School Counseling Services at Greenwich Elementary School

School-based counseling may be appropriate when a student is demonstrating behaviors that substantially impact a student’s ability to learn or perform academically consistently and over a long period of time. School-based counseling is not intended to target specific mental health issues, family issues, or other social issues that are not directly related to the school environment or performance.

Our counseling department can provide support in a variety of ways:

• Tier 1: Supporting schoolwide initiatives for social emotional wellbeing and positive behavior choices. Supporting classroom teachers with in-class whole group lessons or consultation for individual students/groups of students.

• Tier 2: Teacher referral (with parent input) to our Tier 2 small group instruction. These groups of 3-5 students will meet once weekly for 30 minutes over a short term period, led by school psychologists. Participation is voluntary but strongly encouraged given the profound benefits. Our program uses engaging video modeling lessons, role-playing activities, and structured practice to teach critical skills in five core areas:

  • Self-Awareness

  • Self-Management

  • Social Awareness

  • Relationship Skills

  • Responsible Decision Making

• Tier 3: Teacher referral (with parent input and permission) to our Tier 3 supports, which include more intensive and targeted strategies to support a student who is in need of social emotional or behavioral support. This may include individual or small group counseling/specific skill instruction, team & parent consultation, development of an individualized behavior plan/safety plan, or with parent collaboration, referrals to other agencies.

• 504 Accommodation Plan / Individual Education Program (IEP) counseling is specifically intended for students with disabilities who require counseling as part of their individual program in order to have access to a free and appropriate education and for special education students to achieve their IEP goals. 

• Check-ins and immediate support for crisis situations: Prompt check-ins for students presenting with an immediate need. A parent, student, or teacher can request a check in if needed. Please reach out to our counseling team or to your child's teacher if your child is in need of a check in.