The mission of the Omaha Public Schools Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Program is to ensure student success through the combined efforts of students, staff, families, and community. The Pre-K through 12^th grade Omaha Public Schools Guidance and Counseling Program is both proactive and responsive to the unique needs of students. There are four components of the guidance program:

• A Guidance Curriculum that is delivered to all students and emphasizes personal, social, occupational, and academic skills. The guidance curriculum is the main component of the 40 Developmental Assets program. Students are taught two guidance lessons per month during their team classes by any of the four Buffett counselors. Students will be taught guidance by the following four counselors:

Guidance Lesson Delivery:

Ms. Jorgensen: Teaches 5^{th _} 8^th grade Career & Occupational Planning

Ms. Lewandowski: Teaches 5^th_8^th grade Academic & Educational Planning & Personal Life Skills

Mrs. Meister: Teaches 5^th_ 8^th grade Academic & Social Skill Development

Mr. Thull: Teaches 5^{th _} 8^th grade Personal & Social Skill Development & Academic Skills

• Individual and Small Group Meetings that developmentally helps students plan for their future, manage conflict, prepare for their next level of education, strengthen academic and social skills, and more. Students will have the opportunity to sign up for various small groups. Small groups meet once a week for six weeks to discuss various topics of interest. A menu of topics will be offered to all Bobcats including study skills, stress management, growing through grief and loss, and coping with changing families through divorce /separation / remarriage. Groups typically begin during second quarter.

• Response Services that provide support for issues of concern to students and their families. Students loop with their assigned counselor all four years they are at Buffett. Each student is assigned a counselor based upon their grade level; however students are welcome to visit with anyone they feel most comfortable with. Students schedule an appointment by completing a slip called, "Request for Counseling Appointment" (available from teachers or the office). Requests are then given to the appropriate counselor and the student is sent for during Bobcat Block or at the end of a class. Students may have to wait a day or two for their appointment if their counselor is teaching a guidance lesson in the classroom that week. The Guidance Office is located on the west side of the commons, directly across from the main floor elevator.

  Grade Level Assignments:
  Ms. Jorgensen – Current 6th grade class
  Mr. Thull – Current 7th grade class
  Mrs. Meister – Current 8th grade clas
  Ms. Lewandowski – Current 5th grade class

• System Support that recognizes the school counselor as part of the school team. At Buffett, counselors are involved in a variety of staff organizations such as SAT teams, the Safe, Secure, and Disciplined Schools committee, and Students of Distinction committee.