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Be a Bucket Filler!
The mission of the Madison Primary School Counseling Program is to support all students socially, emotionally and academically in a safe and nurturing environment. The Counselor works collaboratively with educators, parents, guardians and the community to empower students to reach their highest potential. A developmentally appropriate and proactive program is provided to empower students to become lifelong responsible, respectful, and kind citizens.
The mission of the Madison Primary School Counseling Program is to support all students socially, emotionally and academically in a safe and nurturing environment. The Counselor works collaboratively with educators, parents, guardians and the community to empower students to reach their highest potential. A developmentally appropriate and proactive program is provided to empower students to become lifelong responsible, respectful, and kind citizens.
About School Counseling at Madison Primary School
About School Counseling at Madison Primary School
As your school counselor, I work as a team with parents, school staff, and our community to ensure a caring, nurturing, and supportive school for our students to learn, grow, and have fun. The main goal of the MPS School Counseling Program is to encourage the academic, social emotional, and career development of all our Mountaineers through a variety of supports. The School Counseling Program is child-centered and developmentally appropriate to empower children to feel good about themselves and learn skills that support healthy decision making. I look forward to getting know the next generation of Mountaineers!
School Counseling Classroom Lessons
School Counseling Classroom Lessons
Developmentally appropriate classroom lessons are provided to all students kindergarten - second grade once every three weeks for 45 minutes. These lessons are an opportunity to provide academic, social emotional, and career information for all students. Lessons are aligned with American School Counselor Association Standards and Competences and the Standards for School Counseling Programs in Virginia Public Schools. School Counseling lessons focus on a variety of topics such as feeling exploration, bucket filling, growth mindset, dealing with bullying situations, differences between tattling and reporting, respecting differences, developing positive self image and career awareness.
Small Group Counseling
Small Group Counseling
Small groups are offered throughout the year based on common needs for students. Groups allow students to share and connect with their peers who may be experiencing a similar situation. It is comforting for students in our ever changing society to understand they are not alone and to have another safe place to express their feelings. Groups also provide students the ability to practice social skills to promote positive relationships. Group session activities include discussions, drawing, bibliotherapy, or playing games. Group sessions consist of 2-5 students meeting weekly for 30 minutes for approximately 8- 10 weeks.
Some group topics include:
Divorce/Changing Families
Grief
Social Skills
Growth Mindset/Self Confidence
Emotional Awareness
Students may be referred to participate in a small group by their teacher, administrator, parent or by themselves. A signed permission slip is always required by the student's guardian in order to participate in on-going support groups.
Individual Counseling
Individual Counseling
Individual counseling is available to meet with students to discuss a concern they may have. Individual counseling provides a safe place for students to express themselves and discuss techniques to help them cope with a current situation on a short term basis. Teachers, staff members, administrators, and the student may request a meeting. Parents and guardians are encouraged to contact me if you would like for your child to be seen individually.
Lunch Bunch
Lunch Bunch
Lunch Bunches are also part of the school counseling program. I love having these special lunches with students to meet a variety of needs. We may have a lunch bunch to help make new friends, work through a peer conflict, discuss a student concern, or to celebrate a special day. Students may request a lunch bunch or the counselor may invite a student(s) for lunch. This is a great way to get to know the students better.
Indirect Services for Students
Indirect Services for Students
In addition to the direct student services described above, school counselors also provide indirect services to effectively implement a comprehensive school counseling program. Indirect services are delivered through consultation, collaboration, and referrals.
Consultation is the process of working with parents, teachers, other educators, mental health professionals, and the community to seek and provide information, recommendations, and strategies to promote student success.
Collaboration is the process of working with multiple individuals toward a common goal. School Counselors collaborate with with families, teachers, administrators, School Based Intervention Teams (SBIT), other student focused teams, community stakeholders and agencies to support student success.
Referrals to outside community agencies may occur when a student may need long-term services that extend beyond the scope or expertise of the school counselor. School Counselors provide educational, instructional counseling through short term targeted services. When students need more intensive long term support, it is the ethical responsibility to refer families to agencies to assist them in managing needs outside the realm of school counseling. Examples of situation that would require a referral may include emotional/physical/sexual abuse, violence, suicidal ideology, and other mental health needs.
System Supports
System Supports
System Support happens when school counselors participate or manage activities and services that support the school and the school's comprehensive school counseling program. Examples of system supports may include serving on the School Based Intervention Team (SBIT), 504 Team, VTSS/PBIS Committee, and attending parent teacher conferences. The school counselor may also organize activities such as Bully Prevention Month, Character Counts Week, Random Acts of Kindness Week, Bucket Filling Day, and Unity Day.
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