Mission Statement
"The mission of the Eastern Lancaster County School District School - Counseling Program is to function as an integral part of the district's comprehensive program by assisting all students, regardless of individual differences, in acquiring the skills, knowledge and attitudes needed to grow into inspired, resilient, productive, fulfilled lifelong learners. The Eastern Lancaster County School District adheres to the philosophy that within the Guidance Department, the school counselor is an essential and integral part of the overall education process."
"The comprehensive resiliency building school-counseling program is built on the assumption that certain educational, career, social and personal objectives are attainable when school counseling for all students is provided. This implementation acknowledges that school counseling is no longer a service to be offered by one person, but a program coordinated with other educators, incorporating a comprehensive curriculum. Proactive and preventative in focus, the comprehensive school-counseling program assists students in becoming responsible members of society. Growth and learning are developmental; therefore, school counseling must be developmental and sequential in nature."
Profile of Guidance Services
The Elanco Guidance Services profile follows the current American School Counselor's Association Model.
Guidance Curriculum
Counselors provide developmental, comprehensive guidance program content in a systematic way to all students K-12. The purpose is to aid in student awareness, skill development and application of skills needed in everyday life.
- Classroom lessons are delivered in the regular education elementary classrooms, focusing on pro-social skills and career decision-making skills. Classroom career lessons at the middle school and high school levels focus on the skills needed to choose careers, apply for jobs, and participate in the workplace.
- Various programs and activities surround and support the guidance curriculum at all levels including but not limited to: preventative groups, recognition programs, transition programs, and parent meetings.
- The components of the guidance curriculum are directly tied to the Pennsylvania Career Standards and, hence the Elanco Guidance Curriculum, approved by the school board in fall 2007.
Responsive Services
Counselors address students' immediate concerns. The purpose is prevention and intervention, fostering resiliency.
- Brief counseling with students is provided at all levels, based on parent, staff, or student request.
- Referral services are provided for students and families to outside agencies and in-school agency services.
- Consultation regarding risk assessment for suicide, threats, and violent behaviors is provided.
- Student mediation services are provided.
- Counselors coordinate responsive groups for students needing various targeted interventions.
- Counselors serve as members of the emergency response team and provides crisis counseling to individuals and small groups of students.
Individual Student Planning
Counselors assist students and parents in development of academic and career plans. The purpose is to aid in individual student academic and occupational planning, decision-making, goal setting, and preparing for academic transitions.
- Counselors assist students in developing a career plan, interest and skills inventories and post-secondary planning.
- Facilitate course selection appropriate to student needs.
- Coordinate development of a K-12 educational plan/portfolio.
- Function as part of a team to coordinate and plan for individual student needs.
System Support
Includes program, staff and school support activities and services. The purpose is program delivery and support.
- Counselors participate in and provide professional development experiences.
- Serve on departmental curriculum committees, district level subject councils, community committees and advisory councils.
- Use data to advocate systematic change or to reduce barriers to student learning.
- Consult with staff, parents, and community to enhance student success.
- Serve as liaisons between community programs and the school.
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