School Counselor Vision Statement: The School Counselor will help provide an atmosphere of security, warmth, and encouragement as MIMS students work to reach their fullest educational potential in the areas of academic, career, and personal development. The School Counselor will also commit to establishing a solid foundation as MIMS students successfully manage their lives as healthy, responsible and productive citizens who respect themselves and others. 

School Counselor Mission Statement:  The mission of the Mandarin Immersion Magnet School Counseling Program is to assist all students in their quest to become productive citizens and responsible, lifelong learners through their academic development, personal and social growth and career exploration. 

 When students are in-person at school:  

1.    HOW DOES A STUDENT SEE A COUNSELOR? 

If a student would like to see a counselor, he/she should ask his/her teacher for permission and have the teacher fill a SAF form online (houstonisdsaf.com). Additionally, a student is welcome to see his/her counselor during lunchtime. The counselor will be walking around during lunch time. She will fill a SAF for the student. The counselor will go and pick up the student in class, mainly in the student’s ancillary class if it is not urgent. The initial counseling session is considering a check-up session. If the student needs more sessions, a parent consent form will be needed. It will be a 6 sessions period. After the 6-session period, the counselor will seek outside agency to better support the student if needed.  

2.    HOW DOES A PARENT/GUARDIAN SEE A COUNSELOR? 

Parents and guardians are welcome to meet with counselors and are asked to make appointments in advance, to ensure that the counselor will be available.  You may call or email a counselor to set-up a meeting.  

3.    WHY WOULD A STUDENT SEE A SCHOOL COUNSELOR? 

A.   Academic/Educational Counseling – Students sometimes have academic problems in areas including study habits, expectations, time management, organizational skills, and the level of the curriculum.  A counselor may assist students in exploring solutions to these and other academic problems. 

B.    Personal/Social Counseling – The counselor may assist students to develop skills to interact more effectively with others, identify personal values, talents and interests and transition into and out of middle school. The counselor will also provide support and assistance to students and families in crisis and can provide referrals to outside agencies for more extensive assistance including counseling, evaluations or treatment. 

C.  Career/Vocational Counseling – The counselor may assist students in the early stages of career exploration.