What do the Orefield Middle School guidance counselors  really do?  Here is an overview of some of our tasks and activities….

GUIDANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

An Overview

Scheduling/ Tours/Presentations/Transmittal  Teaming(place students on teams) Work closely with assistant principals on scheduling issues Review all teacher recommendations against parent/student class selections Create & develop learning support student schedules Resolve scheduling conflicts & balance team numbers Register & schedule new students throughout the year Make schedule changes as needed Assist in the identification of students for Language Arts Seminar and Reading Seminar Assist in the identification of students for Math and Reading prepatory classes 6th, 7th & 8th Grade Classroom Scheduling Presentations Individual scheduling meetings with all 8th Graders and 6th & 7th graders as needed Review all final math and foreign language grades Assist administration with 5th grade music selection input Participate in 6th to 7th Grade Parents’ Night presentation including preparing/developing power point Participate in 5th to 6th Grade Parents’ Night presentation including preparing /developing power point Attend 8th to 9th grade transmittal meetings at PHS to discuss all incoming 9th graders Attend 5th to 6th grade transmittal at each (4) elementary schools to discuss all incoming 6th graders Share transmittal information with next grade level teachers at OMS Prepare Power Point & Present to 5th grade at OMS and each of the 4 elementary schools Coordinate High School visitations and presentations Coordinate LCTI Visitations and assemblies
Testing- PSSA & Keystone Exam
Coordinate Keystone Testing Coordinate PSSA Reading & Math, Science & Writing Testing: Time Schedule Room arrangements Test booklet preparation Teacher training for administration Establish Coverages Make-up testing Arrange and coordinate testing for cyber school students and other out-of-building students Packing & Shipping of materials Create Test Administrator Informational Packets Attend District Coordination meeting
Student Services/Action Plans/Learning Support /Gifted/Ch.15
Contact parents to set up action plan meetings Develop Action Plans with teacher assistance Facilitate initial action plan meetings Conduct 30 day action plan review meetings Coordinate Gifted IEP (GIEP) Survey Monkey surveys Conduct GIEP meetings Develop GIEPs for new students Serve as Chapter 15 Service Agreement case managers Review Chapter 15 Service Agreements with core teams and with all special area teachers Observations/record reviews/meeting arrangements for initial referrals for MDE Attend MDE meetings Consult with Special Education teachers and Core teachers Individual counseling Serve  as LEA as needed Participate in PBSP hearings as needed Develop School Attendance Improvement Plans Conduct initial School Attendance Improvement Plan meetings with parents,administration and student as well as 30 day review meetings Participate in the Student Assistance Program(SAP), including conducting weekly meetings,data collection, liaison coordination; parent phone contact and meetings, and  also referrals for the screening process SAP and guidance services presentations to teams Classroom presentations on guidance topics (grief; homework; friendship) as needed Supervise college guidance interns Academic counseling Attend grade level core team meetings Arrange parent/teacher team meetings Respond to daily parent phone calls and requests Distribute, compile, and send behavioral checklists per parent or doctor requests Attend monthly middle school department meetings Teach Guidance class (5 classes per counselor per 6 day cycle) to 7th grade students. These topics include: Career Exploration; Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drug Issues; Communication & Teamwork; Cyber Safety, and Diversity. Prepare lesson plans for guidance class as well as input grading Referral to community agencies as appropriate Assist with student/ agency interviews Identify summer school candidates and contact parents to share summer school information Coordinate John Hopkins program assembly Compile potential failure lists and notify parents Facilitate groups for students Conduct mediation between students Summer professional development activities Assist with the afterschool tutoring program – TOPS Review Student of the Month nominations Prepare Cafeteria for Student of the Month Breakfast Create Student of the Month bulletin board Assist with Class Chats Members of Bullying committee & Business Advisory committee Sweep designated areas of the building during fire drills and other emegency drills