Guidance Department Philosophy
All students are entitled to receive the benefits of a school counseling and guidance program that is devleopmental in nature, preventative in design, and comprehensive in scope. As an integral part of the total education program, credentialed school counselors ensure equity and access to services so that every student is challenged and supported to achieve his/her highest potential.
The basic philosophy of the Denison High School Guidance Program is that the individual is of central importance within the framework of the school and society as a whole. The dignity and self-worth of each individual is the cornerstone upon which the goals and service of the entire program stand. The Guidance task is of helping students gain in the ability to satisfy their needs in a responsible manner, which does not deprive others of the opportunity to do the same.
Guidance Activities
During the high school years, students begin to discover themselves and their varied talents, and begin to make plans for the future. The high school counselors ensure students receive important guidance information about:
- Developing an academic plan
- Registration, high school graduation requirements, and college entrance/admission standards
- Career Exploration
- Post high school options
- Transition into the "Real World"
- Substance abuse/violence prevention
- Academic performance
Guidance Services Provided
- A comprehensive orientation program.
- Individual personal and social counseling for all students.
- Aid in making curriculum choices.
- Assistance in career planning, including providing information needed by both students and parents.
- Group counseling for students, as needed. (Grief support groups, substance abuse prevention, academic difficulty, peer mediation, etc.)
- Work with classroom teachers and administrators to address concerns about individual students.
- Referral assistance.
- Coordination of the school testing program: ITED's, ASVAB, PSAT, ACT, SAT, PLAN
- Necessary print materials for student use, including college guides and applications, scholarship and financial aid information, occupational handbooks, drug/alcohol/violence information, career interest inventories.
How can parents help?
Active parental involvement in the tasks of the guidance and counseling program is essential if students are to make informed choices. Parents can assist by encouraging their children to attend school, by attending school functions, such as parent teacher conferences and guidance-sponsored information sessions, and by helping their children understand that learning is important and is tied to career choices and career success. Parents are invited to contact their child's school counselor with any questions, concerns, ideas, or requests for help.
Counselor Qualifications
Denison Community School Counselors qualify for their position by:
- Possessing a State of Iowa Professional Certificate for Teaching and a Master's Degree in Counseling and Guidance.
- Having successful teaching experience;
- Having completed advanced professional training in;
- counseling techniques
- appraisal of the individual
- group counseling process
- principles of guidance
- administration, use and interpretation of standardized tests
Denison High School Guidance Staff
Tom McGrane, High School Counselor for Students A-L
Phone:263-3101, ext.236
email:tmcgrane@denison.k12.ia.us
Ann Brus, High School Counselor for Students M-Z
Phone: 263-3101, ext 235
email:abrus@denison.k12.ia.us
Doris Neumann, Guidance Office Secretary
Phone: 263-3101, ext 250
