Pupil Services

Our School Counselors are key to student success. Here's what they do:

1. Academic Guidance: School Counselors assist students in setting educational goals, choosing courses, and planning their academic paths to ensure they reach their full potential.

2. Personal and Social Development: They provide guidance on personal growth, social skills, and emotional well-being, helping students navigate the challenges of adolescence and develop into well-rounded individuals.

3. College and Career Readiness: School Counselors support students in exploring their career interests and options, helping them make informed decisions about post-secondary education, training, or employment opportunities.

4. Individual Counseling: When students face personal or emotional challenges, School Counselors offer one-on-one counseling to address their specific needs and provide a safe space for expression.

5. Group Counseling: They organize group counseling sessions, fostering peer support and addressing common issues such as stress management, conflict resolution, and social skills.

6. Crisis Intervention: School Counselors are trained to respond to crisis situations, providing immediate support to students and helping them cope with trauma or unexpected events.

7. Conflict Resolution: They mediate conflicts among students, promoting effective communication and peaceful resolution.

8. Parent and Teacher Collaboration: Counselors work collaboratively with parents and teachers to support student success, facilitating communication and understanding.

9. Mental Health Advocacy: They advocate for the mental health needs of students, connecting them with appropriate resources and services.

10. Prevention Programs: School Counselors develop and implement programs that address issues such as bullying prevention, substance abuse awareness, and overall well-being to create a positive school environment.

Our School Counselors are dedicated to helping students thrive academically and personally.

Our School Psychologists are crucial to our students' success. Here's what they focus on:

1. Assessing Student Needs: School Psychologists conduct assessments to understand students' academic, social, and emotional needs. These assessments help tailor educational plans and interventions to support each student's unique journey to success.

2. Academic Support: They work closely with educators to develop strategies for students who may be struggling academically. Whether it's helping with learning disabilities, study skills, or testing accommodations, School Psychologists are dedicated to optimizing learning experiences.

3. Social and Emotional Well-being: Promoting students' mental health is a top priority. School Psychologists provide counseling and support to address issues such as stress, anxiety, and social challenges, fostering a positive school climate.

4. Behavior Management: They assist in developing positive behavior support plans, working with students, families, and staff to address challenging behaviors and create a safe and respectful learning environment.

5. Crisis Intervention: School Psychologists are trained to respond to crises, providing immediate support and helping schools recover after challenging events.

6. Special Education Services: They play a vital role in the identification and support of students with disabilities, ensuring they receive appropriate services and accommodations.

7. Collaboration: School Psychologists collaborate with teachers, parents, and other professionals to create a team approach to student success, promoting effective communication and a supportive school community.

8. Data-Driven Decision Making: They analyze data to inform educational practices, helping schools continually improve and adapt to the changing needs of their students.

9. Preventive Programs: Implementing preventive programs such as bullying prevention and substance abuse awareness to create a safer and healthier school environment.

10. Advocacy: School Psychologists advocate for students' well-being, ensuring that their needs are met and that they have equal access to educational opportunities.

Our School Psychologists are dedicated professionals who contribute significantly to the holistic development and success of our students.

 

Our School Social Workers play a vital role in supporting our students' well-being and success. Here's what they do:

1. Student Advocacy: School Social Workers in Wisconsin are champions for our students. They work tirelessly to ensure that each child's needs are recognized and met. This includes advocating for services, accommodations, and resources to support academic success and emotional well-being.

2. Mental Health Support: In today's fast-paced world, the mental health of our students is of paramount importance. School Social Workers provide crucial emotional support, helping students navigate the challenges they face, whether it's stress, anxiety, or other mental health issues. They also connect students and families with community resources when needed.

3. Family Engagement: Building strong partnerships between schools and families is essential for a child's success. School Social Workers facilitate communication between parents, guardians, and educators, ensuring that everyone is on the same page when it comes to a student's education and well-being.

4. Crisis Intervention: School Social Workers are trained to respond effectively to crises within the school community. Whether it's a student experiencing a personal crisis or a broader school-wide issue, they are there to provide support, resources, and guidance to help everyone cope and recover.

5. Conflict Resolution: Conflict is a part of life, but it's essential to teach our students healthy ways to resolve disagreements. School Social Workers assist in conflict resolution efforts, teaching students valuable skills for managing conflicts and promoting a positive school environment.

6. Special Education Support: School Social Workers collaborate with educators and families to ensure that students with special needs receive the appropriate services and accommodations they require to succeed in the classroom.

7. Community Resources: Beyond the school walls, School Social Workers connect families with community resources, such as counseling services, healthcare providers, and food assistance programs, to address their various needs.

8. Diversity and Inclusion: Wisconsin's diverse population is celebrated in our schools. School Social Workers promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that every student feels valued and supported, regardless of their background.

9. Education and Prevention: School Social Workers provide education and prevention programs on a range of topics, from bullying prevention to substance abuse awareness, helping to create a safe and nurturing school environment.

10. Team Collaboration: They work closely with teachers, counselors, administrators, and other support staff to create a holistic approach to student success, fostering a caring and supportive school community.

Our School Social Workers are dedicated to creating a nurturing and inclusive school environment.

Section 504 refers to a part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  The primary purpose of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is to ensure that persons with disabilities are not discriminated against.

Section 504 requires that school districts provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to qualified students with a physical or mental impairment, substantially limiting one or more major life activities. 

A 504  plan provides accommodations(s), not modifications
-- Accommodations: changes how a student learns
-- Modifications: changes what a student learns

Who is eligible?

To be protected under Section 504, a student must be determined to

1. Have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, or

2. Have a record of such an impairment, or

3. Is regarded as having such an impairment

For questions related to Section 504, contact Lisa Blochwitz, Director of Student Services at 920-350-0356 or at lblochwitz@columbus.k12.wi.us

 

If you are staying temporarily with someone else because you lost your housing, or staying in a motel/hotel, campground, shelter, or in an outside or inadequate place, you and your children have special rights at school.

Those rights include:

• Staying in the same school even if you move, and receiving transportation to that school, as long as it is in the student’s best interest

• Enrolling in school immediately without the documents schools usually require

• Receiving free school meals at school

• Getting help with school supplies and other needs

• Extra support for youth who are on their own

• Help connecting young children with early childhood services

The goal of the McKinney Vento (MKV) Program is to reduce barriers to school enrollment and achievement so that children with families who are experiencing homelessness have a full and equal opportunity to succeed in school. 

Any school-aged student experiencing homelessness as defined by the McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act is eligible for the program. Board Policy po51111.01 describes the responsibilities of CSD in identification, enrollment, and support of students experiencing homelessness. 

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law that was reauthorized under the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015. This law provides a definition of homelessness, rights to students and families and responsibilities to state education agencies and school districts. The purpose of the federal law is to provide educational stability while experiencing homelessness. Any student who is homeless and either attempting to enroll or enrolled in the CSD is covered under the McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act. These students could be any age between 3 and 21 years old. Read more about school and district obligations under the McKinney Vento Act on DPI’s website, https://dpi.wi.gov/homeless.

*Note: It is the responsibility of the Columbus School District McKinney Vento Liaison to determine student eligibility. If a staff member suspects that a student may qualify for McKinney Vento services, they must refer the student to the McKinney Vento Liaison for eligibility determinations