Melrose Public Schools Melrose , MA 02176
Posted 2 weeks ago
Middle School Guidance Counselor Qualifications
Master's Degree in content specific field.
Excellent communication skills
Appropriate Massachusetts licensure required (School Guidance Counselor 5-12) Dual Licensure 6-8 Guidance Counselor and Adjustment Counselor Preferred
S.E.I. Endorsement
Successful completion of a Criminal Record Check (C.O.R.I.) and fingerprint check.
1.Member of middle school teaming system
Attend team meetings on a regular basis
Schedule and manage the team's calendar as it pertains to parent meetings
Advocate for students interests with team teachers - as is most effective with regular team meetings
Provide knowledge about each child's educational history through experience over the course of 3 years, research through cumulative files, and/or contact with previous teachers and faculty
Support team events such as processing "hot" topics like bullying, school violence, cyber bullying, community service projects etc.
2.Entry/exit procedures for students Registration of new students
Conduct an initial interview with parent/guardian and student
Collect appropriate data i.e. health records, proof of residency, transcripts, IEP/504 information, contact former school if need be
Create schedule, inform teachers, provide orientation, arrange for peer helpers
3.Special Education Responsibilities
Organize, conduct Instructional Support Team meetings for academically at risk students
Collect data for the I.S.T. process, maintain file, refer for testing
Attend all IEP team meetings - initial, annual, and 3-year re-evaluations for each child
4.504 Accommodation Plans
Assist the principal in maintaining a file of all plans
Facilitate the implementation of the plan - especially as regards providing middle school staff with information
Assist the principal in reviewing plans annually
Assist the principal in new referrals and the creation of plans as needed
Hold parent meetings to discuss the implementation and accommodations of the plans
5.Transition of students from grade to grade
a. Step-Up day for students - assigned paraprofessional and student helpers to give tours of the school; organizing a presentation to the entire incoming class b. Step-Up night for parents c. Collect critical data from elementary schools for smooth transition d. Organize and collate files from 5 elementary schools
Create the nine new teams - three per grade with consideration given to the following so that there is equity among the teams: various neighborhoods in Melrose, especially important in the fifth to sixth transition, males, and females, special education students, siblings, numbers of ability-based math sections in grades seven and eight, specialized courses as indicated per I.E.P.s, and any other pertinent information
Make schedule changes at the beginning of each year and semester per parent, teacher, student requests
6.School Crisis Intervention Teams
7.Counseling - variety of referrals
Be available for crisis/immediate need on a daily basis - home visits for school phobics and potential truants
Referrals from administration - particularly suspended students -part of the re-entry processes
Self-referrals - students bring themselves to the guidance office on a regular basis for issues that range from family concerns to peer issues to academic concerns
Teachers refer/bring students for a variety of reasons, most prominent academic or non discipline behavioral issues
Parental referrals for additional support with their children with school and/or home concerns
Conflict resolutions between individuals with peer issues primarily - on occasion, between students and teacher and student and parents.
Run an issue - oriented group, i.e. grief, loss through divorce, friend moving, bullying, social interactions etc.
8.Academically at risk students
Review mid-quarter progress reports, meet with students, call parents etc.
End of year, contact parents of students who must attend summer school and assist in making appropriate plans
9.Testing - standardized MCAS
Assist principal in organizing schedule
distribute materials - preparing testing materials for 12 homerooms (per grade) and special ed. staff
Collect, itemize, and pack materials for return
administer make-up tests to students who were absent
Organize I.S.S.P. (Individual Student Success Plans) for students who receive a Warning on a designated MCAS test
file 300 + scores
Locate, mail, transfer students MCAS scores
Other standardized tests - any other test to be administered to a significant group, grade or school would be organized through the guidance department 10. Lunch duty- assist in the supervision of 300 (+) students in the cafeteria during lunch 11. Private School Applications (8th grade students primarily) - While we do no recruitment, we do make available information that is sent by the various schools. We provide information regarding the SSAT program. We process applications for close to twenty per cent of the class annually, and for many multiple applications are involved. As a result, over 100 applications are processed in a two month period. Generally, a handful of students from grade six and seven may also apply to private schools and need applications completed.
contact, request and supply information to the courts/police and DCFS and contracted agencies
Consult with physicians, psychologists and other therapists about student's caseload.
Work directly with Melrose Alliance Against Violence to implement programs
Coordinate Arbour and HES counseling services
Research various programs and resources for families
Maintain regular consultations with METCO coordinator
Schedule, consult and support ESL students
Arrange tutoring
Collect homework assignments for absentees
List of students not attending MHS
Assist & attend Drug & Alcohol Summit Week
Assist & attend Random Acts of Kindness Summit Week
Melrose Public Schools