What is ES Counseling &  contact ?

Prevention 

• Development of school success skills 

• Pro-active problem-solving strategies 

Intervention

• Responding to whole group challenges and short-term individual needs

Education/ Consultation

• Providing resources and guidance to students, parents and staff

For further information, please refer to this presentation intended for teachers and this presentation shared with parents.

3. How is counseling delivered?

All students at AISL can receive counseling services in a confidential setting.  

Grade Level:  Each grade level in the elementary school has a unique socio-emotional development theme that is delivered through classroom guidance lessons.  From good character to friendships and school success skills, students progress through elementary school with a good understanding of life skills and problem-solving strategies.

Small-group counseling:  Group counseling is an opportunity for a small group of students to help each other through the sharing of feelings and experiences in a safe environment.  Counseling groups usually have a theme and help students learn good communication skills and strategies to handle challenging situations.  Some groups that may be offered this year include anger management, good behavior, impulse control, social skills, self-esteem, conflict management, and lunch bunch.   All students can request and receive confidential problem-solving counseling support sessions. 

Individual counseling:  select students are supported with skills to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.  Some themes include impulse control, grief, divorce, friendship, and conflict management.  Individual students can also request to have confidential problem-solving counseling sessions.  Please note that individual counseling services are limited to 6-12 hours.  Students who require further support will be referred to an external provider.

4.  Areas  I've delivered..

Child Protection:  with a goal to empower students to recognize unsafe situations, refuse assertively and report these situations to an adult, students are taught developmentally appropriate child protection lessons.  The child protection curriculum, Second Step, provides a comprehensive approach to support children in staying safe and developing valuable communication skills. 

Kelso's choices:  an evidence-based program for teaching conflict management for students.  All grade 1 students receive introductory "how to lessons" and the program is reinforced by teachers/ IAs throughout the academic year.

Mindup/ Mindfulness/Yoga:  As a certified yoga teacher, I incorporate mindfulness, and yoga movements into class lessons.

Character Counts Education:  the Character education program, Character Counts, is based on the Josephson Institute's Six Pillars of Character.  The program aims to facilitate a positive school climate and empower all students with the skills to become responsible, caring and successful citizens.  For the 2021-2022 school year we will be adjusting the character traits discussed to align with our newly developed AISL core values that were developed by the community voice in 2019-2021.

5.  What's happening in the classroom with ES Counseling in 2023-2024?

• What happened in 2023-2024 Lesson Overview and Child Protection Home Links  2022-2023

• Link to  2024-2025 Teacher/ Counselor Lesson Planner 

• Second Step Digital Program (Teachers will present this):  

  • Presentation to teachers Parts 1 & 2

  • Overview presentation for parents presented by teachers

• Child Protection Second Step lessons for PS-G5;   & All AISL staff 

• Digital Citizenship (delivered by Ms Tess)

• Mindfulness- integrated as part of every lesson.   

• Kelso's choices- evidence-based program to support with problem-solving. (For parents; For teachers; For All)

• Classroom lessons on AISL Core expectations with an emphasis on diversity/inclusion/ equity.  Dress-up days include:

  • RESPECT- Dress in Yellow on  September 27

  • EMPATHY- Dress in blue on November 22nd

  • RESPONSIBILITY- Dress in green on January 24

  • INTEGRITY- Dress in red on  March 14

  • COURAGE- Dress in Orange on  May 23

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4.  How to reach Ms. D?

By e-mail/ Zoom-  dabukazam@aislagos.org

In-person-  by appointment- please e-mail me at dabukazam@aislagos.org

Counselor referral form 

Child Protection referral form

Students are always welcome to walk in / leave a note.

Parent coffee slides on EC/ES Counseling (updated 2023)