Time for counseling and mental health
Typically, schools do not need to schedule counseling into the school day. However, in many schools, the counselor may provide elective courses, such as peer mediation and service-learning opportunities, that are part of the master schedule. Students who need specific behavioral or emotional health counseling make appointments to visit counselors either before, during, or after the school day. Advisory teachers and counselors work together to meet the intellectual as well as the socioemotional needs of students. If a class period is not routinely designated during the school day, schools that have advisory and study skills periods are able to release students for counseling when it does not interfere with any other classes.
In the Spotlight
Castaic Middle School, Castaic Union Elementary School District, a 2003 Schools to Watch™-Taking Center Stage Model
School
Castaic Middle School’s six-period schedule provides time each morning for a 17-minute advisory period for sustained silent reading.
John Glenn Middle School of International Studies, Desert Sands Unified School District, a 2004 Schools to Watch™-Taking Center Stage Model
School
Counselors meet with sixth graders in their ATLAS (Approaches to Learning Academic Seminar) class, where monthly counselor workshops address important social and academic topics.
Richard Henry Dana Middle School, Wiseburn Elementary School District, a 2006 Schools to Watch™-Taking Center Stage Model
School
Students take an elective on service-learning from the school counselor. They receive training in leadership and tutoring skills and then meet with elementary school students to help them with academic tutoring.
Related Links
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Time for before- and after-school programs
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Time for electives