- Baldwin County Public Schools
- Introduction to School Counseling
Overview of the Department
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The school guidance curriculum includes classroom and large group activities from kindergarten through twelfth grade, with an emphasis on decision-making; self-understanding; study skills; and career exploration, preparation, and planning. The individual planning component of the comprehensive school counseling program includes activities that provide every student with an opportunity to plan, monitor, and manage their academic, career, and personal/social development. Individual student planning emphasizes test interpretation, while academic counseling includes post-secondary education, career/technical education, and career planning. A significant portion of the school counselor’s day is spent on responsive services. These services include counseling or referral activities to meet the immediate needs and concerns of students. Responsive services include problem-solving, agency referral, and consultation. System support includes indirect guidance management activities that maintain and enhance the total school counseling and guidance program. Responsibilities in this component include staff relations, community relations, task forces, professional development, support teams, test interpretation, data analysis, and curriculum development.
Counseling and Intervention
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School counselors design and deliver comprehensive school counseling programs in three critical areas: academic, personal/social, and career. Comprehensive in scope, preventive in design, and developmental in nature, school counseling programs in the Baldwin County Public School System follow the Comprehensive Counseling and Guidance State Model for Alabama Public Schools. The school counseling program is implemented and delivered in each school by the certified school counselor(s) with the support of teachers, administrators, students, and parents. Equipped with more than 80 counselors, Baldwin County School System employees provide services to students through four program components: guidance curriculum, individual planning, responsive services, and system support.
Programs Available
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It should be understood that a comprehensive school counseling program is an integral component of the school’s academic mission. Comprehensive school counseling programs, driven by student data and based on standards in academic, career, and personal/social development, promote and enhance the learning process for all students.
In addition to the school counseling program, the Prevention and Support Services Department provides support for at-risk students, as well as for numerous programs for all grade levels in the Baldwin County Public School System. The goal of the department is to support prevention and intervention services in an effort to ensure that every school in the Baldwin County Public School System is a safe and healthy place for all students.
Programs
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Programs under the supervision of the Prevention and Support Services Supervisor include, but are not limited to, the following:
- School counseling program
- School social work program
- Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Program
- At-Risk Program
- At Risk Budget
- Career Fair
School Counseling Services
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Vaping
Vaping is becoming an increasing epidemic among teenagers. According to research provided by the American Heart Association, in 2018, e-cigarette use nearly doubled in high school students.
A “vape” or electronic cigarette is a device that heats up a liquid to create a vapor you inhale. More specifically, vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling the aerosol, often referred to as vapor, which is produced by an e-cigarette or similar device. The term is used because e-cigarettes do not produce tobacco smoke, but rather an aerosol, often mistaken for water vapor, that actually consists of fine particles. Many of these particles contain varying amounts of toxic chemicals, which have been linked to heart and respiratory diseases and cancer. -
Sexting
"Sexting" is the practice of taking a sexually revealing picture of yourself, typically from a cell phone, and sending it to someone. Unfortunately for parents and school systems alike, this is a growing phenomenon among teenagers today. The most common reason cited by teenagers for engaging in this illicit behavior is that it is "fun or flirtatious." However, this behavior is not only degrading and embarrassing, but it is also illegal. Creating, transmitting, and even possessing a nude, semi-nude, or sexually explicit image of a minor can be considered child pornography. Moreover, it can be prosecuted as a state or federal felony, and it can even lead to having to register as a sex offender.
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Self Injury
Non-suicidal self-injury, often simply called self-injury, is the act of deliberately harming your own body, such as cutting or burning yourself. It’s typically not meant as a suicide attempt. Rather, this type of self-injury is a harmful way to cope with emotional pain, intense anger, and frustration.
While self-injury may bring a momentary sense of calm and a release of tension, it’s usually followed by guilt and shame and the return of painful emotions. Although life-threatening injuries are usually not intended, with self-injury comes the possibility of more serious and even fatal self-aggressive actions. -
Safe Drug Free Schools & Communities Program
The purpose of the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Program is to foster a safe and drug-free learning environment that supports academic achievement. Schools and school systems across the state of Alabama are expected to support programs that prevent violence in and around schools; that prevent the illegal use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; that involve parents and communities; and that are coordinated with related federal, state, and community efforts and resources.
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Death & Grief
Children and adolescents experience many types of losses in their lives—from the ordinary, such as the death of a pet—to the catastrophic, such as the recent tornadoes that have ravaged cities in parts of Alabama.
Because no loss is unimportant, teachers, parents, as well as other trusted adults, must be able to recognize typical experience of loss, understand its impact, and respond with support and care.
Contact Information
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Sherry Rainbolt, Prevention and Support Supervisor
- TEL: 251.972.8550
- (FAX) 251.972.6868
- Email: sarainbolt@bcbe.org
Brenda Moss, Secretary
- TEL: 251.972.8550
- (FAX) 251.972.6868
- Email: bmoss@bcbe.org