Counseling

Mission
The mission of the Richmond Public Schools comprehensive
school counseling program is to prepare culturally competent,
ethical, and skilled school counseling professionals to meet the
growing needs of students. The competency-based program
prepares professional school counselors to deliver
comprehensive programs that promote success for all students
in the areas of academic, career, and college readiness and
social-emotional development. Through advocacy, collaboration
and teamwork, individual and group counseling, use of data and
technology, school counselors will be prepared to support,
promote, and enhance student achievement as agents of
change and leaders.

Counseling
Academic, career and social-emotional development goals
focus on self-understanding, interpersonal skills, decision-
making, occupational information, education and training,
economic awareness, and employability. Student achievement
of these is a total school and community responsibility involving
counselors, teachers, administrators, and support personnel
using related community resources. 
School counseling involves individual and group contacts over a
period of time. The counselor helps students develop realistic
concepts of themselves, and become aware. A student will meet
with the counselor when: 
● He/she requests counseling;
● Parents, teachers, administrators, and other school
staff refer the student; and 
● The counselor initiates contact

Delivery System
School Core Curriculum 
● Classroom Instruction
● Interdisciplinary Curriculum
● Group Activities

● Parent Workshops and Instruction 
Individual Student Planning 
● Individual or Small Group Appraisal
● Individual or Small Group Advisement 
Responsive Services
● Consultation 
● Individual and Small Group Counseling
● Crisis Counseling/Response
● Peer Facilitation
Indirect Student Services
● Referrals
● Consultation
● Collaboration

Limits for Student Participation
Parents have the option to withdraw their child or children from
all or any portion of the guidance and counseling program by
directing their opt-out request in writing to the school principal or
counselor. 

The opt-out provision excludes short-duration personal/social
counseling which is needed to maintain order, discipline, or a
productive learning environment or to assess instances of
suspected child abuse and/or neglect. 

Written parental consent will be required before students
participate in a planned program of group counseling or
individual counseling that is conducted on a continuing basis. 
Procedures for Materials Review

Materials used in the School Counseling Program shall be
made available for parent review and comment by making
arrangements with the school counselor.

 

Please use this link if you would like your child to opt-out of counseling services.