As the school counselor, I am lucky enough to get to see all Wildcat students. I visit each classroom from CD to 5th grade at least once a month to provide a 30-40 minute lesson focused on social/emotional learning. Topics range from identifying feelings & developing self-regulation skills to careers to problem solving & growth mindset.
I also develop small groups when the need to support a particular skillset in a group of students arises. These needs can be as simple as building friendships and as complex as anger management and conflict resolution.
All students can request to see me via a paper or online form, usually for one meeting to resolve a particular issue. Occasionally there is a need for an individual student to visit with me weekly, and I will provide short-term counseling about concerns in school. If you are seeing a need for more intensive or long-term therapy about concerns outside of school, I am happy to provide community resources and referrals.
I use the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) standards for each of my lessons and all of my practice. Visit their site at https://www.schoolcounselor.org/ to learn more about their Standards and Positions.
Charleston County School District Mission Statement: The mission of CCSD is to educate and support every child in achieving college, career, and citizenship readiness.
Mamie P. Whitesides Elementary School Mission Statement:
The Whitesides family will provide the highest quality of education through a challenging curriculum in a safe, nurturing environment that builds leadership skills, develops an appreciation for diversity and promotes individual creativity. Our goal is to engage students in a program of academic excellence that will prepare them to be independent, responsible citizens in our community.
Information disclosed to me by a student or guardian is confidential unless there is a threat to oneself, another, or to property.
I normally ask students if they are okay with me sharing some information with their guardians, and if they give permission I do try to maintain a healthy collaboration with those at home.