Peer Counseling Guideline Changes

Dear Bayside Parent,

Changes have been made to the Peer Counseling Program! In order to be eligible to sign up for Peer Counseling Essentials (PC IA) for the Fall Semester 2010, your child must fill out an application packet and return it to the School Counselor’s office by the end of the school day on Monday February 8th! Be sure they fill out all parts of the application packet before they turn it in. Applications are available in the School Counseling office.

Also, please keep in mind the following guidelines for enrollment and advancement in the Peer Counseling program at Bayside Academy:

To be enrolled in PC IA (Essentials of Peer Counseling), a student must:
• Have parental permission
• Be a rising Junior
• Must fully complete an application packet including: an essay on why they think they would be a good match for the program and two letters of recommendation from Bayside Faculty/Staff
• Adhere to the National Association of Peer Programs Code of Ethics
• Complete an orientation with the School Counselor and the current PC I students

To be enrolled in PC IB (Advanced Topics in Peer Counseling), a student must:
• Complete PCIA with a grade of at least a “B”
• Complete all assignments fully and on time in PCIA
• Participated in class discussions in PCIA
• Maintained confidentiality of class discussions in PCIA
• Attend 90% of all Monday lunch SADD meetings unless excused by the School Counselor
• Continue to adhere to the Code of Ethics
• Not receive a grade below a “C” in any academic class during Semester I

To be enrolled in Peer Counseling II a student must:
• Be a rising Senior
• Have satisfactorily completed PCIA and PCIB
• Have a GPA of at least 2.5
• Complete a formal interview with the School Counselor assessing personal strengths and weaknesses as related to the duties of Peer Counseling
• Continue to adhere to the Code of Ethics and sign a contract
• Not receive a grade below a “C” in any academic class during the previous semester
• Attend 90% of all Monday lunch SADD meetings unless excused by the School Counselor

Regards,
Amanda L. Hembree, MS
School Counselor and Peer Counselor Coordinatorelor Coordinator