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My Program Plan

This page is dedicated to outlining my school counseling program plan, designed as a flexible framework that can be changed to fit the unique context of whichever school I serve. It is intended to evolve based on the specific student body demographics, data trends, and identified needs revealed through assessments and stakeholder input. Additionally, it incorporates room for alignment with any existing curriculum or counseling program already in place, ensuring continuity while allowing for possible enhancements. Ultimately, this plan serves as a guide that can be adjusted to support the strengths, challenges, and goals of the school community I join. 

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: Courage

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: Responsibility

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

Making school counseling data accessible to administrators, students, and parents is essential for fostering transparency, collaboration, and informed decision-making within the school community. Annual and monthly data reports provide clear insight into student needs, program effectiveness, and progress toward academic, social-emotional, and career development goals. Below is a sample data report from my internship experiences.

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MTSS Tiered Supports

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Following MTSS tiered supports ensures that every student receives the right level of intervention at the right time. By implementing Tier 1 universal strategies, providing targeted Tier 2 supports, and intensifying Tier 3 interventions as needed, school counselors help prevent academic and behavioral challenges from escalating. This data-driven, collaborative approach promotes equity, early identification, and meaningful support for all students.

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