Orleans Elementary School:
Counselors' Corner
Elementary School Counselors provide preventive and intervention services, which are integrated into all aspects of children’s lives. At OES, the School Psychologist and School Adjustment Counselor provide appropriate tools for communicating, making decisions, and developing friendships and coping skills.
Counselors provide services by developing and delivering classroom lessons that teach skills for achieving success, facilitating small group counseling and providing immediate short-term counseling for students when needed, and providing support during personal crisis.
In addition, counselors work collaboratively with parents to help their student succeed in academic, personal and social development and provide referrals for community resources.
Bethany Ambrose, School Psychologist 508-255-0380 ext. 3130 ambroseb@nausetschools.org
Julie Bray, School Adjustment Counselor 508-255-0380 ext. 3116 brayj@nausetschools.org
Bethany Ambrose, M. Ed, CAGS, NCSP
Nationally Certified School Psychologist
Special Education Coordinator
As the School Psychologist and Special Education Coordinator, I am excited to be in my 8th year at OES. My general philosophy is simple: I believe that all children can make positive differences in the world in their own unique ways.
My main responsibilities are to coordinate special education services, chair team meetings, and provide individualized instruction and service to children. In addition, I support all children through explicit teaching in many areas, such as self confidence, bullying prevention, emotional regulation, executive functioning, assertiveness training to act and speak up in the face of social injustice, conflict resolution skills, identifying and developing healthy friendships, and more. Feel free to call me anytime on behalf of your child.
Julie Bray, LCSW, MSW
MA Licensed Certified Social Worker
DESE Certified School Adjustment Counselor
I am thrilled to be in my first full year as the School Adjustment Counselor at OES. I believe that the voice we use to speak to our children is the voice they will ultimately use as their inner voice. I believe in problem solving with children, it’s important to ensure their feelings are validated prior to asking them to change and grow skills around expressing their feelings.
My main responsibilities are to ensure that every child feels safe and secure both socially and emotionally when they are here at OES. I support all our children to find and strengthen their inner voice through individual instruction, Second Step Bully Prevention Units and Second Step Child Protection Units in the classroom. I run lunch bunches and often support children on the playground where, at times, it can be difficult to navigate friendships. I also offer social skills groups to enhance executive functioning, empathy, perception of the situation, practice matching reactions to the size of the problem, all other things social emotional. My goal is to help our students maintain and enhance their positive peer interactions and gain the confidence, skills and social behaviors that will benefit them as they grow here at OES and ultimately prepare them to move on to the middle school.
How does my student get referred to the counselor? Students can see the School Counselor via self-referral, parental request, request of the counselor, administrative referral, and/or teacher or staff referral.
Why would my child see the counselor? Students may be referred to the school counselor if there are concerns that are inhibiting their learning here at school. Some concerns, but not limited to are: Behavioral, social/ emotional, and academic concerns.
How do parents contact the counselor? Parents are invited to contact the school counselor at any time via phone or email regarding their child. We can discuss your concerns over the phone or you can come in to meet. Parents can call or email the School Counselor to set-up a conference.
For how long does the school counselor see the student? Sessions may be held on a regular, ongoing basis or simply as needed.
How do I get referred for outside services? The role of a school counselor is to assist children during their school day. This may include issues with friends, test anxiety, social issues, and problems at home that are affecting their school day. When there are difficulties at home (i.e. divorce, death of a loved one, deployment) that are not affecting the child at school or are affecting the child greatly at school there are times when outside, private counseling may be necessary. If you decide private counseling is necessary for your family, we can provide information regarding local counseling agencies.
Will you notify me if you spoke to my child? Parents are notified at the discretion of the counselor. If a counselor will be seeing a student on an on-going basis the counselor will notify the parent and seek parental consent for school counseling.
What are the parameters around confidentiality? Confidentiality is an important aspect of counseling; this is how the counselor builds trust with the student. What the child says during counseling is to remain between the counselor and the child unless: 1. The child is in imminent danger. 2. The child is threatening to harm him/herself or someone else. 3. The child reports an incident of abuse and/or neglect. 4. The child gives permission to disclose. When a breach in confidentiality is necessary, we would make a report to the appropriate agencies, support staff and/or parents depending on the situation. Note: School counselors and other school staff members are mandated reporters. Mandated reporters are required by law to report to DCF any time a student is suspected of being in danger.
Here are a few examples of reasons why students might come to our office:
* Jenny said she won't be my friend anymore and I'm really sad.
* I miss my mom and I don't want to come to school.
* My mom-mom died and I can't stop thinking about her.
* My dog ran away this morning and I'm afraid he is never coming back.
*My parents have been fighting and I'm afraid they are going to get a divorce.
* I just moved here and I don't know anybody.
* I need to report bullying.