BY MATT LINDSEY
North Country This Week

CANTON — School counselors at Canton Central have taken on some new roles as a result of the pandemic.

CCS Director of Guidance Kristie Newman said that last year the state changed a lot of regulations concerning school counselors and now required a formal guidance plan. She said the department has always maintained a guidance plan even prior to the requirement.

She said the plan did require some updating and cross-referencing with counseling standards.

“It really actually was a good process I think for all of us to go through and really put down everything we do at each level,” she said.

An advisory committee was created that includes all counseling staff, some community members and a board member.

Most of the changes made were related to COVID, Newman said. Those included additional responsibilities such as a big increase in home visits due to more students learning remotely, delivery of food and shifting events such as financial aid night.

The process for the guidance plan requires that counselors present the document to the Board, who then approves it and it is then posted on the district website for the public to see.

CCS Superintendent Ron Burke said that the plan would be discussed at the March 18 school board meeting.