Student Support
IN-HOUSE RESOURCES
CIS Counseling Philosophy
Cebu International School Counseling primarily aims to assist the administration, faculty/staff and parents in discovering, understanding and accepting the uniqueness of the students. It aims to support the school’s vision and mission in the total formation of the student according to their individual stage of development as a person, help students realize their potential to the fullest and promote personal development, identify developmental and learning needs that affect how students perform in school, and provide personal, educational and career counseling.
The goal of the counseling department is to facilitate growth of the students. The counselors work collaboratively with administration, faculty and staff, parents, for the total formation of the students. To promote academic achievement; personal and social well-being. To nurture students to:
- Become knowledgeable of themselves, their strengths and weaknesses
- Be risk takers by developing their gifts and potentials
- Become caring citizens who displays values such as respect for self, others, and community
- Become inquirers and principled individuals who are responsive to social and environmental concerns
- Become balanced, thinking and reflective individuals, who makes sound decisions and right choices in the pursuit of excellence in their lives, careers and in their personal aspirations
- Become good communicators by expressing their ideas, talents and skills effectively
Pastoral Care and Counseling at CIS
The counselors support the teachers through the pastoral care program. The school operates this program through the homeroom teachers. All teachers at CIS are expected to support students’ social-emotional development and provide appropriate support and guidance where needed. For issues that the teacher believes is beyond their capabilities or deemed detrimental to student safety, they are required to advise the school counselor, career counselor and the principal immediately.
Roles of Counselors
CIS has a unique multicultural environment, with over 20 nationalities represented. Counselor is sensitive to this diverse environment, respect cultural differences and values in their counseling. Counseling is the central component of guidance services. Through individual or group counselling, students are helped to adjust to challenging parts of their lives that impact on their growth and development. Specifically, counselling helps students to accept their limitations, discover their capabilities, and set goals for change and improvement in their lives. Counseling is offered to all students who need it, either by referral or walk-in.
The CIS guidance office administers tests to assess student achievement and abilities. Admissions tests and interviews are given prior to enrollment. The school counselors also facilitate the school’s MAP testing program.
Measure of Academic Progress (MAP)
As an external source of data to measure student learning at CIS, we administer the MAP tests three times a year throughout the school. This enables students and parents to see the learning they have made and to also use the data as a basis for some good conversations with the teachers and the school about future learning and goal setting.Many international schools use the MAP tests within the SE Asia region and the North West Evaluation Association (NWEA) based in the USA are currently developing international school norms which we can reference against.
Group sessions are scheduled to support the current need of the students in their specific classes. It is designed to foster the counselor’s visibility and to enhance student – counselor relationships. Topics, lectures and group dynamics are created to support the homeroom teacher in promoting student’s well-being inside and outside the classroom.The counselor organizes seminars for student social-emotional development, personal health program, career information and other activities deemed important by student, parents and school staff.
During the first month of the school year, all students are brief about the importance of school services and functions. Briefing includes a campus tour, initial interview and formal or informal follow-up interviews. Important information like school policies and procedures are also discussed. An orientation for new parents and student is done together with the help of the administration team.
Career education helps students identify their abilities, interests, attitude and understanding of the match between their interests and talents and course offerings at CIS. Through group sessions, fieldtrips, work observation, placements, guest speakers from the working community and further educational institutions, students are assisted to make informed decisions about their options when they leave school.Students in the senior grades are expected to formulate a personal action plan regarding choices for continuing education, training and life-long learning.
The counselors choose a topic to be highlighted during information drives. The topic is chosen for its relevance to the development and personal wellbeing of the students.
Other roles of Counselors
- Conducting individual and group counseling and follow-up with students, teachers and parents in the areas of:
- Academic/Behavioral
- Personal/Social
- College and Career
- Participating in Student Support Services Team meetings to discuss special needs of students and to develop intervention strategies.
- Assessing students’ social and academic strengths.
When do you see the counselors?
- When you want to understand feelings
- When you want to do better in school
- When you want to get along with others better
- When you need someone to help cope with changes
- When you need to make decisions that have a significant effect on your life
- When you need information regarding college and career
You can see your counselor also when:
- Your teacher sends you
- The principal suggest it
- Your parents request for it
- Or when the counselor invites you
How do I speak with the Counselors?
It’s always best to call for an appointment, but if you are in the school, please drop in the Academic Office to see if the counselor is available. It is also possible to contact the counselor via email or telephone.