School Counselors lead students in Academic and Career Planning (ACP).  Starting in elementary school, students are introduced to various career opportunities. In grades 5-8, students complete interest/skill inventories in Career Cruising to begin to consider possible careers and what high school courses may help prepare the student for their future. In high school, students continue with Career Cruising and take steps toward a solid plan for their career after graduation. The district's ACP website has more information.

One skill that is practiced during the school–age years is how to get along with others. A common concern raised by students and parents is bullying. School counselors take a proactive role in helping students develop healthy relationship skills, address conflict appropriately, and intervene with bullying behavior.This article differentiates between bullying and unkind behavior.

Is it Bullying? What is it?
 

BASD uses Character Strong, a K-12 Character Building Curriculum. Character Strong is funded for five years through a grant. Character Strong offers a consistent character education program for all grade levels.

School Counselors work with students and families on digital citizenship and internet safety. Here is a good resource to find reviews for games, movies, apps, websites, TV shows, books, and music. 

Wisconsin's Department of Public Instruction and the Department of Justice have organized information on keeping kids safe online.

School counselors meet with students about immediate concerns and provide short-term support and crisis intervention. They help students learn healthy coping skills to deal with various life stressors.  For issues that are ongoing where students need more support, school counselors can help connect families to outside resources.

It is important to attend school to stay on track with learning growth. Attendance Brochure (English / Spanish)

School counselors work with students to develop healthy habits and avoid putting harmful substances in their bodies including drugs and alcohol.  There are various programs for drug and alcohol prevention at all levels.

• Parenting books that have stood the test of time.
• Parenting with Love and Logic  

In our elementary schools, we teach students about the Zones of Regulation. The Zones of Regulation is a tool that helps kids recognize their emotions and to begin to learn self-regulation. Self-regulation is the ability to manage one's emotions in different situations.

There are four different zones:

• Blue: Sad, Sick, Tired, Bored, Moving Slowly
• Green: Happy, Calm, Feeling Okay, Focused Ready to Learn
• Yellow: Frustrated, Worried, Silly/Wiggly, Excited
• Red: Mad/Angry, Mean, Terrified, Yelling/Hitting, Out of Control

There are no "bad" zones as we all feel different emotions at different times. The GREEN zone makes learning the easiest for kids, it's best for kids to be GREEN zone during school as much as possible. Click on this link to learn more about The Zones of Regulation.

Anxiety Disorders in Children

Worry Wise Kids:  A website dedicated to assisting parents on the topic of anxiety.

Child Mind Institute:: Resources and strategies for dealing with anxiety in children.

Book Recommendations for Grief in Children (4K-6th grade)