1. What does ES Counseling at AISL look like?
There is strong evidence that elementary schools with comprehensive data-driven school counseling programs display higher academic outcomes compared to schools without such programs.
At AISL, ES Counseling follows the International and American School Counselor Association Standards by addressing three critical components to support the whole child's development.
2. What are the three areas?
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
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
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
Child Protection referral form
Students are always welcome to walk in / leave a note.