As part of their duties, Blackhawk Middle School guidance counselors Laura Bruhy and Jessica Spinks presented their report to the R-III school board on the district’s guidance department as a whole.

The pair began their presentation at the October meeting of the R-III School Board by simply outlining the department’s structure and purpose.

“We are comprised of 13 dedicated professionals across the elementary, middle, high school, Alpha Academy, and the educational support counselor teams,” Bruhy said. “Our mission every day directly aligns with our district CSIP goals. (Those are) driving student achievement and ensuring a safe, supportive climate where every child can thrive academically, socially and emotionally.”

Bruhy went on to speak about the importance of the A-Plus program within the district and the scope the program encompasses.

She added that the department plays a key role in all facets of student progress and achievement, from the student’s earliest days in the district through formulating a career academic plan in eighth grade, on through high school and into postsecondary education.

“Our primary focus is expanding eligibility for the A-Plus program, starting from the day students enter elementary school,” Bruhy said. “At the elementary school, counselors establish foundational habits early, we monitor attendance daily, make calls home to eliminate barriers, perform home visits for chronic absenteeism and partner with families before attendance issues compound. On top of that, counselors lead Tier 2 and Tier 3 intervention teams.

“At Warrenton High School, our counselors track A-plus requirements every semester,” Bruhy continued. “We keep our students on track for success in postsecondary, college, and workforce opportunities.”

Another focus of the counseling department, Bruhy said, is helping students maintain proper behavior and safety standards.

A main goal along those lines is reducing office referrals by de-escalating conflicts and providing early mental health interventions.

“Across all buildings, counselors lead positive behavioral interventions,” Bruhy said. “They support initiatives, conduct check-in/check-out programs, facilitate peer mediation and organize programs like drug education and prevention.”

She added that the counselors who are licensed mental health professionals provide crisis coverage, suicide risk assessments, trauma-informed staff training and seamless re-entry support for students.

“We also serve as the district’s direct link to community resources coordinating care,” Bruhy said. “Operation Backpack, services with Compass Health, Children’s Division, or the juvenile office to remove non-active barriers for the most vulnerable students. As we look ahead, our program relies on alignment between student needs and available resources.”

In terms of numbers, counseling departments across the district serve a large population of students needing support in both everyday care and specialized assistance.

For example, Daniel Boone has eight students with 504s or Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), Warrior Ridge has eight such students, and the number grows at the higher grade levels.

At Blackhawk Middle School, there are 29 504s and nine BIPs among 707 total students and, at the high school, there are 79 such students who counselors must assist in addition to their everyday duties.