These lessons are an integral part of the school counseling program and important to every student’s academic success. One of the most effective ways for school counselors to help prevent academic problems is by discussing self-esteem issues such as peer relationships, stress, or dealing with feelings and emotions in large group guidance lessons in the classroom.

The lessons are preventative in nature, designed to reach all students, and are taught in the classroom by the counselor. Other topics that could be taught are empathy, problem-solving and anger management skills.

Both teachers and counselors have similar goals: the educational success of each student. It is important that school counselors collaborate with teachers and administrators to promote student learning. If a student is having problems in a classroom, school counselors will join together with teachers to come up with some practical strategies with the intention to remove educational barriers and enhance the learning environment of that student. 

School counselors can provide short-term individual counseling for students, but when more intervention is required, we can coordinate referrals to community agencies. View a list of counseling resources.

Families and school counselors can partner with each other to help the child/student on a variety of issues such as new school transitions, special needs, family transitions, and crisis situations. Studies have shown that children have greater academic achievement when their families are involved in their education. Home involvement is critical to helping a child be a successful student. Additionally, school counselors can help put families in touch with community resources, if the need arises.

OJH offers a variety of group counseling opportunities based on student needs. These groups include new student transitions, leadership opportunities, friendship, and a variety of social and emotion skills.

The school counselor is available to meet individually with a student in circumstances when a student's educational success is being impacted or issues arise with the child. The school counselor spends time working with individual students to improve their social skills, discuss feelings, empower, and provide problem solving methods.

The OJH counselor assists all students. While a counselor cannot provide on-going sessions, it may be appropriate for a student to receive short-term individual one on one time. When more attention and intervention is required, school counselors can act as a referral agent for parents to access counseling services within the community.

Students may request a session with their school counselor by emailing the counselor or completing the Request to See The Counselor Google Form found in their Google Classroom.

Individual students are seen in one-on-one counseling sessions for a variety of reasons based on social, emotional, and academic needs. Topics discussed in individual sessions include, but are not limited to, social skills, anxiety, depression, divorce, grief, self-control, and self-esteem.

Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports

• Be Respectful
• Be Responsible
• Build Relationships

District-wide, we practice the 3Rs. This language provides common behavioral expectations for all students throughout the buildings. 

The purpose of small group counseling is to compliment and enhance students' learning by improving their perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors. Small group counseling provides a safe setting where children, along with their peers, it can increase their self-awareness and improve their cooperation and communication skills. The children can learn from each other. Ultimately, the goal of small group counseling is to prevent problems in the future by teaching children new skills. Students can benefit from participation in a small group.

Professional Tutors:

The district provides a list of qualified professional tutors.

The list of tutors is available upon request and is updated each fall.