Luverne Elementary School achieves RAMP status

Luverne Elementary counselor Marie Atkinson-Smeins reached a career milestone recently when the American School Counselors Association (ASCA) designated Luverne Elementary School as a Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP).
RAMP recognizes schools committed to delivering an exemplary school counseling program by aligning their program with the ASCA National Model, a framework for data-informed school counseling program.
Atkinson-Smeins set the goal to achieve the RAMP designation 10 years ago.
“I attended a day-long conference regarding RAMP,” she said. “This has been one of my professional goals and it has been achieved.”
As the only counselor for the 500 kindergarten through fifth-grade students at Luverne Elementary, Atkinson-Smeins found she didn’t have an effective idea-generating sounding board until two years ago.
In August 2019, she partnered with mentor-coach Rebecca Berry, a school social worker in Oklahoma.
“My success would not have been possible without Rebecca’s help. I am also thankful to my advisory council,” Atkinson-Smeins said.
“I am fortunate to work with a caring staff, supportive parents and a great group of students.”
Advisory council members include local staff and parents: Monica Edstrom, Damon Eisma, principal Stacy Gillette, Wanda Jarchow, Sandy Soto, Lynette Stensland, school board member David Wrigg, Lori Oechsle, Evelyn Perez and Randi Berghorst.
This year Luverne is one of 11 Minnesota schools achieving RAMP status and one of 139 schools in 27 states that will be recognized at the ASCA annual conference in July.
The RAMP designation is valid for five years and is ASCA’s highest honor.