Mission Statement:
The mission of the Burlington High School Counseling Department is to support the academic, career, and personal/social development of all students. Through individual and group counseling, collaboration with school, home, and community, and assessment of student needs, we foster responsible decision-making. We strive to help students realize their full academic and personal potential as lifelong learners, engaged community members, and global citizens.
The Counseling Department hosts events throughout the year to keep parents involved including the Guidance Breakfast Series and several parent/student planning nights. Planning nights are also shown on BCAT. While some topics are geared toward specific grade levels, others can be applicable across grade levels, such as “Dealing with Stress and Coping Strategies”, “the Course Selection Process,” an “Overview of Standardized Testing,” and presentations on the basics of Financial Aid.
The Counselors work closely with students to develop competencies in the areas of educational, personal and vocational development. Through individual counseling, small group meeting and large group presentations, counselors help students understand their learning strengths and weaknesses, select appropriate courses, plan for the transition to college and career, and meet personal challenges in a mature, productive way. Specific activities for each grade are described in the “Burlington High School Guidance Developmental Curriculum” that follows. Listed below are the competencies (based upon the MASCA- Massachusetts School Counselors Association- MA Career Development Association Benchmarks Crosswalk with the Massachusetts Curriculum FrameworksPDF download), which the counseling staff, along with the BHS faculty, works with students to foster:
A1: 21st century academic, technical and employability skills for success in school and in the workplace
A2: strong academic, technical and employability skills for career and life management
A3: knowledge of how education and work are interrelated and contribute to the economy and society
A4: an appreciation for the relevance of education in their lives (i.e., answering, “Why do I need to know this?”)
W1: knowledge and skills in the planning and decision-making process
W2: an exploratory attitude toward self, life and the world of work
W3: workplace specific knowledge and skills for employability and career advancement
W4: awareness of social and cultural conditions that affect career decision-making and workplace success
W5: knowledge of all aspects of an industry, service, trade or occupation
PS1: attitudes, behaviors, knowledge and skills that promote identity formation, personal responsibility and self-direction
PS2: attitudes, behaviors and interpersonal skills to work and relate effectively with others
PS3: attitudes, behaviors and skills necessary for managing personal and environmental variables that impact career development
PS4: attitudes, behaviors, and skills that foster respect for diversity and work to eliminate stereotyping (at home, school, work and in the community.
EQUAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY
In recognizing the rights to equal access, Burlington High School admits students to all programs, courses of study, and any associated activities without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, or handicap.
The Burlington Public Schools do not discriminate in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its services, programs and activities, on the basis of race, color or national origin, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; on the basis of sex, in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; on the basis of disability, in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA); or on the basis of sexual orientation or religion in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapters 71 and 151B.
Burlington High School Guidance Developmental Curriculum Overview