Welcome! Throughout the year, I will update this website with happenings in the counseling world at Discovery and in the community, as well with resources for students and families.

Counseling Services:

• Individual Counseling - Students may be referred to individual counseling by the classroom teacher, school staff member, or parents. Individual counseling sessions are brief, and last 6-8 regular sessions or less. If a student would benefit from longer term counseling, an outside referral will be made.

• Group Counseling - Small groups (typically 6 students or less) take place throughout the school year, with a broad range of topics. There are two general types of groups: skill-building and adjusting to life events.

Skill-building groups focus on skills that directly help students to be successful in the classroom (social skills, emotional management, etc.),

Life events groups are designed to provide an opportunity for students to express their feelings surrounding what's happening outside of school (such as the loss of a loved one, moving, parental divorce, etc.) in order to help them focus on learning when they're in the classroom. If you think your student would benefit from such a group, please contact me.

• Classroom Guidance - At the primary school level, teachers spend a lot of time teaching non-academic skills such as social skills, building empathy, managing emotions, and solving problems. The counselor supports these efforts by providing classroom lessons and utilizing research-based resources to further develop these skills.

• Section 504 Coordination - Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a national law that protects qualified individuals with disabilities from discrimination based on their disability. Section 504 requires that school districts provide a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to qualified students in their jurisdictions who have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. If you believe your student may require reasonable accommodations as outlined under section 504, contact the Counseling Office to discuss an evaluation for 504 services. You may also view the Section 504 Handbook online in both English and Spanish.

• McKinney-Vento Coordination - The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is designed to provide stability and support to students who lack fixed regular and adequate nighttime residence. If you believe you or your student may be eligible, please contact the Counseling Office. To learn more, view the following brochure.

• SST Coordination - When a classroom teacher or parent has a concern about a student's academic achievement, behavior, health or social competence, either may request the assistance of the Student Support Team (SST). Through the SST process, new strategies and interventions are developed, implemented, and monitored over several weeks. If the interventions are determined not to be successful, however,the SST may refer the student for further assessment by the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) or the Section 504 Team. The counselor serves on the SST team, and coordinates meeting times with families.

• Parent/Teacher Consultation - The counselor serves both as an advocate and a resource for families and teachers as well as students. In this capacity, counselors can help develop plans to use both at home and at school to help a child be successful in implementing new social, behavioral, emotional, and academic learning.

*Please contact the counseling office if you have any concerns, questions, or updates regarding your child.