School Counseling Services

These lessons will be given weekly according to the following schedule:

• Primary: March, April, May
• LEM: Sept., Oct., Nov.
• UEM: Dec., Jan. Feb.

Each grade level is given lessons on self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, decision-making skills. Additionally, lessons are taught about bullying, careers and setting body boundaries. Fourth and 5th Graders receive one lesson on substance abuse. Fifth graders receive one health lesson on the changes that occur during puberty. You, as parent, have the option of having your child opt out of all or specific social emotional lessons. You will receive a letter to notify you when the lessons on substance abuse and puberty will be given. If you have questions about opting out or specific lessons, or if you choose to opt out, please let me know.

Lunch bunches are held at the beginning of the school year for students who are new to MPSA. These students with a few other students from their class come to the counseling office during their lunch time. This gives students transitioning to MPSA the opportunity to locate the counseling office and get to know me informally. The small group lunch setting allows me to hear from the new student how their transition process is going.

Primary teachers are given the option of sending four of their kindergarten students to the counseling office daily for two weeks to help build self-management skills for a total of ten lessons. Mindfulness, focus and managing strong emotions are taught and practiced at this time. Teachers select students according to need. A role model or student leader is also included in the group.

LEM and UEM Small groups of five students come to the counseling office weekly during their regularly scheduled counseling time block according to the following small group schedule:

• LEM: Dec., Jan., Feb.
• UEM: Sept., Oct., Nov.

During this time specific skills are taught according to the needs of the group. A role model or leader is also a part of the group. You will be notified if your child is selected for this group and a permission slip will be sent for you to sign if you want your child to participate.

The role of a school counselor is different than that of a therapist. We do not provide therapy. We do meet with students on an individual basis for a quick check-in, to teach a specific skill for a set time period(typically 6 to 8 weeks) or in response to crisis. Parents, teachers and administration refer students to the school counselor. Students themselves at times request to meet with the counselor. Sometimes it is the school counselor who recognizes a need to meet with a student. When extra help is necessary or requested by the parent, resources for community services such as therapy or emergency assessment/support are provided.

School counselors are permitted and required to meet with a child to do a risk assessment (suicidal ideation). Parental permission is not needed in this case.

School counselors can meet with a child up to three times without parent permission.

School counselors will contact parents and send home a permission slip for parents to sign, if meeting with a student on a more frequent basis.

The school counselor is available for consulations with parents, staff and outside therapists about a student concern. In-person meetings need to be scheduled. The time you are most likely to reach me by phone is between 3:30 and 4:00. You are welcome to try other times as well. You can always leave a voicemail message or message me via Parent Square. Remember that these forms of communication are not guaranteed confidential so please leave a brief message and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Once a month, I am out of office for the APS elementary counselor meetings at Syphax. Incase of an emergency and I cannot be reached, please call the main office rather than leave a message.

It is imperative that parents of fifth graders know that…

1. all rising sixth grade students will automatically be enrolled in Gunston Montessori. There is no need to apply.
2. if you want to send your rising sixth grader to a neighborhood school, make sure that you live within the boundary of that middle school. You will need to apply. I suggest that you do that in early February. Please let me know so that I can make sure that your rising sixth grader receives the correct form to choose their courses for 6th grade. The online form will be completed in February. I will teach students how to do this.
3. if you would like your rising sixth grader to attend an optional school such as HB Woodlawn, you need to apply. It is important that you check the school’s website to know the dates and times of information night, when applications are available, applications due dates and when you need to declare your acceptance. Student spaces available for optional schools is extremely limited.
4. if you want to know what you need to do, when information nights are, when applications are due, when course request cards are due please check: the APS website for middle school information, the middle school website that your rising sixth grader plans on attending, and Parent Square for future announcements. If you have questions about the process, please reach out to me.