• About Us

    The staff of the Counseling Center is comprised of three school counselors (one for each grade level), two school psychologists and a social worker. We work with  students, families, faculty and administration through our comprehensive counseling program. Each service is aimed at helping children learn and develop to their highest potential. Our goal is to provide opportunities to promote "excellence and success for all students."

    THE SCHOOL COUNSELORS

    Counselors wear many hats, providing services to students, parents and teachers. We strive to establish open and trusting relationships with students and their families and teachers, in order to optimize students’ success in school.

     

    How Counselors Help Students

    Counselors work with students individually, in groups and in classrooms to:

    • Develop self-understanding and self-awareness
    • Build self-confidence and self-esteem
    • Encourage students to recognize and make the best use of their capabilities
    • Provide opportunities for students to feel successful
    • Discuss and work through educational and personal/social concerns
    • Facilitate transition from elementary to middle school and middle to high school
    • Help students recognize, understand and work through learning difficulties
    • Teach the decision-making/problem-solving process
    • Handle peer pressure
    • Encourage better interpersonal relationships and help resolve conflicts
    • Monitor academic progress by reviewing progress reports, report cards and by speaking with students
    • Assist with course selection
    • Teach life coping strategies to help deal with feelings
    • Offer tips on study skills, organizational skills and time management
    • Provide support during a crisis

     

    How Counselors Help Parents

    Counselors work with parents to:

    • Foster communication and understanding between parents and children
    • Offer strategies parents can utilize for homework and achievement concerns
    • Increase parental understanding of adolescence
    • Consult about concerns regarding their child’s growth and development in areas including self-esteem,  family relationships, peer relationships, stress, values, and decision-making
    • Identify issues that may impact upon their child’s ability to learn
    • Facilitate communication between home and school
    • Assist in crisis intervention

     

     

    THE SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS

    A school psychologist is a professional with specialized training in psychology and education. We use our training and skill to work with parents, teachers, and other mental health professionals to ensure that every child learns in a safe, healthy and supportive environment. School psychologists understand child development, school systems, and effective teaching, and are prepared to help alleviate difficulties that may otherwise impede successful learning.

    The role of the school psychologist is to:

    • Conduct individual psychological evaluations of students
    • Provide individual counseling for social, academic, behavioral and emotional concerns of students
    • Intervene in crisis situations
    • Meet with parents about various issues relating to problems at home and in school
    • Meet with students, parents and teachers to review test results and make recommendations
    • Assist families in obtaining appropriate outside psychotherapeutic treatment
    • Maintain contact with private therapists to coordinate treatment
    • Consult with administration about student and community concerns, program planning, staff training and intervention procedures
    • Offer suggestions to parents and teachers about how to help students
    • Develop and implement behavioral intervention plans
    • Conduct individual and group counseling sessions with students
    • Lead parent training groups

     

    THE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER

    The school social worker is instrumental in enhancing the school’s ability to meet its academic mission, especially where home, school and community collaboration is the key to achieving that mission.

    The role of the school social worker is to:

    • Conduct individual and group counseling sessions with students
    • Assist in crisis intervention
    • Speak with parents about issues impacting upon a student’s ability to learn
    • Consults and shares information about students with teachers
    • Make home visits when necessary in order to help students and their parents
    • Assist families in obtaining appropriate outside help
    • Lead parenting workshops
    • Attend team meetings as needed to discuss students and plan helping strategies
this way that way sign