OJ Roberts SD reviews draft K–12 counseling plan, aims for PDE submission by March 31

The Owen J. Roberts School District board of directors heard a presentation on a draft three‑year K–12 counseling plan during its Feb. 2 working session, with administration seeking board approval this month and submission to the Pennsylvania Department of Education by March 31.

Dr. Bentman, who led the presentation, said the plan is aligned to the district’s mission “to inspire every person in the OJR learning community to think critically, act compassionately, and achieve success,” and to Chapter 339 career and work standards. He described the plan’s components — goals, job descriptions, program calendar, action plan, career/post‑secondary resources and a career/technical center strategy — and said the 50‑page draft will be refined before submission.

High‑school counselor Meg Nuding told the board the high school collects eight Chapter 339 career artifacts and offers events such as a growing trades and technical fair, dual‑enrollment options and the Wildcat Futures program. Nuding said the district currently reports about 57% of students enrolling in four‑year colleges and roughly 24% pursuing trade or community programs.

Middle‑school counselor Stephanie Barefoot described a proposed career exploration elective (every other day for a semester) with guest speakers, hands‑on activities and portfolio work; she also flagged Naviance‑based grade‑level activities and flex‑time small groups addressing social and emotional topics. Elementary counselors said younger grades use gamified Naviance lessons and will pilot a CharacterStrong program to bolster executive‑function skills.

Board members asked about timelines, student participation, and shifts in post‑COVID student choices. Administration said the district plans to complete the draft by mid‑March and submit it to PDE toward the end of March, and expects to request board approval in February. The draft will be shared with the board and advisory council for final adjustments.

The presentation emphasized continued use of Naviance as the district’s counseling platform and a strengthened advisory council that included teachers, counselors, board members, special education and gifted staff, parents, students and a college admissions counselor from Ursinus. The administration said the advisory meeting generated five key priorities that will inform implementation: increased time and space for career exploration, curriculum integration, structured career activities, expanded partnerships for real‑world learning, and improved tools and systems.

Next steps: administration will refine the draft based on committee feedback, finalize the document by mid‑March, and submit it to PDE by March 31, with board action requested at the next regular meeting.