Here are some of the services that the OISD Counseling Department provides for students:

 

School Counselors DO :

• Personal/Social Counseling

  • Addresses the immediate need of the student

  • Topics commonly addressed:

    • Relationships

    • Communication

    • Managing time and responsibilities

    • Depression

    • Anxiety

    • Divorce/Family issues

    • Abuse

    • Substance Abuse

    • Others

  • Make referrals to community agencies when appropriate

• Academic Counseling

  • Discuss factors affecting student performance, including:

    • Attendance issues

    • Attentiveness in class

    • Following directions

    • Communicating effectively with classmates and teachers

    • Specific learning challenges/disabilities

    • Taking responsibility for academic success

  • Meet with students and parents to determine the appropriate curriculum for a student to follow.

• Career Counseling

  • Instruct students in the use of career information technology, e.g. Career Cruiser, etc.

  • Explain the links between interests, abilities, and work values and a person's choice of career

  • Aide students in the selection of coursework and post-secondary training/education to prepare them for their chosen career fields.

Other Services

• Transcripts

• Letters of Recommendation

• Health and Wellness Interventions

 

 

School Counselors DO NOT :

• Intervene between students/parents and teachers - If parents or students need to speak with a teacher, they should contact the OHS/OJH Main Office at 903-834-6143, option 3 to leave a message for the teacher or email that teacher directly. If a parent or student needs to address an issue with a teacher that cannot be resolved by meeting with that teacher, they should call the Main Office to make an appointment with an administrator. Counselors are unable to address these concerns with teachers. We can only help the student to adjust their own perspective and behavior in the class.

• Discipline students - Counselors play absolutely no role in the disciplining of students. After a student has been disciplined by the appropriate personnel (e.g. an administrator), a counselor will sometimes be brought in to discuss with the student how to avoid transgressions in the future. If your child has been disciplined by a teacher or administrator, please address your concerns with that individual. As counselors, we cannot overrule/address discipline decisions.

• Collect Homework or Books - If students need missed homework or books from teachers, they should contact the campus Main Office at 903-834-6143, option 3 to leave a message for their teachers. If a student will be missing school due to illness, you can call the OISD Secondary campus attendance clerk Katina Carter at 903-834-6143 option 1 and a note will be placed in all teachers' boxes for them to put together a homework packet. Any material that is collected for the student will be left in the Secondary campus Main Office, not the Counseling Office.

• Handle Absences/Dr.'s Excuses - All absences and Dr.'s excuses are handled by the Attendance Clerk. Counselors do not have access to accept excuses or modify absences.