The role of a school counselor is very different from that of a counselor in a community agency or clinical setting. Checking-in or seeing the counselor in school is not a substitute for outside therapy. If your child is in need of outside counseling, I can provide resources and connect you to clinicians in the community to address a variety of needs. Accessing mental health resources can be challenging. As a district we have a list of resources we provide to parents. As a former teacher, a parent and a counselor, I can offer resources that have been recommended by other families in our community. Please reach out if you are in need of a referral.
See Outside Resources tab for more information.
Once a month each class receives a lesson based on our Character Strong curriculum and monthly character traits. Lessons are differentiated to meet the developmental needs of students in Kindergarten through 5th grade.
In addition, students in grades 4-5 are invited to join "Lunch Bunch". Lunch Bunch is a fun time to gather, eat, play games and talk. This is a great opportunity for me to get to know the students. It is important for them to know that I am here to support them with anything they need.
The counseling office is also a place for students to visit when they are:
Having trouble making friends.
Anxious about attending school or completing school work.
Having a problem with family or friends.
Experiencing the loss of a loved relative, friend, or pet.
Experiencing a divorce, marriage, new sibling, or other change in the family.
Students may request to see me at any time. Early in the school year, during a classroom lesson, we review "size of the problem" using a weather analogy. Using this system students can self refer or they can ask their classroom teacher to reach out on their behalf.
Like all school staff, I am involved in whole school activities as well as assigned duties including arrival, lunch, recess, and dismissal.
Lunch Bunch is open to all students in grades 3-5. It is an informal setting. Students play games and talk. Small groups for counseling differ in that they are set up to address specific needs and are created based on teacher and/or parent referrals. Groups are created to address topics like social skills, friendship, emotional regulation and worries/anxiety. Small groups are often used as a Tier 2 intervention to support students who are struggling with behaviors in the classroom.
When students are involved in conflicts we ask them to use an "I message" to communicate with peers and problem solve. If they are unable to resolve a conflict, they are encouraged to seek help from an adult. Teachers often help resolve conflicts as they occur during the school day, but if conflicts continue or interfere with teaching/learning time, the students will be referred to the counseling office.
School counselors in Hamilton are responsible for creating and managing 504 Plans. The most recent district policy requires 504's to be evaluated near the end of each school year. The plan is then renewed and becomes effective for the next school year. Plans are valid for that school year.
In accordance with the NJ Anti Bullying Bill of Rights Act, I serve as the building HIB Specialist. When a staff member witnesses or becomes aware of anything that has the potential to be a HIB situation they MUST verbally report to the principal or the HIB Specialist on the day of the incident. Parents may also report to the school or initiate an investigation by completing a HIB 338 Form. My role is to conduct an investigation and then meet with Mr. Bookholdt to determine whether or not the situation meets the criteria the be considered HIB. Any cases that meet the criteria are then forwarded to the Board of Education to be reviewed. Consequences for behaviors are assigned by Mr. Bookholdt. In some instances situations do not fit the category of HIB, but do warrant consequences.
See the district website for our School and District Policy
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