Student Services

We work collaboratively within a Multi-Level Systems of Support (MLSS) framework to remove barriers to learning and promote academic achievement, social-emotional growth, and college and career readiness for all students.

Quick links

• Student Services - Elementary Schools
• Student Services - Middle School
• Student Services - High School

Philosophy & Framework

The Plymouth Joint School District (PJSD) is committed to ensuring that every student is encouraged to see and be their personal best through successful learning experiences. The district’s Student Services Team—comprised of School Counselors, School Psychologists, School Nurses, and School Social Workers— works collaboratively within a Multi-Level Systems of Support (MLSS) framework to remove barriers to learning and promote academic achievement, social-emotional growth, and college and career readiness.

Vision

All students will have equitable access to comprehensive, culturally responsive support systems that promote academic success, mental wellness, belonging, and future readiness.

Mission

Student Services professionals collaborate with students, families, staff, and community partners to: Remove barriers to learning Promote resilience and self-efficacy Ensure equitable access to opportunities Support safe and inclusive school environments

Frameworks Guiding Practice

• Multi-Level Systems of Support (MLSS)
• Wisconsin Comprehensive School Counseling Model
• ASCA National Model (Define, Manage, Deliver, Assess)
• NASP (National Association of School Psychologists)
• IDEA & Section 504
• Trauma-Informed Practices
• Restorative & Equity-Based Approaches

Role descriptions & Expectations

Elementary School Counselor (4K-4)

Primary focus

Foundation-building in social-emotional skills, academic readiness, and early career awareness.

Core responsibilities

• Deliver classroom school counseling lessons (SEL, executive functioning, emotional regulation)
• Facilitate small groups (friendship skills, coping strategies, grief, self-regulation)
• Provide short-term individual counseling
• Support early identification of academic and behavioral concerns
• Collaborate in MLSS Tier 2 & Tier 3 planning
• Assist in 504 plan development and management
• Participate in IEP meetings when appropriate
• Support family engagement
• Coordinate crisis response support

Expectations

• Maintain 80% direct student service delivery when feasible
• Use data to identify student needs and measure program effectiveness
• Support positive behavior frameworks and school-wide SEL initiatives
• Foster a strong sense of belonging at early grade levels

Middle SSchool Counselor (5-8)

Primary focus

Academic monitoring, identity development, peer relationships, and transition planning.

Core responsibilities

• Deliver classroom lessons (goal setting, digital citizenship, conflict resolution, career exploration)
• Support academic advising and course planning
• Facilitate Academic & Career Planning (ACP) initiation
• Coordinate 504 plans
• Lead small groups (anxiety, peer conflict, organization skills)
• Support transitions (elementary to middle; middle to high)
• Provide crisis intervention and threat response collaboration
• Collaborate on attendance and behavior interventions

Expectations

• Proactively monitor academic progress
• Support identity development and healthy peer relationships
• Utilize student data to reduce achievement gaps
• Lead structured transition programming

High School Counselor (9-12)

Primary focus

Graduation readiness, postsecondary planning, career pathways, and social-emotional wellness.

Core responsibilities

• Manage Academic & Career Planning (ACP)
• Academic advising and four-year planning
• Graduation requirement monitoring
• Postsecondary planning (college, military, workforce)
• Scholarship and financial aid guidance
• 504 plan coordination
• Crisis response and short-term counseling
• Small groups (stress management, executive functioning)
• Collaborate on attendance and credit recovery interventions
• Case manager

Expectations

• Ensure equitable access to rigorous coursework
• Monitor on-track-to-graduate indicators
• Use outcome data to measure postsecondary readiness
• Support mental health and suicide prevention efforts

Elementary School Psychologist

Role overview

The School Psychologist focuses on the intersection of learning, behavior, and mental health, with an emphasis on assessment and data-based decision-making.

Primary focus

Early identification and intervention.

Core responsibilities

• Conduct psychoeducational evaluations for IEP eligibility
• Participate in 504 eligibility processes
• Provide functional behavior assessments (FBA)
• Design and monitor intervention plans
• Consult with staff on instructional strategies
• Support early literacy and math data reviews
• Provide crisis and behavioral response support
• Age 3/Early Childhood Special Education support

Expectations

• Ensure compliance with IDEA timelines
• Utilize data-based problem-solving
• Collaborate in MLSS teams
• Support trauma-informed practices

Middle School Psychologist

Role overview

Academic, behavioral, and social-emotional assessment and intervention.

Primary focus

Early identification and intervention.

Core responsibilities

• Special education evaluations and reevaluations
• Behavioral consultation and FBAs
• Social-emotional screening support
• Risk assessments and crisis response
• Data consultation for intervention design
• Support transition planning
• Consult with staff on instructional strategies
• IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) eligibility
• 504 evaluations
• Collaborative member of MLSS teams

Expectations

• Maintain strong collaboration with instructional staff
• Monitor fidelity of behavioral and academic interventions
• Support equitable identification practices
• Collaborate with MLSS teams

High School Psychologist

Role overview

Complex evaluations, mental health risk assessment, and transition planning.

Primary focus

Early identification and intervention.

Core responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive evaluations
• Lead manifestation determination reviews
• Behavioral and safety planning
• Suicide risk assessments
• Collaborate on 18–21 transition programming
• Support postsecondary transition planning in IEPs
• Facilitate small groups (healthy relationships, anxiety, etc...)
• Facilitate 504 eligibility conversations and collaborate on plan development

Expectations

• Ensure compliance and procedural safeguards
• Maintain high-quality evaluation practices
• Lead data-based intervention planning

School Social Worker

Role overview

The District School Social Worker serves as the primary link between home, school, and community, working across all grade levels to remove external barriers that impact student learning, attendance, and well-being.

Core responsibilities

• Coordinate and connect families with community resources (mental health, housing, food, medical, and social services)
• Support students experiencing trauma, family instability, or crisis
• Conduct home visits as appropriate to strengthen family engagement
• Provide short-term individual or small group social-emotional support
• Lead or collaborate on attendance intervention planning and re-engagement efforts
• Participate in crisis response, safety planning, and risk assessments
• Support students experiencing homelessness (McKinney-Vento)
• Advocate for equitable practices and reduce systemic barriers

Expectations

• Maintain strong, responsive communication with families across K–12
• Partner with administrators, counselors, and psychologists within MLSS
• Use data (attendance, behavior, referral patterns) to identify trends and target interventions
• Strengthen district-wide community partnerships
• Support a safe, inclusive, and culturally responsive school environment

School Nurse

Role overview

The School Nurse supports the health, safety, and well-being of all students across the Plymouth Joint School District. The nurse ensures that students are healthy, safe, and ready to learn by providing direct health services, coordinating care, and promoting prevention and wellness.

Core responsibilities

• Provide direct nursing care for illness, injury, and chronic health conditions
• Develop and maintain Individualized Health Plans (IHPs) for students with medical needs
• Administer medications and oversee medication protocols in compliance with state law
• Monitor and support students with chronic conditions (asthma, diabetes, seizures, severe allergies, etc.)
• Ensure compliance with immunization requirements and health documentation
• Train and support staff in health-related procedures (EpiPen, seizure response, diabetic care, CPR/AED, etc.)
• Collaborate with families, physicians, and outside providers to coordinate student care
• Support communicable disease prevention and public health reporting
• Participate in crisis response and emergency preparedness planning
• Promote health education and wellness initiatives district-wide
• Coordinate and ensure completion of required health screenings, including vision, hearing, and participation in the district dental program

Expectations

• Maintain accurate and confidential student health records
• Follow Wisconsin nursing standards and district policies
• Ensure equitable access to health services across all schools
• Proactively identify health barriers impacting attendance and academic performance
• Collaborate with the Student Services Team within the MLSS framework
• Support a safe, inclusive, and health-conscious school environment

Counseling Administrative Assistant MS

Role overview

The Counseling Administrative Assistant provides administrative, organizational, and programmatic support to the school counseling department. This position assists in coordinating student services, scheduling meetings, maintaining communication with community agencies, and helping implement school-wide student support initiatives. The Counseling Administrative Assistant works collaboratively with school counselors, administrators, staff, students, families, and community providers to ensure efficient delivery of counseling services and student support systems.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative and Clerical Support

• Provide administrative support to the school counseling department including scheduling, record keeping, and preparation of materials.
• Assist with scheduling student meetings, counseling appointments, and Section 504 meetings.
• Maintain counseling calendars and assist with coordinating meetings involving staff, families, and outside agencies.
• Assist with organizing and maintaining the counseling department budget and related materials.
• Special Aide license to assist with students who have disabilities.
• Cumulative folder maintenance.

Communication and Coordination

• Communicate and coordinate with community providers that support student needs, including PATH, CAT Team, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Nourishing Greatness, Camp Anokijig, and St. Vincent de Paul.
• Serve as a liaison between school personnel, families, and community agencies to support student services and programs.
• Maintain professional and confidential communication regarding student information.

Program Support

• Assist with organizing and coordinating counseling curriculum and programming including Second Step lessons , Human Growth and Development, and Signs of Suicide instruction.
• Support counseling staff in preparing materials and logistics for classroom-based counseling lessons and activities.
• Coordinate school-based initiatives including the Family Giving Tree program.

Student and School Support

• Provide support to students as directed by counseling staff.
• Assist with implementation of student behavior protocols and support school-wide behavior systems.
• Support classrooms as needed to assist with student needs and school operations.
• Provide assistance to the main office when additional support is required.

Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with school counselors, administrators, teachers, and support staff to support student needs.
• Assist with implementation of school-wide procedures and protocols related to student services and supports.

Other Duties

• Perform other duties as assigned by administration to support the counseling department and school operations.

Common Responsibilities & Ethical Obligations

All Student Services professionals are responsible for:

MLSS implementation

• Deliver Tier 1, 2, and 3 interventions
• Use universal screening data
• Participate in collaborative problem-solving teams

Confidentiality

Per Wisconsin Statute 118.126, information shared by students is confidential unless:

• There is serious and imminent danger
• Disclosure is required by law

Mandatory Reporting

Under Wisconsin Statute 48.981, all staff must report suspected abuse or neglect.

Crisis Response

• Participate in school safety and crisis teams
• Conduct risk assessments
• Provide postvention support

Equity & Advocacy

• Identify systemic barriers
• Promote culturally sustaining practices
• Monitor disproportionality in discipline and identification

Service Delivery Model

Direct Services (target ~80%)

• Classroom instruction
• Individual counseling
• Small group counseling
• Appraisal and Advisement

Indirect Services

• Consultation
• Collaboration
• Referrals
• Family engagement

System Support

• Program management
• Professional development
• Data analysis
• Program evaluation

Accessing Services

Students may access services through:

• Self-referral
• Parent/guardian referral
• Teacher/staff referral
• Administrative referral
• Peer referral

Accountability and Evaluation

All Student Services staff participate in annual evaluation aligned to district and professional standards.

Student/Program Outcomes (SPOs)

• Data-driven measurable goals
• Achievement, attendance, behavior, SEL metrics

Professional Practice Goals (PPGs)

• Aligned to profession-specific rubrics
• Focused on growth, equity, and continuous improvement

Committment to Continuous Improvement

The Plymouth Joint School District Student Services Team commits to:

• Data-informed practice
• Collaborative leadership
• Family partnership
• Equity-centered systems
• Ongoing professional learning

Together, we ensure that every Panther is supported academically, socially, emotionally, and in preparation for life beyond graduation.