Capstone Systems

Change Project
Anna Romero
 This presentation will discuss the
recommendation systems change
project for the delivery of

Overview counseling services at Two Bunch

Palms Elementary School. Two
Bunch Palms is part of the Palm
Springs Unified School District.
Mission Statement

The mission of Palm Springs Unified School District’s Elementary School Counseling Program is to deliver a
comprehensive program that allows for continuous self-evaluation and improvement as we strive to support and
enhance the academic, college/career readiness, and personal/social/emotional development of all students.
This is done through the delivery of data-driven classroom lessons, small group instruction and individual
counseling. Elementary school counselors advocate for the success, equity and equal access for all students.
We endeavor to create a school climate that supports inclusion, safety, academic success and the ability for all
students to be responsible members of society as well as lifelong learners that are prepared for all the
challenges the future holds.

-PSUSD
Mission Cont.

“The Two Bunch Palms community will collaboratively prepare children to become life-long learners and
contributing members in an ever changing diverse society. The faculty and staff of Two Bunch Palms
Elementary affirm their commitment to excellence in education. To fulfill this commitment, we are dedicated to
providing learning opportunities for all elementary students in accordance with their needs, backgrounds,
interests, and abilities. In our school program we strive to provide a balanced curriculum emphasizing academic
and social growth. We provide the opportunity for the students to have their needs met as they develop
individual abilities. The culmination of our efforts is to instill in our students a lifelong love of learning.”

-Two Bunch Palms

School Accountability Report Card (SARC)
Student to School Counselor Ratio Additional Information

● 784 Students are enrolled at ● 96.6 % of students identified as

TBP. socioeconomically
● 1.5 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) disadvantaged (SED)
● Counselor (Social/Behavioral or ● 15.8% of students are
Career Development) homeless
● 522.7 Academic Counselor ● 4.1% suspended at least once
Ratio
 School Counseling
Program
Vision Statement
Elementary school counselors within The Palm Springs Unified
School District visualize a future where all students have the
opportunities they need to: explore their talents to meet their highest
potential; take pride in themselves and their school; become lifelong
learners and responsible, contributing members in our community.
Students will emerge equipped with the knowledge and skills needed
to be college and career ready, as well as productive members of an
ever-changing global civilization.
Counseling Beliefs
● All student has worth.
● All students can achieve academic success and become
productive members of society.
● All students will demonstrate resilience, grit and growth
mindset when faced with challenging situations.
Counseling Services:
● Classroom guidance lessons - Counselor provides
guidance lessons to entire classes on specific topics
such as: What is a Counselor, Growth Mindset, Empathy,
Kindness, etc.
● Group counseling - Counseling for a small group of
students to address a specific issue such as; anger,
anxiety, coping skills, self-esteem, divorce, social skills,
etc.
● Individual counseling - One-on-one brief counseling to
students for issues ranging from minor to major,
including crisis intervention.
● Academic progress support and referrals for tutoring or
other help
● Personal development support and referrals for
intervention programs, therapy or other community
resources
● Collaboration with other educators, parents/guardians,
and community contact to help support students
● Consultation with teachers, support staff, parents and
outside agencies (as needed).
● Schoolwide activities
 Needs
Assessment A needs assessment was
completed by parents of students,
teachers, administrators, and
school staff support at TBP. Due to
COVID, the needs assessment was
formatted through google forms
and sent by email.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeceues
Ie2gytx87HRRkDSfwVPynRIl4k0dHyXHAO4sf7VSJA/v
iewform?usp=pp_url
Needs Assessment Cont.

Based on the data collected from the needs assessment, it seems that there is a
need for more mental health support staff. Majority of participants do feel that
students have enough access to the school counselor at TBP but participants
feel that there is a need for more mental health support.

● 50% of participants feel that students have enough access to the school
counselor.
● 85% of participants think students could benefit from additional mental
health support staff on-campus as they return from distance learning.
● 65% of participants feel that children will need more social-emotional
support as they return from distance learning.
Recommendation for a Systems Change

Two Bunch Palms Elementary School will benefit greatly from additional
support in the counseling department by hiring a second counselor.
Recommendation for a Systems Change

● Currently TBP has a one full time counselor with a 522.7 student to
counselor ratio.
● The high student to counselor ratio has a negative impact on true
implementation of a comprehensive plan.
● It is necessary to hire a second counselor as it will help ease the load of the
current school counselor who is struggling to serve all students.
● With a second counselor, there will be additional support and the needs of
more students can be met.
● There will be a greater need of social- emotional support especially coming
back from distance learning.
Recommendation of a Systems Change

● There was a time that the elementary schools in PSUSD did not have a
school counselor at all.
● PSUSD decided to fund one school counselor to Title 1 elementary schools.
All elementary schools in Desert Hot Springs are Title 1 schools with over
700 students so the district decided to focus on DHS first.
● Since adding a school counselor at TBP there was a drop in chronic
absenteeism and suspension rates according to the California Dashboard
from 2018 to 2019.
● PSUSD investment of adding a school counselor has paid off.
California Dashboard 2018 and 2019
Cont.

● The district can help lower the ratio by adding a second counselor to the
schools in need.
● PSUSD can begin implementation of a second school counselors in schools
classified in Title 1 elementary schools with enrollment of over 700 students
and gather results to determine effectiveness.
● According to Ziprecruiter, the average cost of a school counselor in
California is $58,818 per year.
Sources of Revenue

Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund

● Through the CARES act, $13 billion was set aside for the sole purpose of the ESSER
Fund.
● This funding will provide local educational agencies (LEAs) with emergency relief
funds to address the impact that Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has
had, and continues to have, on elementary and secondary schools across the nation.
● Funds can be used for “providing integrated pupil supports to address other barriers
to learning, such as the provision of health, counseling, or mental health services,
professional development opportunities to help teachers and parents support pupils
in distance-learning contexts, access to school breakfast and lunch programs, or
programs to address pupil trauma and social-emotional learning”.
Sources of Revenue
Andersons Children’s Foundation

● Local foundation that wants to enhance the lives of children in the Coachella Valley.
● Has helped sponsor special programs in the Palm Springs Unified School District.
● Andersons Children’s Foundations maximum project funding is $40,000

Regional Access Project Foundation

● A local foundation that focuses on unmet needs in health, mental health and juvenile
intervention for residents of eastern Riverside County.
● RAP has smaller educational grants and each district has its allotment and are on a
first-come, first-served basis until the annual allotment is exhausted.
Questions or Comments?

Thank you!
 References

Andersons Children Foundation. (2020). Retrieved February 26, 2021, from https://www.andersonchildrensfoundation.org/Grant_Application_Process

California school Dashboard (CA Dept of education). (2020). Retrieved February 26, 2021, from
https://www.caschooldashboard.org/reports/33671736115448/2019#english-learner-progress-card

Counseling / Counseling Program. (2020). Retrieved February 26, 2021, from https://www.psusd.us/Page/6605

ESSER funding. (2021). Retrieved February 27, 2021, from https://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/cr/esser.asp

Jones, C. (2020, February 09). How some California school districts invest in Counseling – and achieve results. Retrieved February 27, 2021, from
https://edsource.org/2020/how-some-california-school-districts-invest-in-counseling-and-achieve-results/623489

Jones, C. (2020, July 27). Schools want to hire more counselors amid budget woes. Retrieved February 27, 2021, from
https://edsource.org/2020/schools-want-to-hire-more-counselors-amid-budget-woes/637049

Regional Access Project Foundation. (2021). Retrieved February 27, 2021, from https://www.rapfoundation.org/

School Accountability Report Card. (2019). Retrieved February 26, 2021, from https://www.sarconline.org/public/summary/33671736115448/2018%E2%80%932019

School counselor annual salary in California. (2021). Retrieved February 27, 2021, from https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/School-Counselor-Salary--in-California

Two bunch Palms ES / HOMEPAGE. (n.d.). Retrieved February 27, 2021, from https://www.psusd.us/Page/37