NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Bullying and school violence have been major issues of concern in recent years, but schools have several resources to help solve those problems. One important resource is the school counselor. School counselors have been required in Arkansas public schools since 1986.
In Arkansas, school counselors are required to be licensed teachers with a master’s degree in counseling. The counselor is the mental health professional of the school.
Counselors help students individually, in small groups, or in classroom groups with personal, social, career and academic needs. Elementary counseling programs are developmental in nature and provide services that are preventative and proactive. For example, counselors see classroom groups for lessons in conflict resolution, bullying prevention, social skills, responsible decision making, safety, drug education, understanding and managing feelings, selfawareness, career education and positive work habits. These lessons are aimed at helping students understand themselves and others, and learning how to solve problems such as bullying. School counselors also coordinate programs such as student of the month, ambassadors, snackpacks and mentoring at the elementary level; and career and academic decision making at the secondary level. School counselors are part of the educational team in the school and are involved in many aspectsof a student’s learning and placement.
Parents are welcome to meet with their child’s school counselor and discuss any concerns.
Pea Ridge has four experienced school counselors: Debbie Ruff at Pea Ridge Primary School;
Janis Sutton at Pea Ridge Intermediate School;
Cathy Caudle at Pea Ridge Middle School; and Randi Jo Hutchison-Kelso at Pea Ridge High School.
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Editor’s note: Debbie Ruff is the counselor for Pea Ridge Primary School.
School, Pages 9 on 02/29/2012