School counselors have Master's Degrees and are professionally trained in the three domains of school counseling: academic success, career readiness, and social/emotional development. Click here for the American School Counselor Association description of the elementary school counselor.

 

Mission Statement
The mission of the WTPS's Elementary Counseling Department is to provide a comprehensive school counseling program that addresses positive character traits, as well as social, organizational and problme solving skills. The school counselor will work in partnership with administration, other educators, parnets/guardians, and the community to help students meet their academic potential. 

 

Student Assistance Counselor (SAC)
Click here for the Association of the Student Assistance Professionals of New Jersey role
According to a very strict Federal Regulation (42 CFR), the Student Assistance Counselor cannot disclose to anyone any information that a student discusses with them, without the permission of the student. There are only two exceptions to this law. The first is in instances where the student expresses the desire to hurt himself/herself or another person. The second exception involves situations of abuse. In both cases the SAC is obligated to inform school or legal personnel.

However, there are a few exceptions to this law.  If a student tells the SAC that he/she wishes to hurt him/herself or anyone else, actions must be taken to prevent this from happening.  Also, if a student discloses that abuse is happening to him/her, the SAC counselor has the obligation to report the abuse.

With this confidentiality law, students feel more comfortable disclosing information to their counselors.  In most cases holding information in and letting it build can have a detrimental effect.  The SAC gives the students the opportunity to vent in a safe place where they know the information will not leave the office.

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