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Cindy Natale and Emily Diaz - Guidance Counselors

School Counselors implement a comprehensive developmental guidance program that empowers children with the tools they need to become successful students and citizens. This program requires the understanding and cooperative efforts of parents as well. Following are some of the school counseling services:

Classroom Guidance
Guidance lessons are usually taught in 4-6 week units.
All grades are taught study skills units.

    Kindergarten: Funny Tummy Feelings teaches children which touches are appropriate and inappropriate. Children are taught what to do if their tummies feel funny from inappropriate touching. (Staff from Safe Child usually come to teach these lessons.)

    First Grade: Cooperation lessons teach the value and necessity of teamwork and following rules in the classroom, cafeteria, hallways, bus and during fire drills.

    Second Grade: Students learn about feelings. Learning how to tell how someone might be feeling by looking at facial expressions, body language and listening to tone of voice is focused on. A variety of feelings are discussed

    Third Grade: Conflict Resolution/Friendship Skills. Students learn appropriate, safe strategies to work through conflicts with their peers.

    Fourth Grade: Drug Education involves teaching students about harmful drugs as well as empowering them to take responsibility in their decision making regarding drug use.

    Fifth Grade: Middle School Transition Skills focus on turning negative attitudes and expectations into positive ones. Middle school counselors are brought in as well to speak to students about middle school expectations. The Human Growth and Development curriculum focuses on physical and emotional changes during the adolescent years.

Small Group Counseling
 Groups consist of 2-8 students working together to deal with similar issues. Groups will address a variety of topics this year, including the following:

  • Grief/Loss: The purpose of this group is to provide the opportunity in a secure environment for students to ask questions and share experiences related to death. Topics of discussion include facts on death and dying, death as a part of the life cycle, and feelings related to loss.

  • Changing Families: The purpose of this group is to assist students in defining their feelings and in learning coping strategies. Group members will be able to offer each other support and will learn skills for dealing with changes in their family structure. Through the group process, students will learn that despite all the changes, they can be safe and taken care of and will realize that there are other children that come from all different kinds of families.

  • Friendship (Social Skills): The purpose of this group is to help students develop interpersonal abilities by learning pro-social skills and anger management techniques. This group experience also allows students the opportunity to develop positive self-concept and to enhance their self-esteem. Topics of discussion include how to develop empathy, identify feelings, communicate effectively, problem-solving, and dealing with difficult emotions (anger). Group members will practice appropriate ways of relating to others and explore alternative ways of dealing with unsatisfactory peer relations.

  • Girl Power (5th grade girls only): The focus of this group is to allow girls opportunities to discuss any physical, emotional, and social changes they are experiencing as they approach adolescence. There will be discussions on different topics such as nutrition, self-care, self-esteem, and friendship.

  • Behavior Change-Attention, Impulse, Self-Control: The purpose of this group is to work with students on strategies to build social skills, solve homework issues, improve classroom behavior, and reduce stress. It will also help students use positive self-statements and problem-solving techniques.

  • Choosing a Healthy Me: The purpose of this group is to provide a venue for students to talk about their concerns or worry of someone close to them who is using drugs or abusing alcohol. The group focuses on how they can put their worries in perspective of how their emotions affect their life. Groups are confidential, and are effective if children know that their concerns are aired in private so they can see that they are not alone in their worries, and that having a safe place to talk about these worries may lessen their anxieties.

  • Lunchtime Book Club: This group is for students who struggle with reading and struggle with the motivation to want to read. Each session, a different book is read that focuses on a guidance theme that is both entertaining and filled with opportunities to learn during a time (lunch-children bring their trays into the counseling office) that normally would not be for reading.

    Individual Counseling
     Students may refer themselves or be referred by a teacher or parent. Students may meet with the counselor one-on-one to discuss any problems they might be having at school, at home or with peers. The counselor serves as an advocate and friend while assisting the student in the problem solving process. Students may see the counselor weekly for a short while. Students in need of in-depth therapy will be referred to a professional therapist

    Character Education
    The School Counselor focuses on a monthly character trait on a school-wide basis. Each month, character trait winners are awarded with a certificate and have their pictures displayed on a bulletin board in the main hallway outside of the counselor’s office.

    July - mid-August: RESPONSIBILITY
     Dependable in carrying out obligations and duties, shows respect and consistency in words and conduct.

    mid-August - September: RESPECT
     Shows high regard for authority, for other people, for self, for property, and for country, understands that all people have value as human beings.

    October - mid-November: COURAGE
    Determined to do the right thing even when others don’t, has the strength to follow conscience rather than the crowd, attempts difficult things that are worthwhile.

    mid-November - December: KINDNESS
    Considerate, courteous, helpful and understanding of others, shows care, compassion, friendship and generosity.

    January - mid-February: SELF DISCIPLINE
    Demonstrates hard work and commitment to purpose, regulates self for improvement, restrains from inappropriate behaviors, in proper control of words, actions, impulses.

    mid-February - March: INTEGRITY
    Has the inner strength to be truthful, trustworthy and honest in all things, acts justly and honorably.

    April - mid-May: PERSEVERANCE
    Persistence in pursuit of worthy objectives in spite of difficulty, opposition or discouragement, exhibits patience and has the fortitude to try again when confronted with delays, mistakes or failures.

    mid-May - June: GOOD JUDGEMENT
    Chooses worthy goals and sets proper priorities, thinks through consequences of actions, bases decisions on practical wisdom and good sense.