Academics

Guidance

WCS Guidance Counselors work with teachers, parents, students and community resources to coordinate all developmental counseling services on each campus.

AXIS: Resource for Parents

WCS has partnered with AXIS to provide all parents an "All Axis Pass" to their valuable online resources. AXIS is a Biblically-based organization which exists to provide parents with insight into how pop culture, technology, and media are influencing their children. AXIS equips parents to initiate insightful conversations with their children regarding some of the most relevant questions and challenges of life by interpreting youth culture in ways that an adult generation understands. We hope you will take advantage of this valuable resource.

Contact your campus counselor to receive your registration link.

Counselor's Corner

School Closed for Thanksgiving Break
11/20/2020
All campuses will be closed from Monday, November 23 through Friday, November 27 in observance of Thanksgiving.
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Adapting to Change: How to Support Your Teen
8/12/2020
My grandfather once made the observation, “You never step into the same river twice.” His reference, of course, was to the changeability of life circumstances. These days, I’m inclined to believe we never step into the same river even once… as the river of unprecedented change is rolling by… even as we step. While our teenaged children are resilient and resourceful, the amount of change to which they’re adapting these days is significant. And change figures prominently on the list of potential stressors. So how can we continue to lend support and encouragement as we wait for the return of some semblance of normalcy?
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Juuling: Ever Hear of It? Your Teen Has
3/12/2018
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 24 percent of teenagers have experimented with or are currently using some form of e-cigarette. What makes it hard to detect is that 1) newer devices resemble a Sharpie pen or computer flash drives, 2) they can produce vapor odors that mimic fruit juices or peppermint, and 3) they are easily concealed in pockets, purses and backpacks. Student can power them up in their computers during class (like a flash drive) and then take a few puffs between classes.
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Bribe Your Kid for Good Grades: Is This A Good Idea?
1/12/2018
Should we give our kids incentives to boost academic performance? Some would say, “It works!” Yes…but:

• When “it works,” does the higher grade indicate a positive shift in values and priorities?
• Does an uptick in the GPA translate into a life-skill that will remain stable over time – on into college, a career, or life in general?
• By what means was this better grade obtained?
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Resources for Parents

Spiritual Wellness: Resources & Recommendations

Preschool/Elementary

Mrs. Kim Brigham, LMFT

PS/ES Counselor

305-233-2030, ext. 1214

kbrigham@wcsmiami.org

Set up a time to meet with Mrs. Brigham by clicking here

The Guidance curriculum is incorporated into the academic curriculum or may be presented in student chapels or special group meetings. Topics include relevant issues such as:

Conflict Resolution

Social Skills Development

Drug Awareness and Prevention

Human Growth and Development

List of 4 items.

Counseling Services

Individual counseling is available for students experiencing academic, social, or personal problems. Parent counseling is also offered. Small groups are organized as needed (i.e., Peacemaking and Friendship, Family Issues/Divorce, Loss and Grief). Referrals for community resources are made as necessary.
Parent-Teacher Conferences

Conferences with teachers and parents are conducted for students with special needs. Identification of needs is determined by standardized test scores, parental request, and teacher recommendation.
Parent Education

Parent Education Meetings are scheduled throughout the school year covering topics of interest to parents. Meetings are often held through Parents’ Guild, and/or in conjunction with the counselors on the other Westminster campuses.
God Squad

God Squad is a service organization for fifth grade students that enable them to serve our elementary school. They also donate their time to help with service projects throughout the year.

Middle School

Mrs. Yeni Dumas, LMHC

MS Counselor

305-233-2030, ext. 1241

ydumas@wcsmiami.org.

The Guidance curriculum is incorporated into the academic curriculum or may be presented in student chapels or special group meetings. Topics include relevant issues such as:

Transition to Middle School
Learning Styles
Study Skills
Digital Citizenship
Sex Education
Bullying
Substance Abuse
Standardized Testing

List of 4 items.

Counseling Services

Individual counseling is available for students experiencing academic, social, or personal problems. Parent counseling is also offered. Small groups are organized as needed (i.e., Peacemaking and Friendship, Family Issues/Divorce, Loss and Grief). Referrals for community resources are made as necessary.
Parent Education

Parent Education Meetings are scheduled throughout the school year covering relevant issues such as Substance Abuse, Middle School Adjustment, Family Life, and other timely issues as needed. Meetings are held specifically for Middle School parents, through Parents Guild, and/or in conjunction with the counselors on the other Westminster campuses.
Student Life

The Middle School offers students the opportunity to participate in Student Council, National Junior Honor Society, Girls Prayer and Share, Boys Purpose and Prayer, Book Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and numerous special events and trips.
Student Support Team Meetings (SST)

Student Support Team Meetings are scheduled to serve as a vehicle of communication between students, parents, teachers, and administration. The goal is to determine strategies and find solutions to meet the specific needs of students.

High School

Mr. Lyle Green, LMHC

HS Mental Health/Personal Counselor

305-233-2030, ext. 1247

lgreen@wcsmiami.org

Set up a time to meet with Mr. Green by clicking here.

Lyle Green is a professional educator with backgrounds in theological studies, marriage & family therapy, and mental health counseling. Mr. Green works within the WCS mission statement to support and meet the personal, social, spiritual and academic needs of high school students as they prepare to become the next generation of Christian parents, civic leaders, and effective members of the Christian church within the context of the world community.

List of 4 items.

Counseling Services
The WCS High School Personal Counselor utilizes individual and small-group counseling to provide:
- Academic support including organizational, reading, study, and test-taking skills
- Education in understanding oneself and others relative to the development of effective social skills including communication, problem-solving, decision-making, and conflict resolution
- Training in effective coping strategies to reduce the effects of stressors common to this age and stage of life
- Instruction on relevant life-style issues with implication for student health and well-being, e.g., substance abuse, self-esteem, setting boundaries, self-care, and personal integrity
- At-risk student identification and implementation of interventions to enhance success
- School crisis intervention relative to individual, family, school, and commuity crises
- Referrals to community services and private-practice agencies, as necessary
Parent Education
The WCS High School Personal Counselor collaborates with parents providing:
- One-on-one parent conferencing
- Educational forums addressing relevant topics of interest such as raising confident teens, reducing the risk of teenage substance abuse, diminishing unhealthy stress, and enhancing students' academic performance.
Student Support Team Meetings (SST)

Student Support Team meeting serve as a collaborative tool for teaming parents with teachers, counselors and administrators to establish strategies and interventions on behalf of students with specific needs that impact overall performance.
Peer Counseling Services

Peer Counselng is a group of trained student counselors who provide one-on-one, confidential support to WCS students. They help students develop solutions to their problems through the use of active listening, open dialogue and practical coping skills. For more information, visit the Peer Counseling Page.