Counselor's Office

Dianne Berg, School Counselor
(480) 929-9909 Ext. 6916

Role of School Counselor

The school counselor offers students and families assistance in the following basic areas:

(1) Counseling – Individual and small group counseling is offered to students in social skills development and/or adjusting to change or traumatic events.

(2) Group Guidance – The school counselor provides guidance resources such as guidance prevention programs for classroom use. These lessons supplement our school-wide social skills development program. The lessons reinforce personal and social development competencies by engaging student awareness in empathy understanding, impulse control and anger management. The counselor co-sponsors the Conflict Managers program and made up of student peace coaches; and also co-facilitates a Behaviors for Learning class that provides extra support for students needing “impulse control” practice. Study skills, problem solving, drug refusal skills and career planning are addressed through classroom lessons and/or individual or group counseling sessions.

(3) Consultation – Parents are an integral part of the consultation process and the development of successful strategies for student achievement. The school counselor also participates in weekly school Support Team meetings. This provides opportunities for consultation with the principal, teachers, nurse and other professional staff members.

(4) Coordination – The school counselor supports students and helps parents connect with outside agencies when special student services are needed.
The counselor performs the following functions: implements a citizenship recognition program for deserving students; actively participates in PTA and uses the opportunity for connecting with students and families; coordinates the Red Ribbon campaign and the student recognition assemblies; works with behavioral issues and supports the school’s discipline process; encourages cultural awareness through lessons and through school-wide cultural awareness activities and celebration participation; implements our district’s guidance counseling policies and is an active participant in our school’s professional development program.