High School Coordinated Health (9-12)

School Counselor Participation Plan

 

The school counselor at each campus is encouraged to visit the classrooms using the Healthy and Wise High School Coordinated Health Program to provide additional information on some of the units featured topics. 

 

Suggested High School Units and Lessons for School Counselor Participation Include:

 

Unit 1 (Personal Fitness)

·         Playing Sports

 

There are numerous social and mental health benefits that are associated with children and adolescents playing team sports. The opportunities for kids to gain self-confidence, self-esteem, and supportive peer relationships are numerous among school sports programs.  Plan to visit the PE classes during this Healthy and Wise lesson to help emphasize all the benefits associated with playing sports. Remember, counselors can greatly influence a student’s health behaviors. 

 

Don’t forget to encourage the staff at your campus to be physically active. Think about offering a health tip (physical and mental) each week to encourage and help your colleagues achieve their health goals.

 

Unit 2 (Nutrition and Health)

 

Changing health behaviors can be difficult for some students.  Visit the health and PE classes during this Healthy and Wise lesson to offer additional strategies that can be helpful when trying to change behaviors or break habits.  Help students understand why recognizing their habits can be an important first step.  Encourage them to use realistic strategies to break their bad food habits or other habits that may be affecting their health.

 

Unit 3 (Body Systems)

·         The Importance of Diet and Exercise

 

Support this Healthy and Wise lesson by visiting the health and PE classrooms and offering more facts and statistics on the increase in childhood and adolescent obesity.  Reinforce the health conditions associated with being overweight and obese, and guide students thinking towards improving their physical activity levels and eating behaviors.  Visit with your campus staff to identify any students that might be exhibiting signs of an eating disorder.  Counsel with students individually and refer students to appropriate health professionals. 

 

Unit 4 (Growth and Development)

·         Physical Changes during Growth and Development

 

Counselors have many opportunities to participate in this Healthy and Wise unit.  Give teachers additional instructional ideas and offer to actually teach or reinforce one of the lessons.  With the school nurse, plan to visit with girls and boys separately to discuss the physical changes associated with puberty.  Emphasize the importance of physical activity (exercise) and good nutrition during this growth period. Reinforce the opportunities available during school and after school. Responsible teenagers should exhibit self-control.  Discuss the concept of “responsible” and “self-control” with students.  Encourage students to give examples or representations of each.

 

Unit 5 – (Avoidance of High Risk Behaviors)

 

Support as many of this unit’s lessons as possible.  Help identify students that might fall in a high-risk category for any of the behaviors addressed in the Healthy and Wise lessons.  Visit the classes this month to support the Healthy and Wise lesson that presents the facts and health dangers associated with anabolic steroids.  Help support this lesson by giving real accounts of how anabolic steroids can affect an athlete’s health.  Discuss the legal aspects associated with steroid use.  Help reinforce natural ways to increase muscle and strength by using Healthy and Wise strength training exercises in the Strength, Conditioning, and Wellness program. This Healthy and Wise unit will give the counselor numerous opportunities to address specific health concerns that some students might be experiencing.  Make sure students know the school, district, or community resources available to them if they are experiencing any form of neglect or abuse. If necessary, schedule individual counseling sessions to give at-risk students guidance and support.

 

Unit 6 – (Using Health Information and the Influence of Media and Technology)

 

Visit the classes during this lesson to discuss how media can influence behaviors.  Ask students to give examples and facilitate a discussion.  Present “real world” examples if possible and help students understand the difference between being informed and being influenced.

 

Unit 7 – (Environmental and Social Factors Affecting Health)

 

Take this opportunity to promote the social aspects related to physical activity and exercise.  Encourage students to workout together and to plan physical activities rather than dining out as social events.  Help staff and students find physical activity options indoors during inclement weather. 

 

Unit 8 – (Safety)

 

Make sure all students and staff know what to do if an emergency occurs during school hours.  Visit with students during this Healthy and Wise unit about the steps taken at your campus to ensure the safety and health of students and staff.  Give specific examples and provide students opportunities to practice safety drills (fire drills, code blue drills, etc.).  Help support the lesson on teen driving and safety by organizing an awareness week. Invite guest speakers, perhaps even people that have been involved in accidents as teens. Many parents that have lost teenagers to car crashes are willing to speak to young people to help educate them on driving safety.  Discuss distractions, such as cell phones and loud music. Think about having your drama club perform skits (relating to teen driving) for your student body. Teen car crashes and fatalities are on the rise, and counselors need to take a primary role at the school to help build awareness. 

 

Unit 9 – Social and Mental Health

 

Mental health concepts and related topics are addressed in this Healthy and Wise unit.  Let teachers know if you have additional resources or instructional strategies that would be helpful for teaching this unit.  Make sure students know the campus and district resources available to them if they are having a difficult time dealing with peer pressure or experiencing a bout with depression. This unit can address some of the underlying factors that lead to school violence. Counselors should take an active role in supporting this unit. Offer to be a guest speaker during this unit. Help students understand the correlation between physical health and mental health. Visit with students about the educational and career choices they have after high school. Offer to find a few guest speakers (community college adviser, vocational school representative, etc.) to enhance this lesson for students.