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ASCA Code of Ethics 

Working with your school counselor

Mental health

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The Advisory Council at Rainbow Ridge Elementary: How It Works

The Advisory Council is a representative group of stakeholders who provide feedback and recommendations to the school counseling program. Rainbow Ridge Elementary the Advisory Council members include:

• Principal Jacobs

• 3 Teachers (we try to have at least one from K-2 and one from 3-5)

• 5 Parents/guardians/family members elected or chosen each year by PTA members

• 2 Students (students must be a 4th or 5th grader)

• 2 Community members (usually representatives from our CBO or other local nonprofits)

• 3 School counselors

How the Advisory Council aids the program:

• Needs Assessment: The council helps identify the needs and priorities of the school community, ensuring the counseling program addresses the most relevant issues.

• Goal Setting: It meets in the fall and this provides input on the program's annual student outcome goals, aligning them with the school's overall vision and mission.

• Program Review and Feedback: In the spring the council reviews the school counseling program's activities, results, and data, offering valuable feedback for continuous improvement.

• Advocacy and Support: Members can advocate for the school counseling program within the school and community, helping to secure necessary resources and support.

• Collaboration and Communication: The council fosters better communication and collaboration between the school counselors and other stakeholders.

• Ensuring Equity and Access: By representing diverse perspectives, the council can help ensure the program is equitable and accessible to all students.

ASCA Checklists: Tools for Organization and Alignment

ASCA provides various checklists and templates aligned with the ASCA National Model's four components: Define, Manage, Deliver, Assess.

How ASCA Checklists aid the program:

• Program Assessment: Checklists like the "School Counseling Program Assessment" help us as counselors evaluate our program's alignment with the ASCA National Model's recommendations and identify areas for growth.

• Planning and Organization: Checklists for annual and weekly calendars ensure counselors are using their time effectively, prioritizing direct and indirect services to students as recommended by ASCA over non-counseling work.

• Goal Setting and Action Planning: Tools like the "Classroom & Group Mindsets & Behaviors Action Plan" and "Closing-the-Gap Action Plan" help us when we create lessons or units for classroom and group counseling. We can set specific goals and plan activities to address student needs and close achievement gaps.

• Data Collection and Analysis: Checklists related to data analysis and results reports are a useful took in collecting and using data to demonstrate the program's impact on student outcomes.

• Professional Development: The "School Counselor Professional Standards & Competencies Assessment" checklist assists counselors in self-evaluating their skills and identifying areas for professional growth.

• Evaluation and Improvement: Checklists related to program evaluation help us systematically review our program's effectiveness each year. This way we can data-informed decisions for improvement.