School Counseling

The classroom guidance program incorporates a structured, developmental curriculum designed to help students acquire, develop and demonstrate competencies within the three domains: academic, career and personal/social.

1. Academic Development – To ensure that students acquire the attitudes, knowledge, and skills necessary for effective learning and understand their academic status as it relates to graduation and post-secondary options.
2. Career Development – To ensure that students develop the skills necessary to explore self-interests, make informed career decisions, and prepare for successful employment and future training.
3. Personal/Social Development – To ensure that students learn to access the necessary resources to make informed decisions, recognize, individual differences, and learn effective communication and conflict resolution skills.

During the beginning of school year, the focus is on the academic domain. Students work on improving their classroom listening skills, developing responsible homework and study habits, and understanding how appropriate classroom behaviors contribute to academic success. Guidance lessons in all grade levels are collectively revolve around one main goal: “To provide a comprehensive, developmental counseling program addressing the academic, career, and personal/social development of all students” (VBCPS).

Small group counseling sessions, a.k.a. “New Beginnings,” (participation requires written parental consent) and individual counseling services are available to all students. These types of sessions help students address, discuss, and overcome obstacles in a variety of areas, such as:

• Behavior management
• Social skills
• Coping with change
• Showing respect
• Study skills
• Fostering a positive attitude towards school
• Problem solving
• Deployment
• Changes in the family
• Transition to middle school

If you are interested in any of these groups for your child, please contact the Guidance Office.

“Counselors explore strategies that will assist students with their academic, career, and personal/social development through consultation and collaboration with parents/guardians, other school personnel, medical/clinical personnel, and community based agencies” (VBCPS).

Parents are always welcome to visit our guidance office and explore the resources we have to offer. If you have any questions, comments, and/or need to schedule a conference with your child's counselor, please email David Capps or call 757.648.4155. Meetings will be held Monday - Friday between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM.

Conflicts and disagreements are a part of life. In order to maintain a learning environment that is safe and healthy for all students, it is important for children to be able to resolve conflicts effectively. "Kelso's Choices" is a school-wide initiative, centered on a fantastic little Frog named Kelso, which teaches students appropriate conflict resolution techniques. The program teaches students how to make positive choices to resolve difficult situations instead of using hurtful words, gestures, or physical aggression. To do this, we encourage students who are experiencing "small problems" to try at least two of "Kelso's Choices" before they seek help from an adult:

1. Go to another game or activity
2. Share and take turns
3. Respectfully talk it over and listen to each other
4. Walk away from the problem
5. Ignore the problem behavior
6. Respectfully tell the person to stop the problem behavior
7. Apologize
8. Tell them to stop
9. Wait and cool off - Make a deal or compromise

Students with "big problems" should always speak to an adult.

The Principles of American Citizenship are an important part of Windsor Oaks' character education program. A new citizenship trait is identified each month. Counselors, teachers, staff, and parents help reinforce these traits throughout the school year. Counselors integrate these nine traits into the monthly classroom guidance lessons. The goal is to help teach the students to understand and develop these qualities as an important part of their character building process.

• January – Fairness
• February – Honesty
• March – Cooperation
• April – Self Control
• May – Trustworthiness
• September – Responsibility
• October – Diligence
• November – Respect
• December – Kindness

The school counseling program for Virginia Beach Public Schools is based on the following student goals, identified by Myrick:

• Understanding the school environment
• School success skills
• Career awareness and educational planning
• Understanding self and others
• Understanding attitudes and behaviors
• Decision-making and problem solving
• Interpersonal and communication skills
• Community pride and involvement

Myrick, R.D. (1997). Developmental guidance and counseling: A practical approach. (3rd ed.)