School Counseling

Omaha Public Schools counselors play a vital role in supporting students' academic, social, and emotional well-being. Here's a brief overview of their typical responsibilities: 

• Work alongside teachers and families to help students develop socially and emotionally, and to help remove barriers to learning
• Classroom lessons teaching social, emotional, and academic skills and career development
• Small group counseling
• Short-term individual counseling
• Consultations with families and teachers
• Referrals to community partners (including longer-term therapy services)
• Schoolwide programming

School counselors provide proactive lessons throughout the school year regarding the following topics:

• Growth Mindset & Goal-Setting
• Emotion Management
• Problem-Solving
• Career & Education Awareness
• Safety/Personal Advocacy 
• Healthy Coping Skills
• Academic and Post-Secondary Planning

The role of a school counselor includes supporting our students' families in matters such as:

• Help with social and emotional concerns about your child
• Improving family/child communication
• Family difficulties that impact your child's schoolwork
• Referrals to community resources
• Understanding the developmental changes of childhood
• Helping with school attendance
• Discussing concerns about academics

To start working with your school counselor, they may be contacted in the following ways:

• Student or parent/guardian request
• Teacher or staff referral
• Referral by friends/peers

School counselors follow mandatory reporting policies, procedures, and laws.