Guidance FAQ

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 or counseling program to which the parents of the 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.

The purpose of the K-12 Guidance and Counseling Program is to support home and school efforts to promote students' academic/educational, personal/social, and career development. It is an integral part of each school's total educational program. Organized and implemented by licensed school counselors, with the support of parents, teaches administrators, and students, the program is designed to:

• Foster positive attitudes towards school learning and work
• Support students with specific needs
• Encourage personal responsibility
• Foster respect for self and others
• Facilitate educational and career planning and the school to work transition

• 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

Materials used in the guidance and counseling program are available for parental review in each school. Parents may schedule an appointment with the school counselor for this purpose.

• 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.

• 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.