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Aberdeen counselors outline K–12 mental-health supports, transition programs and partnerships
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Summary
District counselors described schoolwide mental-health lessons, transition programming, community partnerships and supports—including food and clothing assistance—and noted 83 seniors graduated at the end of the first semester.
Anita Nielsen, the district’s CC lead counselor, and Simmonsville school counselor Angel Sampson presented the district counseling report to the Aberdeen School District 06-1 board, detailing K–12 mental-health supports, transition work and community partnerships.
Nielsen described elementary programming that includes weekly classroom lessons on kindness, conflict resolution, bullying prevention and safety, as well as short-term individual and small-group counseling to connect students with outside clinicians. She thanked partners “DSS, our school resource officers, Northeast Bell Health Center, LSS mentoring, private practice clinicians and the Salvation Army” for providing food, winter gear and weekly backpacks for students.
At the middle-school level, counselors run leadership and transition programs including web-leader training, a ‘Golden Crew’ at SMS to build student inclusion, fifth-grade visit days, and preparation for NAEP and state tests. Nielsen said community volunteers and university practicum students from NSU support counseling activities and mock interviews planned for April.
High-school counselors coordinate postsecondary planning, campus visits and a South Dakota Free College Application Campaign. Nielsen reported the district had “83 seniors completing their high school career at the end of first semester” and an additional seven expected to graduate at the end of term three. The high-school counseling program also uses an Eagle Squad orientation and an advocacy period for ongoing student planning.
Board members asked questions and offered appreciation for the counselors’ schoolwide integration and support. Several members described counselors as a consistent, safe resource for students beyond college-prep roles. The board did not take formal action on the report; the presentation concluded with thanks from the superintendent.
