Ms. Gjonovich (Ms. G!), School Counselor

How do you pronounce that name?

John-o-vich :-D

Contact information: ygjonovich@lbschools.net

Henry Elementary (50%) 562-421-3754 (M, T, W-A.M.)

Naples Bayside Academy (50%) 562-439-6897 (W-P.M., Th, Fri)

:-) Please check in with Ms. G on the Google Form below <3

ENROLLMENT (new students): When completing the Home Language Survey, please mark Spanish ONLY if an answer is truly Spanish. Marking Spanish does not help getting your student into the Henry Dual Immersion Program. If you mark a language other than English, then your student will be considered an English Language Learner (ELL) and will need to be assessed each year until they are reclassified as English Proficient.

Ms. G's School Counseling Program

>>Student Success Team (SST) & 504 Coordinator<< -- 39 SSTs at Henry/ 23 at Naples; 18 504s at Henry/6 at Naples; these numbers may change weekly (this data is for the 2023-2024 school year)

>>IEP Admin designee/Special Education support<< -- I admin approx. 10-15 IEPs/month before & after school

>>ELPAC, GATE/EXCEL, SBAC test coordinator<< -- approx. 60 ELLs to assess, all 2nd and 4th graders will take the GATE pre-screener with Ms. G and some students will also take the post-screener AX for GATE, plus all 3rd-5th graders will take the SBAC in April/May; In March/April, I will start introducing SBAC tools and strategies to each student in 3rd-5th grade during classroom presentations

>>Middle school matriculation<< -- I facilitate the process with all 5th grade families (Jan.-Mar.); a parent meeting will be scheduled in February with Ms. G: applications via ParentVue will be available in the end of March; Parents will want to attend as many Parent Information Nights at all the middle schools on their list (Feb./March) prior to completing their middle school application with their student; elective(s) will be chosen after selection occurs.

>>Student Council facilitator at Henry<< -- Ms. G coordinates the elections (Fall) for 4th and 5th graders; I coordinate 1-2 meetings a month and facilitate multiple school-wide events/activities with the Student Council; all 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classes will elect a Class representative for each semester to be their class liaison between students and student council

>>Student Leadership facilitator at Naples<< -- I facilitate a 5th gr. group (12-20) of leaders each semester; Student leaders will learn leadership skills, job training skills, mentoring skills, and be able to participate in community service and student assemblies; in order to be allowed to participate as a Student Leader at Naples they must get a reference (signature on their application from a staff member), parent consent/commitment to allow their student to participate in all Leadership business, and attend a weekly meeting every Thursday 1:30-2:15. Student leaders will need to commit to one semester and may apply for both semesters.

>>English Language Learner (ELL) manager<< -- 48 at Henry/11 at Naples; each student will be assessed annually on the ELPAC

>>Fluent English Proficient (FEP) student manager<< -- 40 at Henry/4 at Naples; monitor each student 6x over three years

>>Crisis Intervention/bereavement support<< -- at Henry approx. 70 (180 in '21-'22 allocated 4 days/week) Counselor Referral Forms completed for '23-'24 school year and 10 (50 in '21-'22) discipline intervention support (this does not include on-going support throughout the school day) between both school sites; at Naples approx. ___ Counselor Referral Forms completed by students, staff, or parents and 3 discipline intervention support

>> Personal Growth Groups (Anger management, self-esteem, social skills, friendship, education/career development, anxiety/nervousness/worry, etc.)<< -- on going and as need arises

>>Classroom management support<< -- on going and as need arises

>>Classroom observations to create intervention plans<< -- approx. 6-10/month

>>Behavior, attendance, and academic contracts (home and school)<< -- 6 at Henry and 2 at Naples, plus several "Cool Down" passes are monitored

>>Attendance intervention support<< -- daily walk-in visits from teachers/staff, several parent/guardian collaborative meetings/phone calls (I am unable to maintain these stats)

>>Family resources/CARE Solace<< -- counselor connects families to community resources regularly

>>peer mentoring and cross-age mentoring<< -- on going and as need arises

>>Diversity and inclusion support<< -- as need arises; counselors attend on-going professional development on this topic

>>Student Wellness assemblies << -- 3x/year for each class; both school sites K-5

>>Foster and DCFS Support<< -- approx. 2-5/semester

>>Harmony SEL Program<< -- Diversity and Inclusion, Empathy and Critical Thinking, Communication, Problem Solving, and Peer Relationships (sessions conducted in small group and/or in classrooms); all students are eligible to receive support; Empathy training using Second Step as needed; plus other classroom support as need arises

>>Enrollment/School of Choice support<< -- on going throughout the school year

>>College and Career Readiness class lessons<< -- on going and as need arises

What's going on in the counselor's office?

> Middle school matriculation: Placements have been announced via your ParentVue. For more middle school information: https://www.lbschools.net/Departments/Middle_K8_Schools/school_choice.cfm

> SBAC (3rd-5th): all SBAC assessments were completed. Parents will receive scores in your ParentVue by this summer. NICE JOB STUDENTS we knocked it out of the park!

> Student Council (Henry): our six officers (see picture below) did a wonderful job leading the school assemblies, engaging in community services, listening to their peers requests to better our school, and keeping up with the lost and found and recycling programs. Their benches they designed will hopefully be completed by the Fall 2024. Please come back to Henry to sign your name to your bench.

PRESIDENT: Mateo Medina

VICE PRESIDENT: Arabella Wise-Marquez

SECRETARY: Inez Velasco

TREASURER: Audrey Downs

HISTORIAN: Bailey Hess

SERGEANT OF ARMS: Elias Kish

Each 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classroom also selected their semester Classroom Representative. Their duties will be to attend some of the Student Council Meetings and relay information to and from each of their classrooms. Congratulations to our Classroom Reps.

>Student Leadership (Naples): Each semester we had 15-16 5th grade student leaders. They met 1x/week with Ms. G; they engaged in community services, led the monthly assemblies outside, and learned how to mentor our younger Dolphins. Awesome job to the following 5th graders:

Melanie Sifuentes

Owen O'shea

Dylan Young*

Elinor Bebb**

Madeleine Benichou

Zelene Broadhurst+++

Juliana Radin

Benjamin Alan Cox-Karaskiewicz

Olivia Roper

Kailee McClain

Brooklyn Douglas**

Elyssa Munoz**

Rachael Larison**

Parker Holly

Tallulah Knight

Malina cibel

Leila Aquino

Rowan Fincher-McMurray

Sea Alimahomed-Wilson

Margaret Velasco*

Carlyn Asido

Amanda Turndorf*

Elliot Zinberg

*perfect attendance first semester

**perfect attendance second semester

+++perfect attendance both semesters

> Fluent English Proficient (FEP): Students that entered into LBUSD with a second language in the home have been monitored and new Fluent English Proficient students identified; Both schools had some awesome growth with our ELLs becoming Fluent English Proficient (FEP).

> English Language Learners (ELL): annual ELPAC testing will be completed each year until the student becomes Fluent English Proficient (FEP) based on AR grades, ELPAC test results in reading, writing, listening, and speaking areas, plus other identifiable data. The results will be posted in ParentVue under Reports tab.

> TEACHERS: All SSTs/504s requests should come through my office. Please continue to refer students to me as needed. SST information on students live in LROI. LROI>Applications>Student Study Team>search student. PARENTS please email me, see me or fill out a Counselor Referral Form if you would like an SST/504 for your student for academic, behavior, and/or attendance concerns. ygjonovich@lbschools.net

> Students: PLEASE COMPLETE THE "STUDENT CHECK-IN FORM" near the top of this page. Teachers, staff, parents, and students may email me also. If you would like to see me, then please complete a confidential Counselor Referral Form (copies on my door, in each classroom, and in the front office). I will make it a priority to contact you as soon as I am available.

> Harmony Social-emotional Program: I am available to conduct lessons in the classroom as requested. Teachers please contact me if you want to get started with sessions in your classroom. I can conduct a few sessions for you, then you can continue the program throughout the year. SEL should surely be at the beginning of each day during your "soft start" or during a time you feel best during the day. :-) Parents may access the Harmony at Home site https://www.sanfordharmony.org/harmony-at-home/ for free. They also have a Harmony Game Room App that is ahhhhmazing. :-D

> Conditions of Thriving (Transformative SEL/TSEL) support. My counseling program will create an environment where everyone is seen, heard, and valued.

*Relational Trust and Engagement* Show me that I matter to you...)
*Safety and Belonging* Help me know and feel I belong here...
*Cultural Responsiveness & Inclusivity* See all of me, and include me…
*Restorative Practices* Show me how we are interconnected and responsible for each other...
*TSEL/Wellness* Teach me, model for me, and practice with me all the ways we can thrive...

Future business:

> Class placements: Class assignment will be posted in ParentVue Friday, Aug. 23 after 5:00PM. We are not able to take classroom/teacher requests. Each grade level team takes quite some time to create new "teams" based on several guidelines. This is not an easy task but our staff takes the time to give their next grade level colleagues the best teams possible to maintain a suitable learning environment for all. We appreciate your support and trust in this important process. Please see the principal or myself if you have any questions.

> Parents: Summer fun time. Here are some ideas to keep your kiddos "learning":

www.caaspp.org > Practice and Training Tests > Student Interface Practice and Training test
Play vocabulary games with sticky notes around the house
Play math facts games with sticky notes around the house
minimize screen time; play board games, create fun thinking activities around the house, organize an area with fun contests, allow forts to be built, art to be created with water and a paint brush/sidewalk chalk/sand art with a stick to support fine motor skills, and do some puzzles together
create play dates to support social skills; children need socialization to flourish
See the list below

2023-24 Student Leadership at Naples visting the LB City Hall and meeting Councilperson Kristina Duggan, 3rd District

Awesome experience!

Henry's Student Council collected over 100 toys to be donated to our LBUSD unhoused students. <3

So proud of them!

MENTAL WELLNESS RESOURCES

Suicide Prevention (Mental Wellness)

Anti-Bullying

Sexual Harassment (Consent)

TK-5 Mental Wellness (Suicide Prevention):

Anti-Bullying:

Sexual Harassment (Consent):

ASCIP KnowGo, grades 2/4–but can be TK-5

https://www.itsaknowgo.com

Additional LBUSD Resources & Information

Bullying Prevention
Suicide Prevention
Mental Health Resources
LGBTQ+ Students and Support
Guidelines for Students/Parents (see pages 29-32)

Ms. G. will be conducting age-appropriate student assemblies in the first three months of school on the above topics per Ed Code. I encourage the students to continue the conversation and ask their parent/guardian if they have any follow-up questions. The Wellness Assemblies were created to effectively address Board Policies 5145.7 (Sexual Harrassment), 5145.9 (Hate-Motivated Behaivors), 5131.2 (Bullying Prevention), and 5142.52 (Suicide Prevention), a committee of curriculum staff, teachers, counselors, and administrators was convened to write lessons. The committee reviewed resources from the Offices of School Support Services, Human Resource Services, and Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Development. The committee adapted the content from those resources to create age-appropriate lessons on bullying prevention, sexual harassment prevention, and suicide prevention, to be delivered by school counselors.

Please email me or complete a Counselor Referral Form in the front office if you need my assistance ygjonovich@lbschools.net

Academic

Long Beach Parks and Rec http://www.longbeach.gov/park/recreation-programs/programs-and-classes/youth-classes/

Learning Hub information: http://www.longbeach.gov/park/news/youth-learning-hub/

Khan Academy www.khanacademy.org
CAMP FIRE USA www.campfirelb.org 7070 E. Carson St., Long Beach, CA 90808 PH: (562) 421-2725
City of Long Beach Public Library Family Learning Centers (FREE) www.lbpl.org
Club Z In-home Tutoring (fee-based) (562)206-0211 mdiwa@clubztutoring.com clubztutoring.com/lakewood
YMCA https://www.lbymca.org/ or call 562.925.1292
Salvation Army 562-247-3534

Emotional

LBUSD Community Resource Guide http://www.lbschools.net/Asset/Files/District/Community-Resource-Guide.pdf
ChildNet Youth and Family Services 4155 Outer Traffic Circle, Long Beach CA 90804 PH: (562) 498-5500 http://www.childnet.net/
For The Child 4001 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90807 PH: (562) 422-8472 http://www.forthechild.org/
THE GUIDANCE CENTER 1301 Pine Ave. Long Beach, CA 90807 PH: (562) 595-1159
Intervention Central https://www.interventioncentral.org/
Children’s Institute Inc., Long Beach Office 4300 Long Beach Blvd., Ste. 700, Long Beach, CA 90807 PH: (213) 252-5800 Great resource for uninsured families
Technology Literacy and Citizenship: www.Commonsense.org
HARBOR REGIONAL CENTER https://www.harborrc.org/ 21231 Hawthorne Boulevard. Torrance, CA 90503 562-540-1711
STRAMSKI CENTER https://www.millerchildrens.memorialcare.org/specialties/stramski-childrens-developmental-center or call (562) 728-5034

Recreation

Long Beach Parks and Rec http://www.longbeach.gov/park/recreation-programs/programs-and-classes/youth-classes/
Signal Hill Parks and Rec https://www.cityofsignalhill.org/122/Youth-Teen-Programs
Lakewood Parks and Rec https://www.lakewoodcity.org/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=23129
BOY SCOUTS www.longbeachbsa.org 401 E. 37th St., Long Beach, CA 90807 PH: (562) 427-0911
CAMP FIRE USA www.campfirelb.org 7070 E. Carson St., Long Beach, CA 90808 PH: (562) 421-2725

Distance Learning 😬

(IF schools close down again please go the Distance Learning tab at top of the page or click on the three lines to the left if you are on your phone/tablet)

10 Free Learning Sites

Stay Connected

Getting Started With ParentVue.pdf

Getting Started With ParentVue_Sp.pdf

Parent Vue

Access your child's report cards and test scores, edit medical and emergency contacts, and access School of Choice Applications

School Messenger directions.pdf

School Messenger

Receive important messages from the principal, receive emergency alerts, and district announcements

SST/504 Referrals

(Student Success Team)

⬇️❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤🤍⬇️

SST/504 referral (for parents)

Please contact me via email or phone to request a SST. You may also contact your student's teacher and ask that they request a SST after you have collaborated with your student's teacher. If the strategies and accommodations are not effective, then shoot me an email. I look forward in supporting your family.

Reasons to refer for an SST*:

my child is struggling academically
my child appears to be having some discomfort about school
my child is unable to resolve his/her own conflicts at this time
my child's attendance is below 90%
I need support with my child at home

*Please work closely with your child's teacher to create interventions/accommodations. I big part of what I do will be to assess how effective current or previous interventions/accommodations are doing and how we may be able to adjust those interventions/accommodations to better suit the student's needs. I will be looking for RTI (Response to Intervention) or lack thereof. The SST team may refer for further assessment if a student is not responding to interventions and/or accommodations.

>>all invitations are sent electronically via the email provided on your student's records. If you would prefer a paper invite, then please let me know<<

SST/504 referral (for teachers)

Email me or call me. I will send you a link that gets you straight to your student's SST page

Go to LROI>Select Applications>Select Student Study Team>click on your student>complete Staff Input Tab and complete ALL sections (especially the other previous interventions section)...PRESS SAVE EACH TIME,

We will discuss what interventions have been attempted; what is working and what is not working. We will together create a plan for success!

I will schedule an SST once all sections of the form are completed online and interventions/accommodations are in place.

Behavior Intervention Services - Resources for parents/guardians/teachers - CLICK HERE