Policy No.	2140
	Adoption Date:	July 11, 1984
	Revised:	March 27, 2000

INSTRUCTION GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING

The district recognizes that guidance and counseling is an important part of the total program of instruction and should be provided in accordance with state laws and regulations, district policies and procedures, and available staff and program support.

The general goal of this program is to help students achieve the greatest personal value from their educational opportunities. Such a program should:

A.	provide staff with meaningful information which can be utilized to improve the educational services offered to individual students.
B.	provide students with planned opportunities to develop future career and educational plans.
C.	refer students with special needs to appropriate specialists and agencies.
D.	aid students in identifying options and making choices about their educational program.
E.	assist teachers and administrators in identifying the academic, social and emotional needs of students.
F.	provide for a follow-up of students who further their education and/or move into the world of work.
G.	solicit feedback from students, staff and parents for purposes of program improvement.

All staff shall encourage students to explore and develop their individual interests in career and vocational technical programs and employment opportunities without regard to sex including reasonable efforts encouraging students to consider and explore "nontraditional" occupations for men and women.

Because the entire staff, as well as the students, can benefit from and contribute toward the prevention of adolescent suicide, the board directs the superintendent to develop and implement a comprehensive suicide awareness and prevention program. The program that is developed should help the school staff, parents and students to:

A. understand the developmental stages of adolescence and the causes of suicide;

B. recognize the early warning sign of suicide;

C. learn how to help in a suicidal crisis;

D. identify community resources and procedures that can help a suicidal person;

E. address the repercussions of such a tragedy.

In incidents of potential self-destructive behavior, the student's parent(s) or guardian shall be notified immediately and their cooperation shall be sought for immediate intervention. If the parent or guardian is unwilling to cooperate, the school administration shall contact appropriate agencies or request intervention on the student's behalf. In cases of child abuse or neglect, school staff are required to contact child protective services.

The board directs the superintendent to work with the staff, community and appropriate agencies to develop, implement and regularly evaluate the guidance and counseling program.

 Cross References:

Board Policy	2121	Substance Abuse Program
	3421	Child Abuse and Neglect
	4100	Confidential Information

Legal References:

RCW	28A.640.020	Regulating guidelines to eliminate discrimination--Scope
WAC	180-16-240(2d)	Supplemental program standards
	392-190-015	Counseling and guidance--Duty of certificated & classroom