Running Head: COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAM 1

Comprehensive School Counseling Program

Brennan Hallock

COUN 635 Student

Chadron State College

Fall 2022

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Part 1

Interventions

Sossaman Middle School provides Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 Interventions for Students.

These interventions are a crucial component of our counseling program, as we seek to help all

students be successful, despite any barriers they may experience (The school counselor and

multitiered system of supports, 2021). These interventions allow us to help students both

academically and behaviorally.

Tier 1 Interventions

At Sossaman Middle School, our Tier 1 Interventions include whole group instruction in

two separate and distinct ways. One whole group instruction focuses on academic performance

and the other focuses on Social and Emotional Learning. We find that focusing on both of these

realms has increases our students’ confidence and self-esteem as they prepare for college and

careers.

In order to be best help our students at Sossaman Middle School with their academic

performance, in the whole group setting, the school counselors meet with the students for thirty

minute class periods on a program called Major Clarity (Career & College Readiness Solutions,

2021). This program helps students learn about their learning styles, personalities, graduation

requirements, college acceptance requirements, career pathways, and scholarships. The school

counselors at Sossaman Middle School work with each classroom on campus and ensure that

every student has a chance to learn about career paths and how to get there.

With a focus on Social and Emotional Learning, Sossaman Middle School offers a

program called SHIELD (Welcome to Sossaman Middle School, 2022). This program provides

lessons every two weeks on campus about things such as working in groups, how to disagree
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respectfully, how to be a leader, and how to handle difficulty and disappointment. These lessons

are created by a team, which includes one of our counselors. Together, they come up with

lessons that include activities and videos that entertain, but also teach, each student on campus.

These are taught in the whole group environment of every classroom on campus.

Tier 2 Interventions

At Sossaman Middle School, we are proud to provide group and individual counseling

services to students (Counseling / counseling, 2022). We have two school counselors on campus

who meet with students to provide academic direction, as well as emotional support, when

students need it. Referrals for counseling can come from parents, teachers, administrators, or

even the students themselves. Meeting with students, individually or in groups, is key to the

success of our students.

Tier 3 Interventions

We also provide indirect student support services. Sometimes, there are situations where

the school counselors need to refer a student to an outside service for further assistance.

Sossaman Middle School and Higley Unified School District are pleased to have so many

community resources we can offer to families. Our Community Resource Guide is a helpful tool

for families to use if they ever need to seek additional help (Student Services / Community

Resource Guide, 2022).

Job Description

Sossaman Middle School employs two full-time counselors. Below is the job description

provided by the school district (Higley Unified School District 60, 2022).

1. Support HUSD Vision, Mission and Goals.

2. Plans, organizes, and delivers the designated school counseling program/curriculum
developed by the school district. Delivers and implements the guidance curriculum through the
use of effective instructional skills and careful planning of structured classroom lessons and
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small group sessions. Assists all students with developing academic, career and/or personal
skills, goals and plans.
3. Collaborates with parents/guardians and educators to assist students with educational and
career planning and/or to assist students in area where they are struggling and need support.
4. Implements responsive services to students, parents, and staff through the effective use of
individual and small group counseling, consultation, and referral skills.
5. Works with diverse populations and cultures in implementing the individual student planning
process by guiding individuals and groups of students and their parents through the
development of education and career plans.
6. Coordinates and streamlines the grade-level transition process in moving students from
elementary to middle school, and middle school to high school.
7. Implements HUSD system support through effective guidance program management and
support for other educational programs.
8. Participates in the scheduling and course assignment process as necessary or required by
district or site-level administration.
9. Participates in IEP and 504 meetings as necessary or requested. Has a working knowledge of
all students with IEPs and/or 504 plans, homebound, chronic illness or other special
circumstances and facilitates the continuity of the educational plan for those students.
10. Discusses with other professionals, such as principals, special education teachers,
psychologists, or other medical/health service personnel, additional services to benefit students.
11. Serves as a member of the District Crisis Response Team, threat assessment team and
MTSS team as required or requested.
12. Monitors student progress on a regular basis as they progress in school, and uses the skills
of leadership, advocacy, and collaboration to create systemic change to improve the academic
and career success of all students.
13. Provides individual and group counseling to students with identified concerns and needs.
14. Uses technology for research, school counseling program development, management, and
delivery.
15. Uses student performance and district test data as a guide when deciding school counseling
program direction and emphasis.
16. Makes data-driven decisions regarding the implementation of counseling programming.
17. Implements an effective referral and follow-up process.
18. Participation in regularly scheduled professional development opportunities.
19. Conducts yearly school counseling program audit in coordination with district administration
and shares the results of the school counseling program audit with school principals and district
superintendent.
20. The School Counseling team meets with the school administrator at the beginning of the
year to discuss the counseling department management system and the program action plans
using a yearly written counselor/principal agreement.
21. Participates in the development and implementation of a master calendar/time component
for maintaining an efficient counseling program.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

1. Master’s degree in School Guidance and Counseling from a CACREP program OR enrolled in a
CACREP School Guidance and Counseling Master’s program for at least 1 year and commitment
to participating in the HUSD Comprehensive School Counseling Mentoring Program
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2. Arizona K-12 Guidance Counselor Certificate, or out-of-state certificate with reciprocity
available in AZ preferred, OR pursuing certification with no more than 2 years’ left from
certification completion.
3. Fingerprint Clearance Card and ability to pass background and fingerprint check
4. Commitment to adhere to the American School Counselor Association Ethical standards for
School Counselors.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The
employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls
and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, bend, and
sit. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop or kneel.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations
may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Schedules

Our school counseling program at Sossaman Middle School has monthly themes that are

demonstrated through lessons and bulletin boards. The outline of our school year is provided

below.

July and August – Welcome Back – Stars for all Students – It’s your year to Shine!

September – Every Spartan Counts – What are your strengths?

October – How do I work in a group effectively?

November – How do I be a leader in a group / how to best support?

December – How do I disagree respectfully?

January – How to compromise? What should I compromise and where should I remain firm?
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February – Love every Spartan! Why should I be kind to others?

March – Lucky to have you at Sossaman! Let others know you are lucky to know them!

April – Mental Health During State Testing – How do I handle stress?

May – Sail into Summer! How to finish the year strong and low on stress!

Sossaman Middle School is on a modified year-round schedule. We offer 6 class periods

per day and do block courses during testing. We have early release every other Wednesday. To

see our daily, monthly and yearly schedules, please look below.
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(Higley Unified School District / Higley Unified School District, 2022).

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(Yearly School Calendar, 2022).

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Time Chart

Below, is a chart that demonstrates what I do on a daily basis as a school counselor at

Sossaman Middle School.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

8:30am Check Emails Check Emails Check Emails Check Emails Check Emails
8:45am Check in with Check in with Check in with Check in with Check in with
Administration Administration Administration Administration Administration
9:00am Call parents back Check in with D and F Check Call parents Check in with
student in back 504 student
9:15am Check in with Check in with Check in with School Tour Call parents back
student IEP student 504 student
Social/Emotional
9:30am Check in with School Tour Meet with 504 Meet with IEP Crisis Team
student Student student Meeting
Social/Emotional
9:45am D and F Check In Meet with Meet with Meet with Crisis Team
Math Teacher Math Teacher School Psych Meeting
10:00am Preparing Work on Call HVA Meet with case Crisis Team
SHIELD Lesson Spreadsheet manager Meeting
10:15am Preparing Debrief with Call HVA Meet with case Crisis Team
SHIELD Lesson other school manager Meeting
counselor
10:30am Preparing Debrief with Meet with Work on Parent Meeting –
SHIELD Lesson other school Math Teacher Spreadsheet Schedule Change
counselor
10:45am Preparing Call parent on Check in on D and F visit Parent Meeting –
SHIELD Lesson IEP Student Schedule Change
11:00am Meet with IEP Call parent on Work on D and F visit Parent Phone
Student 504 Spreadsheet Call - Math
11:15am Call with Parent Meet with Work on Meet with Parent Phone
ELA Teacher Bereavement ELA Teacher Call - Math
schedule
11:30am Debrief with Call in student Work on Call parent Parent Phone
other school - thoughts Bereavement back Call -
counselor schedule Accommodations
11:45am Debrief with Student - Meet with Check in on Printing papers
other school thoughts Dean of student for Small Group
counselor Students
12:00pm Meet with Student - Meet with Parent phone Small Group
student thoughts Dean of call Counseling
Social/Emotional Students
12:15pm Meet with Student - Check in with Check in with Small Group
student D and F thoughts student student Counseling
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12:30pm Lunch Debrief with Lunch Lunch Lunch
other school
counselor
12:45pm Lunch Debrief with Lunch Lunch Lunch
other school
counselor
1:00pm Call Parents back Debrief with SHIELD Email parents Email parents
principal Lesson back back
1:15pm Email parents Lunch SHIELD Meet with Debrief with
back Lesson attendance other school
counselor
1:30pm Meet with School Lunch Email parents Work on Meet with Dean
Psych chronic ill of Students
1:45pm Meet with SS D and F Check Email parents Work on Meet with
teacher in chronic ill attendance
2:00pm Meet with D and F Check Check in on Meet with Work on choric
Student – in student – SPED teacher ill
Schedule Change Social
Emotional
2:15pm Meet with Mediation 7th Grade Meet with Work on chronic
Principal Check In SPED teacher ill
2:30pm Meet with Mediation 7th Grade Email parents Meet with 504
Principal Check In parent
2:45pm D and F Check in Debrief with 7th Grade Work on Meet with 504
other school Check In schedule Parent
counselor changes for S2
3:00pm Meet with Meet with 7th Grade Work on Work on
student – Dean of Check In schedule Spreadsheet
Social/Emotional Students changes for S2
3:15pm Meet with Meet with 7th Grade Work on Meet with
student – Dean of Check In schedule student –
Social/Emotional Students changes for S2 Social/Emotional
3:30pm Email parents Email parents Call parent Work on Meet with
back back back on S2 schedule student –
Schedule changes for S2 Social/Emotional
change
3:45pm Major Clarity Major Clarity Major Clarity Major Clarity Major Clarity
Lesson Lesson Lesson Lesson Lesson
4:00pm Major Clarity Major Clarity Major Clarity Major Clarity Major Clarity
Lesson Lesson Lesson Lesson Lesson
4:15pm Respond to Respond to Respond to Respond to Respond to
Emails Emails Emails Emails Emails
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School Description

Sossaman Middle School has 1100 students in 7th and 8th grade, with roughly 550

students in each grade level. It is an upper-middle class public school. About 95% of students are

Caucasian, about 2% are African-American, another 2% are Hispanic, and roughly 1% are

Asian. The students are native English speakers, with a very small percent who speak English as

a second langauge. Ages of students range from 12 to 14.

The staff at Sossaman Middle School includes nearly 60 teachers, 10 office staff, 10

paraprofessionals, and 10 janitorial and food service workers. About 96% of our staff is

Caucasian, with nearly 2% Hispanic, 1% African-American, and 1% Asian. Nearly 100% of staff

members speak English as a first language.

Office Set-Up

My office has two chairs for guests, my work desk, and two bookshelves. I have

motivational sayings on one wall, and I have notes and artwork from students on another wall.

My office also has stress balls, and fidgets for students to use. I also have a Zen garden students

can rake. My desk is mostly clutter-free, and I have pens, paper, and colored pencils so students

can write or draw. There are tissues on the desk if necessary. Also, the guest does not face the

door, this is to ensure their privacy if someone were to walk by and see them through the

window in the door.

Part 2

Four Components

The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) has four major components that

need to be present in order for a school to have a strong counseling foundation. These four

components are: Foundation, Management, Delivery, and Accountability (ASCA National Model
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- MLSD.NET, 2022). Sossaman Middle School is currently not an ASCA recognized school for

having a Comprehensive School Counseling Program, however, as we build on these four

components, we may become RAMP ready.

Foundation

Sossaman Middle School has a strong foundation for counseling. The school counselors

at Sossaman have looked within to see what their goals are for the counseling program and seek

to ensure its focus is student centered. We have strong beliefs that we can help all students make

strides toward their academic and behavior goals. We have a mission and a vision of how we can

best help our students.

Management

The school counselors at Sossaman Middle School work with the district school

counseling lead. Together, school counselors and the lead evaluate school counselors’

effectiveness. Self-evaluation, as well as evaluations by supervisors and administrators, are used

to determine the effectiveness of the counselors on our campus. Sossaman Middle School needs

to implement a Student Advisory Council in order to become RAMP ready. Sossaman is also

currently not using a closing-the-gap action plan. These deficiencies will need to change as we

seek to adapt to the ASCA model.

Delivery

The delivery of the counseling program at Sossaman Middle School is, perhaps, our

strongest component. At Sossaman Middle School we excel at direct services. We have a

curriculum for school counseling that is delivered by both counselors and by other teachers on

campus. We also provide individual student planning and responsive services. We provide

support for both academic and emotional wellbeing and growth.

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Accountability

The School Counselors at Sossaman Middle School are observed and evaluated by

campus administration and the district school counseling lead. They are observed teaching

lessons and counseling students. School counselors also hold themselves accountable by looking

at the data and evaluating their direct and indirect student service times and their impact on

student academic success and truancy.

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References

ASCA National Model - MLSD.NET. ASCA National Model A Framework for School

Counseling Programs. (2022). Retrieved December 11, 2022, from

https://www.mlsd.net/Downloads/ANMExecSumm.pdf

Career & College Readiness Solutions. MajorClarity. (2021). Retrieved December 11, 2022,

from https://majorclarity.com/

Counseling / counseling. Welcome to Sossaman Middle School Counseling. (2022). Retrieved

December 11, 2022, from https://www.husd.org/Page/46234

Higley Unified School District / Higley Unified School District. Sossaman Middle School Bell

Schedule. (2022). Retrieved December 11, 2022, from

https://www.husd.org/cms/lib/AZ01001450/Centricity/Domain/1392/2022-

2023%20HUSD%20High%20School%20Course%20Guide.pdf

Higley Unified School District 60. Job Posting Print. (2022). Retrieved December 11, 2022, from

https://higley.tedk12.com/hire/Admin/JobPostingPrintView.aspx?JobID=3384&Internal=

The school counselor and multitiered system of supports. The School Counselor and Multitiered

System of Supports - American School Counselor Association (ASCA). (2021). Retrieved

December 11, 2022, from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/Standards-Positions/Position-

Statements/ASCA-Position-Statements/The-School-Counselor-and-Multitiered-System-of-

Sup
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Student Services / Community Resource Guide. / Community Resource Guide. (2022). Retrieved

December 11, 2022, from https://www.husd.org/Page/28721

Welcome to Sossaman Middle School. (2022). Retrieved December 11, 2022, from

https://www.husd.org/cms/lib/AZ01001450/Centricity/Domain/2503/Spartan%20Days%20

Presentation%207.21.21.pptx

Yearly School Calendar. (2022). Retrieved December 11, 2022, from

https://www.husd.org/cms/lib/AZ01001450/Centricity/Domain/1902/2022-

2023%20HUSD%20Calendar%20Board%20Approved%205-13-20%20v2.pdf