School Guidance Counselor (Grades 9-12)

Overview:

Goals of the Guidance and Counseling Department in the Lowell Public Schools

• To encourage an atmosphere for free communication with all students.
• To develop good rapport with faculty and staff through mutual understanding of   common problems.
• To encourage the growth of student responsibility for the fulfillment of educational, vocational, and social needs.
• To respect the confidentiality and professionalism regarding student cumulative records and grade reports.
• To cooperate with teachers in the facilitation of student – parent conferences.
• To provide appropriate assistance to students seeking further education and to students who plan to enter the world of work.
• To provide group guidance and group counseling as needed, or in so far as the school situation warrants.
• To make available a sufficient supply of vocational and educational materials for information purposes.
• To provide a testing program which will assist the student in identifying options which then coupled with the students’ growing self-knowledge will lead to realistic decision making.
• To develop a position counselor image among students and school personnel.

School Guidance Counselor Services

Guidance and counseling programs function to assist all pupils in 

(1) assessing and understanding their abilities, aptitudes, interests, and educational needs. 

 (2) Increasing their understanding of educational and occupational opportunities and requirements, 

(3) Helping them make the best use of these opportunities through the formulation and achievement of realistic goals, 

(4) Helping pupils maintain normal personal social adjustments,

(5) Providing information useful to school staff members, parents and community in planning and evaluating the school’s total program.

Teachers and parents, as well as guidance personnel, should participate in the organized Guidance Program.  Coordination with other Pupil Personnel Services and appropriate community organizations is important.  Counselors and Guidance Instructors function in such essential activities of the Guidance program:

1. Collecting, organizing and interpreting information appropriate to an understanding of the pupil’s abilities, aptitudes, interests and other personal characteristics related to educational, occupational planning and progress and normal personal social adjustments.
2. Making available to pupils, parents and teachers information useful to them in understanding educational and occupations opportunities and requirements and personal and social relationships related to the choice of, and progress and educational program or an occupational field.

Tutoring Policy

Occasionally a student will be in need of tutoring in order to keep up with his classes.  Tutoring can be made available for students who are for prolonged periods, that is, longer than two weeks.  These students would be unable to attend school because of illness, injury or a handicap. 

The School Department provides this service realizing full well how important and regular school attendance is to succeed in school.  Since tutoring can never be equated to the total experience of regular school attendance, parents are urged to see that their children come to school regularly.

Parents should phone the Guidance Department whenever a health problem creates a need for tutoring.

In more specific terms, in order to better fulfill the philosophy, goals and objectives previously stated, guidance counselors and responsible for:

1. Registration of students: making sure that the students have all the necessary documents (educational and health) for entering school.
2. Gathering all necessary records for determining the appropriate grade placement of students.
3. Determining the selection of courses for students.
4. Affecting the students’ course scheduling process.
5. Monitoring the students’ records to assure compliance with promotion and graduation requirements.
6. The interfacing between Lowell High School and the sending eighth grade schools to effect a smooth transition of students from eighth grade to Lowell High School.
7. Remedying student schedules when necessary.
8. Collecting and providing all necessary information and appropriately responding to all inquiries regarding student placement and scheduling to: Parents, Administrators, Teachers, Students, and the School’s Data Processing Department.
9. Keeping permanent records of students up-to-date.
10. Meeting each student on an individual basis at least once a year, regarding academic, personal and/or social issues pertinent to the student in question.
11. Participating in on-going conferences with parents relative to student progress in academic and personal areas.
12. Maintaining contact with court officials, mental health and social service agencies.
13. Contacting any specialist within the Lowell School Department as needed to provide supplementary services for students.
14. Attending support team meetings and providing information as needed.
15. Attending Special Education Team meetings and providing information as needed.
16. Conferring with health services (e.g. nurse) to inform teachers and others relative to any physical or educational disabilities or problems of students.
17. Initiating and documenting referrals to outside agencies when students’ needs exceed the capability of available school-based results.
18. Administration of tests mandated by the State or the School Department.  Counselors are available for interpretation of test results.
19. Preparing transfer forms for students leaving the school or system.
20. Arranging meetings between parents and teachers.
21. Preparing and sending out special progress reports regarding student’s academic or social progress to parents and/or social agencies upon authorized request.
22. Assisting eighth grade students and parents regarding the admission process at Greater Lowell Regional Vocational Technical School and Lowell School.
23. Assisting students in preparation of requests for all records of students transferring outside the school district.  Records include transfer card, health record, and other pertinent information.
24. Planning and advisor/advisee system for the school and assisting the administration in its implementation, coordination and evaluation.

If assigned to Lowell High School

1. Assisting students in assisting and preparing selection charts for each student attending Lowell High School.
2. Preparation for Registration forms as needed (e.g. SSAT, PSAT, SAT, etc.)
3. Reviewing and verifying schedules and credit updates for graduation.
4. Maintaining and updating records for grades, 9, 10 and 11
5. Preparing and reviewing Financial Aid Forms.
6. Administering Advance Placement tests.
7. Preparing letter of recommendations for colleges and private schools.
8. Notifying students of local scholarships and financial aid available.
9. Assisting students in the use of career education programs and materials.
10. Planning and advisor/advisee system for the school and assisting the administration in its implementation, coordination and evaluation.
11. Carrying out other duties as assigned by the Superintendent or designee.

Qualification:

• A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university.
• A Master's Degree from an accredited college or university is required.
• Licensure is valid for service as a School Counselor in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
• At least five years of successful teaching or related experience.

REPORTS TO:           Principal

SALARY:       As per LSAA contract

EFFECTIVE DATE OF EMPLOYMENT:   August, 19, 2024