Newman is fortunate to have two certified clinical social workers available to our students and faculty. They are on campus and available to students throughout the school day. They work with students who are experiencing emotional difficulty and work with their families if more extensive help is needed. Serving as a resource for students and families in times of transition or illness, they organize groups in which students with common challenges can support each other. The guidance counselors also work with faculty and advisors on issues within classes or grade levels.

Human Development Program

The Human Development Program, the curricular side of the guidance program, was developed to support and enhance the social, emotional and ethical growth of each of our students and it is taught and administered by the guidance counselors. In the Lower School, the Human Development curriculum is developed by the Lower School Counselor but is taught primarily by the classroom teachers. The curriculum addresses moral and ethical values as well as issues such as health, bullying, friendships, nutrition and introductory substance abuse and sex education.

The Middle and Upper School Human Development classes are taught in a discussion/dialogue format in which students address issues they will face and choices they will have to make in the complex world they are entering. The “goal is to provide a forum for honest discussion of human development issues, the dissemination of accurate information, and the opportunity to look at these issues within a realistic social and ethical context.”

Parent Education

Parent education is another responsibility of the guidance program. The guidance counselors arrange Common Concerns meetings a parental request. These meetings allow parents to discuss the issues and problems facing a particular age or grade level group, and, even more importantly, provide an opportunity for parents to get to know each other so that they can support each other in areas such as curfews, parties and overnights.