Individual Counseling
Individual counseling is provided for students for a variety of reasons. Common reasons that students need to speak with the counselor include: bullying, friendship issues, test anxiety, change in family dynamics, academic and/or behavior goal setting, etc. Individual counseling is offered on a short term basis, usually involving 3-4 sessions; students needing more extensive support may be referred for outside counseling.
Small Groups
Small groups provide a chance for students to develop various academic, career, and social skills with their peers. Areas that are often addressed through small groups include: anger management, self-esteem, kindergarten readiness, test-taking strategies, conflict resolution, friendship, career exploration, dealing with divorce, etc. These sessions consists of no more than 4-6 students, as well as sessions, and are a great way for students to learn positive self-expression.
Classroom Guidance
This year we will be focusing on teaching empathy, emotion management, and problem-solving skills through the Second Step Program. Second Step is a violence prevention program which helps promote a peaceful and positive climate in the school; through role-playing, interactive activities, songs, puppets, and educational videos, students will acquire the socials skills needed to become constructive and caring members of the community. Classroom guidance will be provided weekly for grades 2 and 5 and on an 'as needed' basis for all other grade levels.
Consultation
Consultations are provided upon request for parents, teachers, and staff members. The nature of each consultation may vary depending on the student's needs. A child may be referred for outside counseling to achieve long-term goals or receive an individualized behavior plan for concerns in the classroom. Whichever the case, the goal of this collaboration is to ensure overall student success both in and out of the classroom.