School Counselor Andrea Moore's online counseling office.

Wood County Schools celebrates National School Counseling Week.

PARKERSBURG - Wood County Schools is thanking its dedicated counselors who serve our students every day.

National School Counseling Week is Feb 1-5, with this year’s theme being "School Counselors: All In For All Students."

The annual event is sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and provides recognition for school counselors 

The role of school counselors has changed dramatically in recent years with increased mental, emotional and physical needs among students. Counselors not only guide students educationally, but provide valuable counseling and outreach services, as well as create social and emotional connections with students and families. 

“The role of the School Counselor is a unique one,” said Christie Bixman, counselor at Van Devender Middle School. “They are educators uniquely trained in child and adolescent development, learning strategies, self-management, counseling theory and techniques and social skills.”

Bixman said the role of the school counselor is to help students identify and overcome hurdles to academic achievement and to  develop social and emotional skills. Counselors are mentors, protectors and caring adults.

“The school counseling program provides education, prevention, and intervention activities, which are integrated into all aspects of students’ lives,” Bixman said. “The program teaches students the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary for academic, career and social/ emotional development. School counselors provide a proactive program that engages students and includes leadership, advocacy and collaboration with school staff, administration, and community/family members in the delivery of programs and activities to help students achieve success. School Counselors also collaborate with teachers and parents on early identification and intervention of children’s academic and social/emotional needs, which is essential in removing barriers to learning and developing skills and behaviors critical for academic achievement.”

The COVID-19 pandemic along with frequently changing schedules and social distancing measures have heightened what can already be a stressful time for kids.

“Our role as school counselors are so important right now for a lot of reasons,” said Andrea Moore, counselor at Neale Elementary School in Vienna. “Students who already suffer from anxiety may have heightened anxiety because of COVID. Students who may not have the best home life are only in school 2-3 days, which makes it more difficult for us to identify any possible issues. Some students may feel isolated or sad because they aren't seeing their friends, and are missing out on things that would happen in a ‘typical’ school year.

“Because of these additional factors, our role is more important than ever,” Moore said. 

The need for remote instruction also has led counselors to find new ways to reach out and connect with students and families. 

“Distance learning has definitely changed the way I interact with students. Because of the students being on a blended schedule, I don't see all of the students when I visit classes like I used to,’ Moore said. “I put a lot of lessons on schoology. Ive recorded read alouds with myself in the video so students can see and hear me.”

Moore said she also provides links to other videos, interactive sites on mindfulness, and discussion questions for students to give her feedback. She also provides resources for parents, such as tips on how to deal with stress. Moore said she periodically holds Teams meetings online so students can connect “for a big problem,  an issues with Schoology or their work, or just to say hi.”

Bixman said the pandemic forced counselors to find new ways to connect with students, but also gave counselors new tools to use. 

“Before the global pandemic school counselors did not have the need to utilize telehealth, but when we do not have physical access to students, we were forced to become innovative, I think for the better,” Bixman said. “We have developed ways to meet virtually with students via TEAMS. We utilize texting apps so that we can text with students and families confidentially. Students can send us Schoology messages to message back and forth or to schedule times to meet via TEAMS. 

“We were able to organize and deliver food, gifts, and money to families in need,” she said. “With the use of my online form my students had constant access to me.”