While it is important that a student's conversations with a school counselor be kept confidential, confidentiality does have its limitations. According to the American School Counselor Association's Ethical Standards for School Counselors, counselors must "keep information confidential unless legal requirements demand that confidential information be revealed or a breach is required to prevent serious and foreseeable harm to the student."(American School Counselor Association [ASCA], 2010).
The most frequent type of breaches include a student verbalizing the following: 1. Verbal, Physical or Sexual Abuse 2. Neglect 3. A desire to harm him/herself 4. A desire to harm someone else 5. An unreported sexual assault
Reference: American School Counselor Association. Ethical Standards for School Counselors. American School Counselor Association, n.d.Web. 19 March 2013 <http://www.counselors.k12.sd.us/ethics.html>
Vision Hurst Junior High School Guidance Program is aligned with The American School Counselors Association (ASCA) Model. Our counseling program is comprehensive, preventive and developmental. The goal of Hurst Junior High School Counseling Program is to assist students in their personal growth and development. This is an effort to help students experience success with their academics, social, personal, and emotional needs. It is our belief that students' growth and needs can be facilitated with a healthy relationship between the counselor and students, teachers, parents/guardians, administration, and community members.
Philosophy The School Counselors at Hurst Junior High Believe:
We, as the school counselors, are in a unique position to be an advocate for all students.
All students are to be treated with dignity and respect.
All students are capable of achieving their highest potential when given appropriate opportunities and support.
All students have the right to a safe, bully-free, nurturing, and encouraging learning environment; which not only supports, but also enhances ALL student achievement.
All students have the right to appropriate and comprehensive school counseling curriculum.
The School Counselors at Hurst Junior High are Responsible for:
Following ethical guidelines and mandates set forth by professional associations and keeping up to date on these ethical standards and mandates.
Planning a comprehensive school counseling program that aligns with the ASCA National Model and delivering this program to all students.
Working along-side school and district level personnel to make data-driven decisions to develop, monitor, and evaluate the effectiveness of the counseling program to our student population.
Working collaboratively with the teachers, administration, parents/guardians/caretakers, students, and community members to ensure the unique needs of our student population are being addressed.
Mission The mission of the Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD Counseling Program is to help each student discover individual strengths and needs, to choose realistic goals and to consider one's educational experiences wisely in planning for the future.
Guidance Curriculum- Developmental and age appropriate lessons presented during classroom guidance which are designed to provide knowledge and skills to students at their level. Individual Student Planning- Focused on planning of short-term and long-term goals of the individual student. Responsive Services- Services that meet the students' immediate needs (counseling, referrals, consultation). System Support- Maintenance of the counseling program, consultation, collaboration, as well as professional development is included in this area of counseling. Counseling- Teachers, administrators, and parents are able to make referrals to the counselor. All information discussed in counseling sessions is strictly confidential, unless there is a danger to self or others. Students may also make a self-referral to the counselor.
Parents should feel free to contact the counselor to schedule a conference any time during school hours (Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm)
***If there is an emergency situation please bring this to the counselor’s attention and that student will receive priority***
Students, teachers and parents also have access to Anonymous Bullying located here: