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Guidance/College & Career -- Guidance Services
Academic Counseling
Chemical Health Counseling
College Counseling
Group Counseling
Personal Counseling
Psychological Services
Special Needs Services
Student Support Team
Academic Counseling
The guidance counselors assist and support students in achieving academic success. Our counselors help students develop academic goals, construct course schedules and deal with any problems that are interfering with academic success.
BSM believes that all students benefit from a lifestyle that does not include the use of tobacco, alcohol, and non-prescribed drugs. The Student Support Team and the BSM Parent Association work together to develop services and programs that are offered in support of this belief
There is a mandatory parent meeting (Community of Concern) that summarizes the most recent data about the patterns of use of BSM students. The Student Support Team shares what we have been learning about our community and encourages parents to consider certain parenting strategies.
A chemical health counselor is available at BSM for students and parents. This program includes personal counseling, support groups, and consultation with parents about their students. Faculty in-services and class presentations are offered upon request. Students may refer themselves or a peer. Parents may initiate contact directly and students may also be referred by teachers and administrators.
Because an average of 95% of BSM graduates attend college, the college counseling staff are very involved in assisting students with their post-secondary plans. The staff strongly believes that in order for the process to be successful, it needs to be a collaborative effort by the student, parents and the school. The college counselors work with juniors and seniors in a variety of ways:
Register students for classes
Assist in identifying post-secondary options
Assist with essays and personal statements
Write letters of recommendation
Process and review applications before mailing them to colleges
Mail mid-year and final grades to colleges
Provide emotional support
Serve as an advocate throughout the college admissions process
Group Counseling
The mission of BSM is to develop students in mind, body and spirit. One of the ways we work on mind and spirit is through groups. Support groups are used for several reasons. First, support groups are used as a way to prevent roadblocks to success from negatively affecting the personal and academic lives of students. Second, support groups are used to help students who are dealing with serious issues. Finally, support groups are used so that the student support team can keep on top of student issues within the school.
How Groups are Formed
Student need typically dictates the type of groups formed. Student surveys are sent out to homerooms at the beginning of the year. Students fill out these surveys as to whether they want to be in a support group, see a counselor individually, or neither of these options. The counselor tallies the surveys to find out which students want services, and the student support team discusses who should and should not be in groups.
Typical Groups at BSM
Anxiety
Children of Alcoholics
Depression
Eating Disorders
Family Change (Divorce and Separation)
Insight Group (Chemical use or abuse)
Loss and Grief
Relationships (family, friends, significant others, etc.)
Stress Management
Tobacco Cessation
Personal Counseling
The senior high counselors are available to meet with students about personal issues before school, during the student’s free period or after school. Students should not miss class to meet with a counselor unless they have a pass from the teacher of the class they will miss.
Because of our holistic approach to student well-being, we have a consulting psychologist who meets with students, teachers, and parents on a regular basis. We want you to know that parents can, and do, initiate these contacts. Our psychologist is available to meet with parents and students on a variety of problem areas, including academic concerns, friendship issues, family relationships, and many other frequently occurring problems of adolescence. In addition, if you have questions about accessing community resources through your health plan, our psychologist can help you be an effective advocate for your child.
The special needs coordinator works with the guidance department and serves as a resource for parents and students with academic concerns. Needs of students with Individual Education Programs, 504s, or private assessments are shared with teachers. Students having academic difficulties are evaluated and possibly referred for assessment.
In-house academic support programs include Learning Lab and Academic Support. Learning Lab is a study hall for freshmen. Academic Support is an opportunity for upperclassmen to receive academic support on an as-needed basis. A special needs teacher supervises both programs. The goal of the special needs program at BSM is to help students achieve academic success.
The Student Support Team has been meeting weekly since 1981 to discuss student needs, and serves as a central planning group for student wellness. It is comprised of the three deans, guidance counselors, special needs coordinator, chemical health counselor, campus minister, psychologist, assistant principal, and principal. The purpose of the Student Support Team is to provide an opportunity for support staff to meet on a regular basis to confidentially share concerns regarding students’ behavior along with academic or personal issues. Additionally, the team determines a plan of action on how to address the issue at hand. Issues that are addressed include academic concerns, discipline referrals, family crises, chemical dependency, and personal issues. A plan of action is implemented if necessary. Information comes to the team from teacher referrals, parent telephone calls, and concerns from students.
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