Courtway Middle School

Student Services Plan

Legislative Requirement:

Arkansas legislative action of 1997 requires all public schools to develop a plan which ensures the
student services are coordinated and provided by various entities of trained service providers including,
but not limited to, teachers, parents, school counselors, nurses, business representatives, social workers,
and psychological service providers. The law also states that only those trained in the appropriate
specialty will be assigned to carry out duties of each service.

(a) The student services program is defined as a coordinated effort which shall include, but is not
limited to:

a. Guidance and Counseling Services

i. Individual and Group Counseling: Individual and group counseling is available to

every student at CMS through self, parent, teacher, or administrator referral.
The school counselor provides counseling but not therapy services. Therapy
services are available by referral to a contracted, outside agency, the scope of
which is dependent on the student’s health care plan, and the implementation
and continuance of which is dependent on the parent’s agreement with the
outside agency. Large Group and Small Group Counseling are provided regularly
as needed and/or as scheduled by the school counselor.

ii. Orientation Programs for Students: During the month of May, incoming 5 th grade
students are transported to CMS from their elementary schools for a tour of the
building and to meet the teachers. These same students are also invited to
attend the 5th Grade Camp held in August which is an orientation program that
acquaints students more extensively with the building, schedules, and policies at
CMS. Students who are new to CMS, but are not incoming 5 th graders are also
welcome to attend 5th Grade Camp. All transferring students who enroll during
the school year meet with the counselor and are assigned a student ambassador
to introduce them to teachers, staff, and other students. The ambassadors also
help new enrollees become acquainted with the building, schedules, and
policies at CMS.

iii. Academic Advisement: Each Spring the counselor will meet with 5 th and 6th grade
students in the classroom setting to discuss 6 th and 7th grade course
requirements and electives, respectively. The counselor from Conway Junior
High School will meet with 7th grade students to discuss course requirements
and electives for 8th grade. In addition, parent nights are held throughout the
school year to address any questions or concerns. All schedule changes and new
 student enrollments are completed by the counselor. Academic course selection
will be tailored to specific student needs.

iv. Consultation: The counselor provides consultation services with administrators,

parents, teachers, psychological therapists, other school counselors, school
nurses, and different community agencies such as Arkansas Department of
Human Services, EXCEL/mentoring program, medical professionals, Counseling
Associates, and Pinnacle Pointe.

v. Utilization of Student Records: All permanent student records, with the

exception of health records, are maintained in the counselor’s office. The
counselor provides assistance to teachers, parents, and students with the
interpretation of test data and other significant data. These records are
available for use by appropriate personnel. Copies of student records are sent to
other schools as requested for enrollment purposes.

vi. Interpretation of Criterion-Referenced and Norm-Referenced Test and

Dissemination of Results: The counselor is responsible for any school wide
standardized testing. This includes the scheduling and administration of any
such tests, and the dissemination and interpretation of the results to students
and parents.

vii. Following Up and Early School Dropouts and Graduates: The school counselor
conducts follow ups of students whenever possible. Documentation is kept for
students who are expected to attend CMS, but do not return at the beginning of
a school year and for those who are dropped for nonattendance.

viii. Parental Involvement: The school counselor is available during Parent/Teacher

conferences each semester and during the annual open house. As requested,
the counselor assists parents with their child’s academic, personal, and social
issues. Throughout the school year the counselor serves as a liaison between
teachers, parents, and students.

ix. Resources for Education and Vocational Decision Making: Information is

available in the counselor’s office regarding the Smart Core and Common Core
policies of the district and graduation requirements.

x. Educational, Academic Assessment, and Career Counseling: Counselors conduct

classroom guidance lesson on test interpretation upon the receipt of test scores
to promote an understanding of the test results and how they can affect future
choices and options for students. Career exploration will be facilitated through
classroom guidance sessions and the use of guest speakers.
 xi. Coordinating Administration of the T.A.B.E.: The T.A.B.E. is not applicable to this
age group.

xii. Classroom Guidance: Classroom guidance lessons are scheduled for all students
during the course of the school year meeting the state guidelines of not
exceeding 30 minutes per session or ten sessions per week. Areas of focus may
include relationship skills, career orientation, and academic success. Materials
utilized may include, but are not limited to, videos, books, newsletters, games,
or websites.

xiii. Guidance in Understanding the Relationship between Classroom Performance

and School Success: The counselor aids students in the
interpretation/understanding of test results and the influence those results
could have on their future choices and options. Grades and classroom
performance are discussed as needed for students experiencing difficulties with
behavior or grades. This is generally accomplished through individual counseling
or a conference with the student, parent, and teachers.

b. Psychological Services

i. Evaluations: Evaluations for consideration for special services is conducted in

compliance with Federal Public IDEA 97, 105-7, and Arkansas State Act 102 as
amended. The functional administration of programs adhere to the state
regulations as outlined in referral, placement, and appeal procedures for special
education and related services and program standards and eligibility criteria for
special educations for the Arkansas department of Education. Each evaluation is
individualized according to the needs of the individual student. Determination
for placement is made by a multidisciplinary team following the evaluation
process. The team takes into consideration all evaluation information as well as
classroom and parental information.

ii. Consultation: Formal and informal consultations are held by psychological staff
with teachers, parents, students, counselors, and administrators concerning
student exhibiting a need for those services. Consultations are for all students
as well as those students in the special educations program and students being
considered for referral.

iii. Early Identification: Early identification of children with special needs is provided
in cooperation with the Child Find program of Arkansas. This program provides
information to parents and others who may be aware of children in need of
services. This information is disseminated throughout the community and a
concerted effort is made to identify and provide services to young children.
 iv. Liaison and Referrals: Liaison with and referral to other agencies and institutions
are made on an as needed basis. Open communications is maintained with a
wide variety of organizations, both local and statewide, which include mental
health centers, hospitals, physicians, and institutions of various types.

v. Ethical Procedures: Psychological staff members are licensed by the Arkansas

Board of Examiners in Psychology, and/or certified by the National School
Psychology Certification Board, and the Arkansas Department of Education.
They, therefore, adhere to ethical procedures prescribed by the professional
conduct manual of the National Association of School Psychologists, and Ethical
Principles of psychologists and Code of Conduct of the American Psychological
Association.

c. Visiting Teacher and School Social Work Services

i. Case Management: Case management services are available to assist in the

prevention and remediation of problems of attendance, behavior, adjustment,
and learning. The case manager also serves as a liaison between the home and
school providing information to parents on how they can become more involved
with their child’s school program and teaching the parents techniques and
strategies to enhance positive behavior.

ii. Home Visits and Referrals: Home visits are conducted in order to provide
avenues through which information can be shared with parents regarding
appropriated service providers in the community and to make referrals to those
providers when necessary.

d. Career Services

At the middle school level, career exploration will be facilitated through

classroom guidance lessons and the use of guest speakers in the classrooms.
Through these activities students will become aware of the opportunities in the
world of work importance of their education and work habits and learn
strategies to better prepare themselves for college and work success.

e. Group Conflict Resolution Services

i. Conflict Resolution Skills, Intergroup Relationship Skills, and Bullying Prevention:

These skills are taught through regular classroom guidance as well as on an as
needed basis in the form of small group counseling or individual counseling.
CMS participates in Red Ribbon Week, which focuses on saying no to Drugs and
Bullying. Skits and assemblies throughout the duration of RRW highlight the
importance of developing and nurturing strong relationships as a building block
to success in life. Throughout the year, the teachers, counselors, and staff at
 CMS provide visuals reminders in the form of posters and signs of CMS’ no
tolerance to bullying stance as well as using “teachable moments” to reinforce
the ideas whenever possible.

f. Health Services

i. Special Health Care Needs: Students with special health care needs have and
individualized health plan that is maintained by the school nurse and is on file in
the nurse’s office. The information contained in those plans is disseminated to
the teachers on a need to know basis.

ii. Invasive Medical Procedures: Guidelines set out by the Arkansas State Board of
Nursing are followed regarding invasive medical procedures.

iii. Custodial Health Care Services: Custodial Health Care Services required by
students under an individualized health plan are provided by those individuals in
the school who have been trained to perform those specific tasks.

g. Suicide Prevention

A school suicide/crisis plan has been developed for CMS. Suicide prevention
awareness is made available to staff members, and to parents on an as needed
basis. Any student requiring individual attention because of threat of suicide will
immediately be seen by the counselor or principal. In the event of a crisis, the
school suicide/crisis plan will be implemented.
HEALTH SERVICES

Standards for Accreditation: The Conway Public Schools’ health services are under the direction of the
superintendent and the assistant superintendent. Seven RNs are employed by the school district. Each
holds a current license with the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and is certified in CPR.

The nurse’s duties include conduction vision, hearing, and scoliosis screening, referrals, holding
conferences with staff and parents concerning health issues, updating health records on each student,
and serving as a resource person for health, nutrition, and hygiene needs.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SCHOOL NURSE:

1. Emergency care of the sick and injured

2. Organization of the health room

3. Student health counseling

4. Function as a health resource person

5. Communicable disease prevention and control

6. Make health appraisals and assist staff members in identification or recognition of specific
health problems

7. Vision, hearing, and scoliosis screenings, referrals, and follow ups

8. Aid in physical examinations---athletics and others

9. Supervise health records which include immunizations and screening records

10. Develop a list of confidential health information with high risk health problems, such as
diabetes, seizures, allergies, etc. and notify the appropriate school personnel

11. Request health supplies through the health office

12. Follow up to insure that health records are secured for new students

13. Provide in-service sessions for faculty on health-related subjects

14. Maintain files of school related accident reports

15. Make home visits upon request with principal or other school personnel

16. Develop a cordial working relationship in the community with other health agencies and
health professionals

17. Keep a health log of student visits to the health room. Document first aid, counseling, etc.
18. Assist in the formation or revision of health policies, goals, objectives, etc. for the school
district

19. Monitor to ensure adherence to policy for the proper dispensing of medications at school.

20. Assume responsibility for professional growth by attending meetings, conference,

workshops, and taking courses related to expanding the role and competency of the nursing
practice

21. Assume professional responsibility demonstrated by membership and active support and/or
participation in appropriate professional organizations.