
SCHOOL COUNSELING DEPARTMENT
606 Chief Justice Cushing Highway
Scituate, MA 02066
Tel:  (781) 545-8750
Fax:  (781) 545-8758

NAVIGATING A COURSE FROM POTENTIAL TO SUCCESS!




Our Mission Statement:
The mission of the School Counseling Department is to provide a comprehensive and developmental school counseling program of services that promotes the academic, social/emotional, and career potential of all Scituate Public School students.   Through counseling, advocacy, collaboration, leadership, and systemic change, counselors navigate students to achieve personal excellence, to become life-long learners and to be responsible community members.

Meet our Counseling Staff:
Tammy A. Rundle, Director, K-12
James Cooney, School Counselor, Scituate High School
Marlene Hoffman, School Counselor, Scituate High School
Kim Mitchell, School Counselor, Scituate High School
Sharon Mohr, School Counselor, Scituate High School
Nancy Driscoll, School Counselor, Gates Intermediate School
Amy Mahoney, School Counselor, Gates Intermediate School
Nina Riley, School Counselor, Jenkins Elementary School
Judith Derr, School Psychologist, Cushing Elementary School
Jennifer Fine, School Psychologist, Hatherly Elementary School
Debra Edgren, School Psychologist, Wampatuck Elementary School


How to contact us…

Tammy Rundle Scituate High School trundle@scit.org 781-545-8750 X370
James Cooney Scituate High School jcooney@scit.org 781-545-8750 X371
Marlene Hoffman Scituate High School mhoffman@scit.org 781-545-8750 X372
Sharon Mohr Scituate High School smohr@scit.org 781-545-8750 X373
Kim Mitchell Scituate High School kmitchell1@scit.org 781-545-8750 X378
Nancy Driscoll Gates Intermediate School ndriscoll@scit.org 781-545-8760
Amy Mahoney Gates Intermediate School amahoney@scit.org 781-545-8760
Nina Riley Jenkins Elementary School nriley@scit.org 781-545-4910
Judith Derr Cushing Elementary School jderr@scit.org 781-545-8770
Jennifer Fine Hatherly Elementary School jfine@scit.org 781-545-8780
Debra Edgren Wampatuck Elementary School dedgren@scit.org 781- 545-8790



Overview of Department Initiatives:
The Massachusetts Model for Comprehensive School Counseling, also known as the “MA Model”, is an all-encompassing, systematic, data-driven, results approach to school counseling that supports all student achievement and educational reform objectives.  The MA Model is based on the nationally-recognized, American School Counselor Association framework and incorporates the Massachusetts Career Development Benchmarks.  The MA model is an integral and essential component of the mission of the Scituate Public Schools and School Improvement Plans. The overarching goal is to develop and deliver programs/services that provide ALL students with the requisite knowledge and skills for success in the academic, workplace readiness, and personal social domains.  Under the MA Model umbrella, counselors to act as leaders and coordinators of program delivery; they  attend to students’ developmental needs in ways that enable them to achieve success in their endeavors in education, workplace & society.  Counselors to evaluate, modify, and develop their programs for alignment with the CDE benchmarks for academic, college & work place readiness and personal/social domains. Counselors implement evidence-based interventions and measure effectiveness of program and services.

Current initiatives include research and interventions regarding motivation and policies of homework completion and the development of a Response to Intervention approach to student learning at the high school. The Counseling Department is in the beginning stages of developing a comprehensive career development and exploration curriculum for all 7-12 grade students.


School Counseling Department Goals 2009-2010
The School Counseling department successfully met all five of its goals for the 2009-10 academic year.  1.) To demonstrate understanding and application of the Massachusetts Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs in the area of academic success for all students with an emphasis on data collection, analysis, and reporting. The department created and implemented a survey for all 7-9 graders on homework motivation and preferences; results from which were analyzed and shared at a full faculty meeting this spring.  Results from this survey will be used to develop intervention strategies to improve the homework experience for all students.  We also created and presented “Making Homework Count” to all freshmen during the College and Career Day.  The purpose of this lesson was to teach students the importance of homework completion and its impact on a student’s grade point average.  Our homework initiative will be followed up in 2010-11 in conjunction with the RTI Leadership team.   The counselors successfully implemented and fulfilled the Educational Proficiency Plans (MCAS competency determination) for the Class of 2010.  We also hosted our first highly successful 8th Grade Step-Up Night (transition night for Gates parents/caregivers).  Results from this survey indicated a 100% satisfaction criteria with the presentation.  Counselors were instrumental in developing support plans for academically/emotional/socially struggling students through the use of academic and attendance contracts to promote academic success of at-risk students.  The Counseling Department successfully transitioned from school-wide Child Study Team model to Instructional Support Team (IST) model in line with Response to Intervention; including training for faculty on IST and student support service model.  To increase enrollment in rigorous courses, counselors utilized AP Potential as discussion points in their academic planning discussions with students and families.

2.) To demonstrate understanding and application of the Massachusetts Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs in the area of career development education for all students.  This goal was met through several department initiatives, including: 2nd Annual College & Career Readiness Day, an evening presentation of college admissions counselors, small group college representative visits with students (75 visits in all).  We expanded our repertoire of post-graduate opportunities and programs and alternatives to 4-year college by: a presentation by Job Corps; professional development training in Special Education transition laws; the implementing Career Cruising and the ASVAB; contributing to the NEASC subcommittee on Community Service learning; and ongoing consultation & collaboration with the Academic Advisory Program.

3.) To utilize advancements in technology to improve communication with SHS community was another highly successful accomplishment of 09-10.  The department transitioned to the electronic submission of secondary school transcripts and forms to colleges; utilized Connect Ed & Naviance email blasts for important department messages; created parent/caregiver Naviance/Family Connection accounts and access; produced the Program of Studies and SHS Profile in house; successfully managed the  on-line Course Scheduling Process for all students; electronic distribution of The Counselors’ Connection; updated the website to include all  Guidance-related forms and information; created the School Counseling Calendar; and professional development training for staff in Microsoft Excel – to help with data collection and analysis.   

4.) To contribute to the professional library of Guidance-related resources through data collection, sharing of information, and staying current of all post-secondary options. This is an ongoing progress and includes professional development training for staff and relationship-building with personnel and agencies involved in post-secondary opportunities.

5.) To contribute and share best-practices through the implementation of the Massachusetts Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs involved many initiatives that have moved the department forward including:  the MA Model Institute 2 full-day training workshop for counselors; the creation of the department Vision and Mission statement and productive professional development days with counselors including the sharing of writing strategies for counselor recommendation letters.  The department is in the process of evaluating its programs and services for NEASC through data collection of surveys to senior students, parents & faculty.


Elementary School Counseling Curriculum


The following counseling services are available to Scituate Elementary students.  
The services children receive depend upon the classroom teacher, parents or the Instructional Support Team.  The school counseling program is designed to ensure that all students can achieve school success through academic, career and personal/social developmental experiences to become productive and caring citizens.

Classroom Guidance Lessons
Students receive classroom guidance with the school counselor based on the needs of a particular classroom and grade level.  The lessons taught coordinate with our Open Circle Social Competency Program.  The curriculum imparts specific skills and learning experiences in a pro-active and preventative manner.  These skills are introduced and reinforced to meet the needs of our students at various growth and developmental stages. 

  1. Academic Goals:  Students will acquire the attitudes, knowledge and skills to become responsible and productive learners.
  2. Career Goals: Students will acquire knowledge about how one’s own skills and interests influence their future life choices.
  3. Personal and Social Goal:  Students will acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and interpersonal skills to help them understand and respect oneself and others.
 

Small Group Counseling
Students have the opportunity (with parental permission) to participate in small group counseling with the school counselor.  The groups usually consist of 4-6 students and often meet during unstructured times, such as lunch.  There are different groups depending on the needs of the students. Building friendships, social skills and self-esteem as well as supporting children of non-traditional families are some of the types of groups facilitated by the school counselor.

Individual Counseling
Some issues which children may be struggling with are dealt more effectively on an individual basis.  Students in need of individualized attention from the counselor receive individual counseling with parental permission.



Links to School Counseling Department websites:

Scituate High School Counseling website:   http://www.scituate.k12.ma.us/schools-scituate-high-guidance.htm
Gates Intermediate School Guidance website (currently under revision)
Jenkins Elementary School Guidance website (currently under revision)
 
 
 
 
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Scituate Public Schools | 606 Chief Justice Cushing Highway, Scituate MA 02066 | 781-545-8759 Fax: 781-545-6291