Mrs. Bonnie Chiasson School Counselor/Administrative Team (504) 347-3377 Ext. 30 bchiasson@vol.org I am Visitation of Our Lady's full-time school counselor. In 1997, I earned a Masters Degree in Counseling from the University of New Orleans counseling program. Within two years, I became a nationally certified counselor (NCC) and a licensed professional counselor (LPC). Much of my internship was done in the school setting, as well as in a professional counseling center. I have experience as a classroom elementary teacher in grades 1-6 and as a full-time school counselor for the past eleven years. I am an active member of LCA (Louisiana Counseling Association), LASERVIC (Louisiana Spiritual, Ethical, Religious Values in Counseling), and Project Fleur-de-lis of New Orleans. My areas of expertise center around working with children, adolescents, adults, and families. The counseling program at Visitation is meant to be a dimension of our total school program, which is directed toward helping children developmentally, academically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. There are times when crisis counseling is needed, for example, in times of grief and loss of a close family member or friend, if and when there is a natural disaster, or for any other times when children, faculty, staff, and parents need help dealing with a crisis. Fortunately, we also have the support of an archdiocese crisis team in times of a school crisis. There are times when I do classroom guidance with specific topics to fit the needs of our students. Occasionally, I meet with small special needs groups to provide information and support. Visitation recently formed a bullying prevention committee with children, parents, and faculty. This committee meets monthly to discuss ways to deal with issues of bullying in schools. Students have opportunities to create posters, poetry, and other writings which promote the concept of having a "bully-free" school. Our school is affiliated with Jefferson Parish Public Schools' Safe and Drug Free Schools, a program that focuses on prevention, information, and support for our students. We are fortunate to be associated with Project Fleur-de-lis, a newly formed program (post-Katrina), which helps public, parochial, and private schools throughout New Orleans. |
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