Counselor - Mindy Nelson
The focus of "Comprehensive Guidance" programs at the elementary level is primarily preventative. Counselors work from several different directions to provide support for children which, hopefully, will prevent serious problems or address difficulties before they become escalated. This support comes in the form of regular classes, individual and small group counseling, teacher support, parenting education and special programs designed to meet the emotional, mental health and safety needs of each child.
Health Lifestyles Classes
About half of the regular school day the counselors both teach a guidance curriculum with age level appropriate lessons and activities for all the students in the school. Each class comes to Healthy Lifestyles as part of the specialist rotation approximately once every six school days. Activities and lessons focus on topic such as:
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Self Esteem & Self Awareness
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Problem Solving
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Individual Counseling Support
Based on recommendations from teachers, administrators or parents, counselors may meet with students individually to address school behavior concerns or personal and family issues that are impacting the child's academics or school experience. Jeremy's school counselors service a large number of students, so they cannot generally do weekly "therapy" sessions, but will instead recommend that the family seek outside counseling in addition to school support if necessary.
Since the students know the counselors well (from participation in Healthy Lifestyles), students themselves also seek counseling help on a regular basis. Counselors work with kids in crisis or on school specific topics on demand, but they follow State regulations to get parental permission if they feel extended counseling meetings would be beneficial and/or the issue is family related.