Student Services / Counseling Overview

School Counselors: Empowering Futures and Nurturing Student Success

Fort Smith Public Schools' dedicated counselors are essential members of the school community, providing guidance and support to help students navigate their academic and personal challenges. Our school counselors offer various services, including academic advice, career counseling, and emotional support. They work collaboratively with students, teachers, and parents to create a positive and nurturing learning environment. Beyond assisting with course selection and college applications, they also address social and emotional issues, offering a safe space for students to discuss their concerns and find solutions.

Four schools and five counselors at Fort Smith Public Schools are the first in Arkansas to achieve a nationally recognized counseling designation.

During the 2021-2022 school year, five Fort Smith Public Schools counselors took part and achieved the prestigious RAMP designation from the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). The RAMP (Recognized American School Counselor Association Model Program) certifies schools and their counselors that successfully employ the ASCA national model framework. The national model framework establishes a comprehensive, data-driven program resulting in improved student outcomes. This program helps equip students with the skills they need to reach their full potential and become productive members of society.

Across the United States, only 1,200 schools have earned the RAMP designation. The following FSPS schools (and corresponding school counselors) are the first in Arkansas to receive this national certification:

Darby Middle School (Cherri Byford and Cassidy Hodge);

Barling Elementary School (Kandace Weisenfels);

Fairview Elementary School (Ginetta Tipton); and

Woods Elementary School (Hannah Massey).

Mission
- The mission of FSPS counselors is to provide an intentional, equitable, and data-informed school counseling program. Participation in this program equips all students with the academic, social-emotional, and career knowledge and skills to become competent, resilient, and responsible individuals.
Vision
- Students will be equipped with the skills to reach their highest potential as productive citizens in a diverse and rapidly changing global society.
Beliefs
- All students deserve equitable access to high-quality education in a safe and accepting environment structured to foster learning.
- All students can succeed when positive relationships are present and fostered by all educational stakeholders in a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment.
- School counselors advocate for all students to ensure equitable access to programs, resources, and opportunities.
- School counselors help students develop educational and career plans so that all students graduate with a viable plan and relevant skill set for their future.
- The school counseling program strives to ensure all students receive needed support that promotes physical, mental, and emotional health.
- The school counseling program focuses on student learning utilizing a data-informed, comprehensive school counseling program to meet all students' academic, career, and social/emotional needs.

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