Mission and Services

The mission of the school counseling and guidance program at Fennimore High School is to enhance the academic, personal/social, and career development of all students in grades 6-12. A comprehensive guidance curriculum is a key component to any school setting.  A professional school counseling program is preventative in nature, developmentally appropriate, and comprehensive. School counselors provide support in an effort to maximize student achievement and also, serve as an advocate for all children.

Classroom Lessons

- Classroom lessons will be done in both the 7th and 8th grade classrooms. The topics that are currently covered include Bullying, Career Exploration, and AODA.

Small Group Counseling

Small group counseling sessions may be offered to students throughout the school year, based on student need.  This type of counseling environment allows students to give and receive help from their peers who may be experiencing similar feelings or situations.

Examples of small group sessions that could be conducted include:

• - Changing Families: For students experiencing a new sibling, new stepparent, divorce, etc.

• - Grief: For those experiencing the loss of a family member, friend, pet, etc.

• - Conflict Resolution: Working through anger in an appropriate way

• - Girls Group / Boys Group: Self-esteem, addressing issues of popularity, cliques, and fitting in

Group sessions will typically last anywhere from 4-6 sessions, and are made based on teacher or parent referrals. Sessions will take place at an agreed upon time with the classroom teacher when minimal instruction is missed.  If you have any questions about group counseling, or would like your child to participate in a group, please feel free to contact me!

Individual Counseling

- Individual counseling at the school level seeks to remove any impediments that may be getting in the way of a student being the best learner that they can be.  It is conducted in a confidential setting and is meant to meet any immediate student needs or concerns.  Individual counseling at school is short-term in nature and solution-focused.

School counselors may also provide support to parents, teachers, and other community members through teacher or parent consultation, community collaboration, and responsive services.

School Counseling National Standards

School Counseling National Standards as defined by the American School Counselor Association The National Standards for School Counseling Programs facilitate student development in three board areas: academic development, career development and personal/social development. Following are the nine national standards.

Academic Development

• Standard A

  • Students will acquire the attitudes, knowledge and skills contributing to effective learning in school and across the life span.

• Standard B

  • Students will complete school with the academic preparation essential to choose from a wide range of substantial post-secondary options, including college.

• Standard C

  • Students will understand the relationship of academics to the world of work and to life at home and in the community.

Career Development

• Standard A

  • Students will acquire the skills to investigate the world of work in relation to knowledge of self and to make informed career decision.

• Standard B

  • Students will employ strategies to achieve future career success and satisfaction.

• Standard C

  • Students will understand the relationship between personal qualities, education and training and the world of work.

Personal/Social Development

• Standard A

  • Students will acquire the attitudes, knowledge and interpersonal skills to help them understand and respect self and others.

• Standard B

  • Students will make decisions, set goals and take necessary action to achieve goals.

• Standard C

  • Students will understand safety and survival skills.

School to Work/Education for Employment

This is an independent course which includes understanding yourself and how your career choice should reflect your values and desired lifestyle.  A resume and job application will be completed and an interview will be conducted. This is a ¼ credit course which can lead to other opportunities. If a student has a job for someone other than their parents, they may receive ¼ credit for every 180 hours of work up to one credit starting the summer after the student’s sophomore year.

Supervised Work Experience

Supervised Work Experience is planned to develop a student academically, economically, and socially. This is open to seniors who have completed the Education for Employment class work. The employer serves as a laboratory where students have an opportunity to apply principles and practices they have learned in school. Students must get their own job and be able to work for the business every day.

Youth Apprenticeship

This is a two-year program beginning in 11th grade, offering students guided learning and work experience within an industry. The apprentice will attend regular classes in high school as well as the related class at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College one day per week. They must work at a worksite ten hours per week during their junior year and fifteen hours per week during their senior year. The application process must begin in January of the student’s sophomore year. Youth apprenticeships are available in the following areas: Finance, Health, Auto Collision, Auto Technician, Logistics, Manufacturing, Production Agriculture, Computer Networking and Tourism. The student receives a credit for the class as well as the work for two credits each year for a total of four credits.

Job Shadowing

Job Shadowing is an opportunity for students to spend time observing a person at work in an occupation of interest to the student.  Job shadowing provides the student with a first-hand and more realistic view of a career than can be obtained by reading about it. Students will spend part of a day with a business person on-the-job. They will have the chance to watch, listen, and ask questions as the person they are shadowing does their job.

Xello

Xello is a career development website designed to help youth and adults with career awareness, exploration, and planning. Students have the opportunity to create an ePortfolio/Individual Learning Plan that will track their career interests, abilities, and aspirations from their time at Fennimore Elementary all the way through high school graduation.Students will receive their Username and Password information during the career unit of classroom guidance or they can get one from Mr. Roth at any time. For more information on Xello visit Xello.