Counselor's Corner
Who are Elementary School Counselors?
School Counselors are educators with Masters Degrees and specific training in child growth and development, counseling, communication skills and more. They know how to listen and help students with life's challenges.
What do Elementary Counselors do?
The elementary school counseling program is a part of the total school program and complements learning in the classroom. It is child-centered, preventative and developmental. The purpose of counseling with students, parents and teachers is to help students maximize their potential.
The counselors help support student adjustment to ACS and support student well being and success. The counselors facilitate cooperation between home and school. Counselors meet students individually, in small groups and also teach lessons in the classroom about getting along with others and succeeding in school. Examples of small groups counselors lead include: new student groups, friendship groups, anger management groups, goodbye groups, learning to relax groups, etc.
Why are Elementary School Counselors necessary?
Today's schools need to be caring and responsive places that help all students through the many transitions they face on the way to becoming responsible and competent adults. Counselors are sensitive to all these transitions and have special skills that ensure that children's personal, social, and intellectual needs are met. In addition, the counselors believe that with so many diverse student nationalities represented, they can help students build interpersonal strengths to work effectively with others. They are also an important link between school and the community at large.
Who are Elementary School Counselors for?
Everyone! Counselors make themselves available to all students, parents, teachers and administrators.
How can the Elementary School Counselors help parents and children?
Students and parents may contact the school counselor by phone, email, note, or in person to discuss the student's educational needs or for help in coping with personal challenges.
For example, the counseling program can offer the following services:
- Individual or small group counseling to learn how to build social skills, develop friendships, cope with change, and adjust to new school
- New student orientation
- Help in accessing community resources
- Identifying a student's needs and helping to develop strategies to meet those needs
- Parent chats or workshops
- Crisis counseling
- Proactive classroom guidance lessons to teach students skills for success
- Recommend books and internet resources
- Help parents understand child development issues
- Help children and parents deal with transitions and moving