Roachdale Elementary recognized with counseling distinction

Monday, August 13, 2018

ROACHDALE -- The Indiana Department of Education recently announced that 70 schools in the state had been nationally recognized for counseling services they provide to their students.

Roachdale Elementary was the only elementary school in Putnam County to be recognized by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), receiving the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation.

The designation is awarded to schools which deliver a comprehensive, data-driven counseling program that aligns with the ASCA National Model, according to the IDOE in a press statement.

When asked what kinds of programs had been working at Roachdale Elementary, counselor Dan McMurtry said that all fifth-graders have the opportunity to visit a college campus. They also provide programs where students can look into different career paths.

As far as student data goes, McMurtry provided that his office surveys students to determine their top 10 career and social goals, getting them to think earlier on what they might be passionate about.

McMurtry, who has 17 years’ experience as a counselor, believed that the community has embraced the program’s initiatives because they are the ones that have become more involved through a committee.

“What has changed is that we have more buy-in from the community,” he said. “We have community members on the committee who are the stakeholders in how we reach out to students.”

He said that the RAMP designation is a testament to how Roachdale’s counseling program has improved with the support from the community at large.

“It has had a positive impact, McMurtry said. “Our goal is to provide more services to our students, and we’re doing that plus more.”

He said that the addition of these programs has been influenced by how many people are continuing to come into the community and into the North Putnam school system.

This focus on counseling services is reminiscent of the initiatives taken by South Putnam Community School Corporation, which has also been recognized at the state level.

In Roachdale, it is greatly emphasized by engagement and transparency working together in the small town that it is.

“People see the program in action,” McMurtry said. “And they see the attention that we give our students.”

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  • What a well deserved national recognition for the counseling program at Roachdale Elementary. Special acknowledgment goes to Dan McMurtry and Beth Waterman, Principal, for developing this program. The North Putnam community appreciates the effort and creativity that has gone into providing these services to its' students. Thank you, Dan and the entire staff at Roachdale for your fine work with students.

    -- Posted by LJScott on Tue, Aug 14, 2018, at 11:39 AM
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