K–5 School Counseling Sample Annual Calendar 

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AUGUST

Theme: Welcome & Wellness

Focus: Relationship building, routines, baseline data

• Introduce myself to staff, students, and families

• Set up counseling office & materials

• Review school data (attendance, behavior, academics)

• Send out teacher referral form & counseling info

• Send out needs assessment survey (staff & families)

• Begin  “intro to counselor” Tier 1 classroom lessons 

• Create annual plan and finalize classroom schedule

• Join MTSS/RTI or student support team meetings

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SEPTEMBER

Theme: Respect 

Focus: Beginning-of-year SEL & expectations

• Classroom lessons: feelings, routines, conflict resolution

• Begin small groups based on early referrals

• Meet with teachers to discuss priority needs

• Hold optional family meet-and-greet or newsletter

• Start collecting baseline data for annual goals

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OCTOBER

Theme: Bullying Prevention Month

Focus: Safety, kindness, conflict resolution

• Bullying prevention lessons (K–5)

• School-wide kindness or unity project

• Start running Tier 2 small groups (emotion regulation, friendship, coping skills)

• Teacher check-ins regarding classroom needs

• Hotline/safety resource updates for families

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NOVEMBER

Theme: Gratitude 

Focus: Gratitude, coping, routines

• Lessons on gratitude, empathy, managing big feelings

• Individual check-ins for high-needs students

• Data review: behavior referrals & attendance patterns

• Family resource newsletter before the holidays

• Coordinate food/coat drives if school does them

• Advisory council meeting (if applicable)

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DECEMBER

Theme: Kindness

Focus: Coping with transitions & break preparation

• Lessons on coping skills, managing stress, kindness

• Complete mid-year progress checks on small groups

• Provide calming strategies to teachers for pre-break days

• Family resources for winter break support

• Update principal on counseling progress so far

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JANUARY 

Theme: New Beginnings & Growth

Focus: Goal setting & motivation

• Lessons: growth mindset, new year goal-setting

• Launch new round of small groups based on mid-year data

• Review attendance & behavior trends from fall

• MTSS/RTI winter meetings

• Family workshop or info sheet on routines

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FEBRUARY 

Theme: Friendship 

Focus: Peer relationships & emotional skills

• Lessons: friendship skills, problem-solving, kindness

• Conflict mediation with students as needed

• Teacher SEL collaboration check-ins

• Mid-year perception surveys (grades 3–5 optional)

• Update data for annual goals

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MARCH

Theme: 

Focus: Coping & testing readiness (if applicable)

• Lessons: coping skills, test readiness, perseverance

• Small groups focusing on stress, confidence, self-regulation

• Family communication: testing tips & SEL strategies

• Behavior data review

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APRIL

Theme: 

Focus: Continued SEL support

• Lessons: communication, teamwork, self-advocacy

• Start planning end-of-year transition supports

• Begin transition meetings for 5th graders

• Prepare 5th-to-6th grade guidance materials

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MAY

Theme: Celebration & Transition

Focus: Closure & celebration

• Lessons: transitions, reflection, summer safety

• Host 5th grade transition activities or guidance lessons

• Collect end-of-year data for goals

• Finalize program results report

• Meet with principal to review outcomes & plan for next year