OPS GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING PHILOSOPHY
The nationally recognized Omaha Public Schools guidance program is a comprehensive, competency based, guidance program aimed at assisting all students in achieving academic success. The guidance program is developmental, sequential, and focused on attainment of specified student outcomes in three domain areas: personal/social development, educational/academic preparation, and career/occupational planning.
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Program is to ensure student success through the combined efforts of students, staff, families and community.
PURPOSE STATEMENT
The Omaha Public School's Comprehensive Competency Based Guidance Program is designed to contribute to students' academic success by delivering the guidance curriculum to all students while still addressing the unique needs of individual students.
HOW DO I ACCESS A SCHOOL COUNSELOR?
Each student is assigned a counselor who can assist them with general information and resources for success at Burke High School.
Each counselor is also an "expert" or "specialist" in one area and will work with all students. The specialized areas are: Academic Support, College & Advanced Education, Career/Occupational, Personal/Social, Academic Records, and Guidance Director.
In addition, each day, one of the eight counselors is on duty to handle daily responses to questions, phone calls and other immediate needs, especially if the requested counselor is not available. The "Counselor of the Day" is publicized each day in the Bulletin and Posted at the entrance to the Guidance Center.
WHEN CAN STUDENTS ACCESS A SCHOOL COUNSELOR?
The counseling department is open Monday through Friday from 7:15 AM until 3:30 PM with extended hours until 5:30 PM on Thursdays. Students can come into the Guidance Center before school, at lunchtime, after school and/or during a study hall period. However, in the case of an urgent situation, teachers may choose to send a student to see a counselor during class time. Students should come to the Guidance Center from class or study hall with a pass.
WHEN CAN PARENTS OR GUARDIANS ACCESS A SCHOOL COUNSELOR?
Parents/Guardians may access a school counselor by call the Guidance Center at 557-3236 or 557-3227 or come into the Guidance Center. If the assigned counselor is unavailable, the "Counselor of the Day" will be available to assist.