M 2. Sense of acceptance, respect, support and inclusion for self and others in the school environment

M 5. Belief in using abilities to their fullest to achieve high-quality results and outcomes

B-LS 3. Time-management, organizational and study skills

B-LS 8. Engagement in challenging coursework

B-SMS 7. Effective coping skills

B-SS 2. Positive, respectful and supportive relationships with students who are similar to and different from them

• SHS Weekly S’more - The weekly S’More emailed to all SHS students and parents will include the LEVEL UP Group 1 and LEVEL UP Group 2 meetings on Mon/Wed and Tues/Thurs during the Advisement period in the Student Meeting Center.

• Counselor’s Website - The SHS Counselor Website will advertise the weekly meetings like the S’More.

• Flyers will be hung around campus advertising the LEVEL UP meetings including location and time.

• Emails will be sent to the LEVEL UP members' adviser teachers to remind them of the weekly meetings, including the location and time.

• Reminders will be sent through the Remind App to the LEVEL UP members on the day of each meeting reminding them of time and location.

Students who return both consent forms will then meet with me individually to discuss educational and personal commitment to the small group. From these interactions, I will determine group members. Each of the group members selected will be given a pre-assessment. I will meet with students not selected to discuss other options for them.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1S3BQ0h_lGbYWYnk5Y1uOCOrRff3EdNICAANyX3nwnp0/edit?usp=sharing

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VLN06aGG3jgtUJbVTv3Cj9I7qfBIEy4A1p5dq8aneWo/edit?usp=sharing

LEVEL UP Group Rules (as established by the SC)

1 - Treat all group members with respect.

2- All group members and SC understand and respect confidentiality.

3- All group members have the opportunity to share during meetings.

4- All group members will attempt to utilize new study skills acquired during group meetings.

LEVEL UP Group Member Rules Suggestions (can be suggested and discussed during the initial group meeting)

Since this is an educational study skills/strategies group...

1- Should the group consider the need to have all educational supplies (notes, notebook, planner, etc.) on hand for each meeting?

2- Should the group consider how to hold each other accountable for participating in study groups?

3- What other guidelines should the group consider that benefit all members?

Introducing the group will include showing the members evidence of their past academic success and teacher recommendations regarding their academic abilities and strengths as students, creating a groundwork of trust in themselves and their capabilities. We will review my rules and expectations of the group and discuss anything the members would like to add. I will stress the importance of respecting everyone in the group and how that relates to confidentiality. We will discuss what confidentiality looks like in this group and how we can maintain it.

Stage 2 - Working together to accomplish individual and group goals

As these students' schedules will change to enroll them in advanced courses, they will most likely have these courses together as this is a small school district. This will help create a cohesive group atmosphere both inside and outside of the actual group meetings. Learning and using the study skill strategies together and sharing their products in group meetings will strengthen their commitment to their goals by holding them accountable to the group, which in turn will also strengthen the group goals. Each group meeting will begin with an informal check-in to gauge how the students are adjusting to their advanced courses, how they are handling more academic work outside of the classroom, and how their strategies are working. This sharing of information will allow us all (me and the student members) to recognize issues we need to address and to offer support in the areas individual students need.

Stage 3 - Ending the Group

At our last official meeting, we will reflect orally on the shift in our mindset on challenging ourselves academically to prepare for college. I will ask students to share which strategies have worked best for them and offer suggestions on the strategies they might still struggle with. The group members will brainstorm ideas on ways they can continue to support each other and on the need for continued group confidentiality as they continue the school year. I will give the group members a laminated "flyer" that includes reminders of the study skills and strategies they have learned, coping strategies for when they begin to feel overwhelmed with their course load, reminders of optional group meetings every three weeks, and my contact and office information.

  (3) counsel individuals and small groups using appropriate counseling theories and techniques in response to students' needs;

This legal requirement directly supports my counseling services in my small group of first-generation freshmen students by using both a small group and services to address both their educational needs (advanced coursework, study skills, learning strategies) and their social/emotional needs (small group, study group, opportunities for discussion and reflection).

(6) demonstrate proficiency in teaching small and large groups by actively engaging students in the learning process

This legal requirement also supports my counseling services as students in this small group will be actively engaged in both advanced coursework and in learning skills and strategies in our small group to promote and support their learning.

A.9.a. Screening Counselors screen prospective group counseling/therapy participants. To the extent possible, counselors select members whose needs and goals are compatible with the goals of the group, who will not impede the group process, and whose well-being will not be jeopardized by the group experience.

This ethical requirement is imperative in the selection process for the small group in order to select a group that will work together for a common goal.

A.7. Roles and Relationships at Individual, Group, Institutional, and Societal Levels

A.7.a. Advocacy When appropriate, counselors advocate at individual, group, institutional, and societal levels to address potential barriers and obstacles that inhibit access and/or the growth and development of clients.

The students selected for this group are going to need changes in their academic schedule. I need to serve as an advocate for each of the group members when discussing with the advanced academic teachers the need to add these students to their rosters.

American Counseling Association. (2014). 2014 ACA code of ethics. 

https://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center

American School Counselor Association. (2021). ASCA mindsets and behaviors for student 

success: K-12 College-, career-, and life-readiness standards for every student. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/7428a787-a452-4abb-afec-d78ec77870cd/Mindsets-Behaviors.pdf 

Cherry, K. (2023). How to lead: 6 leadership styles and frameworks. verywellmind. 

https://www.verywellmind.com/leadership-styles-2795312

Missouri Professional School Counselors and Counselor Educators. (2015). Professional school 

counselor small group counseling guide: A professional school counselor’s guide to planning, implementing, and evaluating school-based counseling groups. (26).

Stanton Independent School District. (2024). Student handbook. https://www.stantonisd.org

Yalom ID. (1995). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (4th ed.). New York: Basic 

Books.