Page 77 - Birmingham City Schools 2020-2021

School Counseling Program
Dr. Clarissa Reese, Coordinator
Lincoln Professional Learning Center 901 9th Avenue, North
Birmingham, AL 35204
(205) 705-2883
Services Provided:
Professional School Counselors deliver a comprehensive school counseling program based upon the identified needs of the students. Professional School Counselors provide a positive impact on student achievement, career development, and social/emotional development.
Tips from the School Counselor
Parents are strongly encouraged to attend all offered group meetings with the school counselor a s s i g n e d to the grade level of your child. Counselors possess a wealth of information regarding student’s academic, career, and personal/social development, and serve as an advocate for your child. The school counseling office is the one stop shop for information regarding college admission criteria, scholarship offerings and criteria, funding your college education, and career pathways.
All students should develop a Four Year Plan in grade 8, which should be updated annually. Each student should work with their counselor to develop this plan, which guides the courses they take throughout high school based upon their interests, skills, available pathway options, and postsecondary plans. Counselors are able to assist with tasks such as planning for the postsecondary education or the workforce, and interpreting cognitive, aptitude and achievement tests.
School counselors are also able to offer assistance to students experiencing problems by providing brief counseling services or completing activities with students who are exhibiting disciplinary problems. Therefore, scheduling individual meetings with the school counselor could be an essential part of student success. Take advantage of the opportunity. For problems of a serious or persisting nature, school counselors are able to make referrals to the appropriate community resources.
School counselors are a vital part of the faculty, and are charged with implementing the comprehensive school counseling program. As a part of this process, school counselors collaborate with teachers to identify and resolve student issues, needs and problems. Small and large groups are offered on topics of relevance as it relates to the needs of the student body.
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