EXPLORE
EXPLORE
The mission of Winterpock Elementary School’s counseling program is to help all students succeed. We work as a team with parents, school staff, and community members to nurture a support each student. Through individual and small group counseling, classroom lessons, and consultation, we promote social, emotional, and educational growth, and help students to navigate the challenges of childhood.
A special focus for this year will be building a school climate of respect. School counselors create community on a large scale with school wide programs (such as Promote Respect and Kindness Week) and also on an individual level by encouraging students to appreciate differences in themselves and others.
Individual Counseling
Individual counseling is available to all students in need. A request for individual counseling may be made by a parent, teacher, administrator or student. Students are able to express concerns in a safe environment where problem solving can take place. Topics of concern may include: friendship, grief, anger management, anxiety, family changes and school attendance.
Techniques often used during individual counseling sessions are:
role playing, puppetry, storytelling, goal setting, counseling game playing, creation of art work and discussion.
Although we provide a multitude of services for students, intensive, long-term counseling is not available through the school counseling program.
Group Counseling
Small group counseling consists of several students, facilitated by the counselor, who are facing normal developmental issues. The small group setting serves as a way for students to talk about feelings and concerns with other children who have similar needs.
Each session is approximately 30 minutes and takes place once a week over six-eight weeks. Group times are coordinated with classroom teachers so as to disrupt as little instructional time as possible.
Some examples of small groups are:
Classroom Guidance Lessons
Classroom guidance lessons are extremely important in the school setting. Classroom guidance allows a counselor to be proactive in a variety of areas to a large number of students. Guidance lessons are effective and time efficient.
Academic/Educational Domain (K-5)
Personal/Social Development Domain (K-5)
Career Development Domain (K-5)
In assuming these responsibilities, the school counselor strives to: