Counseling Corner

tpfister@greenville.k12.sc.us     864.355.2204             dpday@greenville.k12.sc.us          864.355.2213

Our mission:  In order for students to be successful with future college and career goals, our counselors will support their social, emotional, and academic success in elementary school.

How do we do that?

What do elementary school counselors do?

School success:

Buena Vista school counselors coordinate all 504 plans.  We also coordinate the "On Track" program for any student whose absences, behaviors, or grades are not considered "on track" towards high school graduation at the time.  We partner with families and teachers to develop supports for these students in order that they may get back "on track".

Counseling:

We provide classroom counseling lessons to all students every other week.  These lessons can be about friendship skills, conflict resolution, character education, career exploration, teamwork, understanding the importance of schoolwork, acceptance, family relationships, respect, responsibility, or safety.  

We also conduct small group counseling and individual counseling for identified students.  Any student can request counseling; as well as teachers, parents, or administrators who can refer a child for small group or individual counseling.  These groups are based upon what needs are identified.  

Transitions: 

We register all 5th graders for middle school, work with feeder middle schools to organize orientation field trips, and prepare student packets for non-GCSD middle schools.  We also give middle school transition lessons to all 5th grade students.   We also have a goal to start a program specifically for new students beginning the fall of 2024. 

Socio-economic needs:

We partner with our PTA to coordinate the Backpack Buddies (food) program and the Kids Helping Kids (Christmas support) program.  We partner with our SIC to coordinate the Kindergarten Pop In Preview and help with the New Parent Breakfast.  We teach the annual Erin's Law (safety) lessons and annual Red Ribbon lessons (safety around medicine, tobacco, and alcohol) to all students and work with community agencies and social workers to help meet the socioeconomic needs of all students.  This may include involving our school social worker. 

Mental Health support:

We work with parents to support their children and coordinate referrals to our school based mental health counselor.  We also work with our school psychologist to complete observations and rating scales for identified students.  

Would your child like to be the focus of a Student Spotlight?  BVTV news highlights student accomplishments....sports teams, artistic creations, writing, scouts, you name it!  Email your counselor today if you have a student or group of students we can recognize!