Counseling

Counseling Staff
Certified school counselors provide counseling services at every grade level. Mrs. Denelle McWherter provides guidance services for students in grades six, seven and eight at Riverbend Middle School. The counseling staff leads the district's efforts in pursuing the Mission of the Guidance Program, instilling the Qualities of a Successful Guidance Program, implementing the guidance curriculum, and delivering the school counseling program.


Mission of the Guidance Program
The mission of the IFA school counseling Program is to provide a comprehensive, developmental counseling program that addresses the academic, career, and persona;/social development of all students. All students will acquire skills. Knowledge, and attitudes needed to be responsible citizens, productive workers, and life-long learners in a global society.

Qualities of a Successful Guidance Program
A successful school counseling program:

  • Reaches every student

  • Is comprehensive in scope

  • Is proactive in design

  • Is developmental in nature

  • Is an integral part of a total educational program for student success

  • Selects measurable student competencies based on local need in academic, career and personal/social domains

  • Has a delivery system that includes school guidance curriculum, individual planning, responsive services and system support

  • Is implemented by a certified counselor

  • Is conducted in collaboration with all stakeholders

  • Uses data to drive program decisions

  • Monitors student progress

  • Measures both process and outcome-results, and analyzes critical data elements

  • Seeks improvement each year based on results data

  • Shares successes with stakeholders

Guidance Curriculum
Pre-8 utilizes the Second Step curriculum, as well as other curriculum resources.

Guidance Program Delivery
Delivery of the guidance program is accomplished through the following strategies:

  • Individual Student Planning that includes academic advisement for individuals and groups.

  • Responsive Services that includes personal counseling, conflict resolution, and crisis management.

  • School System Support that includes planning and evaluation, consultation, collaboration, and professional development.