The Center School District Counseling & Guidance Program follows the Missouri Comprehensive Guidance Program which includes sequential activities kindergarten through grade 12.

	Guidance Curriculum: The purpose of the guidance curriculum is to facilitate students' normal growth and development, to promote academic achievement and positive mental health, and to assist students in acquiring and using life career skills.  The curriculum is organized around three major areas:  Career Planning and Exploration, Knowledge of Self and Others, and Education and Vocational Development.
	Individual planning: Counselors assist all students to plan, monitor and manage their own learning, as well as their personal and career development.
	Responsive Services: These are activities that meet the immediate needs and concerns of students.  These needs or concerns may require counseling, consultation, referral or information.
	System support: consists of management activities that establish, maintain and enhance the total guidance program.  Support activities include professional development, staff and community relations, consultation with teachers, advisory committees and community outreach.

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There are many ways to meet with your school counselor:

• I can ask to see the counselor.
• I can write the counselor a note or sign up.
• My teacher can send me to the counselor.
• A parent can ask the counselor to see me.
• The counselor can invite me to visit with them
• The counselor visits me in my classroom.

Counselors at Elementary Schools:

• Teach lessons in classrooms on topics such as: Understanding self and others, planning for the future, problem solving, and decision making.
• Help students learn skills and attitudes necessary to be successful as they progress from kindergarten to middle school.
• Provide individual and small group counseling to help students with personal and school-related concerns.
• Work with parents, teachers and community resources to address the needs of our students.
• Serve as members of various teams, committees, and professional organizations that share information impacting students lives in a positive way.

Counselors at Middle School:

• Provide the bridges needed for 5th grade students to cross over to the Middle School and for the 8th grade journey to the High School.
• Provide individual counseling and coordinate group counseling through volunteer agencies.
• Prepare guidance curriculum for classroom teachers to deliver through Enrichment class to include Career Exploration and Planning, Study Skills, and Self Awareness.
• Are members of essential groups such as the Student Services Team, the Academic Teams, the Staffing Team and the 504 Committee in order to provide quality and consistent services to students.
• Sponsor Peer Ambassador, Peer Mediator and Peer Tutor programs which aid fellow students and the community.

Counselors at High School and Alternative School:

• Help foster positive student/teacher and peer relationship.
• Assist students in the enrollment and transition process which includes developing a 4-year plus plan.
• Assist students with college and career selections, scholarship and financial searches and opportunities to meet with postsecondary representatives.
• Work with students with special needs.
• Assist students with problem solving and decision making.
• Work with students individually or in groups.
• Work with parents, teachers and community resources to address the needs of students
• Participate as members of the school's Student Services Team.